The Savannah morning news., 1901-01-22
FOR CITYS WELFARE
RECOMMENDATION BY THE MAYOR
IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT.
HINTS GIVEN NEW BOARD.
ADVISED THAT NECESSARY I'M
PROVEMENTs BE MADE.

Tor New Cemetery-SOmeth hing
Must BE Done for the Disposition
of the City's Garbage-COnnectiOn
of Houses With House Drainage
should He Made-ImprOve Southern
Section and Aid Charitable AssO-
ciatiOn-Summe Concerts in the
Park.
The annual report of Mayor Herman
Myers was read to Council shortly after
noon yesterday. The report was made
to The new board and was read by Clerk
of Council w. p. Bailey. Opening with
review of the work of the departments
Of the city administra ton during 1900, the
report turned TO recommendations which,
if carried out, would be distinct improve
iTents. Upon the conclusion of the re-
pcrt, the spectators, who had gathered
to witness the installation of the new
board, applauded
The closing year of the Nineteenth
| Century said the Mayor, brought 20
Savannah progress and prosperity. Bus
mess conditions were favorable through
out, the city was blessed with good health
its people were united in efforts to adj
vance public as we'll as private interests,
and the dawn of the new century found
them fun of confidence in the future of
their city, we'll satisfied with it's recent
development, and determined to continue
their exertions for its upbuilding.
while there may have been doubts a
few years ago as to the continued ex-
pansion of the citys trade, none now ex-
lists. Few cities during the past decade
have had a more stable or better sus-
tanned growth. Year after year, through
the medium of new railroads and the ex-
tensions of existing systems, a greater
area of country has been brought into
commercial relations with Savannah; its
wholesale houses have broadened their
operations, the avenues of employment
have multiplied and it's population has in
creased. Its reputation as leading bus
mess centre has been sustained and its
position as one of the great ports of the
country and the chief port of the South
Atlantic Coast, has been easily main
| tanned.
1t is a cause for pride and self con-
graduation that to-day Savannah ranks
| higher in the commercial world than ever
| before in its history. 1t has retained its
| hold on the esteem and confidence of the
country at large. As the foundations on
which its future development depends
have been so well and so carefully laid
we can look forward with absolute faith
| that the present year and it's successors
viii bring new enterprises, additional
| business, greater wealth, large pubic i'm
| provements, smaller burdens upon tax
| payers, and an increasing, prosperous
and happy population.
Need "a New Cemetery.
Further efforts have been made to pro
| vide against the future needs of the city
! by establishing a new cemetery There
appears to be no division of opinion as to
the necessity and advisab ility of securing
a site for this purpose. The only ques-
| ton at issue is as to the location to be
preferred. A difference of sentiment on
this line deferred definite action by Coun-
| Gil. Each year finds the available area
| in Laurel Grove more contracted. 1t ap-
pears unwise 20 postpone the purchase of
| land for new cemetery until absolutely
| forced to it by the actual need of resting
places for the dead. Under such circum-
| stances not only would the city be sub
| ject to advanced values, growing out of
its necessity, but the public would be
10th to make use of a crude unidentified
| tract of land.
Thine is required to prepare whatever
area may be bought for cemetery pur-
! poses, Improvements will require judi
| cous planning and considerable expendi-
| ture BY buying sufficient land now and
making annual appropriations for its bet
terment, the city, inside of five years,
will have a cemetery of ample proportions |
for a half century to come and one in
which the people can feel a pride. No |
matter is more worthy of careful consid |
GRAFTON and action by the new board than |
this. Citizens generally prefer to have |
cemeteries controlled and managed by the |
Lefty government and it is the duty of the |
municipality to make proper provision to |
meet their requirements.
Must Provide for Garbage.
another health measure that awaits ac- |
ton at the hands of the incoming alder |
men is the prompt and sanitary DISPOSE |
ton of garbage and other waste matter. |
AS is well known, the crematories are |
now practically useless. Any further ex |
penditure on them would be a waste of |
money. Either new crematories should |
be built or arrangements should be made |
fer the removal of the city's waste to a |
sufficient distance from the limits to pre-
serve the public health, and at the same |
time utilize 1t as far as possible.
"A proposition was made during the |
past year for the carrisge of all waste |
to the county farm, where it could be |
used TO advantage Tor ferullZlng. The |
failure of the Commissioners to cooper |
ate to the extent desired checked the plan |
for the time being, but if crematories are |
not to be re-established, further steps |
should be taken on this line.
1.-The protection of the public health is |
the first duty of a municipal government, |
rising above all other considerations, and |
there is no feature of Councils work that /
justlfies intelligent study more than this. |
The Committee on Public Health, while |
ia may not attract as much attention in |
the eyes of the public some others, is
nevertheless one of the most important |
subdivisions of the board. 1t should be |
a most important factor in the municipal
government, and the city might be bene-
fitted If all branches affecting the public
health were more centralized under it's
control and immediate direction. A step
has already been taken i'm this direction
by placing the inspector of plumbing I'M
der this committee.
Connect with House Drainage.
1.-The present year will bring the house
drainage system nearly to completion
The importance of this work in its rela-
ton to the public health is appreciated
by citizens, and the expenditures on It's
account have met with the hearty appro-
val of all With IL brought into practical !