The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-07


1905 80 which came TO an end on Aug. 81,
savannah finds much in It upon which to
felicitate herself. 1t was, upon the whole,
a very satisfactory and prosperous year.
The chief feature Of it, probably, was an
advance in and hardening of pretty nearly
all values. cotton excepted. That staple
continued to rule low, and the cotton busl-
ness left much to be desired. This is true
of both the short and long staples But
other branches Of commerce and industry
have showed heaIthful and gratifying ae-
tlvity. During the year many elements
conspired to make the season a prosperous
one. The returning confidence in the busl-
mess world led TO the loosening OF purse
STRINGS for investments and the extending
Of business ventures. There was a plenty
of money for all legitimate demands ana
II could be had on favorable terms. City
merchants increased their stocks, and IN
terror buyers entered the markets with
more freedom and confidence than for sew
eral years The one especial darh sPo'
In the whole record of the year IS the cot
ton market. OF all staples and commo-
dIHes cotton was about the only one
which did not share in the better times
a,hc Troops and the Transports.
ono Of the notable incidents of the year,
ana one which had considerable lnHuehce
IN the years business, was the eheaihp-
-, bare Of the Seventh Army Corps,
nnd the transportation from TINS port VI
tha corps and a vast amount OF ailis
etore. and supplies 10 Cuba. And IN con-
rectton with this matter, 1T may be sald
without Doasting that events proven ga
1snnah to be one of thc healthiest ana
most patriotic cities in the country ana
to have transpor gation iaclhues thae a. s
Greatly superior to anyth ny else OF the
kind on che South Atlantic coast. Ihe
health of the troops was not good Wnen
ahev arrived here. They were supPled
with an abundance of pure, fresh artesian
water, and given high. dry, weh-dralhea'
spacious camping grounds. The result
was that the sick lisl constantly decreased
,ntf when the time came for the en-
barkation. that list had practically disdp-
reared and the men were al hearty and
strong.
A feature of the shipment of troops
through this port that was accompanied
with gratifying details was the movement
OF the government transports. Many oil
them were exceptionally large vessels.
Several of them drew twenty-five feet oi
water and at least two of them che Ches-
ter and the Michigan twenty-six feet,
withstanding this great draught, they
each made several trips into and out OF
the port, thus demonstrating The capacity
OF the harbor and river for the accommo-
dation OF large and deep craft.
As to the sum of pecuniary benefits Il
the city and port of the army movement
opinions differ. But il is conceded that
oil told-the troops, the transports, ths
great corral the quartermaster's store
house, the medical and surgical ware
house. the hospital and the pack trains
each being contrihuiors-the money left
here amounted TO several millions of dol
lars. The distribution of this money ma
teraAy aided in making the twelve
months season Of prosperity.
Great Works of Construction.
The incident OF second Importance. prob
ably. during he year was the series of i'm
pOrtant movements made 10y the railroad.
towards the development and enlargement
OF great properties. The Georgia and Ala
hama began work on It's immense termt
nails on Hutchsons Island. which are a
be among the most cOmmodious and com
plete IN the United States. That work Il
row well advanced. The company is alS'
building its own connecting line from
Meldrim 10 the city, and "A great stee
dr3wbridge across the river 20 connect il
main line with its island terminals. Sew
oral hundred hands are constantly EN-
ployed on these works. The Central .
Georgia has also done great deal OF WOri
IN the way of enlarging lis already eXteu
sive and capacious wnarves, docks an,
warehouses. its terminal facilities now be
ire wonder and admiration among ship
ping men. The government transport
were handled from the Centrars docks
and it is due to the excellent facilities a
them that these great vessels We're give
such prompt and gratifying dispatch
Another railroad Improvement which cam
70 a head during the past year and whic
Will become reality during the presen
year was the agreement OF four of In
roads centering here to erect a magnificen
union depot in the western part of the city
The site for the building has been pur
chased. the plans have been drawn, an
the erection of the depot win be begun a
an early day. A notable fact in connectio
with this depot arrangement is that tn
Southern Railway is a party TO the agreC
ment which is believed to mean hat tn
Southern will shirty be operating II
through and direct lines into Savanna
over its own roadway.
The railroads. however. We're far froI
beng he only builders during the yea
Indeed, the amount OF construction carrie
on throughout the city was something ia
out of the ordinary. The city itself bull
about one-third Of its new house drainag
system, a work of great magnitude; tw
telephone companies and one electri
Lighting and power company laid man
miles Of UNDERGROUND condu.ts and cable.
the government constructed a Eospitf
pant of some forty buildings and con
pleted the magnificent marble postofiic
ana court house; the city laid many mile