The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-23

its department absolutely with an eye sin
gle to the city's good and regardless as to
whether it pleased the politicians or not.
1t has not used its patronage for the ben
eft of any club or political aspi-
rants but for the ben
eft of the tax payers whose funds were
being used for the adornment of the city.
Perhaps that has been its great crime in
the eyes of some. 1t has prepared intelli-
gent plans for continuous identifying of
The city, and believe has proceeded intel
ligently and economically considering the
great amount of work that has been en-
trusted to it. The storms of the past few
wears threatening to denude Savannah of
her chief glory and pride, her trees, have
made the commissions work of especial
value and Importance. Without proper
plans, well considered and carried Out, the
ravages of these and any storms that may
follow would not be remedied at all. Any
one who will take the trouble to consider
the great number of trees that have been
put out by the commission and then look
back and see what was done in this line
before its inception will readily appreciate
what | mean when l say that Savannah
cam be thankful that 1t has had Park
and Tree Commission to attend to this inn
portant matter so promptly and effective
Nv. The commission may be wiped out, 1
suppose II Will DSs Out lAAC NOAh NAASt -
has done win long remain as its monu-
ment.
at is sheer nonsense to talk of the COM
mission being a costly burden, as Mr.. Nc
Donough does The commissioners are all
well known citizens, who serve without
cent of compensation. Every dollar they
receive from The city is expended in work
for the city, and a detailed statement of
how 1t is expended is always at hand. If
il is extravagant to put out trees, TO I'M
prove the park and squares and grass
Mats. then the commission has been gross
ly costly and an unnecessary burden 10
the city and should be abolished without
DELAY But the mere statement that it has
been a costly and unnecessary burden does
not make it so, no matter who says So
Mr. McDonough is mistaken, and If he
will take the trouble to investigate, am
SIRE that he will be convinced that such
is the case. He or any citizen who Is in
terested will find much matter for thought
in a perusal of the two annual reports or
the commission, and an examination OF
the work done so far this year They snow
where The money has gone, how 1t has
been expended, and if, after reading them
IT is not concluded that the commission
mas done its duty well in the past, then
am wrong. There has not been politician
on the commission since its initial organ
ization. and if it is continued in existence
The same wise rule would insure the same
harmony of acton that has marked II in
the past and at present.
..I have been a member Of the commits
sion but a few months continued Mr.
Daffin. but l long ago realized the bene-
frs of the commission and the fact that
It was a popular institution with inteli-
gent citizens, as a rule. 1t found the old
South Broad street cemetery a mass of
weeds. rubbish and ruins, and made 1t in
"a the Colonial Park of to-day; 1t twice
found Forsyth Park devastated by cy-
clones. and twice undiscouraged went to
work intelligenty to redeem 1t and make
IL what it should be. Perhaps council
manic committee with a political worker
as SUPERINTENDENT and political workers
as employees, would do better and at less
expenses. And then perhaps they would
not.
Il have no personal selfish interest in