The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-06
TO BUILD GREAT TERMINALS


pany. There is reason 10 believe that
some such plan is under consideration
and that soon after the terminals are in
readiness and the Georgia and Alabama
is delivering its freights on the island. the
new ocean line to the North will develop
into an actually. With the Western con-
nectionS of the Georgia and Alabama, a
new line from this port to the North might
be made fine paying enterprise.
Inc 1rst steps toward securing the lands
of the city on the island were taken last
night when a petition was presented to
the City Council. The petition. after
mentioning the objects for which the ter
minal company had been formed. stated
that 1t had ample capital already sub
ecribed to carry out its plans. that il de-
sired TO begin work and complete and have
the terminal in operation within the next
eighteen to twenty-four months, and that
1t had secured from c. j. Graham the
lease held by him TO the City's lands on
the island. This land the city is request
ed to sell to the Terminal company for the
same considerations the city in 1891 sold
II to the Middle Georgia and Atlantic which
was unable 10 carry out its plans. The
right to operate steam ferries to and from
the island and the city was also asked
for, reasonable compensa ton to be charg-
ed for ferriage of passengers and freight,
the Savannah terminals of the ferries to
be the public dock at The foot of Bull
street or such other slip or slips as may
be designated by Council.
The petition says: Immense advant-
ages will necessarily accrue 10 the city
of Savannah from the establishment here
of terminals and a terminal railway such
as are contemplated by your petitioner,
and that the direct and incidental bene-
fit therefrom will extend 10 and improve
the condition and prospects of every ciu-
zen OF this city. il has long been recog-
ID IL. 4. -
maintain its position and it's business in
the existing commercial rivalry between
contending sea ports on the Atlauuc
coast the establishment of additional rail-
road terminals here had become neces-
sity; and the city itself has in the past
few years made many efforts and offered
many inducements to secure them. Your
petitioners stand ready now to supply
these additional terminal facilities if the
city can grant to them what 1t has all
ready once offered and granted to others
whose lack 4of capital prevented the full
hllment of the eiAy'ss' hopes"
Accompanying the petition, which was
read first, was an ordinance covering the
conditions under which the petitioners pro-
pose 10 acquire the property Alderman
Davis moved that 1t be put on its passage,
while Alderman Smith looked at the mat
ter in another light and moved that il be
passed for consideration at a special meet
II. n, "A
Guckenheimer moved that the petition and
ordinance be referred to the committee of
the whole. Aldermen Smith, Krouskoff
Charlton, Guckenheimer, Reid Thomas
and We'll voted aye, while Aldermen
Owens, Duncan and Davis voted nay.
From the way In which several express
ed themselves, however, there is little
doubt but the ordinance Will go through
without much opposl ton. The only rea-
son for the delay is that the aldermen de-
sire TO thoroughly inform themselves
about the proposition, and attach such
conditions as the best interests of the city
may require All think il a bonanza, how
ever, and will not hinder what now seems
to them to be a most profitable develop
ment for the commercial interests of Sa-
vannah.
"It strikes me The building of terminal
track on the island and the development
that viii follow, said Alderman Reid,
will be of immense value to the city from
a sanitary standpoint. For years it has
been a menace 10 the public health on
account of its low and marsliy condition,
but if 1t Is elevated to a point that cannot
be reached by even the recent high tides
this will be just what the city wants The
city never acquired the property over there
with the intention of using ii for any
particular purpose, and as the present pc
titionerS are men able TO carry out their
intentions, am heartily 10 favor of grant
ing them the same privileges that were
given the Middle Georgia and Atlantic"
Other members of the board spoke equal
ly as favorable to the ordinance, and IL is
almost certain to go through Alderman
We'll said he supposed the only reason
for delay was to look more thoroughly in
to the matter, and attach whatever condl-
lions seemed just and advisable. He be-
lieVes the ordinance will pass, however,
and thinks the proposed work will be Of
immense value to the city.