The Savannah morning news., 1900-10-22
WOULD BE A CRYING SHAME.
SAVANNAH LAWYER 80 DENOUNCEs
CHANGE ~ SQUARES.

Prominent Member at the bar Dis
cusses some Of the Arguments
Made In Favor of Alderman DiNon's
plan nnd Finds Answers for The
AII-Iieauty OF the squares Does
Not Depend Upon the square Feet
OF Grass-shHpc aud symmetry
Count for Very Much More-Tru~t
IotVniaes You'd Not Be Improved.
Property Owners Gould EnJoin the
Change.
The project Of Alderman Dixon Tor the
opening o. Abercorn aud Barnard streets
through some or All Of the squares around
which they pass continues The subject
Of constant discussion. The opposition to
the project Is pronounced. and certainly
viii not be ended even II the legislature
grants the required authority and C0ln-
cH psssos the ordnance IN question.
A prominent member q the S1vunnan
bar discussed the question yesterday with
manifest ana expressed Indignation. De-
clarlug that the accomplishment Of the
project would DO the city an irreparahie
injury lie said further that the Legisla-
ture could not give the city authority to
destroy the symmetry and beauty Of the
square, and mat any owner OF property.
which abutted on the squares might OBJ
tain an Injunction against the change.
ITS a crying shame that such "a plan
Is even contemplated. said the lawyer.
There are cities everywhere that would
give almost any amount Of money for
the squares that ornamen, and benefit
Savannah. and that their beauty should
h., destroyed. 70 serve a purpose purely
unitarian. ard the accomplishment 81
THIS purpose even IS not guaranteed or
likely to follow. is an outrage. The plan
ought 10 be opposed by every good ciu-
zen.
1T is said that even after the streets
are opened tho area Of grass viii be as
large as ls tho case now. the argument
is worthless. for it D. not the number 81
squar. ieet ia grass that gives tne squares
their beauty. but their shase. then sym
merry. the fact that the anguisrty OF the
plan Of the cts is relieved 10 intervals
by these circles OF sodded lawn and wav-
ing trees. that. approached from whatever
standpoint. present an appearance equally
beautiful.
I'm further support Of The plan II Is
commended that the change would increase
the value OF the trust lots This is another
faliacy founded only on mere assertion.
How tho value OF lot can Doe increased
by taking away the approach 10 its front.
passes the imagination OF the ordinary
individual Look al Wesley Monumental
Church. FOR instance or Trinity Church.
n the streets intersectiuR the squares
were closed az Is contemplated, The car
riages for a wedding or funeral could
noe again approach the doors Of either Of
these edihces and constant Inconvenience
would be the result. Take the case 81
the Telfair Academy Of Arts and Sciences
and a similar state Of affairs would De-
produced Look az the residences on The
trust lots and consider the inconvenience
60 those who live in them.
And even ~ 10 were true. which u isn't.
that tho value Of trust lot property would
he improved by the change. what right
has the city TO permit such an argument
TO control its action7 The squares are
The common property Of an the people.
and no more belong TO trust lot owners
than they 10 20 the owner Of any other
/ piece Of land within the corporate limits
/ Council has no right to advance The in
I terests 81 one Get OF property owners az
the expense OF the people generally
The city squares are the distinguishing
characteristics OF savannah's beauty, and
they should be retained as they are. Il
is "a pity that the square system was not
followed in opening streets 10 the south
ern section.
Moreover" said the lawyer. even 81
tho Legislature gives Council the right
TO make tho change agd open streets
through the squares and even ~ Council
| should make use OF the authority so
! granted g would not serve to accomplish
the intended purpose. Any owner OF prop
erty affected by the change could obtain
an injunction against 81 and tho highest
courts Of the land. In my opinion. would
! sustain the injunctions validity and make
| IL permanent. Clearly 20 take away from
a man the right To drive zap to the door
| Of his own house Is taking or damaging
| his properly without due process Of law.
| and the constitution 81 the state and Of
| the United States alike forbid a. With an
/ Difference 60 Alderman Dixon ana 20
| Council they viii have 20 obtain a
change OF sentiment. as well as change
| in the law. before they viii be in a posi-
| ton successfully 20 accomplish the de-
struction 81 the squares beauty"
These expressions OF opinion are typical
| OF those constantly used by the opponents
! OF the project 20 open streets through the
squares Il & undoubtedly true that The
! opposition TO the project IL very strong
/ and that those who are IN opposition now
| will fight out the hEht TO the last ditch.