The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-25
CASE OF PARKS AND TREES.
Defense of the Commission and
Its Work,


Its Work.
Editor Morning News: The action of
Mayor Meldrim in directing the street and
lane committee to take charge of the
squares and grass plats, and. with the aid
of the commissioner of public works, to
keep them in order, demonstrates beyond
question, that the mayor and aldermen
have asserted their authority, but the
question arises. would it not be well for
them to consider also the best interests
of the taxpayers?
1t is conceded that the park commission
ers have expended every dollar of their
appropriation. but there is equal unanimi-
ty in the belief that the people of Savan-
nah have received good value for every
cent disbursed by them. These gentlemen
have displayed unselfish zeal in the work
contided to them. without one cent of re-
ward. They have experience, and thor
ough familiarity with the requirements of
the situation, and the question arises, is
1t true wisdom TO continue their work
under the supervision of a $500 per an
mum official? Can the commissioner of
public works have it done as economically
as it could be done by the park and tree
commissioners, who have ready a trained
and Intelligent force of employees? 1t Is
not believed that he can; therefore why
cannot the mayor and aldermen be salts
fed with the assertion of authority which
they have made. They have shown In
various ways that they have absolute
control of the public purse strings,
and why not rest content with this, and
let the work Of keeping the parks and
squares in order be continued by those
unseifish and public spirited citizens who
have much to lose, and nothing of a pc
cuniary nature TO gain, by their devotion
to the duties entrusted to and cheerfully
| accepted by them 1t will be money saved
to the tax payers.
| No doubt Alderman Davis will cheerful
| ly give portion of his valuable time and
with the aid and assistance of the commits
| sioner of public works, do much towards
| keeping the grass down and the parks free
| from rubbish. But the question is, would
1t not be better and more economically
| done under the supervision OF those who
are familiar with it. and know Just what
is required? The alderman is a clever gen.
t.eman, and success in the mercantile
| world, but when IL comes to the selection
| of proper trees and flowers for the adorn-
ment Of the parks, squares and grass
/ plats, the selection Of the Tuercus Sube-
/ rosa, Tuexcus Texana Cercis Latifolio,
| Acer Rubrum, or something else as best
adapted to this or that locality, the belief
| OF the writer is that the excellent alder
man win be attempting to wade in water
| too deep for him. He will not "be in it,
even a little.
All these things should be left to those
who have given of their time, with I'M
| stinting measure, to the study Of these
matters even though in their zeal to beau
tify our city they unconsciously ran
through the meager appropriations sum
scarcely twenty-four times greater than
| that allowed by council for one days en-
| tertainment of visiting chiefs Of police and
| sheriffs.
The writer finds no fault about the latter
approprlation-it Is proper that our city
1 fathers shall throw open our gates 10
| these officials and exhibit to them our
resources and beauties. but II is no less
proper that a goodly sum should be ex-
| pended in the natural adornment OF the
city which will receive them so warmly.
Pro Bono Publico.