The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-31
MY BUSINESS LAST YEAR.
,,ELDRIM's REPORT FOR
NAio' EXHAUSTIVE DOCUMENT.

=. Goes Fully Into the F1nanciai Con-
...o, of the City and Points Out
,.,or,euts of Strength in the
.,o,, as IL Now Exists-WOrk
~ the Departments Briefly Alluded
aud Number of suggestions
,,ada for the Benefit of the IncOm-
ing Council.
,--.,~ lI-Idrim's annual report for 1898
road 10 either the outgoing or
Incoming Council. 1t was placed in
IDS of the Clerk of Council by the
MAYOR and will be read by the ex-
,,.-r,an as well as those of the present
~ and bv the public generally, in the
newspapers. ,,..,
rbe report is longer than ordinarily. 1t
T. summary of the business affairs of
-. citv during the past year, going into
ILLS and giving figures frequently.
,,.,.or Neldrim opened his report with a
.,,o,estion that the reports of the several
,.oortments accompanying it be referred
~ the appropriate committees. He then
+ool, ND the finances of the city.
4rbe estimated Income for this year."
:. aid lis sSl2 1921, and the amount of
tho midget for the same period of time is
ooolgo1 owing to the serious Illness of
n,r p. Hamilton, chairman of the
ananca committee, the Mayor was depriv-
- of his efficient aid, but the election of
Mr. n r. Thomas to the board has as
slstad the administration materially in
Tt1a.
marked Improvement in the condition of
thjs citv 10 which l referred in the an
mai message for 1897, has continued. Pop
Marion has increased, new buildings have
hsen erected and additional territory has
iacoroe occupied. The receipts of cotton
al This mort are the largest in the history
Of the cry. while the bank clearances
have reached the sum of nearly S130, 00O,0 900.
THE area acquired under the act of 1854
has now been brought within the limits
of taxation. The streets have been OPEN
ed and graded through it, water and light
have been afforded, and police protection
has been given The expenses of this Of
flee have been reduced, no extra pay has
been allowed, the City Court now ceases
10 appear on our list of appropriations, and
the financial condition of the city is of
the most satisfactory character. 1t is true,
that in December. 1898, the sum of $4,000
deficiencies. This money was borrowed by
the city Tor an average time of eighteen
days az the average rate of interest of
as per cent, and the total sum paid by the
CITY on this .oan for interest was 1858,
while the city received during the year as
interest on deposits $2,S20.24. 1t would have
been an easy matter 20 have carried over
into January a sufficient amount of I'M
paid bills to have avoided the making of
ts NJ
a balance in the treasury of SO, 80, but
it was deemed proper to pay without de-
hay every creditor of the city whose de-
mand was ripe for payment. The loan
thus made and which has been paid off
was made necessary by extraordinary eX-
penses not provided for in the budget.
Mayor Meldrim then took up the matter
Of expenditures made outside of the regu-
lar budget, to show their extent and ne
cesslty This was in part answer to some
criticisms of the heavy OUTLAWS made dur
ing the year under review. In this connec-
ton he said:
recognizing the Importance of afford
ing every facility to the commerce of the
ports and giving heed to the representa-
Tons Of the commercial bodies mooring
pies were driven in the river at a cost
OF N2S25. The preservation of the pub
TIC buildings was deemed necessary and
them' In addition to the appropriation
Tor the new police station, 1920 was fur
tner appropriated therefor, and to put the
olu water works in condition for immedi-
ale use $l,1D was so applied In order
10 stop unnecessary waste of water and
10 Keep close eye on the sanitary con-
ution OF the plumbing of the city $500 was
appropriated during the year as salary for
"a Plumbing inspector. The sum of $12,-
o''-I was used IN providing water for the
army mat was encamped here and for. in
cldental expenses connected Herewith The
Ire department requiring new engine.
9l'"V was paid on account of purchase
"Iouey' Eeighteen hundred dollars. not
eouteinpiated, was expended on drainage
~ Laurel Grove cemetery. Six hundred
uo|dIs was used in affording facilities for
we mar or and river committee of Con-
go 70 investigate the port and for their
s7,p entertainment A new powder mag
~1lue became necessary and $500 was an
Woprated for the purchase of lot The
Any eoue required revision and 81 200 was
piopildted for that purpose Fifty dol
s vas appropriated for the naval re-
So F-'ii-.O for expenses of City Court
r $500 LOT repair of storm damages TO
- l.1s Aet A'32l.j5 for house drainage. S4
Go' LOT police department, S5.9 10 for
tion ~ eal siheht, and further appropria-
was made uiiiA0i MS
b,d" VIII ne remembered that when the
Of ~ was made up for the departments
st,a5 ana police that it was then UNDER
,5cD, mat if these departments found
amn,, ,'IVeS unable to keep within the
NV th1s appropriated Council would sup
dice ~. ueIiclency the effect being to re-
cit,, eNpehSes in every department of the
cioso oe 'Inment. 1t was found at the
which VI me year that the amounts to
have ference has been made would
exnorso- ne expended to defray the actual
resuIt % VI these two departments. The
exnende sls nc, ore was that $43, 556. "a was
in he 49, I' which had not been provided for
pro1e e budget. This money was wisely and
p,0ptfIy expended an"
Of tb, nv his analysis of the finances
tion olly' Mayor Meldrim directed atten-
been nr, me elaborate report which had
resn,t p ne on ground rent lots. THE
civ bo o- thls report said he. lis that the
nunbor5 an asset amounting in round
S55"ooG to $4,000, for which an offer Of
ad1ifon" aS oeen made and declined. In
ojtr.5 70 this asset the properly ac-
tax,ttoI III 1874 is estimated to bring into
the In property, real and personal 70
s''ount of Sl,00000O.
ana nre,,,Iparlsons of expenditures in 1898
"rt1 TElous years followed
Mons NY Court viii no longer be an ex-