The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-08-13
MAYORS GONE
To THEIR HOMES
AFTER THREE DAYS SESSION.
MEETING MOST SUCCESSFUL LEA
CUE HAS EVER HELD.

ed w men saves lONEhS
ed Money, and Improves COndi-
tions-Two Papers Read mt Morn
inE's SesstOn-Fire DEPARTING nj
Parade a Big Success.
The third annual convention of the
League of Georgia municipalities came
to an end yesterday and nearly all OF
the officials left last night for their
homes.
All of the visitors were enthu-
siastic in their praises of Savannah.
They all appeared to have a good time
here and showed they appreciated the
courtesies which were shown them.
This years meeting was the best that
the league has ever held. That great
benefit is derived by the members from
attending the meetings there can be
no doubt. Not only are the sessions
pleasant, but they are profit
able to the cities whose representa-
tives attend.
Mayor Bridges Smith of Macon
said that DR.. Drummer saved Macon
and other towns several thousands of
dollars by the paper which he read at
the last meeting.
Ur. Drummer Gave Advice.
This year DR.. Drummer was called
to the presidents stand so any of the
members who desired might ask him
questions. There were many questions
from members living in small towns,
towns that have no sewerage system
DR.. Drummer answered all these. add
vising just what precautions should
be taken. The advice will, in a num-
Der OF instances. be taken and the
health of the small towns of Georgia
will probably be improved.
Mayor Bailey, one of the most en-
thusiastic workers in the league, says
it is really the small town that gets
the most benefit out of the league,
though none is too large to be bene
fitted. Some think they are too big
and know it all while others think
they are too little, and don't need to
know much" he said, but the truth
is all the towns. mine and all the
others, can learn great deal"
Fire Department Parade.
The inspection of the Savannah fire
department and a short session occu-
pied the entire time of the members of
the league yesterday morning. The
last of the sessions of the league was
adjourned just in time for the men,
bers to take the steamer at the foot of
Whitaker street for the trip down the
river.
The fire department parade passed
the De Soto, where all the visiting Off
Gals were assembled on the veranda,
about 10 o'clock. The department made
a splendid showing and Chief Mcguire
was warmly complimented by the Off
Gals. The parade had been formed
Just before 10 o'clock on the south side
of Oglethorpe avenue, the right rest
ing on Abercorn street. A band head
ed the procession and the department
moved as follows:
Superintendent. chemical No. 1, truck
No. /, wagon No. ?, engine No. ,,
wagon No. l, engine No. /, wagon No
3. engine No. 3, truck No. 2, assistant
superintendent, truck No. 3. wagon
No. 4, engine No. T. wagon No. 5, en-
CINE No. 5.
The parade moved east on Oglethorpe
avenue TO Habersham, back Oglethorpe
10 Bull. Bull to Jones, passing in re-
view of the Mayors at the De Soto,
Jones to Drayton, Drayton to Brough-
ton, Broughton to jefferson, Jefferson
to Oglethorpe and Oglethorpe to Aber-
corn. where they We're dismissed.
The Business Session.
After reviewing the fire department
parade there was a short business ses-
sion of the league held. A very inter-
esting and instructing paper was read
by Col. c. P. Goodyear of Brunswick
on Home Rule of Municipalities, as
Related to Municipal Prosperity"
Col. Goodyear strongly advocated
sCiffae hainp allowed n raDfrlafa their
own affairs untrampled by state legis-
lation. He favored a constitutional
amendment, giving municipalities the
right to exempt from taxation. If new
enterprises should be encouraged in the
state by such exemptions, there would
soon be an enormous increase in the
wealth of Georgia, he said. He dwelt
at length upon the natural resources of
the state, and predicted a bright flu
ture For Savannah and Brunswick
he said the growth in the next twenty
five years would be astounding.
Is a Brilliant Outlook.
BY reason of their natural location,
being on the extreme western indenta-
ton of the Atlantic, these ports are
the natural sources of supply for 40,
O00.O 600 of the 600 American peo-
pie. he said. He referred to Senator
Clay's prediction that Savannah
would double her population in hfty
years and said he believed in fifty
years Savannah would have a popu-
lation of 100000.
The country will get tired of paying
tribute to New York and the Eastern
ports. when savannah and Brunswick
are the natural ports of entry for half
the country's population" he said.
The time is sure to come when this
commerce both imports and exports,
win be handled by these two cities.
cities ShouIa Pay.
City Attorney Minter Wimberly OF
Macon was called home Thursday
night by business and the paper which
he had prepared OH The Policy Ol
Municipal Authorities in Regard &c
Claims for Damages" was read by
Mayor Bailey of Griffin. Mr.. WimberlS
stated that a city should pay just
claim for damages without waiting foi
a judgment TO be secured in the courts
He dwet at length on the unjust dam
age suits that were brought simply
with view TO robbing the public
treasury.
He advocated all the cities and
towns in Georgia banding together tC
secure the passage OF law requiring
a claimant for damages to file a clairr
with the city within thirty days after
injury. Cities lose many cases, he
said. because of the eiapse of time be-
fore suits are filed and the consequent
disappearance OF witnesses.
A resolution was adopted by the
league, appointing a committee Of five
TO select some municipal paper as tbs
official organ of the league. Another
resolution was adrpfaN fuafrttNfgv "a.