The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-18
QUARANTINE TO BE OFFERED.
COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION FIX
ING TERMS OF LEASE.

But Not TO Pay Tor Sta1on PROPER
ty Until Expiration of Lense-WiH
BE Asked to Equip Station With
Modern Appliances - Alderman
williams Casts the Only Negative
Vote Against the Transfer.
Alderman Williams vigorously opposed
the adoption of the report Of the special
committee Of Council yesterday afternoon
Offering to the government the control
of Savannahs quarantine for term OF
two years. Aldermen Tiedeman, Wells |
Dixon, Graham, Mills, Thomas, farrell
and Haas voted for the adoption of the
report, which recommends the conditions
under which the station shall be leased |
A copy of the resolution will be sent to
Washington, and If it's terms are accepta-
BILE, the transfer of the property will fol-
low in a short time.
When the report was offered there was
not general discussion, as it was pre-
viously known how a majority of the
board stood Alderman Williams has from
the start opposed the transfer. and when
the question was called he summed up
forciby the arguments which have been
urged from time to time, and which he
gave in an interview in the Morning News
two weeks ago Close attention was Civ
en- Alderman Williams, and the fact that
he knew a majorty favored the change
caused him to give more emphasis TO his
remarks.
Alderman Graham replied to the OBJ
jections by Alderman Williams, his argu-
ment being along the line OF that he made
before the public meeting which consider
ed the ACCESSIBILITY of the transfer. Hav-
ing thorough knowledge Of the workings
of the marine hospital service, il was not
a difficult matter for him to make clear
the arguments he offered in rebuttal.
The report adopted at the suggestion of
a special committee composed of Mayor
Myers and Aldermen Wells, Graham, Jar
rell and Tiedeman, Is as follows:
Savannah, Ga, April II, 1S99.-To the
Mayor and Aldermen of the City of sa-
vannah: Your committee, appointed I'M
der a resolution OF Council at its meet
ing Of the 5th inst, with reference 90
the transfer of the quarantine station Of
the city of Savannah to the national gov
eminent, beg leave to recommend the max
ing Of an agreement whereby, for a
nominal rent, the quarantine station will
be turned over 10 the United States gov
eminent under lease or contract for two
years containing the following sdpula-
lions:
l. The United States government will
now take and pay for the city's tug used
at quarantine the sum of five thousand
(5.0o0 dollars. At the end of the term of
two years, should the city of Savannah
eject TO continue the governments con-
II
will take the holdings of the city at quar-
antine, exclusive of the tug. at a valua-
ton 70 be now fixed by arbitration
2. The government will continue the
employment of all employees now connected
with the station and tug unless there be
objection to their efficiency or competency.
3. Should the governments control be
discontinued at the end of the term. then
the improvements put in by the govern
ment win be taken by the city at valu-
alton to be agreed on. or, in the absence
of an agreement, to be determined by ar
bitration
4. The government, in the event of an
acceptance Of this proposition, Will for
the purpose of more expeditions and thor
ough service, increase and improve the
wharf, discharging and disinfecting IA
c!lities OF the station.
5. The treasury department viii at as
cure whatever congressional legislation
may be necessary TO carry out this agree
ment ia its spirit and purpose, and should
such legislation not be had. this agree
ment viii terminate and the city will
have the right to retake possession of the
quarantine at once.
Herman Myers, Mayor.
David Wells
ST. ]. B. Graham, Alderman.
Joseph G.. farrell, Alderman.
George w. Tiedeman.
After the report had been read, Alderman
Williams proceeded with his argument
against its adoption, which was based on
the conclusions. first, that the city has
no right 10 part with control of duaran-
tine, and. second If it had the right it is
not expedient TO do so.
Alderman Williams began by urging
that the members of Council were elected
by the people for two years to control the
city government and that. enc of the main
things given TO their charge was the pres
ervation of the public health. Every alder
man agreed by an oath to discharge this
duty, he urged, and they were exceeding
their power TO part with the property with
out first getting authority from citizens ID
do so.
AS to The expedishcysof the change. AL
derman Williams said there was no doubt
in his mind but the REIMBURSEMENT of con-
troll was a mistake, which the city would
live to regret By parting with quaran-
tine Council puts it in che hands of those
who do not feel a keen interest In the
welfare of the commercial interests of Sa-
vannah. The government comes in as a
helpmate. he said, and il is not expected
to assume exclusively control of ouaran-
tine such as that Council. proposes to give
under the foregoing resolution. He be-
lieved the best results could be accom-
plished by having a person in control ac-
countable alone to the health authorities
of Savannah.
do you suppose the quarantine officer
under the marine hospital service will eaU
in the advice of the officials of the cityP"
he asked. mo, sir, the government will
take charge in toto We now have the
advantage of the cooperation of physi-
clans familiar with all kinds of disease
and particularly fellow fever Graduates
cannot do this work as wen, especially
when they have had little experience. ana
have probably seen no more than fifteen
or twenty cases of yellow fever I'm their
lives"