The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-15
NEEDS OF THE CITY.
Continued from Tenth Page.l

the remarkably good showing of that
department. the Special House Drain
age Committee maintained its former
careful supervision of the sewerage
system, and, in fact, each of the COM
uittees as we'll as the Park and Tree
Commissioners have also given to their
duties Jealous attention. Concord has
existed throughout the year in the
workings of the various committees
of Council. There has been a con-
tinued cooperation for the city's well
fare, and the results of the opera tons
for the twelve months are such as to
entitle the aldermen, individually and
as d board, to the thanks of their fell
low citizens for the time and thought
they have given TO public business
without compensation, save that which
comes from n knowledge of duty faith
fully performed. With each year the
amount of work falling upon Council
increases. Only those who have I'M
dertaken the responsibilities of the po-
sition can appreciate the multudious
matters coming up for consideration
and the time and attention that must
be given to them if the interests of the
municipality. which. means the inter-
ests of every man, woman, and child
in Savannah, are to be best served. At
times a spirit of carping criticism as
serts itself on the part of some nl-ad-
vised or spleenishly inclined person,
but | believe that the community, as
whole, is not unappreciative of the eff
forts of its unpaid servants to serve it
to the best of their ability. AS mayor
desire to publicly thank all the al
dermen for the support they have given
me during the past year, and to eX-
press my belief that the welfare of Sa-
Vannah has been uppermost in their
minds. l feel no hesitancy in stating
that experience shows that Savannah
has for years been fortunate in secur-
ing as aldermen men whose public con-
duct has been above reproach.
Extension of the Limits.
The city opened the new year with
its area greatly extended under the act
of the Legislature approved in Decem-
Der, 1901. The new area Incorporated
within the city limits is about 1,242
acres, and the larger part of it is de-
void of public streets or other improve
ments. No provision was made in the
act for the exemption of this territory
from taxation. In the case of the for
mer extended limits an exemption was
granted for ten years. 1t has always
appeared unwise to me to relieve prop
erty owners in an extended limits from
their share of the burdens of munich
pal government any longer than could
be avoided. From now on, those south
of F'orty-second street will receive po-
lice and fire protection; already there
have been expenditures of many thou
sands of dollars for the opening of
streets, and heavy OUTLAWS must be
made during this and succeeding years
for such purposes and the grading of
thoroughfares the laying of water
mains, street lighting, etc. The bene-
fits accruing from this win largely go
to the property owners there, and it is
just that they should contribute their
proportion toward such betterments at
as early date as possible. 1t will now
be the duty of the board of tax asses
sors to appraise the property in this
new district and provide for its taxa
ton in 1902.
While the needs of this southern sec
tion demand consideration, ! would
also urge that as much attention as
possible be given to the sections east
of East Broad and west of West Broad,
! north of Jones street. Streets and
/ lanes there should receive the same
! care that is bestowed upon those of
| the central and southern sections of
| the city. There is an apparent need of
| grading ON some of these thorough
! fares, which bear 4 rough appearance.
The more humble neighborhoods of the
city are entitled to the same considera-
| ton that is bestowed upon those where
! persons in affluent circumstances re-
! side, and to the extent of the citys
! ability they should be kept up to
higher standard. While it may not be
possible, or advisable, owing to the ex-
| pense, to pave their thoroughfares,
! they should be kept graded and clean
and every encouragement given to res
idents thereon to feel pride in their
| appearance and assist the city in their
| care. If the opportunity ever offers
some land should be acquired in the
sections referred to, which are thickly
populated, for park or playground pur-
poses.
Paving streets This Year.
During the year 1902 it is hoped that
our record for public improvements will
equal that of 1901. For years to come
street paving must occupy the atten-
tion of the municipal government. A
progressive city must have it's streets
paved. The time has passed in the his
tory of Savannah, or of any other city
which is ambitious of continued devel-
opment, when it could rest content
with a few paved thoroughfares and
a wilderness of sandy roadbeds. With
no class of improvements is the general
public better satisfied than with the
replacing of the sand by asphalt, vitri-
fled brick or granite blocks. During
1902 ii will be necessary, first of all,
to provide suitable avenues of access
to the new Union depot West Broad
street will soon be paved to that point
and provision has been made for the
paving of cross streets to connect with
jefferson street. After this is done at
tention should be given Immediately
to providing another paved street, run
ming north and south, on the eastern
side of the city. so as to give a high
way of travel from the Bay to the
city limits. The need of such an inn
proVement has been apparent for sew
ton as to the most desirable route to
select In this connection l would rec
commend that consideration be given
the following Price street, from Bay
TO CASTOR; CASTOR, from Price to
Habersham; Habersham, from Castor
to Henry; Henry. from Habersham to
Abercorn; Abercorn, from Henry to
Estill avenue. This course follows the
best development of the city in that
section, makes a large area easy OF
access for business purposes, and IA
cilitates the movement of the fire de-
partment. On the South Side there is
already a paved street from Jefferson
to Bull. If possible, this should be
continued from Bull, east to Haber-
sham. The work referred TO viii
doubtless consume the appropriation
for the year and will be of great value
to the public The city is making sat
.sfactory progress in this direction and