: ^JS -Mr +m- *&*& Lf-i-a* .^R1 ''J3L' / , ^ <<&* r^^ t Savannah* Go. REPORT JOHN SCREVEN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, For the Year Ending September 30,1871, TO WHICH 18 ADDBD THE TREASURER'S REPORT REPORTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. SAVANNAH: MORNING NEWS STEAM-TOWER PRESS. 1871. MAYOE'S ANNUAL KEPORT. MAYOR'S OFFICE, CITY or SAVANNAH, October 1, 1871. Fellow-citizens In compliance with the usage long observed by my predeces sors, I have the honor to present the following report upon the condition of the affairs of the city during the fiscal year ending the 30th ultimo: Under the ordinance of the 26th of June, 1845, it was declared to be " the duty of the Mayor to publish or cause to be published, on the first Monday in October in each year (or as soon there after as he can procure the report of the Finance Committee), an account of the receipts and expenditures of the city for the year ending the 30th of September of each year, and that the account shall undergo the inspection of, and be certified by, the Com mittee of Finance, before the ptiblication of the same." This duty is now performed, and the receipts and expenditures of the city are laid before the public in the report of the City Treasurer, to which I beg leave to refer. But there are many subjects of public interest outside of a mere financial statement, which can not be discussed in a satisfactory manner without final and complete reports of the transactions of each of the departments of the municipal government, as it is from these reports that the necessary circumstantial information must be derived. Such reports require, and should have careful and exact preparation, or they may prove not merely valueless, but, because erroneous, be productive of false impressions. The municipal year closes on the 30th of September, and the munici pal election for the present year occurs on the 9th of October. It is right and proper, before the people proceed to a choice of the future administrators of their government, that they should be accurately informed of the condition and prospects of the public 4 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. affairs. But on the present occasion, so brief a period is allotted to the officers of the departments, that the report of the Mayor must necessarily be either brief or should be entitled to the priv ilege of future amendment. The past year has been distinguished by a condition of the public health so excellent that it should invite the serious, if not the grateful, attention of our people. This has been accompanied by conspicuous material prosperity. Commerce and trade have assumed an evident advancement, and the City of Savannah has finally secured the position of the second in rank among the ports of the Southern States. Marked public and private improve ments within the limits of the city have kept pace with these happy advantages. The one should indeed be concurrent with the other, and the municipal government, appreciating this and hopefully anticipating the fulfilment of the flattering promise of the public developments, and the demands of a growing and ener getic population, has faithfully sought to meet the future as well as the present exigences of the community. But to initiate and. carry into execution a policy involving the cost of laying the foundation of a system of large public im provements, intended to meet the expansions of the future, as well as to correct and supply the defects of existing works, extra ordinary demands have been made upon the public resources. The principal objects of expenditure have been the building of a new market-house, the paving of certain streets, and the con struction of sewers. For these the City Council, by ordinance passed the 18th of October, 1870, authorized an issue of five hun dred thousand dollars of bonds, payable thirty years after date, and bearing interest at the rate of seven per cent, per annum. By this issue the funded debt of the city has been increased to two million eight hundred and seventeen thousand one hundred and forty dollars, as follows: ' Funded debt, September 30, 1870 $2,318,640 Less bonds since redeemed 1,500 $2,317,140 Issue of November 1,1870 500,000 Total funded debt $2,817,140 Of the bonds of November 1, 1870, there are on hand ninetythree thousand dollars, applicable to the payment of part of the MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. O bills payable of the city, amounting to one hundred and thirty thousand three hundred and eighty-three dollars and six cents. The resources of the city in real estate and public property, other than taxable property, amount to four million forty-eight thousand dollars. For information in detail as to these resources, reference is made to the report of the City Treasurer, hereto appended. The value of the taxable real estate of Savannah amounts to fifteen million five hundred and seventy-nine thousand one hun dred dollars, under the assessment of the present year, including two hundred and thirty-seven thousand two hundred dollars of improvements erected during the six months previous to July last. The following table shows the increase in value of the taxable real estate within the city for the last three years: Valuation. Increase. 1869 $12,219,140 1870 14,861,464 $2,642,324 1871 15,579,100 717,636 Increase since1869 $3,359,960 These statements do not, however, express the full value of all the real estate in the city of Savannah. It is not known to the foreign public that a very large part of the real estate in the city consists of lots sold on condition of the payment of ground rent, and are, therefore, not the subject of taxation, and are not in cluded in the assessments. These lots, six hundred and eighty in number, constitute in large part some of the most valuable real estate in the city, and, if included in the statement of taxable real estate, would, at a moderate estimate, raise its figures to more than seventeen and a half millions of dollars. A knowledge of this condition of so large a part of the public resources is import ant to a correct appreciation of the extent of the real estate with in the city and to a just maintenance of the public credit, and for these reasons, involving a matter of sound public policy, the ground rent of lots should be assessed cotemporaneously with those held in fee simplenot with a view to their taxation, but to ascertain correctly the value of all real estate within the city. It was expected that the new securities mentioned above would fully cover the particular improvements for which they were au thorized; but the cost of each has exceeded the original estimates of construction, either because of contingencies impossible to be O MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. anticipated, or especially, as in the case of the new sewers, be cause it became necessary to extend those originally designed, and to locate others in various parts of the city. Thus, the main sewer, passing through East Broad street, has been extended east ward through Bolton street to the head of Bilbo canal extended, and also south to Anderson street. The Drayton street sewer has been carried to a junction with the Bolton street sewer, through Hall and Abercorn streets. Sewers have also been constructed on William, Margaret, Pine, Bryan, Waldburg, Sims, and Canal streets. Added to these, and to make the principal part of these import ant and extensive works effective, and to relieve the city from onerous and repeated claims for damages resulting from overflows of the adjacent lands, and consequent destruction of crops, the Bilbo canal has been deepened and widened from its mouth to the extremity of the main sewer on Bolton street, and the culvert on the Thunderbolt road, through which this canal passes, has been entirely rebuilt. When the new system of sewerage was projected, it was not anticipated that such additional improvements, and on a scale so extensive, would be immediately urged. On the contrary, it was intended merely to lay the foundation of a system to be graduallyenlarged. But the great usefulness, developed by the very first results of the system, invited a demand for its expansion which refused all denial and forced a concession to well-founded public necessities. The report of the City Surveyor will afford correct information as to the extent and character of these works. In addition to those now especially mentioned above, extensive paving has been \ accomplished. Bay street has been well paved from Whitaker to East Broad street, and otherwise much improved. River and Canal streets have been also paved. The greater part of the old pavements in other streets have been thoroughly repaired, and substantial crossings established on all the important thorough fares, and elsewhere indeed, with a liberal regard to the public convenience. To these objects of extraordinary expenditure in this depart ment should be added the cost of opening a number of leading streets and lanes. The expansion of the city in nearly every quarter, and the sound policy of anticipating the increasing val uation of real estate, as well as of stimulating private improve- MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. I ments, rendered these measures highly important. Postponement would only have enhanced a burthen, devolving sooner or later on the city, and making still more apparent the hardships of the recent construction of the law governing assessments of damages for the public right-of-way, by which full valuation of the prop erty taken is exacted, and all consideration of the benefits con ferred prohibited. The new market-house, one of the most prominent objects of expenditure, remains unfinished, but progresses slowly toward completion. The delay attendant upon the work has been a con stant subject of public complaint and of much disappointment to the public authorities. But the delay, while traceable in part to causes of a peculiar and somewhat complicated character, has been produced in a great measure by the difficulty and embar rassment encountered by the principal contractor in securing material. While, however, the expectations of the community have been thus disappointed, and its comfort and convenience impaired, it should find some reconciliation in the reflection that the building is one of unusual magnitude, and that the tardiness in its construction tends to insure better workmanship and to test the quality of the structure before its completion. The public schools, justly so highly valued by the community, have made increased demands upon the public funds; but there is no object to which they can be more wisely and more beneficially directed. The appropriation by the city to the public schools for the year 1870 was $14,391, which was increased for the present year to $35,000. This addition was principally demanded on account of the amalgamation of the Catholic schools with the common public system, which increased the number of scholars enrolled from one thousand seven hundred and fifty-four in 1870, to two thousand four hundred and thirty-eight in 1871. The contract with the Savannah Gas-light Company for lighting the city expired on the 1st of August, 1870, but the company continued to light the city, pending the negotiation of the new contract, which was finally agreed upon, to run for three years, commencing January 1st, 1871. By this contract, the company agrees to light the city, from dark until daylight, moonlight nights not excepted. The following extract from the agreement may * afford valuable information to the community. * ^ # % % # 3|* "That the said Savannah Gas-ligiit Company, for the < o;isid- MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. eration hereinafter mentioned, hereby agrees and binds itself to furnish the gas for the street lamps of said city, to light and ex tinguish the same, supply all broken glasses, keep the lamps clean, and supply the needful burners, for the sum of fifty-three dollars per lamp per annum. Said Gas-light Company further hereby agrees that each and every burner shall be of the size known as four-feet burners; that the lamps shall be lighted from dusk until daylight during the entire period of this contract, and that the gas supplied shall be coal-gas. Said Gas-light Company hereby further agrees to extend their mains (not exceeding one mile per annum), whenever said city shall erect two lamps on each city block along such extension of mains; said city advancing to said company one third of the actual cost of such extension, said ad vances to be credited to said city in account by said company when and as soon as two private consumers of gas along such block shall be obtained by said company. Provided, however, that said company shall extend the mains at its own proper cost and expense, in all cases, even beyond said one mile, when there shall be two lamps to each block, as above, and, also, two private consumers of gas; and said Gas-light Company hereby further agrees, that all lamps that may hereafter be erected on the mains now laid, or on those that may hereafter be laid, shall be supplied, lighted, and kept in order and repair by said company, in the same manner and on the same terms as hereinbefore specified. And further, that the said company will superintend the repair of all accidental or other injury to the lamp-posts, and will charge said city only with the actual costs thereof; and, further, that no part of said costs shall embrace a charge for superintendence." "It is hereby further agreed, by and between the said parties, that the standard of gas to be furnished, as aforesaid, shall be an average of fourteen candles, and that the photometric tests of the gas shall be made whenever desired or required by said city, the expense of such tests to be borne by said Gas-light Company. It is hereby further agreed, by and between the said parties, that the protection of all property connected with the lamp department shall be under the special care of the City Police. And, further, that in case of any dispute or difference between the said parties, touching any matter or thing within the scope of this contract, or arising thereout, such dispute or difference shall, with all conve nient speed, be referred to the arbitrament and award of two suitable persons, mutually chosen, with power in them (in case MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 9 of disagreement) to call in an umpire; the decision of any two of which persons shall be final between the said parties to this contract. " It being also hereby agreed and understood, by and between the said parties, that the successor or successors of each of said parties is, or are, also bound by the terms hereof. "And the said municipal corporation hereby agrees to make payment of the bills of said Gas-light Company, at the rate or rates aforesaid, quarterly, on the first day of April, July, October, and January, or at such other periods as may be mutually agreed upon. " This contract shall commence on the first day of January next, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, and continue for the period of three years therefrom, that is to say, from the said first day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-one, until the first day of January, in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-four." Nineteen fire alarms have occurred in the city during the past year. A few of these were false, made by mischievous persons tampering with the Fire Telegraph. Five alarms, however, proved to be serious, the total losses amounting to two hundred and eighty-seven thousand eight hundred dollars. These losses are small compared with those which have occurred in other cities ; but, although unfortunate in themselves in any degree, they attest the efficiency of the Fire Department, especially when some of the disadvantages under which it has labored are taken into con sideration. Not the least of these is a deficiency in the means of general alarm in connection with the telegraph. The intrinsic value of the Fire Telegraph can scarcely be doubted, for no sys tem can be contrived to communicate alarms with greater prompt ness and precision ; but, one bell only, situated on one extremity of the city, is inadequate to give an alarm sufficiently general to summon the scattered members of the Department, or the citi zens, whose property may be endangered without their knowledge. Measures have, however, been already taken to remedy this de ficiency, and to develop more satisfactorily the usefulness of th Fire Telegraph. The Police Force now numbers one hundred and fourteen officers and men, of whom four, one officer and three privates, constitute the Detective Force. The main body of the Police consists of the Chief, with two Lieutenants, six Sergeants, and 2 10 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. one hundred Privates. No better evidence of the good discipline and efficiency of the Force can be urged, than that at night only thirty-seven men compose each relief on the watch, and but eighteen during the daytime, while it is probable that no city in the country, especially of mixed population, can boast of more good order and decorum, or where security to person and prop erty is more thoroughly ensured. A detail of the Police Force has continued during the summer months to act as sanitary inspectors. At no previous time has this system of inspection been more triumphantly tried than during the recent period when it became necessary to adopt ex traordinary measures for cleansing and disinfecting the city, as a precaution against the epidemic of yellow fever, which had as sailed some of our sister cities. In this connection it affords me the greatest pleasure to allude "to the almost universal alacrity and good will with which all classes of the community observed the rigid and unusual regulations to which they were subjected for the preservation of the public health. The community is again indebted to Dr. William Duncan for valuable mortuary and sanitary statistics. From these it appears that the whole number of deaths for the year ending the 30th of September, 1871, is one thousand and thirty-three, or eighteen more than for the previous year. The number of deaths among the colored population being the same as in 1870 (namely, five hundred and ninet}'), the increase of mortality above mentioned is confined to the whites, among whom the number of deaths is four hundred and fifty-four. But, of two hundred and thirty-five deaths from miasmatic diseases, to which the most interested at tention will be directed, it is found that one hundred and twenty are of whites (of whom forty-six were foreigners), and one hun dred and fifteen of colored persons, while the whole number of deaths from this cause were thirteen less than in the previous year. The gross increase of deaths in 1871, as compared with those of 1870, must therefore be traced to other than miasmatic diseases, and they will be found to proceed mainly from tuber cular and nervous diseases, the deaths from which have increased ninety-nine in number. These diseases, it is well known, are not climatic, and that they occur most extensively in regions not con sidered subject to tropical or Southern diseases. One of the most conspicuous evidences of the improvement in the public health is that the deaths from diseases peculiar to children have decreased MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 11 sixty-five per cent. Of the deaths in this class, the total number being seventy-seven, twenty-nine per cent, were whites, and sev enty-one per cent, colored. These statistics, carefully compiled from the authentic records of the city, should present a well-founded rebuke to the scandalous attempts which have been made through public journals abroad, and through the ill-judged, if not mendacious, assertions of indi viduals, to fasten upon this city the existence of yellow fever within its limits. Not a solitary case of this disease, or of any akin to it, has been ascertained during the present season, although every rumor of its occurrence has been systematically pursued to its source, with a view not to conceal, but to proclaim, the fact, if the disease had any existence. Under Divine Providence, the exemption of the city from this dreadful scourge may be ascribed, not only to the careful quaran tine, rigidly observed against its introduction by sea, and to the reasonable precautions enforced on land, but in a more eminent degree to the cleanly condition of the public thoroughfares, to the liberal system of sewerage which has drained the reeking hab itats of malaria on the near outskirts of the city, and to the vig orous sanitary measures of the public authorities when danger impended, but especially to the prompt and careful hygienic measures adopted in their homes by the householders of the com munity. The improvement in the harbor has been steadily pursued during the past year, although this important and expensive work is still unassisted by any appropriation from the general govern ment. The labors of the Commissioners of Pilotage have been well directed, and large results have been achieved when the small means at their command are considered. The attention of Congress has been repeatedly and earnestly called to the importance of the restoration and improvement of Savannah harbor, and to the burthensome expenditure endured by this community for an object in which the national commerce is interested; and finally a survey of the harbor has been ordered by the General Government. This survey was made during the late spring by Colonel Ludlow of the United States Corps of En gineers, and we are encouraged to hope that his report will aid in relieving the City Treasury of a burthen, which, though assumed in a creditable spirit of public enterprise, is not the less unjustly imposed. 12 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. Referring to the appended subsidiary reports for more partic ular information as to the subjects heretofore mentioned, and also for information on subjects not alluded to in this report, it affords me pleasure to give my testimony to the efficiency and faithful conduct of the officers of the city government in general, and to express to my colleagues in the City Council my warm apprecia tion of their uniform courtesy and consideration, and beg to be permitted to offer them the thanks of the community for the dilligence, zeal, and self-sacrifice with which they have discharged their often arduous and perplexing duties. JOHN SCREVEN, Mayor. TREASURER'S REPORT. 14 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 6 S^ ^ CO ^H CM -r*- O ^ 10 ^ ir; '-^Sq O (M W J? 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O CO o c^ MJ OS e-** CO CO CO i^.to o CI 1-H t^ O CO CO CO O Ci QO > (N OO (M (N C^ CO CO COb- ClrHlO l^- i-H CO O O l> rH MOO^ CO-^COtO-^ iIX Ci *> t"* CSCOClG^^ CO^CO O ^^ W CO rH JO C^ ^jT ^-Tc^Tcq co" c^fc 3 P -r; ^03 3 O -S^-1 3 -3 o 3 03 S^np-p S 3'3'3'3 ^ H PHPHPH ff! >>o a; ?-. : :0 1 ! ^ o o : G 3 S ; OTS C3 f-r JA : '-^ : ^ : a 0 P5 ^S _ S M> 2^a 35^3 c8 -o -a '-' 3 3 00 3-3 - o SH '- 3 oi-P a co a 2 O 03 ^ 3 be 2 =3.3 .3*5 S 5 O oo '-P bo o3 g^ a o o bjya be p. s .ri 13 CO .;- 08 .X CO > *-* a o ^ o -3 ft^ 03 03 PHPH ^__ er* oi *-< a s * - a222o2222 G '3 '3 *3 ^ *3 '3 '3 '3 PHPHPH PHPHPHPH ^3 03 p 3 ra 3 to co Ed ^ " 3 3 3_ p T: 203 3 A 0 - a-p i: S'3 - ^PH CD to to 03 ra c3 i. +J ^ be^ cs q SM 3?l O c3 w ^J G ^ ^ lSS3 03 -p co ^ . s" a tO S'S2S OS en J? a i 3 c3<. ^ CO r^ 03 O o Si' nil c b 03 w i3 JJ fr Ti TO 03 pq gK " Es 3 g goo o cS a a ft K-O-P ^-a O O 08 o 03 H O 03 08 O . cj O O J KK CC K - sy fe CD =^ 3 i o S w S v KKK MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 23 iO CO OS ir. ^_i 'M 11 -* CTT) r '1313 a-P a-P* 3*3'3 s ^ a-gt-i KPH PH PH -f OO o co to C^ rH rH 08 >>33=3 g <;>. o 3 a* fej K^' ?= t .p ^ ^ 'p 00 03 o o o -p-p-o-c W "o "o "o 03 ^KKK "ST 08 o a JoSl ooooiocit^cowocoOo10 OaO^CO-^b-QOCiOCiOo^ t-. 10 o 50 xi <1 r-(T-i>.coioai'>, o 4Cl <> rvi i-Hi!0 00rHmt-iCcOt>-^O: O"rh i-ic^c;Ot~-j0i-o iO co rH '^Ic'i-rcO'tM'co" CO cc o a l5l 03 3 a p CO S CO a 53 H MK M ^ , ^ J - ^ S TJ O ^3 t- T3 C i- 00 GO 03 H .b w .:" ^ 03 - 03 -"S y (/- o ^ O QJ W cy td TI K^K^K 00 P ass p 08 a * a w co - r^. CJ a CO 62S a O 51 03 o o s^ ?C 03 ^ M ft O &S-2 ; C3 t03 g^G 3 03 ^ 03 3 03 ^H U > O > O K- C3 C 3 - P p . . a ft g co CX2 ^ a 3 a*a 3 0 P o 2 P o 55 K o 5 K o K "P-CPrp-p-pHpranprpTS-p 0000003030000303 .S .; .fc .^ .5 .S .i, . > .5 .^ .fc .^ 03000000000003 0000000003000 OOOOOOOOOOOO pqpciKKKKKKKKKK 24 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. d* i~ oo 3 3 3 S 5 ^ tH 3 P P 03 CC1 ^ .3 | O ll CO CO CO c^ - 0 tC > > > t ^ CM ^ O0 ; 00 00 O . rH CO HH. 3 : ^a '3 co be a o ".a 3 3 P S p^np 000 > 00 00 a .5 .P .K .5 .R o P 2.3 3 Si P a c^- Or- 23 P-PK? O O i< sis 2 H o 13 fv- ^ 03 I1 03 -<1030303030303030 03 030303*03^ C30CJ00C30C3'-J00C300W * -,O3O3Oja303a3Q3a)iuq;tl303O3H Cfi S =2 3 oJ a s 2 3 g I _- 5 c 03 eo 03 C ^ C3 S 6 ^' pj O 'C o o T3 tJ 1303 03 Jfi .& (5 'C 'rZ 03 ^ 03 03 C _o S ^r *G 03 1^ TZ (X C rH g 03* f-T P C 3 26 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. RESOURCES OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH. RAILROAD STOCK 12,383 shares Atlantic and Gulf R. R. stock 1,238,300 1,307 " Montgomery and W. Point R. R. stock 130,700 419 " Augusta and Savannah R. R. stock.... 41,900 1 " Southwestern R. R. stock 100 14,107 " $1,411,000 CITY LOTS AND OTHEK PROPERTY 693 Lots under lease 2,01)0,000 40 " unsold 120,000 Springfield Plantation 40,000 Partof Hutchison's Island 10,000 Water-Works and site... 250,000 City Exchange 100,000 City Pound 15,000 Fireman's Hall . 12,500 City Dispensary 8,000 Dredge Machine, Scows, Steamer, aad Boats 55,000 Tombs east of Exchange 4,000 Powder-Magazine, Keeper's house, etc 7,500 Engine-houses and other Public Buildings 15,000 2,037,000 4,048,000 RENTS ACCRUING Wharf-head foot West Broad street annually 1,000 " " " Whitaker " " 500 " Drayton " " 500 " " " Abercorn " " 1,000 Lower floor of City Exchange " 5,225 Four tenements in Tombs " 316 Strip of land on Savannah and Ogeechee Canal 75 Lots Nos. 81, 82, 83, and 90, and seven acres Spring field Plantation 240 8,856 PROPERTY NOT VALUED Line of Wharf-head between Hutchison and Fig islands Wharf-slip foot Reynolds street Twelve Mules and one Horse for streets and lanes Eleven Horses for use of Police AMOUNT OF TAXABLE REAL ESTATE AND IMPROVEMENTS $15,579,100 SAVANNAH, October 1, 1871. PQ o o o ra o o o e CJ iO iO = 8g ana isaaaj.Ni O O iC5 o> CO tOlOlrH toco" rH t-iO c^ S OS aTcotfT OOrH ao xNnoMV Jan. Mar. 5 = 3 rib-S ^ ^CK gssgss gs 3S XSHH3IXI AO 1K fl 0 K V 330 905 913 930 860 350 co co in tN ^ iO CO OO CO 00 r- t r- t t oo oo CO 00 OO CO OO 00 ^ CO" ?g - ^ CJ O 4) >5 i- s ^ - ffl 2^ S - " o s S "2 a > > o M-e s o o CJ s 57 g^ xs 3 H ax S J JO HXVy 'omaNvxsxnQ JAOK xsaoKy So oo -r o iO M O O CO 'M rH to CO o o o Tt< OS iO no aaxvNiKOKaQ o OO ira in io IQ o IQ o I-H co ira saNoa ao axVQ 3 <3 ce g Q rt fcQ 30 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. May 11, 1871Lot No. 9, Crawford Ward, East $2,230 2,225 3,130 June 7, " " " 42, Stephens' " 2,655 2,655 2,550 '51, ti 52, a 42, Stephens 43, a 46, it $55,287 The following is a statement of taxes collected from executions received from the City Treasurer, also for amounts derived from the Pound, sale of Market Stalls, etc.: Real Estate Executions for Taxes, 1807 $ 10 00 1868 40 91 1869 490 54 1870 26,836 23 1871 3,633 36 Buggy Specific " Bonds, Furniture, etc.,. . " Sale of Market Stalls.. . Streets and Lanes Fees collected from the Pound. Fees (Executions) 1870. 607 00 1,025 00 115 00 4,580 25 3 00 252 75 662 00 $38,256 04 I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE W. STILES, City Marshal. JPr&perty ofMayor's Office, Savannah, Ga, MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 31 REPORT OF THE CITY SURVEYOR. Hon. John Screven, Mayor: DEAR SIRI respectfully submit the following report of work in the departments of " Streets and Lanes," " Dry Culture," "Public Buildings," and "Docks and Wharves," for the fiscal year ending September 30th, 1871. In the department of streets and lanes, the energetic efforts of Alderman Haywood, seconded by his committee, have been suc cessful in accomplishing an amount of improvement scarcely equalled by any previous year in the history of the city. At the date of my last report, contracts for paving Bay street had been awarded to J. H. Graybill for a wooden block pavement from Whitaker street to Drayton street, and to Michael Cash for a stone block pavement from Drayton street to East Broad street. The former, a distance of seven hundred and sixty-nine feet, has been completed at a cost of $20,133 00. Five thousand of'this amount was paid in bonds of the city of Savannah, and five thous and (also in bonds) reserved as security for five years, the con tractor having guaranteed the work for that period. The latter, a distance of two thousand and eight feet, at a cost of $45,823 45 for material and $17,260 57 for labor. The irregular curbing of bricks and blue stone has been removed and replaced by a stone curb of regular thickness and depth, and the mde-walks resurfaced and brought to a uniform grade. The remainder of this street west to West Broad, now paved with cobble-stone, should be paved with blocks, either of wood or stone, as soon as practicable, when the defects in grade now ex isting both in the roadway and sidewalks may be removed. The northern portion of Reynolds street in the rear and east of the Gas-works has been paved with cobble-stone, and retaining walls of brick built for the protection of the adjoining properties, which had been badly washed to an extent endangering the safety of the buildings. Cost of retaining walls, $3,044 00. Bay lane, between Drayton and Abercorn streets, has been paved with the same material, also Pine street from West Broad to FahmCanal street from West Broad to Fahm, and River 32 MAYOR s ANNUAL REPORT. street, between Abercorn and Lincoln (the latter under contract, but not begun at the date of my last report). All the slips lead ing to the top of the bluff have been resurfaced. One hundred and fifty-five stone crossings have been put downthe gutters on Bay street west of WThitaker taken up and relaid, and the paving generally resurfaced. A contract has been made with Mr. Cash, for the paving of Ran dolph street from the depot of the Atlantic and Gulf railroad to River street, at the rate of $1 45 per square yard. The work will be begun on the first of October. In connection with the paving of this street I would respectfully urge the paving of the cross streets west to Arnold street, to prevent the constant wash to which they are liable. The total number of square yards of new work paved during the year has been fifteen thousand six hundred and fifty.. SEWERS. The bids called for at the date of my last report for the con struction of the main sewer in East Broad street and secondary branch in Broughton street, resulted in awarding the contract to Mr. C. C. Casey at the price of $80,000, with an addition of $10,- 949 45 for an increased depth of five feet, commencing at the lower end and gradually diminishing as it progressed northward. This sewer has been finished to the Perry lane intersection. The progress has been necessarily slow, owing to the great depth of cutting and the exhaustive demand for brick for building pur poses. The storm of the 18th of August also caused some delay and damage, but no serious injury. The Bolton street secondary sewer has been extended to the East Broad street, intersection, distance 395 feet, cost $4,076, diameter six feet. From this point it becomes the main sewer of the city, and has been built eastwardly a distance of one thousand six hundred and fifty feet, with a clear diameter of ten feet. That portion between East Broad street and the Atlantic and Gulf railroad at a cost of $6,115 by J. McCrohan, contractor, and the remainder at a cost of $17,624 by Charles Vanllorn, contractor. A branch sewer extending from the intersection of East Broad and Bolton streets to Lover's Lane, of the diameter of three feet, has been completed at a cost of $6,743. Total distance one thousand five hundred and thirty-six feet. MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. DO Commencing at the western extremity of the Bolton street sewer and extending northwardly in Abercorn to Hall street, thence west in Hall to Drayton street, sewers have been con structed of the diameter of four feet. Estimates have been called for and the contract awarded to C. Van Horn for completing this branch to WTest Broad street of the same diameter; amount of contract $13,838. The completion of this sewer will be of inev. timable benefit to that portion of the community living in the southwestern portion of the city. During the prevalence of the recent heavy rains and since, the spring water has been nearly level with the surface of the ground, and in a number of houses with basements, the rooms have been rendered untenantable. The extension of short branches in Tatnall, Jefferson, and Mont gomery streets will render the drainage perfect. Mr. Wm. A. Thomas has constructed a cement-pipe sewer in Drayton street from Jones to Huntingdon, of the diameter of thirty inches, cost $2,405 50. From this point to Hall the con nection is of brick. Two brick sewr ers of the diameter of thirty inches each in Wil liam and Margaret streets, from Fahm. west to the Springfield sewer, and two of cement pipe, from Lumber to the same outlet, have been laid: the brick sewers costing $3,142 16, and the pipe drains $1,241 60. These sewers have been of great benefit in draining this section of the city, but owing to the rapidity with which the Springfield sewer is filled, it being built entirely within the range of high and low water in the river, they can not vent themselves should a heavy rain-fall occur at or near high water. The Springfield sewer was constructed for a specific purpose, to wit: the drainage of the Springfield plantation. Necessity has, however, required its use for the drainage of the low land east of the Ogeechee canal, where the water of the western slope of the city is deposited. As soon as the city can. do so, I would respect fully recommend the thorough cleaning out of this drain and the closing up of all the surface inlets, leaving it to perform only the legitimate object of its construction. A new- sewer of large oapac-V ity should then be built in West Boundary street, commencing at Gwinnett street and extending northwardly to the river, with as much inclination as it may be possible to obtain, and suitable arrangements for preventing the deposit of sand in the river. The Springfield sewer is evidently unfit for this purpose, as it is so nearly level that the sand washed into it remains, and owiii< to 34 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. the quantity of water passing through it at all times is extremely difficult of removal. This matter is worthy the serious consider ation of Council. A brick sewer of the diameter of thirty inches has been built in Canal street from Fahm street east to the main sewer in West Broad street, by Mr. C .Van Horn, contractor; cost $1,361. It has served a valuable purpose in effectually draining this street, which was wet and at times scarcely passable. GRADING AND OPENING STREETS. The grade of the streets crossing the A. and G. R. R., to wit: Gwinnett, Bolton, Waldburg, New Houston, Duffy, Henry, and Anderson, I have established at the same level of the railroad at the points of crossing. The grading of the two first named is nearly completed. All the above-named streets running through the lands of Dr. Waring, Messrs. Hunter & Gammell, Dr. Schley, and Col. Knapp have been tendered the city on certain condi tions, to wit: the construction of a sewer in East Broad street, the assurance of the proper drainage of their lots, and the grading of the streets. The extension of East Broad and Price streets, through the lands of the Catholic church, has also been secured on the same conditions. Randolph street, from Broughton street north, has been opened to River street, through the lands of Mr. Lamar, giving the most direct and practicable route to the wharves east. The west side of Lamar's canal has been wharfed up for the protection of the street, at a cost of $2,670. The open ing of St. Julian street east, from East Broad to Bilbo's canal, is now under consideration by Council, a large portion of the right of way having been secured. PARKS. The work of laying out the new Park was begun early in the spring. Walks in the northern half have been staked, and the lines defined by removing the grass and spading, preparatory to shelling. The outer walk next to the railing around the entire area has been shelled, and a number of trees planted. The re maining portion was ploughed and levelled in the spring and sown down with grass and clover. The outer walk, on the west side of Drayton street, has been curbed and shelled. The unre mitting efforts of the Chairman of the Park Committee has greatly improved the appearance of the old Park. The walks MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 35 have been generally reshelled, and curbed with Eastern brick, giving regularity to the curved lines. The interior railings in Chippewa square have been replaced by others of the same description, and of sufficient strength to pre vent their being bent. A neat fountain has been put up, present ed to the city by the owners of adjoining property. BILBO'S CANAL. The contract for widening and extending this canal was award ed to Mr. J. McCrohan at the rate of thirty-four cents per cubic yard, counting only excavation, the throwing up and shaping the embankments being part of the contract for which no extra com pensation was paid. From Lawton's bridge to the river the width of the canal has been increased to forty feet top width, and thirty feet bottom width. From Lawton's bridge to the Thunder bolt road culvert, the new canal has been located parallel with and adjoining the Gulf railroad extension, and the cut thirty-five feet top and twenty-five feet bottom. The former location at the base of the hill will be filled up, or used for purposes distinct from the city drainage. It is also proposed to disconnect the canal leading from the Perry lane sewer, changing its course so as to run along the base of the hill to Lamar's canal. The line of new canal has been continued from the culvert southwardly to the main sewer outlet on Bolton street, where it receives the city drainage. The width of this portion is thirty feet top and twenty feet bottom. The embankments along the whole line of canal have been raised to such a height that should there be an accum ulation of water in the canal from excessive rains, in conjunction with high water in the river, the drainage water in the canal must still force its way out before it can overflow the banks. It has been found necessary to sheet-pile the sides of the canal adjoining the railroad extension, to prevent the settling down of the embankments and upheaval of the bottom of the canal. A timber frame-work acts as a counter brace in preventing the piling being forced inward by the pressure of the embankments. This portion of the work has been contracted at a cost of $4,934 44, and is nearly completed. Destined as this canal is, to receive the drainage of two thirds of the whole city, it is important that all weak points should be effectually strengthened to prevent damage growing out of the overflow or breakage of the banks and a repetition of the losses 36 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. sustained by the city in past years. In carrying out this object, a sharp curve on the west side of the Thunderbolt road culvert has been protected by retaining-walls of brick, at a cost of $2,092 90, and though finished but a few days at the time of the storm of August 18, this work, as well as the culvert, sustained not the slightest injury. Up to the present time the river outlet has been through a trunk put down in 1859, of four feet by twelve. As this is insuf ficient for the increased volume of water, and a flood-gate present ing many advantages, plans have been prepared and the contract awarded to L (1 . Krenson for the construction of one with side walls of brick resting on eighty-five heavy piles with proper sheetpiling and twelve inch thick gates. The clear opening between the walls will be twenty-four feet. The length of the structure fortysix feet, and the height eleven feet above low-water mark. The sides of the canal will be properly wharfed in to the river front, and also on the south of the gate to the southern limit of the. wharf lots. The total cost of the work will be $14,950 00. A substantial brick bridge has been built across the Thunderbolt road, giving sufficient capacity for the increased volume of water passing through the canal. Cost, $2,216 00. SPRINGFIELD PLANTATION. The labor of keeping the low lands in proper condition has been kept up with slight intermission by the employment of a small force under the charge of Mr. J. K. Munnerlyn, whose long experience in the management of lands of this description emi nently qualifies him for the duties assigned. The ditches have been cleaned and new ones dug, the canal raked out, the dram west of the canal extended in a straight line to Musgrove creek, and the portion crossing the inlet to the water-works removed. A new bridge has been built across the Canal on the line of Gwin nett street. The recent breaking of the banks around the timberbasins during the gale of the 18th August, in connection with the extraordinary fall of rain, caused a complete inundation of these lands. The culverts under the canal, the Louisville road, and the Central railroad were utterly inadequate to vent the water, the two latter giving way together with the embankment, a hun dred feet of which was washed into the creek. In rebuilding these structures, a clear span of not less than thirty feet should be given as a water-way. I would earnestly recommend that the MAYOR'S ANNUAL KEPORT. 37 Central Railroad Company, through whose lands it would pass, be requested to co-operate with the city in straightening the line of Musgrove creek to the river. The damage caused by the storm, with the exception of the culverts named, was soon repaired, and the plantation is now in good condition. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. In the Exchange building, the Long room and Mayor's office have been replastered and fitted up with new trimmings to the doors and windows. The passage-ways. City Treasurer's and Clerk of Council's rooms, have had the ceilings replastered and the walls recolored. The portico, being so much decayed as to be unsafe, is now being thoroughly repaired. The new powder-magazine, located on Lot No. 45, Springfield plantation, has undergone the necessary repairs in replacing with new castings the ventilators, new doors, sheathing, etc. A keep er's house has been built, and the premises, consisting of two acres of land, enclosed. Cost, $1,625 00. A commodious stable has been erected in the city lot used by the street and lane department, in the rear of the police quarters. Sheds have also been built for the protection of the carts, and a keeper's house. Amount of contract, $1,444 50. PUBLIC DOCKS. By order of Council, proposals have been solicited for rebuild ing the public dock at the foot of Lincoln street and the Union Ferry dock. At its last meeting the contract for the latter work was awarded to Mr. C. Van Horn, at $250. Believing it true economy, I have recommended the substitution of brick for wood in the rebuilding of the Lincoln street dock. Built upon a sub stantial foundation of piles and not exposed to severe concussions from the shipping (being recessed), there is no reason why a dock so constructed should not last for generations. Much damage frequently arises from the failure to drive sheetpiling behind the bottom log. Cavities are formed behind the docks from the action of the hill-side springs, which have their vent at or near low-water markthe effect being to carry the sand out into the river. The remaining wharves are in good condition. Before closing my report, I desire to call your Honor's attention 38 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. and the incoming Board to a subject which seems to demand your serious consideration. It is the early adoption of a plan for laying out the proposed city extension south. Every owner of property lying within the proposed extended limits, finding it in most cases difficult to co-operate with his neighbors, lays off his land looking simply to the pecuniary benefit. This results in an entire want of continuity in the streets. There is in nearly every instance a difference both in width and direction. The result is that scarcely a building now erected will exactly correspond with the line of any continuous street running east and west which it may become desirable to lay out upon a proper plan of extension. I respectfully recommend that, as early as possible after the ex tension of the limits, a plan be prepared showing the boundary lines of all properties, say south of Anderson street and between Waters' road and the Ogeechee road. Upon this plan, in lines of a different color, let the proposed streets, lanes, and squares be delineated, by which arrangement the exact position of each in relation to property lines" can be determined. Such plan, when satisfactory, to be approved by Council and adopted. Granite stones with copper nails set in the head of each to be then put down on the side lines of every street, slightly raised above the surface. The final opening of these streets will of course be done only as the demand arises, but the owners of property will then be enabled to build with a full knowledge of the position of each street. With gratitude for your kindness and the aid afforded me in the discharge of my official duties, I remain, dear sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, JOHN B. HOGG, City Surveyor. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 39 REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE. OFFICE CHIEF OF POLICE, SAVANNAH, October 1, 1871. Hon. John Screven, Mayor, Savannah, Ga.: DEAR SIRIn making my report for the past year, I think I may congratulate your Honor on the orderly state of the city and the efficient state of the Police departmentso far as its strength will allow of efficient action. I can not, however, refrain from again calling your attention to the necessity of an increase of the Forcethe rapid growth of the city, and the extension of streets into the suburbs, rendering this increase, in my judgment, imperatively necessary. Were it not for the orderly state of the city, and the activity of the department, the present strength would be entirely inadequate. Some idea of this may be formed when it is stated that in the whole of this extensive city only thirty-seven men (when all the men are well and none on the sick report) are out on each relief at night, and eighteen on each relief for day duty. I would therefore respect fully recommend that the number of privates be increased to one hundred and twenty-five, ten of whom shall be mounted. The city has every reason to be satisfied with the efficiency and activity of Lieut. Wray and his detectives, and their ability and success in the arrest of criminals and the detection of crime. The result of their vigilance, and active pursuit of criminals, has not only been the detection of crime, but its preventionas many have been deterred, from the almost certainty of arrest and con viction. I would direct your attention to the necessity of the passage of an ordinance by Council for the retirement on half-pay of all the members of the Force who have served the city faithfully for twenty-five consecutive years. At the present time one sergeant and one private would come under this ordinance, both of whom have been unable for some time past to perform active duty, and have been receiving their full pay from the city. No other mem bers of the department would come under this ordinance for some years to come. If not deemed advisable to pass a general ordinance of this nature, I would recommend the passage of a 40 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. special ordinance in the cases of Sergeant Houlihan and Private John Sullivan, both of whom have served the city long and faithfully, the former for thirty-two years, the latter for twenty-nine years, and both of whom are now too old and feeble to perform their duties. The aggregate strength of the department, including the De tective Force under Lieut. Wr ray, is 114, as follows : Police ForceChief of Police, 1; Lieutenants, 2 ; Sergeants, 6 ; Clerk, 1; Privates, 100total, 110. Detective. ForceChief Detective, 1 ; Detectives, 3total, 4 ; grand total, 114. Of the whole number of privates of Police only seventy-five are available for patrol duty, twenty-five being detailed on special duty, as follows: Lance-Sergeants 2 Detail at Mayor's office 1 Station house, one in day, two at night . . 3 *Banks on Bay and Bryan streets, one on each night relief. 2 Park, one in day, two at night 3 In charge of working prisoners at Barracks 1 Market, four on each relief 8 In charge of Police stable 1 Police office, one in day, two at night 3 Exchange, one at night 1 Total 25 I have forty-one posts at the present time to be covered by each night relief, requiring eighty-two privates for patrol duty. Deducting the twenty-five men on special duty, my present strength would furnish me only seventy-five privates for duty (when all the men are well, which is never the case), which ren ders it necessary for me to leave open and double a number of wards every night. At the present time that portion of the city embraced between River and Gaston streets, on the north and south, and Randolph and Fahm, on the east and west, is patrolled by footmen, and that south of Gaston by two mounted privates, on each night relief, and one on each day relief. In addition to their regular duties, the Police Force has per formed the duties of the Board of Health in a very thorough * Paid by banks and nol by city. MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 41 manner, every portion of the city having been regularly inspect ed once every week, between the 1st of June and the 1st of Octo ber, and a consolidated report of the same made by me weekly to your Honor. During the year, two thousand eight hundred and twenty-four arrests have been made, being eight hundred and three more than the year previous. Of this number, one thousand four hundred and seventy-three were white, and one thousand three hundred and fifty-one colored, for the following crimes and misdemeanors : NUMBER OF ARRESTS. Drunkenness Disorderly conduct Larceny Obtaining goods under false pre tenses Street fighting Vagrancy Suspicious characters Accidental shooting Violation city ordinances Contempt of Court Murder Deserting ships Fast and reckless driving Safe keeping Accessory to murder Assault with intent to kill Interfering with Police officers in the discharge of their duty Lewd conduct Manslaughter Accidental killing Forgery Burglary 1,002 197 28 84 2 9 2 43 2 11 18 49 Totals 1,473 Arrests from Oct. 1,1869 to Oct. 1, 1870. . Increase 252 434 236 1 140 9 43 1 59 4 5 76 52 3 4 1,254 631 264 1 224 11 52 3 102 4 2 16 94 101 3 5 2,824 2,021 803 In addition to the above there have been two hundred and sixty warrants issued for violation of city ordinances. 6 42 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. Number of Fires at which the Police Force assisted during the year, 12. Stores, Stables, and private dwellings found open by the Police Force during night time, and for which the owners were notified, or a sentinel posted, 55. NUMBER OF ANIMALS IMPOUNDED DURING THE YEAR. MONTH October November December January February March April May June July August September Total | HORSES. I MULES. | COWS. | TOTAL. 23" 32 14 9 10 5 14 13 11 44 84 53 2 1 20 5 2 25 1 3 10 ] 2 6 2 8 5 2 3 9 6 2 5 3 1 7 7 3 34 6 8 70 4 1 48 312 Lodgers during the year.White, 95; Colored, 15. Total, 110. Houses of Ill-Fame m the City.Number of houses, 11. These houses are located as follows- Brown Ward, 1; So. Co. Town Ward, 1; Crawford Ward, 9. Total, 11, containing some sixtyfive women. Ten of these houses are kept by women, and one by men. Apart from these, there are some fifty street-walkers, most of whom are colored, and some one hundred and fifty kept-women, showing a total of some two hundred and sixty-five prostitutes in the city. Recapitulation.Inmates of houses of Hl-Fame, 65; street walkers, 50; kept-women, 150. Total, 265. Enclosed you will please find two inventories of property, one of property belonging to the city, the other of property belonging to the Department, and paid for out of the police fund, an ac count current of the expenditure of which has been rendered by me every month to your Honor. MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 43 Casualties and Changes in the Department.Died in service, 1; injured in the discharge of their duty, 9; dismissed, 10; dropped, 4; resigned, 9; appointed, 27. In conclusion, I can not but thank your Honor for the cordial support and co-operation which, on all occasions, I have received from you, and for the uniform kindness and courtesy with which you have always treated me. I am pleased to commend to your favorable notice my officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, nd to bear testimony to their zeal, efficiency, energy, and good behavior. I am sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, R. H. ANDERSON, Chief of Police. INVENTORY OF PROPERTY AT POLICE BARRACKS PAID FOR OUT OF POLICE FUND, OCTOBER 1, 1871. ARTICLES. On Hand Lost. Worn out or exp'd Rifles ...:.... 99 99 2300 108 108 109 4300 110 1 7 4 1 2 1 2 1 12 32 4 1 1 7 Accoutrements Ammunition (Musket) T?04 Belts Clubs 79 Rattles Caps (Musket) 500 Sockets 5 Stoves 1 Water Coolers Spittoons Clocks Maps (City) Map (State of Georgia) Pitchers Basins 1 Brooms Chairs Tables i Wash-Stands 1 First Sergeant's Swords 44 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. ARTICLES. On Hand Lost. Inkstands Sponge-Cups Docket (Prisoner's) Property, Police Projjerty, Prisoner's Register Blotter Order and Letter-Book. Docket, Police Fund Book Absentee Book Paper-Folder Erasers Thermometer Dictionaries Bibles Rulers Soap-Stands Wisp Brooms Tumblers Tin Cups Lanterns Buckets Towels Candle-sticks Feed-Cutter Horse-Card Curry-combs Horse-Brushes Wheelbarrow *Wagon and Harness . . Locks Keys Sergeant's Badges Spurs (pau-s) Combs Hair-Brushes Dusting Brushes....... Sponge (Floor) Match-Safes Looking Glasses . Paper-Baskets. Chest Wardrobes Hat-Rack Paper-Files . . . 7 4 3 2 3 2 8 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 1 2 12 2 24 2 3 6 135 3 1 1 5 5 1 7 7 7 6 12 12 2 2 10 11 4 1 2 1 4 ' Sold at Auction. MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 45 ARTICLES. On Hand Lost. Worn out or exp; d Knives 7 : Forks 4 1 4 5 7 2 1 2 2 6 105 4 1 1 6 1 ' '} Boiler Scrapers Tubs Mats Sofas Saws 1 Shovels Stable Forks Blacking Brushes Bed-Spreads .... Hand-cufi's (pairs) Floor-Brush Hatchet Plates Fryine' Pan INVENTORY OF CITY PRpPERTY AT POLICE BARRACKS, OCTOBER 1, 1871. ARTICLES. On Hand Horses Mules Blankets (Prisoners). Saddles Bridles Halters Saddle-Cloths '.'. Badge-Die Pistols Holsters Regulation Books Ammunition (Pistol). Badges Old Star Badges Maltese Crosses Lost. Worn out or exp'd 11 29 10 10 10 10 1 106 109 112 2500 104 3 15 *1 *1 2052 1 Condemned by a Board of Survey, sold at Auction, and proceeds turned over to the City Treasurer. 46 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. ARTICLES. On Hand Worn out or exp'd Pistol-Moulds Pistol Screw-drivevs . Spurs Iron Bedsteads Mattresses Pavilions Pillows Spittoons Window-Shades Hose (feet) Mats Hose-cart and Reel. . Wagon and Harness. Coal-Scuttles Book-stand Gas-lighter Scrubbing Brushes. . . Pope's Heads Fire-Screens Pokers Scythe Criminal Register 98 84 105 105 105 105 103 50 150 8 1 1 3 1 1 6 2 9 6 1 1 R. H. ANDERSON, Chief of Police. ROSTER OF THE POLICE FORCE, OCTOBER, 1871. R. H. ANDERSON Chief. J. T. HOWARD First, Lieutenant. (1. H. BELL Second Ueutenant, JAMES LEONARD Sergeant. J AMES FOLEY MARTIN HOULIHAN JOHN GREEN W. M. MORAN HENRY LINGG FRANK E. REBARER Clerk. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 47 PRIVATES. NO. NAMBS. WHEN APPOINTED. NATIONALITY. 1. Andrews, C. W July 22, 1870 American. 2. Ash, John Aug. 28, 1869 Irishman. 3. Buckley, J Jan'y 3, 1866 4. Bryan, Jno Mar. 30, 1868 " 5. Brantley, J. H Oct. 7, 1868. American. 6. Burns, James Feb'y 2, 1870 Irishman. 7. Boyd, B. H July 19, 1870 American. 8. Barry, M Oct. 12, 1870 Irishman. 9. Boyle, George Feb'y 11, 1870 10. Brown, Peter Oct. 2, 1871 German. . 11. Clark, T Nov. 6, 1865 Irishman. 12. Clancey, Daniel Oct. 31,1865 13. Corish, J Aug. 16, 1867 "' 14. Counihan, T Aug. 20, 1868 15. Curtis, H Nov. 12, 1868 16. Corbally, George Aug. 31, 1869 " 17. Cotter, R June 7, 1870 18. Curry, W Feb'y 27,1871 19. Cook, F May 29, 1871 German. 20. Curran, John Oct. 2, 1871 Irishman. 21. Dillon, Patrick Nov. 3, 1865 22. Duignan, M Oct. 31, 1865 23. Doyle, L Nov. 7,1865 " 24. Dowden, Charles April 12, 1866 EngUshman. 25. Davis, E Sept. 21, 1868 American. 26. Dougherty, W May 31,1869 Irishman. 27. Davis, R. E Sept. 15, 1869 American. 28. Dasher, James Oct. 3, 1871 29. Evans, John Jan'y 17, 1870 Irishman. 30. Fleming, M Dec. 15, 1865 "' 31. Floyd, B. G Oct. 20, 1870 American. 32. Fahrenbach, H. L Oct. 23,1868 German. 33. Galloglay, James Jan'y 25,1866. .! Irishman. 34. Gelston, J. W Aug. 18, 1868 American. 35. Graham, G. S May 27,1871 36. Hauck, J. C Dec. 19,1865 German. 37. Hall, E Nov. 1, 1865 American. 38. Hazel, W. M Jan'y 21, 1868 48 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. WHEN APPOINTED. NATIONALITY. 39. Handlon, S 40. Hart, H 41. Heidt, I. F 42. Horton, S. D 43. Hodges, A. E... . 44. Hunt, R 45. Harvey, H. H. . . . 46. Harrington, John. 47. Jones, T 48. Jones, N. J 49. Jones, Allen 50. Keays, James 51. Killhoury, J. B . . . 52. Kiernan, Wr 53. Lee, J. C 54. Langbell, F. W. .. 55. Lingg, A. A 56. Lane, A. H 57. Lee, S. C 58. Leech, F 59. McGuire, T 60. Metzger, O. E 61. Morgan, T 62. McMahon, P 63. Murphy, M 64. McCabe, T 65. McCormick, E 66. Murphy, T 67. Malone, P 68. McQuade, M 69. Murphy, John 70. Mell, T. B 71. Miller, A. B 72. Maher, James.... 73. McElligott, M.... 74. Maloney, James. . 75. O'Hara, T 76. O'Beirne, James. . 77. O'Connor,W. J... 78. Penton, G. O April 27, 1868. . . . . . . Irishman. Oct. 7, 1868 a .June 1, 1869.. .. . . . American. Sept. 15, 1869. .. <( .Aug. 1, 1870 <( Feb'y 18, 1871. . . < z CO a PHH ^ < N 03 ^-1 (M c^ CO O G^l w ^H 1 1 " H rH ss Mi s eo OS cc o M rH ^ M CO o CO o Ci ^ .1 N IO TH : : ^ . i :3- ^ :^ c as ^^ 5= * % ' 3 K v ^ i ^ x '^ '-^v' ^^ A a ta , 55 S - > 2 S OQ & >j o S K SO H H 3 K H H M .- O P ^ >5 g ^ H fn ea n H a H EE s - a a * 3 g H 0 0 HQ S^O KCQ l-H | ( ^ t1 sxuvasi CO^dt-t-^-M-tOliC t- so i-( U3 NHoa-img JiXJt^COiCt-L^cO^X rf * 3S QO "ivxox -^ eo -^ ic so co o 5 * 'C 1C IO t' t- -* -* -^ SO O -+ r-. O cr * O CO N.ttONHNfl l-H 00 3O coaic^^Mic^s^co^i I-H ao * eaivKa^j Oq i-HtM-rH'(M^^fM I-H i-t eo OiC-+'eOOCDiO(Mt-C<' CS CO OS saivjij iHM(MH^-'Mi^<-HC<] N tM \0 sxsvaiq (M(^eoc^i-ir-ieo^>cc CO iO ** uaoa-'nixs Mr-ICOOfM-H^lCCOt^ ZO iO -* OQH , "iviox ic ic eo co co co -^ co co -^ (M CO C cq -t r-i eo rn r iH C^ NM.ON5ISfX rH S^ ^(MCOCi^l^-Ot^tMr- (M ^ CO saTVKa^ ^H _ ^H THrHtMi 1 r- rH rH CO COQOOrHt>CO COiC^ ^ o -* saivjj COSOCqCq 'rHCOrHWCr CDX EH 25O t- ^2 0 b>,(? is 2 S M SOo ^ OO jH H = i: M MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 73 REPORT OF CITY DISPENSARY. OFFICE CITY DISPENSARY, SAVANNAH, Oct. 1st, 1871. Hon. John Screven, Mayor, Savannah, Ga.: SIRI have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the City Dispensary for the past year. On taking charge of the Dispensary in January last, the inte rior of the building and roof was found to be in a very disorder ed and leaky condition, and the stock of medicines reduced to the very smallest quantity, with a great deal of the same of an uncertain character, thereby rendering them unsafe for use, and obliging them to be set aside. This state of things necessitated what would at first seem a larger outlay than usual to properly renovate the premises and resupply the stock of medicines so as to meet satisfactorily the wants of the medical profession and facilitate the preparation of prescriptions. Upon seeing what was needed, the chairman of the Health and Cemetery committee was immediately informed of the fact, who at once made a thorough inspection of the premises, and had the place put in as comfortable and secure a condition as was possible under the circumstances with a building so old and so much out of repair. One of the rooms, formerly' of no use, was neatly fitted up as a reception-room for patients, so as to make them more comfortable and satisfied while awaiting the prepara tion of their medicines. The whole place was also thoroughly whitewashed, and papered wherever needed. A dry-well in State street, which was considered useless, was found in good order, and a new connection, by laying earthen tiles, was made with the Water-works, thereby supplying a much needed convenience. During the months of July and August, on account of the repeated illness of myself and assistant, it became necessary to change our sleeping-quarters ; during this time the Dispensary was opened at seven in the morning and closed at ten o'clock at nightkeeping open this late to meet, as near as possible, the 10 74 MAYOR s ANNUAL REPORT. wants of any who might need assistance. It also became neces sary, to properly keep the premises clean and in good order, to employ a porter, which we have done at our own expense. The Dispensary is now well supplied with medicines, having a full and complete stock on hand of whatever might be required. There has been no prescriptions received at the Dispensary that would indicate the existence of yellow fever or any other infect ious disease within the city during the past season; on the con trary, all have shown that whatever diseases prevailed wereof a simple and mild type and easy of control. The following table will show the number of prescriptions pre pared as far back as there has been found a record of the trans actions of this department, beginning with the year 18G7 and ending September 30th, 1871. 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 January February March < 421 383 469 664 593 808 1322 2048 2233 990 994 1147 1135 1305 1434 1620 1419 1875 1017 844 1540 1301 1288 1276 1465 1558 1912 1756 1748 1729 1549 1572 1636 1740 2337 3208 1842 1580 1830 April Mav 1914 1811 June July August September 1697 2208 2285 2560 Total 8941 16692 16745 22617 24472 1867 1868 1869 1870 Onfnl-iPr 2249 1442 1082 1992 1543 1009 2113 1820 1409 3089 ^JovPTnl")ftr 1949 It will be seen by the above that the amount of medicines dis pensed has been on a steady increase up to the present time; this is owing to the fact of the extreme destitution prevalent among the colored population, as two thirds of the quantity of medicines given out lias been for the benefit of this class of our people. We could not properly close this report without first returning our most sincere thanks to the Honorable Mayor and Aldermen for the encouragement they have given us by the ready manner MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 75 in which they have sanctioned all that has been done about this department, and especially to our worthy Chairman of the Health and Cemetery committee, Alderman John Schwarz, for the active interest he has ever manifested in behalf of the City Dispensary, as well as to the Clerk of Council, Mr. James Stewart, for the courteous manner in which he has always imparted to us valuable information relative to its management. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. W. MILLER, Keeper City Dispensary. 76 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. REPOET OF SUPERINTENDENT OF RIVER DREDGING. CITY DREDGE-BOAT, SAVANNAH RIVER, September 30, 1871. SIRThe following statement of work performed by the Dredge and party under my command, during the last twelve months, is respectfully submitted. For the purpose of giving to the water between the city and head of King's island an unobstructed flow, and thus encourage the diversion of the current from back to front river, an openingwas made through the shoal on the north side of Marsh island. This shoal is some three hundred yards in extent, and the depth of water upon it at low tide was, for a great portion of the dis tance, but two and a half feet. The cut made through it was one hundred and twenty feet in width by nine to nine and a half in depth. The impetus given to the current by dredging this channel has already had the effect of deepening the water over the entire shoal. To further develop this plan of the Commissioners, that is, to divert, by dredging simply, the waters of back river into front, I proceeded next to trim still further the deflecting point at the cross tides, and to widen correspondingly the dredged channel leading from it. That portion of the point which projected from below Pipemaker's creek was cut off to the width of forty-five feet, and the channel widened from forty-five to sixty feet. I was pleased to find, on resuming operations at this locality, that the above channel, dredged in 1868, had been both deepened and widened by the rush of the current through it. The deepen ing of the water extended, in fact, quite to the southern shore, there being along this shore a current of considerable strength where at one time the water stood in dead eddy. These facts would seem to prove conclusively the accomplish ment, to a very great extent at least, of the result sought to be attained by dredging at the cross tides and below. The dredge was engaged some three months in cutting an en trance to the dry-dock recently constructed by Messrs. Usina & Jones and in deepening the water for the railway-dock in course of construction by Mr. H. F. Willink, Jr. In addition to the for mer work, a berth for vessels was dredged on either side of the MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 77 entrance to the dock. The dimensions of the channel opened to the gate of the dock were as follows: length, two hundred and seventy feet; width, eighty to ninety feet; depth, ten to twelve feet (low water). The inclination of the land through which the entrance was dredged was from ten feet below to six above lowwater mark; consequently, the greatest depth of the excavation was eighteen feet, and the mean ten. The progress of the work was much impeded by obstructions, such as piles, wrecks, and masses of debris. One of these wrecks, apparently a schooner of about seventy tons, was imbedded in the marsh fully a hundred feet inside of low-water mark, and from six to sixteen feet below the surface. From time to time during the year the following work was ac complished : the water deepened at Goodwin's and at Claghorn & Cunningham's wharves; at the slip foot of Lincoln street and at the city wharf foot of Abercorn; the mouth of the canal, full of raft-oars, raft-binders, etc., was opened; a large crib, which had slided into the gap of the obstructions, was raised timber by timber, and, with its ballast of bricks and live-oak limbs, removed; the river and its margins were, in many places, cleared of logs, stumps, and impending trees. During an interval of work at the dry-dock, considerable progress was made at reopening and widening the channel at the " Wrecks." Upon this latter work I am now engaged, but regret that the busy season, which is at hand, will not permit me to thoroughly execute it. All that I am now attempting to accomplish is the removal of the most promi nent shoals, leaving the rest until there will be less interrup tion from passing vessels. The number of cubic yards dredged throughout the year was sixty-eight thousand. I would, as a conclusion to my report, respectfully annex the following copy of a statement submitted (at his request) to Col. Ludlow, U. S. A., who you are aware visited our port in May last for the purpose of making a survey and reconnaissance of the river, with the view of reporting to a committee of Congress the amount of dredging required, with the probable cost of the same. I would add that Col. Ludlow expressed surprise at the cheap ness with which this work of dredging had been carried on by the city. Very respectfully, J. S. KENNARD, Superintendent of River Dredging. Mr. JOHN L. VILLALONGA, Chairman pro tern. Commissioners of Pilotage. 78 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SAVANNAH, GA., May 12, 1871. Col. Ludlow, JJ. S. A. DEAR SIRIn compliance with your request, I respectfully sub mit the following statement of dredging operations carried on by the city of Savannah within the last four years: The work was initiated on the 27th of March, 1867, and, with the exception of an interval of some seven months, continued, with slight interruptions, to the present time. During this time two hundred and eighty thousand cubic yards were dredged up. The character of the bottom dredged was, at times, sand, clay, mud, and a mixture of one or all of these with stones, bricks, and every species of debris. But this was not all the duty per formed by the dredge. She was employed much of the time in dredging up roots, stumps, piles, and sunken logs, raising ob structions (ballasted cribs), sunken wrecks, flats, etc. The total of expense connected with the undertaking has been, up to the 1st instant, as follows: Dredge (original cost) $ 29,500 Three flats " " 12,000 Tender " " 15,000 Flat, just finished but not yet in use 2,400 Current expenses 106,000 Interest on original outlay 15,680 Interest on current outlay 15,176 $195,756 The expenditures (current) embraced in the above period would give a daily average of seventy-one dollars. From this average I have deduced the cost, per cubic yard, of dredging in the fol lowing substances: Sand 29 cents. Sand and clay 23 " Mud and clay 18 " Very hard bottom (densely packed debris) 60 " To this should, of course, be added the interest on the outlay, which would enhance, by a few cents, the cost of each cubic yard. Respectfully, J. S. KENNARD, Superintendent of River Dredging. GENERAL STATEMENT, BY ARTICLES AND COUNTRIES, OF IMPORT ENTRIES OF COMMODITIES BROUGHT FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES INTO THE CUSTOMS DISTRICT OF SAVANNAH, GA., DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPT. 30, 1871. VALUES IN AMERICAN COIN IN THE COUNTRIES WHENCE IMPORTED. - r So ll Dolls. [ 2 3 > H i f s Dolls, j a z a ARTICLES FREE OF DUTY, A 1(' 1 '1 C ; 1 iHlfc-? !r-Sl J I-5J JUCJ'X' i'O XJU'-L' if. M H J H s 0 2 t* 0 m Dolls. si COUNTKIES WHENCE OATS. .a a fc a