The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-26
A NEW CEMETERY.
Is There n Pressing Necessity for
One Just Now.

AS citizen and a taxpayer, l have
been very much interested in the dis
cussion of this subject. The inclination
has been to anticipate the decision of
the main question, and confuse it with
the selection of site. In this way
the important question of the needs
of the community have not been dis
cussed on it's merits. Those opposed to
any one of the sites suggested have
argued as to the fitness, or unfitness or
that particular location, and the real
question at issue has been ignored.
The special committee from Council
having this matter in charge will, no
doubt, thoroughly investigate the
subject, and it is hoped that the in
formation obtained will all be given
to the public.
1t is we'll known that the city owns
land near, really adjoining, the colored
portion of Laurel Grove. On account
of its position, it could only be used
for the colored people. The 1000 new
lots, ten acres, referred to in the Morn
ing News will cost six hundred dollars
per acre to put in condition to be
used, anC, wili,when finished, he low iangi.
Are these ten acres so located that
they may be used by both Jew and
Gentile2 The JeWish portion lis so
crowded that there has already been
a movement on the part of this por-
ton of our citizens to act indepen-
IDENTIFY of the city authorities in caring
for their dead, and the municipality
may lose this important patronage.
If 1t costs 5000 per acre to put in
condition ten acres could not six thou
sand dollars be more wisely spent in
acquiring land that does not cost so
much to prepare for burial purposes?
It should also be considered that, or
dinarily, one thousand lots only repre-
sent one thousand families. In a grow
ing city there are new families being
added to the population constantly,
and while these ten acres would not
be filled up for years to come, in this
healthy city, yet in few years we
would be confronted with the same
problem, plenty of room for burials,
but no lots to sell. Adjoining my lot in
Laurel Grove is lot with one grave
1.-The last of his family" Although
greatly desired, no portion of this lot
can be acquired by the adjoining lot
owners. The questions of feasibility
and economy have by no means been
exhausted by the above, but the points
raised are only suggestions respect
fully submitted for considerat by
the able committee in charge and by
the taxpayers, from whom / feel sure
the committee would gladly hear.
The main question of necessity does
not seem to depend upon either cost
or sufiiciency of space. Above and be-
yond such considerations is the great
one of health. Is the location of a GEM
etery among the living deleterious to
healthy Is it true that gases arise from
decaying bodies which poison the at
mosphere and produce fevers? 1t has
hHEn fra0nanfIV n al m
ored cemetery there were bodies buried
upon bodies, until frequently multi
Piled. Is this contributing to the health
of the community? If sickness from
this cause originates in the western
part of the city, it can spread to other
portions. There are few cities, so proud,
and justly so, of their health record,
as this, and, strange to say, few that
suffers so unjustly from misrepresenta-
ton on this point.
We are peculiarly sensitive and jeal-
Gus on this subject. We cannot afford
to be discussed as perpetuating any
thing that is even suspected of being
unsanitary. We must avoid the APP
pearance" of aught that is suspicious
on this line or that may provoke COM
ment. Our reputation must be that
of being the cleanest city, of being ex-
tremist on the subject of all that con-
uuCtS " HSdlLI. w TN dDSOiuIely pure
water, and an abundant supply, COM
plete drainage from the home of all
harmful water, what advantage would
there be If offset by poisoned atmos-
phere" If the water is not good you
need not drink, but you must breathe.
1t would seem that the question was
'up to- the health department. The
City Engineer, the Director of Public
Works and the Park and Tree Commits
sion have all done their part. When
necessary the legal department will de-
eide whether we have a right to buy
or not, but the most important of all,
and the deciding point is, does the
health of the city require It? If there
were three times the unoccupied land
that we have. If it was the most invit-
ing place imaginable in which TO be
buried, and If the only available land
cost even $500 an acre to acquire. this
community would say, buy it. Cease
to perpetuate a menace to health"
Let US take safe advice on this ques-
ton and make no mistake. If change
must be made, and there are legal or
financial objections, / can imagine
neither, to municipal ownership, while
as a tax payer, / would regret the loss
to the municipality of the profit to be
derived from a new cemetery, private
enterprise will take up the work. 1t is
we'll known that there are large profits
in cemeteries. So endeth this chapter
of the views on this very grave subject,
of Senex.
Emperor William has bestowed on