The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-22
WANTS ANOTHER ORDINANCE.
Alderman Mills is for Helping south
side Citizens.

1t is probable the City Council will draft
an entirely new ordinance covering the
southern section sidewalk question. There
are several features of the present ordi-
nance which are considered bad, and many
of the board have concluded the best so.
luton of the trouble viii be the subsli-
tuung of new ordinance for the old one.
The Council will not favor the repeal
ing of the entire ordinance. There are
few residents of the southside who do
not want sidewalks of any kind nor I'M
der any conditions. but the board is not
lending an ear to their complaints. While
there Is no inclination to be oppressive. il
Is believed by majority OF aldermen that
the time has come for good walks, at
least, in that section of the city which
mas been built up. If the present ordi-
nance is repealed it will be for the pur-
pose only of drafting one which will bet
zens.
Il am convinced that there are some
features of the present law which will
nave TO co. said Alderman Mills. "Thc
property owners on the southside have
mad paving assessments to bear recently
and to put additional burdens on them
without sufficient time to do the work.
would not be treating them fairly.
savannah has been too heavily taxed
Ior some time." continued Alderman Mills
ana where Council can consistently do
so, I favor the Tightening of taxation. Al
all time Council should hear the com
plants of citizens, and then deal with
them in such way as reason and Justice
demand The policy of the present board
/ Is to save the citizens every dollar il
can which will be adhered to as far as
| practica BILE
The probability is the sidewalk ordi-
nance will be referred to the committee
| on streets and lanes to Investigate and
determine just what the people want he
sald. When a general expression has
peen obtained, Council will know
better how to act, and will not
! then feel that the law is a
| hardship on the people. The idea that
the matter should be left to the propertv
| owners of each block is good. and would
probably be the best way to insure an
adjustment of the differences. The uni
formity would be wen preserved if the
owners on each block decided upon the
material to be used. The fact the side
walks of various blocks are of different
material would not mar the looks of the
sidewalk in any way. There is more than
! one way of settling the matter to the
| satisfaction of all concerned and l feel
sure Council will do it,"
clause in the present ordinance pro-
vides for wooden curbings, but ex-Alder-
man Krouskoff jumped on 1t with a hot
| speech one night, the result being that
stone curbings were specified. Mr.. Krous-
| koff had prepared figures showing that
the difference in cost of wood and stone
would not justify the use of the cheaper
material. Alderman Williams is inclined
| to think cypress curbings would suffice.
however. and could be bought for much
less than stone He says a cypress curb
ing will last twenty-five years, during
which time it could be relied upon TO hold
| its own as well as stone.
While the matter is being discussed,
both as to cheap and costly material, the
| opinion is expressed that it will pay in the
long run to build the best walk. The or
| dinance will make it the duty of proper
| ty owners to maintain the walks, and I'M
less they build them of good material the
| annoyance of continually making repairs
will be upon them. The whole matter will
| probably be referred at the Council meet
| ing tonight to some of the committees.