The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-08
THE LIGHT HOUSE CASE.
MIR. Rauers States Exactly What the
Issue Is Between the Government
and HimaeIf.


Issue Is Between the Government
and HimneIf.
Savannah, Ga, Jan. Z, 1S99-Fditor
Morning News: Your local notices of the
proceedings before the assessors under
condemnation proceedings. in which I am,
very unwillingly, party, are apt to create
the impression upon some readers that 1
am, in this matter, unreasonable and
grasping.,
The facts are, that in March, 1898, at the
instance of one or more members of the
light house board, Congress passed an act
appropriating the sum of $4,000 "for the
establishment of a light station near the
entrance to StCatherlnes sound, Georgia
This did not require the taking of any part
OF St. GATHERINGS, and | am prepared to
convince any unprejudiced mind thai a
light house can be easily located on sites
that win be within the terms of the legis-
Iation without touching St GATHERINGS.
and which wiz subserve the interests OF
commerce much better than that selected
by the board or, more correctly, by It's
local representative. There has never been
any necessity for taking any part of my
property and this has never been claimed.
AS | understand It, all that the board, or
has been that st. GATHERINGS was to be
preferred. Some years ago /. was in posi-
ton TO control site on Ossabaw that the
owner was perfectly willing to part with
at a small figure, which would have been
within the terms OF the act. Learning that
il was objected that it would cost more
to build the light house ON this site than
on ST. GATHERINGS, j offered, in writing,
to pay the difference in the cost out of my
nnoxqf the of SD GOD.
which was more than sufficient to cover
this difference, If the board would not in
sist upon putting II on st. GATHERINGS.
mention this to show my anxiety to have
the government let me alone, and to make
clear the fact that 4 am not seeking any
money from the government.
] have always recognized that even the
important right of private property must
yield to public necessity, but 1 have al
ways thought that in the absence of such
necessity, this right was respected, both
in this country and in Europe. There Is
really no room for the idea that COM
merce, or any other public interest, win
suffer IL the light house is not placed upon
st. GATHERINGS.
have never asked the government for
damages. l do not wish any. What /
have stated on oath, now repeat: If the
government were to offer me 100000 cash
for the right to establish this station on
the island, 1 would respectfully decline
the offer
The question submitted to the assessors
by the court is the amo mt of money that
ought to be paid to compensate me for
the damage that will be done me If The
station Is established on this island and
the roadway placed across it for the use
of this station. on this question l have
submitted to the assessors the testimony
| of six gentlemen Of character and intelH-
gence. who have no interest In the result,
and l do not think that any one of them
would testify to damages that were "out
of question or unworthy to be considered"
| If the assessors were to find the highest
| estimate Of damages mentioned by any
witness would most gladly let the gov.
eminent keep the money II l am allowed
TO keep my properly.
/ do not wish TO figure as an Alexander
Selk!rk," or an obstructionist. or an ex-
| tortiouist, or as man with an exagger-