The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-05
ONLY A QUESTION OF DEBT.
THAT ANTI-HOUSE DRAINAGE
MEETING 4 SUBJECT OF TALK.

Mr.. MendeI Doesn't Think the City
Has Legal Right to Contract
Such an INTERCHANGEABLE Alder
men Have Looked Into the Matter
and Are Positive That 1t Has-Dr.
LeKnrdy Emphatic in His Denun-
citation of Such a Movement.
There is an evident misrepresentation up
on the part of those citizens who are
heralding the proposed anti-drainage
meeting for Oct. T. as to just what things
We're discussed by council behind closed
doors before adopting the Waring sys-
TEN of house drainage and in taking for
NAL steps, looking to the construction of
the system in Savannah.
Not only did council act cautiously in
investigating the system and its effective
ness in other places, say the aldermen
most interested, but it contemplated every
possible impediment which might be
thrown in the way of the work by dissat-
listed persons discussing those possibili-
ties in the light of all conditions under
which it was thought they might arise
1t was further learned yesterday In con-
necion with the meeting which Mr.. Selig
Mendel and unknown citizens, expect to
hold at the Odd Fellows hall Thursday
evening, that that meeting will take issue
with council in its contemplated action
to expend a portion of the public funds
for the construction of system of house
drainage on the ground that the city can
not legally bond itself or enter in such
n,1tY .ok tn,
ness. Mr.. Mendel said:
In 1877, the city of Savannah defaulted,
but later, in 1873, the city made settle
ment with its creditors by issuing 3 per
cent. instead Of per cent. bonds. The
legislature then passed an act, prohibiting
any city from creating a municipal in
debtedness in excess of per cent. of the
total assessed valuation of real and per
sonal property. know the city's indebted
ness will exceed Z per cent. of the assessed
valuation and am of opinion that it will
exceed even 10 per cent. Of the total
amount if this new indebtedness is Great
ed"
Mr. Mendel was asked if an objection,
such as he had just made, would not be
a matter more for the consideration of the
contractors than for council. He admitted
that it was solely a matter for the con-
tractors, which embraced the legality of
any contract they might make with the
city.
While Mr. Mendel stated that an ordi-
nance requiring the poorer property hold
ers of the city to make drainage connec-
tons would be equivalent TO the confsca-
ton of their property. it was plain that the
point he was making and that which gave
rise to the calling of the proposed meet
ing, was that the city was not pracicing
a sufficient economy.
With regard to the movement Alderman
Davis said the question of the present in
debtedness of the city was before coun-
ell prior to any action they had taken on
drainage matters. Any impediments that
might arise were thoroughly talked over
by council he said, and particularly the
amount of Indebtedness which could be
contracted by the city. He said it was
understood by council, that the act re-
striciing municipalities from contracting
any Indebtedness in excess Of Z per cent.
OF the assessed valuation of property re-
ferred> to such Indebtedness as was evil
denced by bonds" and not otherwise. He
said the city did not have to bond itself
TO construct the proposed system of drain
age but that it could proceed by the is
suance of notes, as was done in construct
ing the water works system He id not
think any movement with such claim to
back 1t up, would prove to be very effectu-
al in hinder,ng the house drainage work
which council intended to prosecute.
None of the officials or citizens were
more emphatic in their denunciation of
possible interferences with council than
was Health officer LeHardy. He ex-
pressed his regrets that any one should
seek to hinder such a needed Improvement
as house drainage in Savannah, unless up
on reasonable grounds, and continuing,
said:
Prior to that direfu. plague which over
swept Brunswick, a system of house drain
age was proposed, but was stopped bv a
few citizens who were afraid of slightly
disturbing their pockets The result was
that the last plague overlook Brunswick
when it was without the excellent system
which it now possesses. 1 do not think
we should allow delay in this matter. but
should proceed to business as soon as the
plans are ready"