The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-24

Mayor Herman Myers was in a
reminiscent mood yesterday afternoon
when he occupied his new office at
police headquarters for the first time.
"Our departure from the historic ex-
change forced many pleasant reminis-
cences to my mind, running back as
my connection with the venerable
building does for over period of
twenty years, during which it has been
my honor to serve the people of Sa-
vannah as alderman and Mayor" he
said.
During that time I have been as
ISOLATED in the city government with
many of the most prominent citizens
of Savannah, with men whose desire
has always been to promote the in
terests OF their beloved city. and under
whose guidance Savannah was brought
from the verge of ruin to a stability
second to no city of the United States
II recall many whose faces are no
more with us, but whose memories are
honored by all, who sat around the old
Council table year after year, laboring
! NCdiOusiy u put Neiiicth III a Hb9t-
ton where it could stand proudly be-
fore the world as the queen city of the
South. Although they are gone, II is
pleasure to recall their unselfish serv-
ices. Others are still with us with
whom l was associated for many years,
and no doubt they felt to-day some
what as I felt. in leaving the old mu-
nicipal building-that an old friend
was passing away.
OutIived Its Usefulness.
"Were our actions governed entirely
by sentiment" the Mayor continued,
I'VE would probably not have condemn
ed the Exchange to destruction in order
that a grander structure might rise in
its place. But Ii had outlived its USE
fulness. the time had come in the pro-
| gress of our city when sentiment had
| to give way to the necessity of the
business conditions that met US, when
| the reminiscences of the past had to
be sacrificed in a measure for the good
of the future.
IF ii had been possible to Save the
! Exchange as q landmark for future
| generations, as some suggested
would have been only too happy TO
! have acted on the suggestion But
| the city was not in a position finan-
/ cialIy where IL could expend exceeding
| $4,000 for a new site, and my ex-
| perience satisfied me beyond a reason
| able doubt that the Exchange site
was the most convenient from every
standpoint, and that there the new
capitol of the city should arise. think
that the mature consideration OF our
citizens has led them to a similar be-
! lief and that the action of Council now
meets with the approval of practically
all.
Let improvements Continue.
II trust that the example of the pub
lie Improvement set by the erection of
the new City Hall will lead to similar
enterprises by our public-spirited citi-
| zens and that our business section
viii before long possess many build
ings that will compare favorably with
| the best elsewhere. Our residence Sec
tions are noted for their beautiful
homes, and the time is not far distant
when the new City Hall will face an
array OF business buildings that Sa-
vannah can well feel proud of. That,
at least. is my opinion OF Savannah's
future.
1--WE are in hopes that the new
building will be completed in time for
the present administration to return to
| II, and ] sincerely trust that ii will be
with ranks unbroken by death. But
whether the present administration en-
joys this honor or not. of one thing I
am satisfied, that whoever may be
Mayor and whoever may be aldermen,
they will find building well adapted
for the needs of the municipal govern
ment for half century or more to
come, and that the next adnlinlstra-
ton will continue, as we have en-
deavored to do, the great work OF
pushing Savannah steadily TO the
front"