\ xTt

REPORT
OF
JOHN R WHEATON,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH.
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878,
TO WHICH IS ADDED THE
TREASURER'S REPORT,
REPORTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
SAVANNAH:
MORNING NEWS STEAM PRINTING HOUSE.
1879.

COMPLIMENTS OF
MAYOR.

REPORT
OF
JOHN F. WHEATON,
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH,
FOR THE
cc YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878,
TO WHICH IS ADDED THE
TREASURER'S REPORT,
REPORTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
SAVANNAH:
MORNING NEWS STEAM PRINTING HOUSE.
1879.

*<**
MAYOR'S REPORT.
MAYOR'S OFFICE,
SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1879.
Fellovj Citizens: In obedience to the duty imposed upon
me by ordinance, I respectfully submit to you an account of
the receipts and expenditures of the city for the year ending
December 31, 1878, together with a general statement of
the operations of the different departments of the city gov
ernment during the year and their present condition ; also re
ports of the City Treasurer and the various city officers, to
which I refer you for detailed information :
Cash in Treasury January 1, 1878 ... $ 72,687 04
RECEIPTS.
Prom real estate taxes, 1875 $22,055 32
From stock in trade 11 25
From personal taxes 49 50 22,116 07
From real estate taxes, 1876 50,717 14
From specific and stock in trade 2,748 76
From personal and receipts 881 98 54,347 88
From real estate taxes, 1877 94,609 94
From specific and stock in trade, 1877. . 11,659 69
From personal, 1877 31,831 07 138,100 70
From real estate taxes, 1878 146,154 52
From specific and stock in trade 52,007 71
From personal taxes 16,069 77 214,232 00
From licenses 21,969 10
From badges 368 00
From market 16,150 84
From jail 11:480 56
From Laurel Grove Cemetery 1,271 00
From water works 23,697 88
From harbor and other fees 10,227 05
From Savannah river improvement 2,625 00
From City Court 225 00
From rent public buildings 3,380 57
4*t>
4 MAYOE'S ANNUAL EEPORT.
Fromcitylots 40,588 85
From ground rent 25,683 40
From fines and penalties 1>055 00
From miscellaneous, to-wit :
Board of Health 385 70
City maps 5 00
Dividends
7 OO
Dry culture. 19 oU
Fire department 61 00
Police 215 10
Registration tax 2,766 00
Quarantine 2,934 25
Streets and lanes 990 00- 7,383 55
$667,589 48
EXPENDITURES.
Badges purchased 223 00
Board of Health 8,002 83
Bonds 53,767 75
City clocks 267 92
City Court 4,685 21
City lamps 15,161 03
City pumps 2,148 47
Docks and wharves 116 28
Dry culture '. 15,383 23
Fees 1,560 88
Fire department 15,187 27
INTEREST.
Paid Commissioners of Pilotage on note. 136 96
Paid on bonds past due at 58 per cent.. 1,811 41
Paid for coupons received in payment of
taxes and paid at compromise rate,
face value, $289,177 03 162,706 32 164,654 69
INCIDENTALS.
Paid for associate counsel in tax litiga
tion suits at Supreme Court, tax
suits of 1875 and 1876 500 00
Paid for fees for advising and consulting
counsel 500 00
Paid judgment favor of Mrs. Ehmke for
$2,716 80 and costs 2,099 96
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 5
Paid judgment favor of Hugo B. Platen. 192 85
Paid for postage, telegrams, etc 886 73
Paid for feeding prisoners at police bar
racks. 288 14
Paid for carriages for assessors, funerals,
etc 263 80
Paid charity account 69 00
Paid Deputy City Marshals 59 00
Paid attorney's fees, cost in suits, etc. . . 500 00 5,359 48
Jail 10,113 68
Laurel Grove Cemetery 5,586 10
Licenses, note (good) carried to new account 264 50
Liquidation account 4,821 43
Market 3,227 38
Parks and squares 2,998 88
Police. 43,764 57
Printing and stationary 2,938 72
Public buildings..: 3,029 86
Public schools 17,766 00
Quarantine 8,537 43
Salaries 15,486 30
Savannah river improvements 4,550 13
Scavenger department 10,729 89
Streets and lanes 32,351 07
Water works, including payments for new engine.. 33,320 02
Floating debt of 1878, paid on account 108,959 58
Discount on taxes, 1878, for prompt payment 16,570 06
Cash on hand, December 31, 1878 56,055 84
$667,589 48
The financial condition of the city (exclusive of its bonded
debt) at the commencement of last fiscal year was as follows:
Mayor's notes left by former Council and unpaid $219,871 82
Due H. R. Worthington for pump 25,000 00
Accrued interest (on notes and amount due Worth
ington) 17,746 76
Accrued interest on funded debt (coupons unpaid)... 185,662 50
Bonds due June 1, 1876, (unpaid) 9,000 00
Floating debt $457,281 08
6 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
January 1, 1878, coupons due this day 56,040 50
During the year the following payments have been made :
Merchants' National Bank, on account of past due
notes $ 36,048 98
Southern Bank State of Georgia, on account of past
due notes 13,377 74
Savannah Bank and Trust Company, account of past
due notes 12,343 63
Savannah Gas Light Company, on account of past
due notes 15,949 23
Moses Taylor, President City Bank, New York, on
account of past due notes 30,000 00
Commissioners of Pilotage, on account of past due
notes 2,140 00
H. R. Worthington 21,050 30
Coupons paid 289,177 00
Bonds received in payment for balances due on city
lots and cancelled 39,400 00
Bonds purchased by authority of Council and cancelled. 27,000 00
$486,486 88
The financial condition of the city on the first day of Jan
uary, 1879, viz., floating debt, is as follows :
Balance due on past due Mayor's notes, in judgment
as compromised, with interest $ 33,774 89
Judgment favor Eugene Kelly & Co., with accrued
interest 57,669 80
Accrued interest on funded debt, December 31, 1878,
face value 136,319 00
January 1, 1879, coupons due this day, face value... . 55,233 00
Outstanding bills, (estimated) 10,000 00
Present floating debt $292,996 69
Against which there is cash in the city treasury this
clay 56,055 84
Taxes 1875, past due 20,293 93
Taxes 1876, past due 27,529 12
Taxes 1877, past due 13,494 30
Taxes 1878, uncollected and due January 1, 1879 80,000 00
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 7
Due from jail for fees 11,587 30
Due from all other sources : 12,000 00
$220,960 49
Forty-two thousand dollars of the past due taxes for 1875)
1876 and 1877, is believed to be secured by real estate be
yond any reasonable contingency. The balance, it is estima
ted, cannot be collected, and that $10,000 will be required to
cover expenses for 1878 for bills not yet presented, principally
for the month of December ultimo.
The $9,000 city bonds due June 1, 1876, accounted for as
floating debt in the last report of the Mayor, have been
transferred to the funded debt, the proposed compromise
having been accepted for them by the owner.
Under the resolution passed in Council December 20,
1877, and July 24, 1878, authorizing the purchase of the
city's bonds on the terms therein expressed, the following
bonds have been purchased to-wit:
Fifty-four bonds $500 each, due February 1, 1878, $27,000.
Section ninth of the ordinance passed in Council July
24, 1878, provides that all bonds stamped with the com
promise agreement shall be receivable at maturity under
compromise, in payment of all dues and taxes, and before
maturity, shall be receivable at all times at their face value
in payment of any sums due as balance of purchase money
on any lot or lots heretofore sold by said city, and commonly
known as ground rent lots. Under this provision the follow
ing bonds have been received at the City Treasury in pay
ment of balance due on said lots, to-wit:
1 bond $500, due February 1, 1878. .$ 500 00
9 bonds $500 each, due February 1,
1886 4,500 00
15 bonds $300 each, due February 1,
1886 4,500 00
19 bonds $100 each, due February 1,
1886 1,900 00
4 bonds $1,000 each, due December 1,
1888 4,000 00
8 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
21 bonds $500 each, due December 1,
1888 10,500 00
5 bonds$500 each,dueJanuary 1,1890. 2,500 00
4 bonds $1,000 each, due November 1,
1900 4,000 00
5 bonds $1,000 each, due January 1,
1902 5,000 00
4 bonds $500 each, due July 1, 1903. 2,000 00 $39,400 00
87
Add bonds purchased in 1878 27,000 00
Amount in aggregate to $66,400 00
Bonds purchased in 1878 1,000 00
Total $67,400 00
Total amount of bonds outstanding
May 31, 1877, as per report of
Finance Committee $3,473,800 00
Less bonds purchased in 1877-78 and
received in payment of balance
due on ground rent lots '.. 67,400 00
Total funded debt January 1, 1879.. . 3,416,400 00
Total floating debt, Janury 1, 1879. . . 292,996 69
Total indebtedness, funded and floating, January 1, 1879 $3,709,396 69
Contingent debt, bonds of the Savan
nah, Albany and Gulf Raiload
Company, indorsed 300,000 00
An ordinance adopted in Council December 26, 1877, to
offer a compromise settlement of the funded debt was fully
set forth in an ordinance passed in Council March 6, 1878,
embracing the following provisions, to-wit: To exchange new
bonds of the same face value for any and all of the outstand
ing matured and maturing bonds and matured coupons of
the city, at the option of the holders thereof, such new bonds
to become due and payable thirty years from and after the
January 1, 1879, and to bear interest payable semi
annually at the rate of three per cent, per annum for the first
ten years; at the rate of four per cent, per annum for the sec
ond ten years, and at the rate of six per cent, per annum for the
MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. V
third and last ten years, and providing for a " sinking fund "
for the payment of such new bonds by setting apart from the
fixed sources of revenue $50,000 per year for each of the first
five years; $65,000 per year for each of the next succeeding
ten years, and $75,000 per year for each of the next succeed
ing fifteen years ; also for a sinking fund commission, inde
pendent of the city government, for the management of said
fund. This plan was urged upon the attention of the bond
holders by the city authorities, and met with general dis
favor. Suits were instituted in the courts by many of. the
creditors, and almost interminable litigation, and a general
wasting of the city's resources in costs and fees seemed, to a
majority of Council, the only result likely to be attained, with
no immediate prospect of reaching a settlement of the debt.
Under these circumstances the Council, considering the con
dition and ability of the people, and desiring to pay as much
of the debt as in their judgment could in reason be expected,
determined upon a careful review of the financial situation,
and the conclusion was reached that it would be possible for
the city to accede to the views of the owners of a large
amount of the bonds, and fix five per cent, as a uniform rate
of interest for the new bonds. Accordingly, on July 24, the
following ordinance was formally passed in Council, to-wit:
AN ORDINANCE to compromise the bonded debt of the city
of Savannah; to provide for the issue of new-bonds with ivhich
to redeem those outstanding; to provide for the establishment of
a sinking fund for the redemption of the outstanding bonds of
said city, and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Holders of the bonds and coupons of the city of
Savannah to the amount of $1,000,000 have united in the
following proposition for a compromise thereof, to-wit:
1. To receive in exchange for the present bonds new bonds
for the same amounts, having thirty years to run from the first
day of February, 1879, with quarterly coupons for interest at
five per cent, per annum, all of which bonds and coupons
shall be exempt from taxation and be received by the city, as
thev mature, at their face value as cash for all taxes and
10 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
debts of every description (due and to become due) to the
city, or paid in cash, at the option of the holder.
2. To receive in full payment of all interest and coupons
(and fractional parts thereof) to February 1, 1879, fifty-eight
(58) per cent, of their face value, at which rates they are to
be received for one-half of any tax or debt due the city, and
paid in cash, in the order of their maturity, as rapidly as
practicable, until June 1, 1879, and after that date on pre
sentation.
3. That the new issue of bonds shall be registered (at the
option of their holders) by the City Treasurer, after which
registration they shall only be transferable by indorsement.
4. That the city procure authority from the State for the
new issue of bonds and for the appointment of Sinking Fund
Commissioners, with same qualifications, conditions and re
strictions as provided for in ordinance of March 6, 1878,
except that the sinking fund to be set aside shall not be less
than ten thousand dollars per annum for the first five years ;
twenty-five thousand dollars per annum for the succeeding
ten years, and forty thousand dollars per annum for the suc
ceeding years, until all of the new issue of bonds and bonds
(if any) issued in renewal thereof shall be fully satisfied.
5. That all bonds for which this compromise is accepted
be stamped in accordance with terms hereof, and until hold
ers representing one-half of all bonds now outstanding join
in settlement herein proposed, the same shall not be binding
beyond July 1, 1880, on which day, unless one-half of the
holders shall agree to this settlement, those who have agreed
shall be relieved from the same.
And as there is reason to believe that the proposition will
be accepted by all, or nearly all, of those holding the bonds
and coupons of said city ; and
Whereas, Since the passage of the ordinance of March 6,
1878, the assessors of real estate have made their report,
showing a greater amount of taxable property than had been
anticipated, thus making it possible for the city to accept the
above recited proposition of the holder* of bonds and
coupons; therefore
SECTION I. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ll
city of Savannah in Council assembled, and it is hereby ordained
by the authority of the same. That the foregoing proposition
from the holders of bonds and coupons of the city of Savan
nah to compromise said bonds and coupons, be, and the same
is hereby, accepted, and the said compromise is hereby spe
cifically offered to the holders of the outstanding bonds and
coupons of said city upon the terms and conditions set forth
in said offer of compromise, and herein.
SfiC. II. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority of
the same, That the said Mayor and Aldermen shall petition
the Legislature of Georgia, so soon as such legislation can
be by law obtained, for authority to issue for exchange, and
to exchange, new bonds under the provisions of this ordi
nance, of the same face value, for any and all of the out
standing matured and maturing bonds of said city, at the
option of the holders thereof, after such bonds shall have
been stamped, as hereinafter provided; which said now
bonds shall become due and payable thirty years from and
after the first day of February, 1879, and shall bear interest
coupons, payable quarterly, at the rate of five per centum
(5 per cent.) per annum ; and each of such new bonds before
it is exchanged by said city shall be registered in the office
of the City Treasurer, and shall have certified thereon by a
majority of the Sinking Fund Commission, hereinafter provi
ded for, that all conditions precedent required by law and by
the contract under which the bonds are authorized to be ex
changed have been complied with; and each of such bonds
may also be registered, at the option of the holder, after
being exchanged in the office of the City Treasurer, which
registration shall be certified thereon by said City Treasurer,
after which said bonds shall be transferable only by indorse
ment by the said registered holder to the transferee, unless
the last person in whose name it is so registered shall trans
fer and assign it to bearer, after which it shall again be
transferable by delivery; and such new coupons and new
bonds as they mature shall be receivable at their par or face
value for all taxes and other dues to the city of Savannah,
and as such reduced rates of interest are made for the pur
pose of being, and are considered by said corporate authori-
12 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
ties as, the equivalent of any and all taxes which the said
corporate authorities might otherwise hereinafter levy upon
such new bonds and coupons, such new bonds and coupons
shall never be taxed by said city.
SEC. III. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority
of the same, That the said Mayor and Aldermen shall also
petition the Legislature of Georgia, so soon as such legisla
tion can be by law obtained, for authority to create a sinking
fund for the payment of such new bonds and also a commis
sion of freeholders, to be known as the Sinking Fund Com
mission, to consist of five persons, each of whom shall be
the owner, in his own name, of unincumbered real estate in
said city of the value of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000)
upon the basis of valuation made by the City Assessors; and
no Mayor, Alderman, or other city officer shall be eligible to
serve upon said commission ; and when any member of said
commission shall qualify as an officer of said city, he shall
immediately cease to be a member of said commission. The
five original members of said commission shall be elected by
the Mayor and Aldermen of said city at the second regular
meeting of Council after the passage by the Legislature of
the necessary enabling act, a two-thirds vote being necessary
for a choice; and each member of said commission so elect
ed, as well as his successor, shall be sworn to faithfully per
form the duties of the position, and shall serve for ten years,
and until his successor is'elected in the same manner and
for a similar term of years, and qualified, unless he be sooner
removed as hereinafter provided. Said commission so ap
pointed shall be invested with power, and it shall be its duty,
if necessary, to enforce taxation sufficient to raise the " sink
ing fund" herein provided for, by application to the courts
having jurisdiction, at any time when there shall be a failure
to act in good faith on the part of the Mayor and Aldermen
for the time being; and, after it is organized, shall have
power to fill all vacaucies in its body, whether caused by
death, resignation or otherwise, by a majority vote of those
acting, except when such vacancy is caused by the removal
of a member as hereinafter provided, or by the expiration of
his term of office; and except, further, that when, in conse-
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 13
quence of a tie vote, or from any other cause, they are una
ble, or shall fail, to fill any vacancy or vacancies at the first
regular or special meeting of their body after such vacancy
or vacancies shall occur, their presiding officer shall certify
such fact to Council at its next regular or special meeting
thereafter, and Council shall at such meeting proceed to fill
such vacancy or vacancies in the same manner that it elected
the original members.
SEC. IV. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority of
the same, That immediately after the passage of the afore
said enabling acts by said Legislature, and before exchang
ing said new bonds, Council shall make ample provision for
the payment of the annual interest on said new bonds, and
shall set apart so much of its most fixed sources of revenue
as shall yield with the greatest certainty at least ten thou
sand dollars ($10,000) for each of the first succeeding five
years; twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each of the
next succeeding ten years, and forty thousand dollars
($40,000) for the succeeding years, until all the new issue of
bonds and bonds issued in renewal thereof (if any be so
issued) shall be fully paid and satisfied ; and the same shall
be paid in quarterly payments by the Treasurer of said city
to the said Sinking Fund Commission, commencing the first
day of February, 1879, who shall apply the same to the pur
chase of any of the outstanding bonds of said city, at the
ruling market rates, and shall cancel each bond so purchased
(and the coupons thereto attached), and after such cancella
tion shall deliver it (and them) to the said City Treasurer for
such final destruction as Council may direct. And when said
commission shall desire to purchase any of said bonds, they
shall call, by advertisement in the official gazette of the city,
or in such manner as the city makes public its official acts,
for proposals to furnish the same, and may accept the pro
posal of the lowest bidders, for a part or the whole of the
amount called for, or may reject any or all bids, as they may
deem most advisable for the public interest, and consistent
with economy; calling, after each rejection, for new bids; or
they may, by unanimous consent of their body, buy such
bonds in open market, at ruling rates, without calling for
14 MAYOR'S ANOTAL REPORT.
bids. Said Sinking Fund Commission shall make an annual
report to the said Mayor and Aldermen of their work to De
cember 31 of each year, which report shall be published
annually with the Mayor's report.
SEC. V. And it is hereby further ordained by tJie authority of
the same, That it be prayed of the Legislature to make it law
ful for the Judge of the Superior Court of Chatham county,
in his discretion, on the application of the Mayor and Alder
men, to remove any member or members of said commission
before his or their term of office expires, and to appoint, for
the unexpired term, a commissioner or commissioners, in his
or their stead, having the qualifications hereinbefore set
forth.
SEC. VI. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority
of the same, That until bondholders representing two million
five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) in face value of
the outstanding bonds of said city shall have accepted the
said offer of compromise, and such bonds to that amount
shall have been stamped as hereinafter provided, the accep
tance of those representing any number less than such two
million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) in face value
shall not be binding beyond the first day of July, 1880, on
which day, unless bondholders to said amount of two million
five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) shall have agreed
to this settlement, those who have so agreed shall be relieved
from the same; and further, that no new bonds shall be ex
changed for old bonds until bondholders representing said
two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) shall
have accepted the compromise.
SEC. VII. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority
of the same, That upon each bond, and the coupons thereto
attached, or appertaining, presented by such bondholders as
accept this compromise, unless they be redeemed by said new
bonds, shall be stamped, printed, or written respectively :
" In pursuance of the compromise settlement proposed by
the holders of bonds and coupons of the city of Savannah,
and accepted by the Mayor and Aldermen of said city, as set
forth in an ordinance passed July 24, 1878, which ordinance
is made a part of this contract, and which compromise set-
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 15
tlement is accepted and agreed to by the holder of this bond
upon the condition that, in consideration of the reduction of
interest allowed by him, and which is mutually agreed to be
the equivalent of any taxes which the Mayor and Aldermen
might otherwise levy thereon, this bond and the coupons ap
pertaining to it, and so stamped, shall never again be taxed
by said city, the said Mayor and Aldermen agree to pay, and
the holder of this bond agrees to accept, in full payment of
the coupons and fractions thereof, hereto appertaining and
so stamped fifty-eight per centum (58 per cent.) of their face
value, to February 1, 1879, and after that date five-sevenths
( ) of their face value, in terms of the offer of compro
mise made by the bondholders and forming the basis of this
ordinance; and this agreement stamped hereon shall be
proof of acceptance of said compromise in settlement by the
holder, by receiving interest thereunder, and of part perfor
mance by the city ;" which shall be signed and dated by the
Treasurer of said city.
And upon coupons due to and including February 1,
1879 : " Subject to agreement stamped on bond; value -/^
of face ;" and upon coupons to become due after that date,
" subject to agreement stamped on bond, value f of face," in
terms of the offer of compromise made by the bondholders
and forming the basis of this ordinance. And when old
bonds are matured, or without coupons for the full period of
thirty (30) years, the city shall, at the option of the holder,
either furnish coupons of the whole, or a part of said thirty
years, as may be required, or pay the interest which would
be due under the said compromise, stamping upon the bonds
the amount of interest so paid.
SEC. VIII. And it is hereby furtiter ordained by the authority
of the same, That all bonds hitherto stamped under the pro
visions of the ordinance of March 6, 1878, shall be, and they
are entitled to the privileges, and advantages herein set forth,
as to principal and interest, without further stamping, unless
desired by the holders thereof.
SEC. IX. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority
of the same, That all coupons so stamped, under the ordinance
of March 6, 1878, or this ordinance, shall, when due, be by
16 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
the city paid in currency, or received as currency in payment
of taxes and all other dues to the city at their compromise
face value as now provided by ordinance. And further, That
all bonds stamped as above provided shall be receivable at
maturity under compromise in payment of all dues and taxes,
and before maturity shall be receivable at all times at their
face value in payment of any sums due as balance of pur
chase money on any lot or lots heretofore sold by said city,
and commonly known as " ground rent lots."
SEC. X. And it is hereby further ordained by the authority of
the same, That the coupons on the new bonds herein provided
for shall be received and treated as cash by the said city as
they mature.
SEC. XL And it is hereby further ordained by the authority
of the same. That the said ordinance, passed March 6, 1878,
(except so much of it as is embodied herein), and all other
ordinances and parts of ordinances conflicting with this ordi
nance be, and the same are hereby, repealed.
In Council, July 24, 1878.
JOHN F. WHEATON, J/ayor.
Attest: FRANK E. EEBARER, Clerk of Council.
This ordinance is generally considered as a reasonable and
fair adjustment of the debt between the city and its creditors.
Bondholders, owning and representing $2,000,000 of the
bonds, have accepted the terms proposed, and it is confi
dently believed that the compromise will be carried to a suc
cessful conclusion.
The ordinance was amended in Council December 17,1878,
to embrace the caption and provisions of an act of the State
Legislature, approved December 11, 1878, authorizing the
exchange of new bonds, bearing a reduced rate of interest
for the outstanding bonds, but in no manner changing any of
the important conditions or features of the proposition.
The claim of H. E. Worthington for the new pumping
engine at the water works, amounting to $26,050.30, with
interest, has been settled in full for the sum of $21,050.30.
On the night of January 25, 1873, Capt. August Ehmke fell
over the railing near the lower rice mills, receiving injuries
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 17
that were supposed to have caused his death. His heirs
instituted a suit in the United States Court against the city
for damages. The cause came to trial December 2,1874, and
a verdict was rendered against the city for $3,099.9.6. A new
trial was applied for and granted. The cause was again
brought to trial December 5, 1877, and resulted in a second
verdict against the city in the sum of $2,716.80. This, with
$500 counsel fees for defending the suit, has been settled in
full for the sum of $2,599.96.
The suits contesting the legality of the tax ordinances for
the year 1875, and involving the same questions in relation to
the tax ordinance of 1876, that came to trial before the
Supreme Court of the State in January last, were of such
vital importance to the city that associate counsel was em
ployed to assist the corporation attorney conducting them,
at an expense of $500. Consulting and advising counsel was
also employed to assist and advise in the many intricate
questions arising from the embarrassed condition of the city's
financial affairs, involving a further expense of $500. This,
with the costs and fees in suits against the city for the col
lection of past due bonds and coupons, the holders of which
subsequently accepted the compromise, together with express
charges on coupons sent here for payment at compromise
rate, and bonds sent for stamping and returned to their own
ers, the expense of stamping bonds, commissions to agents
at Augusta, Ga., Charleston, S. C, Baltimore and New York,
printing, etc., etc., amounts in the aggregate to $4,821.43,
which appears in the report of the City Treasurer, charged
to liquidation account.
The large amount of past due taxes to be collected during
the year has required additional assistance to the officers of
the city charged with that duty, and involved a material ad
dition to the ordinary expenses of the city government.
The aggregate strength of the police force remains the
same as at the date of my last report, to-wit: Fifty-five
officers and men, consisting of one chief, one lieutenant,
five sergeants and forty-eight privates.
During the year four privates have resigned, one has been
dropped for physical disability, and one has been dismissed.
2
18 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
The vacancies have been filled by the appointment of new men.
In my opinion the present force is inadequate for the
proper protection of persons and property during the fall
and winter months. The large number of seamen that come
to this port annually, estimated at thirty-five thousand, to
gether with the negroes from the plantations on the South
Carohna side of the Savannah river, the islands on the coast,
and the plantations in Chatham and Bryan counties, make
up a floating population who require a more careful surveil
lance than can now be given. To meet this requirement
partially, I recommend that four additional horses be added
to those now employed on the force, and that portion of the
city south of Liberty street be patrolled by mounted men.
This will give an additional number of men for duty in the
business streets and on the river front, and in my judgment
afford a better protection to all parts of the city, with a com
paratively small increase in the expenses of the department.
The present number of horses employed on the force belong
ing to the city is ten. Three have been condemned during
the year and their places supplied with serviceable animals.
The general condition of the horses is good, two of the number
have been employed in the service for ten years, but it is be
lieved, under ordinary circumstances, they can do the work
required during this year.
The barracks, prison and stables are all in good order, and
with the property of every kind belonging to the department
are carefully looked after and taken care of. The cost of the
department for the year has been $43,764.57; this includes
purchase of horses, new belts, holsters and equipments for
the men, etc., etc.
The present system of electing the subordinate officers of
the force yearly is in my opinion detrimental to the service,
and subversive of the interest of the city. I recommend
that the term be extended to three years, or during good be
havior and the capacity of the incumbents to do the duty
required of them.
Under the supervision and direction of the Street and Lane
Committee a sewer has been built from Jones street through
Barnard, McDonough and Whitaker streets, to connect with
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 19
the Broughton street sewer, at an expense of $9,950.00, of
which sum Mr. Aaron Champion donated $500.
This work was a necessity that could not prudently be de
layed without endangering the public health. The old sewer
through Barnard street to Hall street was constructed im
properly originally, and was entirely filled with washings
from the streets and the contents of water closets connecting
with it, and was utterly useless for drainage purposes, every
heavy rain inundating that part of the city, with no outlet
for the water to escape. The wooden pavement on the north
side of Bay street, from Drayton street to Whitaker street,
and the plank road leading from the foot of the gas house
hill along the eastern wharves to Lamar's creek, both of
which were so worn as to be unsafe for loaded vehicles, have
been removed and replaced with substantial stone pavements.
The Nicholson pavement on West Broad street, between
South Broad street and Railroad street, which was also in an
unsafe condition, is now being removed and replaced with
Belgian stone pavement. The stones for the purpose were
purchased in New York by the city at the cost of $19.50
per thousand, were freighted free of charge to this city by
the Ocean Steamship Company, and delivered free of charge
by the Central Bail Company in the immediate vicinity of
the work, thus enabling the committee to lay a superior pave
ment at a small expense over the cost of the ordinary cobble
stone pavement.
In addition to these permanent improvements, the stone
pavements on Bay street, West Broad street and Whitaker
street, have been resurfaced and placed in good condition.
Forty cesspools connecting directly with the sewers untrapped, have been trapped and supplied with water, and the
streets and lanes generally, street crossings, parks and
squares cleaned, graded, repaired and kept in good order.
The total expenditure in this department has amounted to
$32,351.07 for the year. There are employed in the depart
ment nine mules, two horses and twelve carts, belonging to
the city, two of which have been purchased during the year.
The increased traffic over the unpaved streets in the busi
ness portions of the city makes them expensive to keep in.
20 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
order and difficult to keep clean. In my judgment a portion
of the principal streets should be paved at the earliest time
that the finances of the city will warrant the outlay. This I
consider necessary, not only as an accommodation to trade,
but it is of the utmost importance as a sanitary measure.
At present the filth mixes with the sand, while if paved it
could be removed and the streets kept clean.
For the accommodation of citizens living in the southern
part of the city, and for the protection of their property from
fire, the pavements on Drayton street and Whitaker street
should, in my opinion, be extended to Anderson street as
early as practicable. This would enable the fire engines to
reach the outskirts more promptly in case of fire, and with
more certainty than they can now do.
The bridge crossing the Musgrove canal on the Augusta
Boad is in a dilapidated condition. The abutments and arch
are insecure, and the span too small to allow the free passage
of the water in times of freshet. It should have early attention.
The fire department has continued to maintain a high
character. It has been well managed, prompt and efficient.
The force consists of one Chief Engineer, one Assistant En
gineer, a Secretary, and one hundred and forty-four officers
and men, of whom fifteen are regularly employed and paid
by the city. There are four third class steam engines, three
one-horse hose reels, two hand hose reels, forty-three hundred
and fourteen feet of hose, one hook and ladder truck, and eleven
horses in the service. The engines, hose reels, hose, hook
and ladder truck, and their appurtenances are in good order.
Eight of the horses are able, serviceable animals, well
adapted to the duty required of them. One is old and worn
out, and will have to be retired at an early day. Two are
now on trial, and if they prove suitable will be purchased.
During the year, three horses have been condemned, one has
died, two have been purchased. There has also been eight
hundred feet of new leather hose purchased.
The total expense of the department amounts to $15,187.27.
This includes purchases and expenses of every kind.
There have been eleven false alarms and twenty-six fires,
involving an aggregate loss of $200,736.10.
^1
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 21
The contract with the Savannah Gas Light Company for
lighting the public lamps expired December 31, 1878. The
terms of the contract have been faithfully executed and the
duties it required satisfactorily performed.
A new contract is now under consideration.
The public buildings are in good order, the portico of the
Exchange only excepted. That requires immediate and ex
tensive repairs.
A fire proof vault has been built during the year for the
preservation of the records and papers of the city at a cost
of $774.91. Many of the records are invaluable, dating back
eighty-eight years, and are the only ones in existence con
taining the original titles and transfers of much of the prop
erty in the city. The total expenditure in this department
amounts to $3,029.86. This includes the materials and con
struction of the vault, repairs, painting roofs, fire insurance,
etc., etc.
There are 135 public pumps within the city limits, main
tained at the city's expense. They have had careful atten
tion, and are generally in gqpd order. Twenty-two have been
condemned during the year and replaced by improved metal
ones. The expense of the department, including contractor's
salary, has amounted to $2,148.47.
The jail has been managed with care. The building is
faultv in arrangement and construction, and unsuitable for
the purpose for which it is used. By careful attention to
cleanliness and correct discipline general good health has
been secured to the large number of prisoners in its keeping.
The expenses for the year amount to $10,113.68. The
receipts to $11,480.56, and there is now due the city for the
care and maintenance of prisoners $11,587.30.
The expenditure in the department of docks and wharves
amount to $116.28 for the year, and the receipts to $1,100.
The public dock, known as Market Dock, is in a partially
decayed condition, and should be rebuilt in a permanent
manner.
The other docks and wharves owned by the city are in
good order.
The receipts from the Market amount to $16,150.84 and
22 . MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
the expenses, including salaries of clerk and assistant clerk,
improvements, repairs, gas and labor, to $3,227.38.
The building is in good condition.
Upon the accession of the present administration to office,
educational interests were most carefully considered, so far
as has been concerned the annual appropriations for that
purpose from the city treasury.
It is to be regretted that much diversity of opinion exists
among our citizens as to the maintenance, at the public ex
pense, of the high schools, which are considered an essen
tial part of the present system of public education, and the
" keystone of the arch." After mature deliberation, however,
and in deference to the opinions and wishes of a large num
ber of tax-payers, combined with the recognition of an im
paired and embarrassed financial condition of the city, Coun
cil determined that its appropriation should be limited to
such a figure as would not be inconsistent with the public
interests, and the amount applied, for instruction in a plain
English education only.
They recommended also to the Board of Education the advi
sability of making the high schools self-sustaining, in such
manner as their judgment might indicate.
With a view thereto an appropriation of $15,000 was made
in 1877 and $15,000 in. 1878. The administration of all mat
ters pertaining to public education is confided to a board of
competent and trustworthy citizens, who have organized and
perfected a system which commands the cordial commenda
tion of all of our citizens. Detailed information relating
thereto will be found in the President's annual report.
Under the direction of the Water Commissioners the
'Water Works have been economically and efficiently con
ducted. The receipts have amounted to $23,697.88, and the
expenses for salaries, repairs, fuel, extending mains, etc.,
etc., $12,269.72, to which must be added the amount paid
Mr. H. R. Worthington in settlement of his claim for the
new pumping engine, $21,050.30, making in the aggregate
the sum of $33,320.02, which has been charged to Water
Works account during the year. The flushing and care of
the street cesspools have been under the management of this
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 23
department the past year, which has necessitated the em
ployment of additional force.
The gate and revetments to the sluice through which the
water passes into the basins are decayed, and will have to be
rebuilt if this method of supply is continued. The works are
otherwise in good order. The system of collecting the water
dues from tenants has been abandoned, and the plan adopted
of making the owners of buildings responsible for water fur
nished parties occupying their premises. It is believed this
will insure prompt payment and additional revenue to the
city. The project for obtaining the water supply from a point
in the Savannah river sufficiently distant from the city to
escape the washings from the streets and sewers, the filth
from the shipping and the swamp water from the canals, that
flow into the river in the immediate vicinity of the present
source of supply, has had the earnest attention of the Com
mission and Council. While all are impressed with the im
portance of a change, no. plan could be agreed upon that
seemed to promise certainty in strength and durability, and
that would be sufficiently tight not to admit the water from
the lowlands through which it would pass, unless, at an ex
pense far in excess of the city's ability to pay in its present
embarrassed financial condition. Information has come to
the committees having the project under consideration, that
a wooden box conduit similar to that proposed to be put down
here, was built through lowlands by the city of Brookline,
Mass., for the purpose of conveying the water supply of that
city, and proved an utter failure. With this knowledge the
committees were unwilling to recommend to Council a wooden
box conduit before its practicability could be satisfactorily
determined. They are now seeking further information on
this subject.
At the close of the year 1877 the improvement of the city's
land on Hutchinson Island was in progress, under the super
vision of the Dry Culture Committee, and $7,973.68 had been
expended. The City Surveyor then estimated that $2,500
would be required to complete the work. In the prosecution
of the work difficulties were encountered that had not been
anticipated, and additional work that had not been estimated
24 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
for was found necessary, involving increased expense, making
the outlay for 1878, $4,434.23, and the total cost of the work
$12,407.91. The improvements are substantial, and with
proper attention, permanent, and besides reclaiming 564
acres of valuable land, it is believed will have a decidedly
favorable influence on the public health. A substantial dwell
ing and other buildings have been erected on the property by
bo the lessee, and a portion of the lands are now under
cultivation.
The proprietors of the land adjoining and extending
west to the lands under rice culture, have also placed
their lands under bank, thus effectually preventing tide
water from flowing over any part of the island. The com
mittee have also given careful attention to the protection
and improvement of the dry culture and other low-lands
in the immediate vicinity of the city. The banks on the
river front have been rebuilt, and the banks of the Bilbo
canal raised and strengthened. New ditches have been dug
and old ones cleared and generally placed in good order.
In the spring of 1877, Council being impressed that the cul
tivation of rice under the wet culture system, on lands within
one mile of the corporate limits, might be an injury to the
public health, contracted with the proprietors of 130 acres of
land on which rice was then growing, prohibiting the crop
from being flowed, and agreeing to make remuneration for
any reduction from the average crop of the past five years
caused by such changed culture. In January last the claims
were adjusted and the crops found to have been reduced to
the extent of 1,600 bushels, which was paid for at the current
market price, involving an expense of $1,972.
An arrangement was then entered into for placing the
lands under a permanent dry culture contract, and by mu
tual consent, the question of damages was submitted to ar
bitrators, who awarded the sum of forty dollars per acre
to be paid by the city. The award has been paid for 110
acres of the land, amounting in the aggregate to $4,400, and
the city authorities have been prepared at all times to pay
the award for the remaining twenty acres. The total ex
pense charged to dry culture for the year amounts to $15,-
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 25
383.23. This includes placing lands under permanent dry
culture contract, payment for short crop of rice and all im
provements on Hutchinson Island and elsewhere.
At the last session of the United States Congress an ap
propriation of $70,000 was made for the improvement of the
Savannah river. The work is now in progress under the
general direction of General Q. A. Gilmore. I am indebted
to the courtesy of Colonel S. L. Fremont, United States
Engineer, in immediate charge of the improvement, for the
very interesting detailed report of operations during the
year, which is appended, and to which I invite your atten
tion. The results attained attest the able management, and
are creditable to the officers having the direction and super
vision of the work. The importance of further appropria
tions to enable the engineers to complete the work thus far
undertaken, cannot be over-estimated, as much that has been
done will have to be done over, if its progress is delayed for
the want of means. I respectfully urge the attention of the
Senators and Representatives from Georgia to the great in
terests involved, and request their united efforts to secure
the appropriation applied for.
The city's dredge and scows have been under a monthly
lease since August 5, and are engaged in dredging near the
Central Railroad wharves.
The dredge boat is old and requires extensive repairs or
to be entirely rebuilt. Two scows have been built the past
year and are in good condition. The third one is old and
unfit for service. The wreck of the steamer Metcalfe, orignally sunk on the north side of the river, between Hutchin
son Island and Fig Island, which had been moved by the
tides in such a manner as to be dangerous to passing vessels,
was, by direction of Council, blown to pieces by blasting and
entirely removed from the river, at an expense of $500. The
total receipts from this department amount to $2,625 for the
year, and the expenses to $4,550.13. This includes building
scows, repairs to dredge, etc., etc.
The drainage commission entrusted with the State ap
propriation for improving the drainage of the low lands in
Chatham county, have made extensive and valuable im-
26 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
provements in the drainage of the Springfield plantation,
and the lowlands south and southeast of the city. It is to
be regretted that the appropriation is not sufficient to enable
the commission to extend their operations to a greater dis
tance from the city, as there is much that is necessary to be
done. The work thus far completed has been carefully and
economically managed, and it is believed will have an im
portant influence in improving the public health.
The importance of intelligent sanitary measures have been
fully appreciated by Council, and the recommendations of
the Sanitary Commissioners have met with prompt approval
and execution. Early in February delegates were appointed
to attend the convention held at Jacksonville, Fla., to con
sider the best methods of securing a more efficient quarantine
along the southern coast. The action of that convention was
reported to Council February 20, and in accordance with the
suggestion therein contained, Council appointed delegates to
proceed to Washington, who, in conjunction with delegates
from other cities, were instructed to present the views of the
quarantine convention to Congress, and urge upon the gen
eral government the adoption of a uniform system of quaran
tine along the entire Atlantic and Gulf coast.
A commission was also appointed by the city government
to proceed to New Orleans for the purpose of investigating
their system of quarantine, their method of disinfecting ves
sels and cargoes from infected ports, and the general sanitary
regulations of that city.
The commission performed the duties assigned them, and
reported the result of their investigations to Council March
4, recommending the construction of a quarantine hospital at
a point in the vicinity of Tybee Roads, also the purchase of
two of Girardy's fumigators for disinfecting vessels, and the
free and liberal use of disinfectants generally.
The recommendations of the commission were acted upon
by Council without delay. A hospital 16x40 feet with a
water cistern, a house for the quarantine officer 16x30 feet,
and a wharf 100 feet long, with a platform extending 100 feet
back, were constructed on the oyster beds, directly north of
Fort Pulaski, at an expense of $4,567.29.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 27
Two of Girardy's fumigators were purchased at a cost of
$595.08, and a quarantine officer was appointed. Quarantine
was established May 1, under the direction of the Sanitary
Commissioners.
One hundred and twenty-five (125) vessels of all classes
have been detained at the station for inspection and observa
tion, seventy-five of which have been fumigated and dis
infected.
A breakwater for the protection of the quarantine build
ings from the sea, which breaks over the island at high water,
was found to be necessary, and by authority of Council was
contracted for August 24, 1878, at a cost of $1,700, but owing
to its exposed condition it has been impracticable to com
plete the work up to this time. A portion of the piles have
been driven, and $300 has been paid the contractors on
account.
In compliance with a request from the President and offigers of the American Public Health Association, delegates
were appointed to attend the convention of the association
held in Richmond, November 19-23, 1878.
The delegation reported the action of the convention to
Council December 11, 1878, with their individual views of
the subjects discussed.
The plan of construction of the privy vaults in the city has
been considered imperfect, injurious to the public health, and
a probable cause of disease.
The Sanitary Commission have recommended an improve
ment by bricking and cementing them in such manner as will
prevent the percolation of their contents through the soil,
and permit their removal by an odorless excavating apparatus.
This project is now under the consideration of Council, and
in my judgment is a most important and necessary measure.
While it will involve a small annual expense to the citizens,
it is believed that for a term of years the expense will be less
than under the present system, and the assumption of the
charge of this by the city government will be greatly con
ducive to the sanitary interests of the city.
On the 1st of April last, a disinfecting corps was organized,
and the privy vaults of the entire city were regularly and
28 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
systematically disinfected monthly until November 1. Fiftytwo barrels of carbolic acid have been used for that purpose.
The plat of ground enclosed at Laurel Grove Cemetery for
cemetery purposes, has been laid out in lots, sewers have
been constructed for proper drainage, and the avenues par
tially graded and improved.
The total expense of the department has been :
Board of Health $3.8
39 S3
Quarantine 8,537 43
Laurel Grove Cemetery 5>586 10
City Dispensary 4,163 30
$22,126 36
This includes salaries of Health Officer, Quarantine Officer
and assistants, keepers of City Dispensary, Cemetery and
Small Pox Hospital, building of quarantine station and ex
penses of every kind pertaining to the department.
The receipts have been :
Board of Health ' $ 37 80
Quarantine 2,934 25
Laurel Grove Cemetery 1,271 00
City Dispensary 347 90
Total $4>590
95
Leaving a total cost of $17,535 4
1
-
The prevalence of yellow fever to such an alarming extent
in the cities of the West and Southwest, during the past sum
mer, and the entire exemption which our own city has en
joyed, should stimulate the citizens to renewed exertions in
matters pertaining to the better promotion of the public
health. All householders should see that their premises are
constantly kept clean and in perfect sanitary condition, and
the work should not be neglected until disease makes its ap
pearance in our midst, but should have the most careful
attention during the winter and springs months, thus de
stroying, as far as possible, all morbific elements, which, if
left undisturbed, might be resuscitated by the heat of sum
mer, and spread disease and death amongst our people.
While much depends upon the scrupulous application and
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 29
observance of the laws Of public hygiene by the city au
thorities, a faithful observance of these principles by indi
viduals, is absolutely necessary.
To accomplish the best results the earnest and cheerful
co-operation of the people with the authorities, in all mat
ters pertaining to the health of the city is absolutely indis
pensable, and should be cordially extended.
It is gratifying to report that the mortality, as shown by
the mortuary report, compiled by Dr. William Duncan,
which is appended, has been smaller than for many years
past.
Very respectfully,
JOHN F. WHEATON, Mayor.
30 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT.
Id
cc
D
CO
w
a:h
h
u
O
h
O
w
<:
P
2
<:
oo
t00
CO
Ed
n
S
a
o
PH
P
1-5
Q
P
o
o
EH
EH
CO
Tt ^^ t^
S I
00 i
U
Pi
^
^ i ^
S O !-
^
c o
c VI
1
o
O
g
oi-l
o
"5
O
o
v. T? Tl T) CI)
1 "<n Tf
^3
rt
MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 31
r- M
OO ro Tfr
c^ CO
<u
3
o 'O
rr
<v ^
>~, th/i
OJ <U
n
rt
u
.2 -S *
>, - c
S To o
^^
o to ^S
lip
I as!
io 3 2 ^
PH PH
J
5 o
o o
OJ
^3
s
U
^
Q 00 "i
r^
00
o. *- hH >* ^ Tl
0;
^D rt S
<u 0,
!,.? 2; o . a o
tu * g to 2 ^5
M S Sv W *J t~
-5 1 S
3 G rs
o
s < ac

s
2
$, T' .^x
rt
I S 2
J- P ui
s
5; ?
^ g ^
32 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
p
o
o
PL.
Hi
P
CO
P
-!
PH
EH
I 2 z
^
a ^. rr
9 > (1J
QJ
^ O 55 rt
'S ^ JS *- rt
^ o 4
-c T3
o i-
K.s -
^3 OJ T^ T^
o fe
o o
o E
8. * m ^ 3 a J
X
O
C/3 P-H
u -
PL,
s
H- s
i
ho
s rt m
o
"S, 13 a.
en
OJ f= '< o
c rt cc
o i o
-
rt
c:
>->
o
J-)
E I s
ss "a
^ ^ ^

MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 33
00
O O 00 o
^ 00
X 3
^rt O oo ^
Sod
2 s >2 8-
3 ^ -C
u 5 S J3
M c E a3 J
>v
3 Q
a -o -a -a
to a
T3 'aj T3
&H

(A,
CQ 1
(J c
*-
s
o rt
S
4J
4J
fcJ3 O -< ;
v- 1) i- o
*" ' o.
aT b/i
in
W) c tuO .
s ir 3 .2
o 4J S-.
OH a ri
o O w
2 S
ri q p: A
fc/l hn >-
c>
TJ ^3 T) Tt
00 "O *"* to
rt Tl C
o o
O
OH
>->
0 G
fl
s so s
o
lis
o

o
T) T) T! T? Tl
<1) OJ jj > >
fl) 1)
t.J (^ CJ
d) a;
o
U
S
o
a
c
o
d T3
^

s S
1 "S
s >
34 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
w ON OO
a
W
P
g
o
o
M
O
PH
P^
P
5
P3
P
CO
pel
rt <L)
S Q
a T3
o o t; . U = .S o
J3
e
S ^u
.2 "5 *J
PH U
0 Q
O o ^
^s
g Q
2 S
^ "rt oo"
- < r^
m T3 00
0
"
PH
H
C
5 t/j
^^Q P. 2 ^
3 ^ 00 -d n3
j- i> s
^ Q
^ ^ o
1^ ^- ON
CO Tl- M
o oo a^
^2 42 a,
o
""o
c ! V) c:
1)
3
O W
OJ Ji
u O rt
s (7) .2
o a.
<u
4^
'a
P3
.o
'
u
S
o
in D i.
s g
o ti o o *- ^ JH o "*-
1 "S -d o TJ TJ J u <v w (U <D
^3 >
o > > >
p.
'OJ 1 8
0)
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 35
00
8 38
S
C^i u-i r^ i o o
^
-V
ri
O 2- <u ^ '-'
a 5 S
s 3 S
O. PL, PL, p^
< 6
b
> T3 rt -O T3
-a -s
O -a
H oo
e " s
o 5; o S
c t. u
J
a)
>J -^ o ,
t/3 '-5 .o "J*
if-'S ^
d 00 ;
^ oo .5
- 'S
P4 P<
5 oo
2 I
00
o
o 6 o 6
o
^5 <*-
S
0 -E
S 6-
U o
S S
T; Tt <* T; T;
<I; (i> > ^ i>
i> i>
tj o S <D CJ
IJ iJ
fl) <_)
B
o <) o
I
Tl Tl
<1J a^ a; >
ll) <IJ <i>
n> IJ
36 MAYOR'S ANNUAL KEPORT.
TJ- r^-j u-)
oi o
vO
w
g
EH
o
o
P3
o
PM
p
<*!
P
5Z5
PCO
<
P^
EH
<*- c; <*-
o
rJ5

c s
'u
O
o
Q
fr o
ri
^ >2 s ri 00
T2 13 < TJ 00
S
o
U
O s ii I c .2
O
S
.5 K -3 Ss
3 l|
^ o o- o
oo T) i -e id
c ^ ^ .8 o r^. ri 4J ^ S
CO
ex
o -NS , & -"
PL, PL, PH
U
o
u
So
5
MAYOR S ANNUAL KEPORT. 37
vO O ON
t^ o 1-0 ON SO ~
\ o ON
00
a. "1, i-~
O
-
>-.
^2
+ ? c (1)
'S) 3
.
OJ hn ri TJ
r/T r^
rt
o Jsj cr f*r
y n - s 2 2 J"
o
o
_g s
^2 -3
flo *g & 0)
Ti Tl Tl AJ T)
f 00 & o
<*- 00
1> rn
1 i *
^i XI
k
^
^ b ?
'o O
8 0 Q O N O O
o O O 00 o o
O O Q O w-i LT) u-i
u-i 0 O LT) TJ- ON N
O
J3
Q >
' ' ' PH
' ^ -2 2
5 "a; 2 o u=
g - H M
OJ
C
So
U ^
6 S I I S i
(U -u U (U OJ +_>
<U OJ <u
PS P^ PS
OJ OJ H QJ
u o u u
<U OJ TJ OJ
Pi PS ^ PS
38 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT.
vO r-. O 1 ON
,
-
,
O O
00 r*. rh n
vT) H- ro rj r*) <N o r-^ o o
1
o
U-) t^ 00 L/~> OO LO O N oo
r^. o OO ON OO *+ M M o o vO
O (N o\ r^. r**. ^h
p
w
&
I,
H
!zi
O
O
EH
PH
o
PH
PH
P
<l
P
CO
p^
p
P
<J
P

^ i2 tn to -^
<; qs j; i" Si
<< 3
CL. ^
'C rO 'O ""O ri ri ri rt ri
PL, PL, PH PH
I 3
ts'
<u to OJ o > (U m OJ
a A O to -
to
rt
'H tiO
o
OJ
o
O
a. rtfl
rt
>i2
l-rrt
J3 ^ C
<J
n
"rt _c 1 OJ PQ S: fl
g
u
b. ri
,0
rt <J <L>
T) ri
_ri
1o
o
S
1
5
,5
[ri
OJ ri

c
a
t3flri
J=
i
0
u
J

ri
OJ
O
OJ
a
^OJ 'fl
O
QJ
*o
C
ri
i
c
rt
tu

o
ri
rt
a;
rt
_o
bh
1
t/>
-T3rto
5
'*-* ^ *-' -" .
:n ^ (S u V J- S-. i- )-r ,o
3
2
3 a
< C
<u

2 v2
3 t
i2
3
*2 2
3
OJ
"rt C 'd r rt 'rt "rt 'ri 'd 'ri 'd
C ^ ^- r13 tJ
5 ^ T3
=5 2 * ,ri -, ri
. * CJ
HH ro 00
6 d d
^ ^ Z
_ o o
s e s o o o
lH-l VH V.
'S 'S 'S '^
O <J <J
CJ o <u
Oi A PH
<. T3
a, S
U
2 O
s
* -=<
13
C3 ^H
s a B
._ *_ .^H
=0
Pi A
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 39
^m ON
O
It _ .5 a> "ri
1
v-1
--
rt
In
rt
3
o
o
ri
/;
tu 11<fi :n rt OJ rt S? OJ a, <y a. V. ^H
i-i o o ,o s- l*H CH V-
&
"rt iS "rt "3 *rt 15
x:
n
'ri
^3
ri 1 I
n ri d d
rt ri S ri ri S S
S s >i IS S
i" >, >^ >> t^.
-tlj o ."fl G u
1 o CJ 1 o u 1
5
A o s r- S S
o
<i3
o
1-.
o
ooS
o 3
ii^

5
rJ ^c x) T3 -o Ti TJ
iU OJ 2 .i OJ D <U OJ B > H > > > >
E5 'SJ
o S | K
'OJ
a
OJ OJ QJ *- <v OJ 0) OJ
! io
o
n ( fl
o <u
o
<J
o
o
. ifi te
O

. o
s
o
OJ OJ
3 .2
CJ f ' .fl
S 1 cS ^
"S rt rt
s s
i 6 u
^> o o OO ,VH
^ u u
Pi A
CJ u
6 S
ri A
'/-
5
o
o
CJ
o
o o o
QJ
'<
o
CJ
o
CJ
fc "
o

. o

o
. .C -o D (U d
cj aj aj
Pi Pi P^i
40 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
o
O
H
rt
o
PH
P
rt
P
CO
rt
p
rt
P
CO
<d
P
rt
EH
fcE
u CJ CJ -M
p.
Z CX
75 o .
in
a
o Ox o u. oi c; i
.2
fl
.2 c
o flo
CJ
CJ
JV CJ CJ
CJ o ' o u o
CJ u o
o
CJ CJ CJ
. CJ CJ o
OJ
* O o o
CJ
0
e o 5 o o

'* CJ
13 v ij Tl "2
u .S "
s I
15 -i d

Pi (A Pi
Ti TS Tl
CJ> >
11 fl) - s
Pi rt
t/) i3
s . 3 .2 c-
MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 41
H T
^3
CJ "
>2 b
O ?
a. tJ^
T3ri ri
-2 u
C Q
c
S S
c ii - 2
d c/T u ^H
.c
2 =
Q W
PH PH PH
3
J3
S V
42 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. awHOO
EH
rto
PHP
rtP4P
CO'
rtp
rtP
CO<p
rt
EH
O 00 O u")
w ^.
M iy->
O
\
r^
O LO
a
oo S5
r^.
O | ft
LTI
o Tl"
X
w rn 00
c
C
_!
O un
-d" LO cj- W q pd o -a o CO o
00 CJ
-H
^ cj '"
o
5
IS
o .t/1
5
i-t
to
"So

^ri
CJ
CJ C
rt
fl CJ
-a
S
c <u & Q
uT 'Sc r-

b fl
CJ fl
A CJ
"" rt P^ X
^ to
S
OJ tu
*-
|H
JJ
3
s
3
f
t
1 *a
o CH -A

>2 ,0

>2
8
fl
"O
o Tl rt CJ
'd rt rt ri
PH PH PL. pq
oo
N
00 r^.
r^
_
ON
0
vO^ J^
ro 00
(N
^
o U")
o
*"
O r^
o
Ov
M
_ LO
oc ON T ^
COW
CJ
A u.
CJ ri 3 u PQ O
CJ
l
l
>,
13
ri
2
ri
X CJ Pi
H1
O
13
o
S rt
" _C CJ CJ ^
CJ
o
1 '>
T3ri O
o 1 rt fl 13
T^
OJ
r-. ri
5
5-
O
t PS
i
o

o
o
O
CJ
CJ
S T3 13 13
c T3
^
vt OJ CJ CJ CJ CJ 1 >
'53
CJ
c
>
>
<u 'CJ
CJ CJ
ca
>
'53
CJ rtfl CJ CJ CJ CJ
S "3
1! J3
>-, fl
.-fl cp u
fl
u
c
^=: ri
CJ ^, - O W H
c/;
x
rt
^
?
W
^
o
. i> o . W in
i
M
s
<X
di
u
j
w
w
o
D rt S O
en<
OH
REPORT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL.
OFFICE CLERK OF COUNCIL,
SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1879.
Hon. John F. Wkeaton, Mayor, Savannah, Ga.:
DEAR SIR : In pursuance to your order, I have the honor
to submit the following report of the transactions of this
office from January 1 to December 31, 1878 :
RECEIPTS.
Badges (dog) $ 368 00
Fees 201 00
Fines 1,863 50
Licenses 3,217 50
Sewer permits , 490 00
Registration 2,766 00
Total $8,906 00
Of the above amount, returned as fines, $808.50 was car
ried to the police uniform account.
During the year the weekly reports of the Board of Health
have been carefully examined, and nuisances therein reported
have been promptly attended to.
Three hundred and forty-five sinks have been reported by
the Board of Health and cleansed under notices issued from
this office.
In accordance with the sanitary ordinance, a book for com
plaints has been kept open, and all complaints entered there
on have received immediate attention.
The records of the city are written up to date.
I desire to express myself under obligations to Mr. W.
S. Popple, Signal Officer, for meteorological statement; to Mr.
E. F. Bryan, Superintendent Cotton Exchange, for cotton sta
tistics ; to Col. Atkins, Collector of Customs, for important
tables of imports, exports and tonnage, port of Savannah,
1878, which were compiled by the experienced statistical
clerk, Mr. J. P. Johnson; and likewise to the merchants who
44 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
deal in timber and lumber, naval stores and rice, for informa
tion which materially assisted in the compilation of the sta
tistical tables for the Mayor's report.
In conclusion, permit me to return my sincere thanks to
your Honor for the kindness, courtesy and assistance which
you have always extended to me in the performance of my
duties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FKANK E. EEBAEEE,
Clerk of Council.
R'EPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
OFFICE CHIEF OF POLICE,
SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1879.
Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor, Savannah, Ga.:
SIR : I have the honor herewith to submit to your Honor
my thirteenth annual report of the police department for the
year ending December 31, 1878.
The aggregate strength of the department is fifty-five, as
follows:
Chief I
Lieutenant I
Sergeants 5
Privates 46
Privates paid by banks * 2
Aggregate 55
During the year 1,937 arrests have been made, being 397
more than the year previous. Of this number 797 were
white and 1,140 colored, who were arrested for the following
crimes and misdemeanors:
Assault and battery
Assault with intent to kill . . . . Burglary
Contempt of court
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Disturbing public worship
Fighting
Disorderly driving
Interference with officers ....
Larceny . . .
Licentious conduct
Resisting officers
Vagrants and suspicious characters .
Safe keeping
Violating quarantine regulations . . Violating city ordinances
45
"3
4
185
254
46
46
25
7
3
16
47
Total 797
67
21
2
4
31
476
5
108
108
38
60
5
3
67
158
60
112
34
2
8
216
73
5
154
154
63
67
8
46
114
246
7
in
i.HO i,937
46 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
Number of animals impounded during the year, 209.
Number of stores and dwellings found open, 44.
Number of fires which occurred and to which .suitable
details from the department were sent to preserve order and
protect property, 23.
Number of local fires, no alarm, 2.
Number of false alarms, 11.
Number of lodgers at police barracks, 485 white and 54
colored; total, 539.
During the year twenty-one (21) members of the depart
ment were detailed as sanitary inspectors, who, from May 1
to November 15, inspected carefully and thoroughly the
entire city within its corporate limits.
CASUALTIES AND CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE YEAR.
BesignedPrivates James Leonard, March 1, 1878; P.
McMahon, March 14, 1878; H. Babagny, March 15, 1878;
J. G. Bennett, November 27, 1878.
Dropped by CouncilFirst Sergeant James Leonard, Jan
uary 9, 1878; Sergeant W. M. Moran, January 9, 1878; for
physical inability, Private J. A. Sheftall, February 9, 1878.
Dismissed by MayorPrivate P. Brown, January 24,1878.
AppointedPrivates W. M. Moran, January 14, 1878;
James Leonard, January 16, 1878 ; B. E. Carr, February 11,
1878 ; James Morrissey, February 23,1878 ; Bichard Jautzen,
March 15, 1878 ; Thomas Anglin, March 16, 1878; Thomas
Counihan, March 21, 1878; John Prendible, December 1
1878.
PromotedPrivates J. B. Killouhry to Sergeant, January
9,1878; H. H. Harvey to Sergeant, January 9, 1878.
RECAPITULATION.
Dropped
Appointed
Promoted
Dismissed
Resigned
3
o
In January last Sergeants James Leonard and "William M.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 47
Moran, after eleven years faithful and meritorious service,
were removed by Council, and privates J. B. Killouhry and
H. H. Harvey were promoted in their stead.
During the past year the discipline of the force has been
much impaired, and I regret to report that I have not
received from some of the subordinates of the department
that support and co-operation which is so necessary to its
efficiency.
I respectfully suggest that Council consider the advisa
bility of a change in the ordinance which provides for the
election of sergeants, and delegate the power of appointment
to the Mayor, as in the case of the privates, upon the advice
and recommendation of the Chief of Police. Merit, qualifi
cation and efficiency being always recognized as the basis for
promotion, and not political or personal influence.
I would respectfully recommend that the ordinance now
regulating the appointihent and term of service of the officers,
sergeants and privates, be repealed, and that an ordinance be
drafted and passed providing for the election by Council of
the officers for the term of three years, instead of one year,
and for the appointment of the sergeants and privates by the
Mayor, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police,
subject to the confirmation of Council, for the term of three
years, unless sooner removed for inefficiency or improper
conduct, or other sufficient reason.
With much respect, I suggest that it is not only proper and
just, but greatly to the interest of the public welfare, that the
chief of this department should exert much influence in the
selection of all his subordinates, as his successful administra
tion and maintenance of discipline and efficiency depend upon
their zealous and cordial co-operation with him, without
which his best efforts might be neutralized or obstructed.
In conclusion, permit me to thank your Honor for the cor
dial support, co-operation and courtesy which on all occa
sions I have received at your hands.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. H. ANDEESON,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL.
OFFICE OF CITY MARSHAL,
SAVANNAH, December 31, 1878.
Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Bfayor of Savannah :
MR. MAYOR : I have the honor to submit to you my annual
report for the year ending December 31, 1878 :
STREETS AND LANES.
I report the city generally in good order. Under the care
of the Health and Cemetery Committee, the sanitary condi
tion is generally better than it has been for many years past.
Many of the sidewalks are in bad order, but notices have
been served to property holders to put them in proper condi
tion. The service of the notices has been delayed in conse
quence of the great misfortune caused by the epidemic of
1876, as our citizens could not meet their taxes due to the
city, and at the same time keep their premises in such order
as is desirable. Citizens are responding to the notices I have
issued, and I think that shortly no fault will be found in this
relation.
MARKET. '
I report the market in good condition, and have collected
during the year for stalls, $4,100, and for rent of stores,
$2,575.67, as will more particularly appear in my statement
of collections as at foot.
TAXES.
Under resolutions of City Council, and by virtue of city
tax executions held by me, I levied on and sold in front of
the court house, on the first Tuesday in May, eighty-nine (89)
pieces of property, and on the same date I sold for ground
rents, forty-three (43) pieces of property. On the first Tues
day in June, I sold one hundred and twenty-eight (128) pieces
of property; on the first Tuesday in July I sold sixteen (16)
pieces of property; on the first Tuesday in August I sold
ten (10) pieces of property ; and on the first Tuesday in Oc-
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 49
tober, twenty-seven (27) pieces of property. All this prop
erty was sold under supervision of a special committee of
Council, and the law complied with in every respect. The
property was sold in some cases to individuals or trust com
panies, which, with a few exceptions have been settled. The
greater portion was bid in for the city, by a duly instructed
agent, and to this time but a small portion has been re
deemed. Under the law, the owners of the property can
redeem it at any time within one year of the date of sales,
and it is presumed that generally they will avail themselves
of the privilege. I have collected under executions placed
in my hands by the City Treasurer, $159,080.69, to-wit, from
Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1875 $21,936.07
Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1876 51,717.77
Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1877 60,045.00
Specific taxes,1876 692.75
Specific taxes,1877 . 3,536.77
Specific taxes,1878 13,512.66
Marketrent of stalls .. $4,100.00
Marketrent of stores 2,575.67 6,675.67
Fire Department, for sale of one horse 61.00
Feespound 55-00
Feesexecutions 848.00 903.00
$159,080.69
I have the honor to be, your most obedient servant,
L. L. GOODWIN,
City Marslial.
REPORT OF CITY SURVEYOR.
CITY SURVEYOR'S OFFICE,
SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1879.
Hon. John F. Wheaton, 3fayor:
DEAR SIR : The following report of work done in the de
partments enumerated below, during the year ending Decem
ber 31, is respectfully submitted :
Streets and LanesAlderman J. E. Hamlet, Chairman.
Dry CultureAlderman J. J. Waring, Chairman.
Docks and WharvesAlderman H. F. Willink, Chairman.
Health and CemeteryAlderman W. Duncan, Chairman.
Parks and SquaresAlderman J. E. Hamlet, Chairman.
STREETS AND LANES.
The number of men employed in this department at the
beginning of the year was seventeen, as follows:
No. of pavers 2
No. of laborers 9
No. of teamsters 7
No. of stablemen . . I
No. of crossing cleaners I
No. of bridge builders for street crossings 1
No. of foremen I
No. of cesspool cleaners 2
Total 24
The number of teams and teamsters was increased in
March to nine, and two additional men added to the force in
May. It was found necessary still further to increase the
number of men and teams during the summer to maintain in
a thoroughly clean and healthy condition the streets and
lanes of the city, and continue the work of a more perma
nent character which had been begun. The largest regular
number employed was twenty-five, except during the month
of August, when thirty-four men were employed for a short
time.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 51
The force employed at this date, December 31, is as fol
lows :
Foreman I
Pavers 6
Cesspool cleaners 2
Bridge builders for streets and crossings I
Stableman I
Crossing sweeper I
Laborers 15
Teams and teamsters 11
The total expenses of the department, as will be seen by
the report of the City Treasurer, have been much greater
than for the previous year. This is attributable to the large
amount expended in the construction of the Barnard and
Whitaker street sewer in February and March, and the cost
of material required for paving West Broad and Eiver
streets, as described below :
SEWERS.
As stated in last year's report, specifications and estimates
of cost had been prepared for the construction of a sewer
from the centre ofJones Lane in Barnard street, running north
to Perry, thence east to the east side of Orleans Square, thence
to Hull, east in Hull to Whitaker, and north in Whitaker to
the centre of Broughton, a total distance of 2,987 feet. The
contract for this work was awarded to Michael Cash, Esq.,
for the sum of $10,075, and the work begun on January 24.
The sewer is circular in shape, with a clear diameter of
three feet and a ring of nine inches. It is built with best
quality gray brick, laid in cement mortar. It was found nec
essary to deviate slightly from the original plan in the loca
tion of a small portion of the sewer in McDonough street,
instead of Hull street, as was intended. A liberal donation
of $500 from Mr. Aaron Champion, in view of the advan
tages accruing to his property in the construction of the
sewer, reduced the actual cost to the city to that extent.
The contract for the sewer included the relaying of the
stone pavement on Whitaker street, the cost of taking up
and replacing the track of the Savannah, Skidaway and Sea-
52 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
board Eailway, the construction of all cesspools with proper
traps and iron covers, and replacing street crossings wherever
removed. The whole work was completed early in April.
A double line of fifteen-inch cement pipe was laid down in
West Boundary street, in the rear of Arkwright's cotton fac
tory, and retaining walls built. ^This work was rendered nec
essary to protect the street at this point from being washed,
and giving it the proper grade. Two hundred and thirtyfour feet of pipe in all were laid, and the work finished Jan
uary 7.
SEWER TRAPS.
A number of .catch basins on East and West Broad streets
had never been supplied with water through pipes connected
with the city mains. During the summer months the water
collected in the traps during rains, became frequently offen
sive, and had to be renewed by water carts or by means of
a hose connected with the nearest hydrant.
Forty catch basins in this state have been finished with
lead pipe connections and stop cocks. One new catch basin
at the southwest corner of Bull and Congress streets, which
was much needed, has been built.
PAVING.
A considerable amount of new work and repairs to old,
have been done in this branch of street work. The first
work of importance done, was the taking up the wooden
block pavement on the north side of Bay street, between
Whitaker and Drayton ; the south side having been taken
up and relaid in 1876. The distance paved was 723 feet, by
a width of twenty-eight feet2,247 square yards. The por
tion occupied by the track of the Savannah, Skidaway and
Seaboard Eailway was paved at the expense of the company,
and the amount collected. The work was completed Feb
ruary 20. In connection with this work, five new crossings
were put down with flag walks, amounting to 412 square yards
of paving, and 540 running feet of flag. The portion of Bar
nard street, south of the market, between Congress and Con
gress street lane, was paved in July, 112 feet by forty-four
feet547 square yards.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 53
RIVER STREET.
The expensive yearly repairs to the plank road on Eiver
street, adjoining the cotton presses, rendered it expedient
that some more durable.material should be used. Every two
years it became necessary to relay the whole length with
new plank, and the second year after relaying, repairs were
needed. Under these circumstances, Council sanctioned the
paving of the street with cobble stone. The work was at
tended with considerable labor, as all the debris of the old
stringers and plank, three or four thicknesses in depth, had
to be removed and carted away. Six thousand one hundred
bushels of river sand, and a nearly equal amount of bank
sand were used to obtain a suitable foundation, the street
being nearly on the same level as the adjoining lowlands.
The distance paved was 1,036 feet, by a width of twenty-four
feet3,552 square yards. It will probably be necessary to
re-surface the work during the coming summer, after which
it is believed it will remain in good condition and require no
more repairs than is given to the other paved streets of the
city. Finished August 23.
BAY STREET WEST OF WHITAKER.
The track of Savannah, Skidaway & Seaboard Railroad.
put down in , not being used by the company, they
were requested to allow it to be taken up. This was done
with their consent, from Whitaker to West Broad on Bay
street, and from Bay to South Broad on West Broad street,
and the space occupied, being about seven feet, repaved.
After the removal of the track on Bay street, the space ad
joining on the north side from Jefferson to West Broad, was
taken up and relaid in order to restore the proper curvature
to the street. Three thousand one hundred and sixty square
yards of repaving are comprised in the above.
*.
54 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
The following items of paving are added to show amount
of work done, and do not need particular notice :
Raising gutters on Whitaker street, after completion of the
sewer 450 square yards.
Gutters on Broughton street, east of Whitaker 95 square yards.
Gutters on Broughton street, west of Whitaker 22 square yards.
New gutter east of jail, on Whitaker'street 130 square yards.
Repaving around catch-basin after making water connections 360 square yards.
New gutter, Bryan to Pine, on West Broad 250 square yards.
Crossing on West Broad, line of St. Julian 94 square yards.
Gutter on Drayton, from Bay lane to Bryan 74 square yards.
Repairs on Canal street 480 square yards.
South Broad street, east of Arnold . . T 150 square yards.
East Broad and Thunderbolt Road 75 square yards.
Repairs on Bay street, not mentioned above 200 square yards.
Repairs to Bull street slip 100 square yards.
In repairs to crossings, from inserting new plank .... 1,760 square yards.
Total '. 4,240 square yards.
NICHOLSON PAVEMENT ON WEST BROAD STREET.
. This wood-block pavement was laid in 1870, a short time
prior to the putting down of the stone pavement on Bay
street by the city. Its duration has been somewhat greater
than the latter, but it has finally become so much decaved
that its removable is unavoidable. A contract has been made
with Mr. D. McGrath, of New York, for 225,000 blocks, of
the kind known as the Belgian, at $19.50 per thousand.
President Wadley, of the Central Railroad, has agreed to
deliver the stone by the company's steamers without charge
for freight, other than the expense of loading and unloading.
This amounts to about $7.50 per thousand, making $27
per thousand delivered on the street. It is estimated that
thirty-six blocks will lay one square yard of pavement, or
nearly twenty-eight yards to the thousand blocks, and cost
ing one dollar per yard, nearly, without laying. The number
of square yards to be paved is about 5,000. The width of
the roadway will be fifty feet from curb to curb. One thou
sand running feet of sixteen-inch curb have been purchased
from the Bigelow Blue Stone Company of New York, at six
teen cents per foot. This will replace the present wooden
curb put down in 1871.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 55
The work of taking up the blocks was begun December
16th, and paving on the 23d. Up to date, there have been
delivered all the curbing and 12,500 blocks. This pavement
is much superior to the cobble stone, and the cost greater,
but the necessity of frequent repairs is obviated, and when
this is considered the disparity in cost is more than compen
sated by the smoothness of the former and the comfort
thereby afforded, combined with the diminished wear and
tear of vehicles.
RECAPITULATION OF PAVING.
Bay street, between Drayton and Whitaker 2,247 yards
Bay street crossings 4*2 yards
Barnard street, south of the market 547 y
a

ls
River street, adjoining cotton presses 3>552
yards
S. S. & S. R. R. track on Bay and West Broad 3,160 yards
Gutters and crossings as specified 4,24 yards
New pavement on West Broad street to date 225 yards
Total done during the year I4,38
3 yards
GRADING.
The annual cleaning and grading the lanes of the city was
begun October 28, and completed in the most thorough man
ner. After the work was finished, one team was detailed,
and one of the street hands, for the purpose of keeping them
in good condition. Some work was done at the following
points in I he establishment of new street grades.
West boundary street, rear of Arkwright's Cotton Factory.
Montgomery street, from Gwinnett to New Houston lane.
Bolton street, east of the parade ground to Abercorn.
Anderson street, east of Habersham.
Sidewalks of cinders and gas house lime have been com
pleted around the north and east sides of the jail, and Sa
vannah Poor House and Hospital.
TRIMMING TREES.
Four men and one cart have been steadily employed since
October 28 in trimming trees and cutting down dead ones.
All that portion of the city south of York street, not includ-
56 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
ing the squares, has been gone over. Nearly the entire
force were employed in cleaning up the debris after the
storm of September 11.
WHITEWASHING.
The trees along the avenues and in the sqxiares of the city
were whitewashed as a sanitary measure in the month of
May. This was also done by many of the lot owners.
PARKS AND SQUARES.
The work in this department has been limited to keeping
the railings in good repair and squares clean and in good
order. The number of men employed have been four, in
cluding the keeper of Forsyth Park.
DRY CULTURE.
At the date of my last report the contract for completing
the work on Hutchinson Island had been awarded to Col. T.
I. Smith. The entire work has been completed and accepted
by the city, and subsequently by the lessee, Col. C. H.
Stubbs. As soon as possible after the tides were excluded,
the lessee began the work of drainage by opening all the old
main ditches and a sufficient number of the smaller ditches.
By midsummer the lands became thoroughly dry, to such an
extent that the surface cracked open in all parts.
Forty acres, known as the property of the estate of R. P.
Parrott, has been also embanked, under contract with Col.
Smith, the estate failing to do the work after due notice.
A tract of two hundred acres adjoining the city lands on
the west, and owned by Col. Stubbs and Dr. J. J. Waring,
and which was in a deplorable condition, being submerged at
every tide, has also been thoroughly embanked and drained
by the proprietors. West of this tract and adjoining it
acres belonging to Mr. Jos. Clay has also been partially
reclaimed.
The total acreage of land on Hutchinson Island, now in
the condition required by the dry culture contract, and em
bracing all the land subject to said contract on the island, is
as follows:
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 57
Owned by the city of Savannah 564 acres.
Owned by the estate of R. P. Parrott 40 acres.
Owned by Messrs. Stubbs and Waring 200 acres.
Owned by Jos. Clay, Esq 150 acres.
Total 954acresSPRINGFIELD PLANTATION.
This body of land is to-day in better condition than at any
previous time in its history. As will be seen by the report
of the drainage commission to Council October 14, the
Springfield wooden sewer has been taken up and the bottom
relaid, for the purpose of carrying it on a level grade from
the river to the Central Railroad embankment. An addi
tional drainage of over one foot has by this means been
effected on these lands, and they may now be considered safe,
almost beyond contingency. Since the relinquishment of
the work by the commission, all the ditches, except the mid
dle ditch, have been worked over for the purpose of remov
ing decayed leaves and growth since the end of summer.
They are now clean and in good order.
BILBO CANAL.
The obstructions in this canal were removed in April
throughout its length. During the entire summer the tides,
except on days of highest spring tides or strong easterly
winds, have been admitted freely. The western embank
ment, which leaked badly in many places, has been centre
ditched, great care being taken to puddle and thoroughly
ram the clay in, filling up the ditches.
A substantial embankment has been built from the west
ern side of Lamar's creek to the Bilbo canal, along the divid
ing line between the Anderson wharf lots and the lands of
Mrs. Lamar. The smaller of the two trunks at Lamar's
creek has been taken out, and a trunk placed in the western
embankment of the Bilbo canal, a little south of the flood
gate, and connecting with the face ditch along the new em
bankment. The drainage of. Mrs. Lamar's lands has by this
arrangement, been greatly improved, and the risk from over
flow from the river diminished. The embankment along the
58 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
north side of River street, thrown up in 1876, is no longer
needed, and may be leveled down whenever it is deemed
proper to do so.
During the storm of September 11, the river dam adjoin
ing the water works tract was topped by the tide and broken.
The whole line from the Savannah and Ogeechee canal lock
to the site of the old floodgate has been raised and strength
ened, and is now in excellent condition.
All the ditches and drains in the eastern and southwestern
portions of the city, and adjoining the Springfield plantation,
have had repeated workings during the year by the dry cul
ture hands. The force numbered twelve ipen during the
early portion of the year, but was reduced during the sum
mer to five, which number are still employed.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The expenditures in this department have been confined to
the construction of a fire proof vault for the safe keeping of
the city records, and a few necessary repairs to the Exchange
and market buildings.
The vault, located under the portico of the Exchange, is
ten feet in width and thirty feet in length. In its construc
tion it was only necessary to build the end walls, one of the
longitudinal walls being the south wall of the building, and
the other the retaining wall of the portico abutting the street,
and each being of great thickness. All the new work has
been done with best gray brick, and hydraulic cement. The
capacity of the room is ample for the jiurpose contemplated.
A very superior vault door, with combination locks, has been
put in, and the interior of the vault fitted up with suitable
receptacles for books, papers, etc.
The roof and steeple of the Exchange building needed a
few repairs, which were made, and both have been thoroughly
repaired.
In the market building it has been found necessary to in
close with blinds the south, east and west sides, for the pur
pose of excluding the sun's rays, which had an injurious effect
on the meats in summer, and also to exclude, in some degree,
the cold air in winter. The iron steps on the south front had
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. . 59
worn so smooth as to be dangerous, and have been covered
with ridged plates.
HEALTH AND CEMETERY.
The most important work in this department has been the
erection of a hospital and keeper's building, and a wharf, at
the quarantine station opposite Fort Pulaski. The hospital
is forty feet in length by sixteen feet in breadth, and the
keeper's house thirty feet by sixteen. A platform one hun
dred feet in length by fifteen feet wide, leads to the wharf,
which is also one hundred feet in length and is seventeen feet
wide. The whole is supported on one hundred and six piles,
each twelve inthes square and sheathed with yellow metal
from one foot below the ground to ordinary high water mark.
A breakwater is in process of construction on the east and
south sides, but not yet finished. Some apprehension was
felt for the safety of the buildings during the storm of the
September 11, but little or no damage was sustained.
The contractors for the breakwater, however, had their flats
wrecked and pile driver broken up. After some delay, work
was resumed, but the same mishap occurred a second time,
since when no further work has been done.
CEMETERY ADDITION.
The addition to Laurel Grove Cemetery, adjoining the
Ogeechee road, and containing about ten acres, has been laid
out into four hundred and sixty lots, exclusive of a strip ex
tending along three sides, forty feet in width, for strangers,
and the roadways graded. Iron markers have been put down,
and a few of the lots are already occupied. It was found
necessary to extend the line of the central sewer nearly to
the western boundary of the addition. This was done with
fifteen-inch cement pipe. Also to lay down a branch, east,
with twelve-inch pipe. Seven circular catch basins or inlets
have been built and furnished with stone covers and iron
gratings. Some filling in a low portion on the eastern side of
the principal roadway, is still necessary to complete the work.
I remain, dear sir, very respectfully,
Your obdient servant,
JOHN B. HOGG,
City Surveyor.
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER
SAVANNAH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER,
SAVANNAH, GA., December 31, 1878.
To the Honorable Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah:
GENTLEMEN : In compliance with the ordinances of the
city I respectfully submit this my fourth annual report of the
Savannah Fire Department.
The effective force of the department has been increased
by the addition of a Second Assistant Angineer, and now
consists of Chief Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Secoud As
sistant Engineer, Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph,
Secretary and one hundred and forty men.
The apparatus and appurtenances remain about the same
as at my last report, viz.: Four steam engines, one hook and
ladder truck, three hose reels, two hand reels, twenty-three
hundred feet leather hose, two thousand feet rubber hose,
eleven horses, distributed as follows :
Engine No. 1, on Broughton, near Houston street; at
tached to same 650 feet leather hose, 200 feet rubber.
Engine No. 2, Congress street, near Montgomery street;
attached to same 650 feet leather hose.
Engine No. 3, South Broad street, corner Abercorn ; at
tached to same 650 feet leather hose.
Engine No. 4 is held in reserve at headquarters, with 350
feet leather hose and 300 feet rubber hose.
At police headquarters 300 feet rubber hose; at jail 500
feet rubber hose. Balance of rubber hose is held at head
quarters.
Hook and ladder truck, South Broad street, corner Aber
corn ; hand reel, No. 1, Joachim, near Fahm street; hand
reel No. 2, Henry street, near Whitaker.
During the year we have lost one old horse, sold one, and
tranferred two to the street and lane department. These
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 61
have been replaced by four superior animals of unequaled
adaptability for the work. As far as practicable, the horses
are being trained to go to the pole without leading. This we
can do successfully at stations Nos. 1 and 2, but at head
quarters, I am sorry to say, cannot be done for want of suf
ficient space, which I hope will be remedied in the future.
The necessary shed for steamer John W. Anderson has
been built, and the entire property of the department is now
in good condition.
For a more detailed schedule of the property of the de
partment, number of fires, etc., I respectfully refer you to the
report of the Secretary, hereunto attached.
Loss by fires during the year has been light. We have
had but one disastrous conflagration, the burning of the
large cotton warehouse and contents on West Broad street,
in February last. By good management and the manful
efforts of the force, the flames were confined to the building
wherein the fire originated, notwithstanding that there were
wooden buildings within a few feet of the devouring element.
WATER SUPPLY.
I would again call your attention to the inadequate supply
of water in the western and southeastern parts of the city.
At a recent fire in the southeastern portion of the city there
was no plug within seventeen hundred feet of the burning
buildings. I again urge upon the city authorities the im
portance of laying down larger pipes. In no instance should
a pipe of less diameter than six inches be used. I fear the
smaller pipes are being filled up, as the pressure is assuredly
becoming less every year.
A decided improvement, which I most earnestly recom
mend, would be the enlargement of the present water tank,
or the building of a new one of sufficient capacity to give a
pressure of fifty pounds ; by this means many fires could be
successfully extinguished before we could get up steam on
the engines, and much valuable property saved.
THE FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH,
As will be seen from the report of the Superintendent,
62 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
hereunto attached, needs a new battery and complete overhauhng. I earnestly recommend the necessary appropria
tion.
The inadequate pay allowed the Superintendent, which
only commands a moiety of his time, forces much of the
work of this department on the Chief Engineer, not called
for, and often in conflict with the duties pertaining to his
office. To remedy this, I respectfully recommend that suf
ficient compensation be allowed this officer to command his
services, in order that the apparatus may at all times be kept
in undoubted working order.
I again express my high appreciation for valuable assist
ance from the police department, and grateful thanks to my
officers and men for the unflaging zeal and faithfulness with
which they have stood by me.
To his honor the Mayor, and Committee on Fire, I am
under many obligations for courtesies extended.
Your obedient servant,
F. BLAIE,
Chief Engineer, S. F. D.
REPOET OF SUPEEINTENDENT OF FIEE ALAEM
TELEGEAPH.
SAVANNAH, GA., December 31, 1878.
F. Blair, Esq., Chief Engineer Savannah Fire Department :
DEAR SIR : I have the honor to make the following report
of the fire alarm telegraph :
The battery now in use on the fire alarm telegraph is old
and unfit for longer service, and as the success of the system
greatly depends upon a perfect battery, I earnestly recom
mend that a new one be purchased, and the more suitable
style for fire alarm purposes, I think, is the " Calland." The
entire apparatus is old, and considerable repairs will be ne
cessary to put it in thorough order. Many of the poles are
decayed and new ones required. For the purchase of a new
battery and thoroughly repairing the lines, an appropriation
of not less than four or five hundred dollars is necessary, as
you well know there have been, during the year just past,
many annoying failures in the alarms, and unless the system
receives thorough repairs, I greatly fear the failures will in
crease to such an extent during the next year as to render it
worse than none at all. It must be remembered that the fire
alarm has been in use for nine years, and during that time
there has been but little improvements made. I have en
deavored to render its workings as reliable as the circum
stances would permit, and I trust that the importance of
putting it in thorough order will be seen and appreciated.
Respectfully,
J. W. JONES,
Superintendent Fire Alarm.

REPORT OF SECRETARY OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE SECRETARY SAVANNAH FIRE DEPARTMENT,
SAVANNAH, GA., December 31, 1878.
F. Blair, Esq., Chief Engineer Savannah Fire Department:
DEAR SIR : In accordance with your instructions I here
with respectfully submit my report as Secretary of the Savan
nah Fire Department for the year ending December 31,1878.
STATEMENT OF EXPENSES.
The following accounts have been passed and forwarded
to City Council for payment during the past twelve; months :
Pay-rolls to December 31,1878 $10,233 2
5
Expenses of horses and forage 1,324 20
Ordinary expenses for repairs to apparatus 215 54
Supplies for companies 265 55
Repairs to engine houses 104 65
Appropriation for gas 5 00
Ordinary expenses for fire alarm telegraph 363 69
Repairs to department wagon 23 00
Purchase of supplies and incidentals 50 90$12,630 78
PROPERTY ACCOUNT.
Leather hose purchased 661 25
Two horses purchased 620 00 1,281 25
$13,912 0
3
66 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
oo
oo
CO
o
w
O
<
O
P-H
CO
<
o
o o
o o *o
o o *
r-- w oo
q= c as
=a !U
j o ^ O
D O
w.
g
oU
-3 ^ _OJ
"^ ai ^
,-
l'
^ O
o o
o
O 2
. rt
>-.
S S S >, U i- !- U. u
>-, rt rt rt rt rt
Ji 15 "rt 15 "rt "-3
"rt 15 Is "rt c
c c c 5 OJ
rj- ^- ro>o in 'ds s s s s s a ssssssssessss S
rf W N M O -' TJ-OO TJ- -^t t-. i-t MLowf^j'^-MMMMN
X
MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 67
c c
o c
2^
8
O
o
88 8
o
q
ON
8
O
888
o o o
O O m
u-i q^ iin
88
88
i-T ci
O
vD
8
c
c
fl)
c

ri
c
17
1-'
t
c
c
<*-c
>
1
.
-1
1
g
c
"rt
1
rt
flrt o
3-
g e a a
rt rt rt d a. CH rt CU Oo : o : O g
so:::
S
H H
68 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT,
RECAPITULATION.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
January
February
Marcli .
April .
May . .
June
July . .
August
Septembe
October
November
December
Total
o
3
4
3
4
37
LOSSES. INSURANCE.
750 OO
183,594 52
981 58
Trifling.
Trifling.
Trifling.
None.
None.
200 00
6,260 00
5,650 00
3,300 00
! 2,000 00
246,000 00
3,250 00
300 00
7,500 00
$ 200,736 108259,050 00
SERVICES OF THE VARIOUS ENGINES, HOSE REELS AND WERNER HOOK AND
LADDER COMPANY.
0 >
is
0
a
?, <U> 0
>>
c
oi
N.2
to ri rt a
ri 0.
a 0
d ^
1
rt
6 d d
. rt d d
rto
^ >- O QJ
0 -c
0 5
fc fc 2
tD QJ QJ ' rt >. ><3
OJ 0) QJ A Pi in1
"
1 rt .SS

QJ QJ OJ fi ^2
bfl b/j b/3 s> ! X X
c
W W
C
W X ffi K ^ < <;
12
8
8
11
12
16
17
'3
15
18
22
14
20
16
I
O
0
Times reported for duty .... 0
Times off duty when alarms
15 16 6 6 2 0 O O 0
Tnral ........ 35 35- 34 36 35 36 36 I 0
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY.
Engine No. 1, Washington.One two-story engine house,
one steam fire engine, one horse hose reel, twenty-two feet
suction hose, eight feet hydrant suction, 650 feet leather hose
in good order, 200 feet rubber hose, three horses and harness,
four extra wheels for steamer, one coal cart, one alarm gong,
three pipes and nozzles, oue single lamp, two side lamps, one
washstand, one stove and pipe, lot tools for engine, blankets
and articles necessary for stable, half lot No. 37 Washington
Ward, bedsteads and bedding for sleeping quarters.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 69
Engine No. 2, Waver.One steam fire engine, fourteen feet
suction hose, eight feet hydrant suction, ten feet street
sprinkling hose, 650 feet leather hose in good order, three
horses and harness, one horse hose reel, blankets and articles
necessary for stable, one coal cart, one alarm bell, one alarm
gong, one stove and pipe, lot tools necessary for engine, bed
steads and bedding for sleeping quarters.
Engine No. 3, Bartow.One steam fire engine, twenty feet
suction hose, eight feet hydrant suction, 650 feet leather hose
in good order, three horses and harness, horse blankets and
articles necessary for stable, one stove and pipe, one alarm
gong, one horse hose reel, tools for engine, bedsteads and
bedding for sleeping quarters.
Werner Hook and Ladder Company.One truck, two pair
fire extinguishers, one extension ladder sixty-five feet, one
ladder thirty-five feet, one ladder thirty feet, one ladder
twenty-four feet, one ladder eighteen feet, one ladder twelve
feet, one large fire hook with pole chain and ninety feet rope,
four old ladders, eight small hand hooks, two reflector lamps,
one extension coupling pole, four axes, two mauls, two large
hooks with chains, one jackscrew, two coils rope, one pair
horses and harness, blankets and articles necessary for sta
bles, one alarm gong, bedsteads and bedding for sleeping
quarters.
Auxiliary Hose No. 1, Cleburne.Three hundred feet rub
ber hose, one stove and pipe.
Auxiliary Hose No. 2, Mutual Protection.One hose car
riage, 500 feet rubber hose.
Property under control of the Department.One steam fire
engine (J. W. Anderson), sixteen feet suction hose, eight feet
hydrant suction, lot tools necessary for engine, four alarm
gongs, one two-horse wagon, Firemans' Hall, South Broad
and Abercorn streets, lot No. 13 Calhoun Ward, lot No. 23
Forsyth Ward, large alarm bell, three old hand engines, 1,250
feet hose (250 feet leather in good order, 1,000 feet rubber)
in reserve, house and lot 33 Charlton Ward, alarm bell tower,
fire alarm telegraph. Respectfully submitted,
GEOKGE MOUEO,
Secretary Fire Department.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OP WATER WORKS.
OFFICE OF WATER WORKS,
SAVANNAH, January 1, 1879.
Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor, Savannah :
SIR : I beg leave to make the following report upon the
works under my charge :
The general condition of the water works is good. The
pumping machinery of the works having been thoroughly
overhauled during the past year, it is now in good order.
During the time of overhauling the duplex pump, the supply
has to be kept up by the old pumps. Their pumping capaci
ty is not now sufficient for this purpose ; a proper regard for
the safety of the city, will soon require an auxilliary pump to
do this workcost about five or six thousand dollars. The
inlet through which the water supply is received, will need
attention.
During the past year there has been some complaint of
want of pressure in the supply of the upper stories of dwell
ings, and at fires. This is probably due to an increased
demand for water, the sectional area of the pipes not being
sufficient to maintain the original pressure. This can be
obviated by putting in larger circulating mains, or by in
creased heighth of high service reservoir.
The total number of hours run by all the pumps is 8,544,
of this, the old pumps run 2,044 hours. The duplex pumps
6,504 hours. The quantity of water pumped during the past
year aggregated 695,654,926 gallons. The report of last Jan
uary was for fourteen months, and 652,460,394 gallons
pumped. This will give an increase of 43,194,577 gallons
(while this report is only for twelve months), the pumps hav
ing run at a greater speed than last year.
The duplex pump continues to work well, and the repairs
are only nominal.
There have been no extensions of mains during the past
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 71
year, and but one additional fire hydrant placed by Lachlison's foundry. Three hundred feet of six-inch pipe are now
here to be laid on New Houston street, west of Abercorn
street.
During the past year there has been, under your orders, a
large amount of water used to flush the sewers and cess
pools ; this work has been done constantly and effectually,
I judge, as there has been no complaint upon the subjectThe connection made last year from the overflow pipe of
high service reservoir, to utilize the overflow and flush
Broughton street sewer, has been as serviceable as expected,
and is a valuable improvement. The number of cess-pools
with water connections, is now 354, which is an increase of
fifty over last year ; twelve of these being newly built, and
thirty-eight of the old being furnished with water connec
tions. During the past year the matter of extending a pipe
up the river to a new source of supply, has been fully in
vestigated, and the relative merits of the different plans
much discussed, nothing definite, however, has been done.
The financial condition of the city seeming to be a bar in the
matter, Council not wishing to raise a special tax for that
purpose.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. D. GUERARD,
Superintendent Savannah Water Works.
REPORT OF JAILOR.
JANUARY 1, 1879.
Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor of City of Savannah:
SIR : I have the honor very respectfully to submit herewith
the following report of the jail for the year ending Decem
ber 31,1878:
Of the total number of prisoners received during the year
There were from Chatham county 861
There were from United States 39
There were from other counties 17
There were lunatics 20
Making a total of 937
The amount of money due city of Savannah
By county of Chatham is $9,596 60
By the United States is 438 50
By other counties I
,552 20
Making a'total amount of $11,587 30
I desire in my report especially to call your attention to
the condition of the jail. The present structure is wholly in
adequate to the demands and necessities of our fast growing
and prosperous community, and, as has been commented
upon by numerous grand juries, a disgrace to our people, a
reflection upon our pride. The jail was originally built to
accommodate forty-eight prisoners, while during the past
year there has been an average of eighty confined in it.
The cells are entirely too small, and necessarily damp from
insufficient ventilation and very little light, and of these cells
there are sixteen (eight below and eight above) which are
entirely destitute of either light or ventilation, and in these
cells I have been obliged to crowd two and three prisoners at
a time. The wings which exclude the light and ventilation
from these sixteen cells are exceedingly insecure, and can
only be used down stairs on one side as a bathing room, and
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 73
the other side has to be perpetually closed up because of in
security. The up-stairs wing on the east side is utilized as a
room for watchmen, and on the west side for sick and con
valescent prisoners. I have refrained, for obvious reasons)
from time to time, from thus publicly calling attention to the
condition and the insecurity of the jail, but now that it is
rapidly growing worse and worse, it would be a dereliction of
duty on my part to remain silent any longer.
The walls are in a dilapidated condition ; the lining of the
jail is rapidly rotting ; the iron gratings to windows are in
secure by the giving away of wood-work ; the prison is cold
and dingy, no means of heating it; and generally, in every
detail that pertains to comfort, convenience or security, I
regard the jail as little less than a torture, and calls for some
prompt and decisive action. If it were possible, legislation
should be invoked looking to the erection of a jail in keeping
with the demands and necessities of the times, or there will
continually arise necessary and constant repairs, and an in
creased guard to keep up and maintain the present dilapi
dated structure. In addition to the large number of prisoners,
I have been very seriously inconvenienced by the increased
number of lunatics which have been sent to the prison.
There are no conveniences or comforts for these unfortunate
people, and the voice of humanity pleads for them. With
the limited facilities at my command, I have done all I could,
but I feel there is much more that ought to be done for them.
In conclusion, allow me to say that the past two years spent
under your administration, and my official intercourse with
the Jail Committee, and especially the Chairman (Alderman
Hamilton), have been made most agreeable by the kind
assistance and cheerful co-operation which yourself and the
Jail Committee have ever rendered me in the discharge of
my duties.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully yours,
WARING RUSSELL,
Jailor.
REPORT OF THE CLERK OF THE MARKET.
OFFICE OF CLERK OF THE MARKET,
SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1879.
Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor of the City of Savannah:
SIR : I have the honor to submit herewith a statement of
market fees collected through this office for the year ending
December 31, 1878, and turned into the city treasury:
Total amount fees collected 39,475 47
Average monthly collections .... $789 62
Average weekly collections 186 07
Decrease as compared with 1877 496 58
I have the honor to be, respectfully yours,
H. L. DAVIS,
Clerk of the Market.
HEALTH OFFICE REPORT.
OFFICE HEALTH OFFICER,
SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1879.
Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor, and Chairman Board of Sanitary
Commissioners:
SIR : I have the honor to submit the Health Office report
for the official year ending December 31, 1878.
The Board of Sanitary Commissioners held its first meet
ing January 21,1878, and subsequent meetings on each Mon
day preceding the regular meetings of Council, and extra
meetings when deemed necessary.
The following is a summary of the matters of most practical
importance transacted during the year :
In February, by the recommendation of the board, dele
gates were appointed by Council to attend a convention held
at Jacksonville, Fla., to consider the subject of a general
svstem of quarantine on all the Southern coast.
On February 20 an interesting report from these delegates
was read : "By the convention the necessity of a rigid and
uniform system of quarantine in all the Southern seaports
was recognized in its fullest extent, and to secure this uni
formity it was deemed most expedient to apply to the gen
eral government to provide the requisite legislation, and a
committee was appointed to .memorialize Congress and to
call the attention of the proper departments to this subject,
so vital to our safety and the prosperity of the whole
country."
On March 4 a report from the commission, appointed by
Council to visit New Orleans, to report upon the system of
quarantine and the general sanitary regulations practiced
there, was read, and it was recommended to the Council that
bids for the construction of a suitable wharf and for a hospi
tal building be made, and that his Honor the Mayor be
directed to purchase two of Girardy's fumigators at a cost of
76 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
$525, such as are now used at New Orleans, one to be placed
at the quarantine station, the other to be kept in the city.
Special attention of Council was also called to the sanitary
necessity of so modifying the present privy arrangement of
the city as will prevent diseases arising therefrom, and to the
advisability of abandoning, as soon as practicable, the further
use of pumps or well water, and supplying river water
instead.
The following resolution was passed by Council March
4, 1878:
" WHEREAS, The quarantine convention recently held at
Jacksonville, Fla., requested the authorities of cities to defray
the expenses of delegates appointed from their respective
cities on a committee from said convention to memorialize
the Congress of the United States to establish a uniform and
effective system of quarantine on the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts, the said committee to proceed to the city of Wash
ington for the purpose;
" That his Honor the Mayor be, and is hereby, authorized
to draw on the city treasury for the expenses of two members
of said committee appointed from the city of Savannah for
the purpose aforesaid; and that his Honor the Mayor be
authorized to negotiate for the purchase of two of Girardy's
patent fumigators for the fumigation and disinfection of ves
sels, at a cost not exceeding $525, and, in connection with
the Sanitary Commissioners, to draft a fair and equitable
schedule of' charges for the inspection and disinfection of
such vessels, the fees to be collected by the Quarantine
Officer, and to be appropriated for the expenses incurred in
the maintenance of quarantine."
April 15, Commissioner Duncan offered the following reso
lution, and recommended that it be forwarded to the City
Council for its adoption:
"That the Board of Sanitary Commissioners be authorized
to employ a quarantine officer and such assistants as may be
necessary, who shall be required to remain at the quarantine
station from May 1 to November 1, and to carry out such
regulations as may be made from time to time looking to the
prevention of the introduction of any disease into this port."
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 77
This " quarantine notice" was ordered to be published in
the Morning Neivs.
QUARANTINE NOTICE.
"MAYOR'S OFFICE,
SAVANNAH, April 30, 1878.
" On and after Wednesday, May 1, 1878, and until further
notice, all vessels coming to this port from ports south of
Cape Hatteras, from South America, any of the West India
islands, and any of the Gulf ports, shall be required to stop
and remain at the loioer quarantine station, opposite Cockspur
Island, until inspected by the Quarantine Officer at that point,
and granted by him a written permit to come up to the city.
When considered necessary, any or all vessels will be sub
jected to re-inspection by the Health Officer after arrival in
the port.
" Any vessel coming by the inland route from Florida, or
other southern ports, will not be permitted to land either
passengers or freight until inspected by the Health Officer.
No vessel from any of the above mentioned ports will be
detained longer than sufficient to be thoroughly cleansed,
fumigated, disinfected and rendered not liable to convey any
contagious or infectious disease.
"Pilots and masters of vessels will be held strictly respon
sible for the observance of this notice, under penalty pre
scribed by law for any violation of the same.
" By order of the Mayor.
J. C. HABERSHAM, M. D.,
Health Officer."
Dr. Joseph A. Huger was appointed Quarantine Officer.
July 31 it was resolved by the board:
" That, from and after this date, all vessels coming from
infected ports with sickness on board, shall not be admitted
to pratique, or be relieved from quarantine until twelve days
after they have been disinfected, and then only by the order
of this Board."
It was determined that a guard should be stationed at the
quarantine wharf, under the supervision of the quarantine
officer.
78 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
September 5, the following was published by order of the
Board:
" All persons from places infected with yellow fever, are
notified that they will not be permitted to come into the city
of Savannah until the period of ten days has expired since
their leaving any infected place, and not then, until their
baggage and clothing has undergone thorough disinfection,
under the supervision or direction of the Health Officer."
November 1, this quarantine notice was published :
" After November 1, quarantine will be extended against
all steamers and vessels coming from infected ports, or hav
ing had sickness on board during voyage or on arrival.
"The Charleston and Florida line of steamers will be re
lieved from quarantine after November 1."
November 11, a communication was received and read from
Dr. Elisha Harris, and others, members of the Executive Com
mittee of the American Public Health Association, where
upon it was
" Resolved, That this Board recommend to the City Council
that his Honor, the Mayor, be authorized to appoint three
delegates to the sixth annual meeting of the American Public
Health Association, to be held at Richmond, Ya., from No
vember 19 to 22, inclusive, in view of the very important
measuresto be discussed there looking to the sanitary interests
of the country generally."
The reports of these delegates were read before the City
Council, Savannah, December 12, 1878, and received for in
formation.
The inspection and disinfection of the sinks of the city
was begun early in the winter, and continued .throughout the
year.
The following ordinance in regard to privy vaults had its
first reading before Council December 11, 1878 :
ORDINANCE.
SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen
of the City of Savannali, in Council assembled, etc.: That
from and after January 1, 1879, every, the owner or owners
of a privy vault in this city, with a containing capacity of
MAJOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 79
cubic feet or over, shall pay into the treasury of the
city the sum of five dollars per annum, and every, the owner
or owners of a privy vault with a containing capacity of less
than cubic feet, shall so pay the sum of three dollars
per annum as an assessment to meet the expense of cement
ing and keeping clean and cemented the privy vaults in the
city, and the city authorities shall at once, and as soon as
practicable, cause all the privy vaults in the city to be cleaned
and cemented, commencing with those in the worst condi
tion, and shall employ in the cleansing an odorless excavating
machine or machines, and shall remove the contents as re
quired by law, etc., etc.
After the removal of the contents of the privy vaults, a
mixture of carbolic acid (Calvert's No. 11), ten parts ; sul
phate of lime, seventy parts ; sulphate of iron, twenty parts,
should be used, sprinked about, or where required, in a liquid
form, stirred up with a sufficient quantity of water.
As Health Offi-cei:, I have, during the year, made official
weekly reports of the sanitary condition of the city, given
medical attendance to the sick of the police and fire depart
ments, given 300 certificates of deaths for city and county,
visited and inspected the Florida steamers coming to this
port by the inland route, from May 1 to November 1, and
carried out the sanitary regulations of the city as regards the
quarantine of infected persons, and the disinfection of in
fected persons and localities.
No cases of yellow fever, small pox or cholera have occurred
in the city limits during the year. Quite a number of cases
of diptheria, and a few cases of scarlet fever, have been re
ported to this office by attending physicians.
An eminent medical friend has said, " No argument ought
to be required to convince people that the highest expression
of wisdom and goodness is found in the prevention of evil.
' An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,' is an old
adage not less true than trite. Perhaps the greatest advance
in practical medicine in the last half century has gjown out
of the recognition of the fact that there are very few curable
diseases. In the matter of health, the greatest point of
interest to the professional mind is its prevention. From
80 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
physicians ivc are now groioing into sanitarians. Without
neglecting attempts at curing, but pursuing investigation in
that direction with unabated zeal and industry, they see the
opportunity in rendering the greatest good to the greatest
number in preventing sickness. The number of diseases
known to be preventable is constantly increasing. Given the
laws and the power to enforce them, and the names of many
famihar and loathsome diseases will be blotted from the cata
logue of ' ills that flesh is heir to.' One of the most prolific
sources of disease, even despite the best arranged system of
sewerage which engineering still can devise, is that poison dis
tilling invention called a 'modern convenience.' "
Let us then, by every means in our power, strive to enforce
the sanitary measures necessary for the welfare of our city.
I am sir. very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. C. HABERSHAM, M. D.,
Health Officer, Secretary Board Sanitary Co.nmissioners.
REPORT OF KEEPER LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY.
OFFICE KEEPER LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY,
SAVANNAH, January 1,1879.
Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor of tlte City of Savannah :
SIR : I have the honor to report Laurel Grove Cemetery in
its usual good order and condition. During the past year
that portion of ground on the southeast, next to the Ogee
chee road, containing about seven and a half (7.^) acres, has
been graded and a large portion laid off into burial lots. Some
of them have been sold and used for burial purposes. The
work is being carried onlaying cement pipes to complete
the drainage, and planting trees. The fencing on the north
ern line is in very bad order and will have to be replaced
with a new fence. The fencing around the colored cemetery
is also in very bad condition.
During the past year there has been received
For sale of burial lots $(>3S 0
For burial fees 636 00
Total $1,271 00
Amount paid for labor, lumber, material, etc $5,586 10
Number of interments at the expense of the city :
Whites, from the city 20
Whites, from Savannah Hospital 1939
Colored, from the city 7
1
Colored, from colored Infirmary 39-110
Total 149
The number of interments during the past year are as fol
lows :
NUMBER OF INTERMENTS
IN LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY AND CEMETERY FOR COLORED PERSONS, FROM
JANUARY I, TO DECEMBER 31, 1878.
WHITES. COLORED.
>. ^
0
a
0
QJC
QJ QJ ^
c
-O QJ
QJ .c
(-1 0 H (-1 0 H
'5 8 23 47 9 56
23 6 29 43 8 5'
5 5 10 Si 7 58
18 6 24 5i 15 66
26 7 33 49 '.5 64
ib 6 22 54 16 7
12 S 17 52 12 64
12 4 16 56 10 66
17 9 26 47 16 6.3
11 6 17 55 11 66
20 3 23 5b 13 69
'5 6 21 43 17 60
s a -^ QJ .SO
H
January
February .
March . .
April . .
May . . .
June . . .
July . . .
August . .
September
October .
November
December
79
80
68
90
97
92
81
82
89
83
92
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. A. TORLAY,
Keeper Laurel Grove Cemetery.
REPORT OF KEEPER CITY DISPENSARY.
SAVANNAH, January 1, 1879.
Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor of Savannah:
SIR : I have the honor to submit herewith the following
report of the City Dispensary for the year ending December
31, 1878:
MONTHS.
January .
February
March .
April . . May . .
June . .
July . .
August .
September
October .
November
December
Totals
3
"A
1,063
1,044
1,273
1,103
1,042
949
1,102
1,294
1,004
1,207
1,023
766
12,870
S
'A
575
480
641
585
502
481
554
691
551
559
55
43i
6,600
55
488
564
632
518
540
468
548
603
453
648
473
335
6,270
1,707
1,728
2,111
1,879
1,761
1,601
1,808
2,192
1,697
2,054
1,632
1,243
21,413
^
a
o
3 G.
^ (^
l62
133
127
134
145
157
187
20I
178
212
169
127
1,932
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT
OF PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED BY THE CITY DISPENSARY AND THE COST OF MEDI
CINES FOR THE FOUR YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1878.
1 875. 1876. 1 877. 1878.
og og
& S.S- && l.f
P. r, S b f- r, a ft
3 ?! A a 0 z a 0 A Si 0 XZ s PH O '"H
u u 0
January . 1,269 $ 231 80 1,498 $ 281 85 2,050 $ 3
l6
77 1,707 $ 238 15
February 1,257 195 45 ' 554 295 00 2,213 286 50 1,728 189 10
March . 1,429 223 03 1,872 337 20 2,216 250 84 2,111 218 65
April 1,428 268 35 1,807 348 55 1,980 295 80 1,879 211 85
May . . 1,376 240 30 1,669 517 05 1,703 285 75 I,76l 215 70
June . . 1,462 253 85 i,538 222 15 1,622 '54 45 I,6oi 165 30
July . . 1,420 247 55 i,75i 234 40 2,020 235 90 I,8o8 I43 20
August . 1,659 282 58 2,55.5 434 45 2,625 33o 95 2,192 165 90
Septmb'r 1,947 327 3 3,670 604 05 2,600 303 20 1,697 ISO 65
October . 1,922 356 65 2,779 43 55 2,687 349 65 2,054 202 OO
Novemb'r 1,564 290 60 3,2.33 575 54 1,866 262 70 1,632 179 IO
Decmb'r 1,471 264 85 1,970 3i4 55 1,664 237 50 1,243 I30 65
From the business reported above we must deductFor the year 1877, paid by county for 905 prescriptions
For the year 1878, paid by county for 1,932 prescriptions
$271 50
579 60
Which makes the net business and expense of this office
to be
For the year 1877, 24,341 prescriptions, costing $3,038 51
For the year 1878, 21,413 prescriptions, costing 1,660 65
Respectfully,
LEWIS CASS,
Keeper City Dispensary.
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 85
H -
cogE
O s
5! u
o
s35it(Asqitjap
jo jaqiunu ycioi uo
sajitjAi jo aSK^aajsj
O "^O T}- N 00 O ^0 O r^ u^oo DO 00 r^ M H- rOv * h- W <~Ovo rovd -O M ' LO r^ ' w ' P'
'i N
uMou>(un aSy N _ % M . .-. _ , hH _ CJ c
spjBAvdn puB OOI
ooi oj S6
S6 oj 06
06 oi Sg ....-* ^ . . . . M
Sg oi og - . . . . f*! . . . ^f
og oj S " -..'-.
M hH \o
Si oj ol "
CO .-f -. , # 0 . . . M
oL oj Sg " . '-' N * . "* . W
S9 oj 09 w N M <-* . ro HH . I-l l-l
" 1
09 oj SS rO M _ M _ HH , M .
N
. " 1
SS oj oS ro . ITl l-H -. N HH

f^O
oS oj St u-i . . ro Th . . ^
"
u-)
Sf oj ot r^ h. . . r-- IH n N . *-* . ** . 1
M
ot oj S Ul _ m N HH M , . '-,
. . . vO
Se oj of . , 0\ ^t- N N M . .
,-
, ,
-
,
p oj Sz 0 _ t^ >- . .MM _ _ # M M,
Sz oj oz 0 . . * N . . w . . ** 00
oz oj Si -' ,
-
1 I-l I-l "JSI OJ OI ^J- . ** . . . **
r-^.
oi oj S
(^ . . '-' ^ . ^ - .
S Japun piox
ro--^-MO00 . OMO .NHH M
Soi* t~,
...
l
-
,
.
hH
.
N
....
"
toje VOHH...^-.NHM..i rn
t OJ z
VO...I-- . ^ . <^
3 0) I
00...vO.N... 00
jBaX i japuQ 1-1 M
^ _ M
>
H
>
Z
UA\OU>[UQ
CJ . . HH t^.
u3ia.ioj rr, ^ N _ 0 CO COCO ^- . . r- "- ^- - *-< 't
sajujs pajiua
O "i IOVO r^ -* 00 O ^-vo M 1-, r^ 0 uo . <*
00 N uo N N
s
X
UAVOU^Ufl N....M 0 ^ >J-)
ajBraaj
O >- COVO 00 ^- CO OMO , CO00 rO -< . . vO
^
V)
3\V]/i
t^ fO CJ O UOOO tj-t^OMOOvO .0\"-^ro
uo CO ro "-* '-, 0
0)
uoovO CvOO'-i >-' COM O W ^t-rcJO ^ ^tO
O -tvO w N M 1- " -
CO
86 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
pajojoo
jo jaquinu [t;
p,[OD jo aS
sipcap
JOJ UO
cjuaa.i3(j
jun aSy
rr)_H ro.- O CNCOrOCOcor^OOO r
^'^'C,Lr'^
ro-i^O LO^. Ovd OvQvO ^-CO t^MO 0 C^ O.
d\ ^ ' ccjoo uocicico co co'd- co
> u,v\ou hH.M.C^N -
l-H IO _ vO
sp.re.ttdn puu ooi
ooi oj S6 "
S6 oj 06
t-. 06 oj Sg ^ '"'
Sg oj og
M
og oj Si 11 ... . .
N
Pi SL oj oZ
Mw .CO.t-i . . .
. f^
pa oL oj S9 MM. 1-1. -....
as
S9 oj 09 I-M .CCJ.MM . .1-1 .
I-l
,
-
1 ^
Q
o
09 oj SS M....1-
..I-l...
,
-
1
^JSS oj oS 1$-. .M-^-COI-II-I . . . . CO
CO <
O <5
ii
oS oj St N . . 1- ^-M I- .M . . fO l-H
St oj ot M t .i-iroN ^MI-II-I . . N Tjot oj SC CO. . .Mitf-H.vOi-i .I- .
M CO ^
CO
fO
STATIST
HOUSTON, M. D.l
R.ED, JANUARY I,
se oj oe C^MI-I ,C<I-IN .n '-' N
oe oj.sz uo. . .OOCOWvO . . . . CO ^ 1 GO
1 CO
Sz oj oz
HH . . .UOTt.vOvO .11 . ro >- M
oz oj Si \0 . .Wt^M .CO. . .n w
NW
Si OJ 01 M . . M "1 I-l N r^-
oi oj S
VO . .CONCO.NCl . . . 00
MORTUARY
[Arranged by J. P. S.
ED CAUSES OF DEATH, COLO
S Japun JUJOX
OvcocouoOv^t" voi-^n .n"**" .
vO covO Tt- uo
^- TJ 8CO
S ojt HH...CO..MII w r-*
^oje \o..iiM n..
M M Ti-
eojz .". *.*>" ON
J OJ I
vO N . COOO M . N n . . . N . '-"
j^aX i J9puf)[
O 1 . COOO . Ov -^ n . . N
^- N -^ N uo "
IN
r-l
U5
UA\OU>[U{^ CO...C*VO.*H....VO. c
apuiajj
uovocoOvOvclvO O00 CS CO . Ovid- uovO
\t~t uo TJ- CO N n
vO
apM
CO M HH COOO N 00 O n N N C
vO n uo uo uo n CJ
CO
CO
u,
<?
1 t^-^-N OvO ^-n ON-vi-CON u
M NHQMOOM U
-^ -- O * * ~ O
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 87
o
. . "O .
' s V, ' 3 . * fi S -a . 'hite hite city
r Ce
colo
olore
city
>, JS
city
nts,
to t
m ot
cit
ints
to t
j-. c T3 jfl V
J! JO t/) o
f - ?, ^-^r ^o
OcJ5m
>o
ti O
3
oi ^*
ro J
1
i-1 H
Z
a
- S
en U
HO2
a!
a
(-
(1) . ^ .
X. . o .
-^
OJ >> o z z-

r
o
o o u
u c
fl) ,rt -n fl> ^^
H
<!
U
2U
2 H
I-I u
20W
s
SJUEJUI ujoq-jijjs -^vo vo OvOO r^vo t^vo CO uo M
'Fiox
UA\OU>[Ufl |
saiBuiaj[
I^. CO n "H vo OvvO t-^OO vo 00 rt" Tj- ^-u0U0lOU^l^)U0Tl-u0lOTtCOMOM ._
^ CO rJ-vO Ov uo r-^OO 00 n rf ^l-
SJUBJUI ujoq-iipg
I^jox
uMompifi |
saiEiuaj;
sap3i\[
Ov Cv COOO vO Th Ov T^
MAY0B S ANNUAL REPORT.
TABLE
SHOWING THE PERCENTAGE ON TOTAL MORTALITY BY THE DEATHS
(WHITES AND COLORED) IN EACH PERIOD OF LIFE.
Under one year
One to two years
Two to three years
Three to four years
Four to five years
Total under five years
Five to ten years
Ten to fifteen years
Fifteen to twenty years ....
Twenty to twenty-five years . .
Twenty-five to thirty years . . .
Thirty to thirty-five years . . .
Thirty-five to forty years ....
Forty to forty-five years ....
Forty-five to fifty years ....
Fifty to fifty-five years
Fifty-five to sixty years ....
Sixty to sixty-five years ....
Sixty-five to seventy years . . .
Seventy to seventy-five years . .
Seventy-five to eighty years . .
Eighty to eighty-five years . . .
Eighty-five to ninety years . . .
Ninety to ninety-five years . . .
Ninety-five to one hundred years
One hundred years and upwards
Age unknown
Total
WHITES. COLORED.
cu
79
13
11
13
13
7
4
18
26
24
16
21
15
13
'3
14
12
12
6
4
2
362
21.82
4-97
2.4
4.14
3-0
4
35-91
3-59
i-93
1.10
4-97
7.1?
6.63
4.42
5.80
4.14
3-59
3-59
3-87
3-31
3-3i
1.66
1.10
55
Oi
3-31
203
57
19
14
7
300
18
7
21
49
38
26
33
14
16
20
4
II
9
15
6
8
5
2
3
2
-
2
3
9.10
3-03
2.24
1.12
47.92
2.87
1.44
4-32
0.04
6.07
4-I
5
5.27
2.24
2.54
3.20
.64
1.76
'43
2-39
.96
1.28
79
32
79
626
303
Under five years
Between five and sixty years
Sixty years and above . . .
Age unknown
130 35-91
1701 46.96
50! 13.81
I2i 3-3i
300 47.92
246, 39.29
6i| 9.74
19I 303
Mortality per cent., whites, census 1870, 2.42.
Mortality per cent., colored, census 1870, 4.73.
METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY.
BAROMETER. 1 THERMOMETER.
Humidity,
vations.
nt.)
WIND.
S2

MEAN OF RANGE. MEAN OF 1 RANGE.
.0
NUMBER OF MILES. ,4
B
&
0 c TELEGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS. s
-s, S
DATE. rt -2
I Corrected for tempera-l Corrected for tempera rt ^
JELEGRAPHIC
Mean Relative
Local Obsei
(Per ce
CJ
cu a '3 < 0 , bJl .3^rt u ^
0 O
i-H
-1
QJ
O
3
ture, instrumental er
ror, and elevation.
ture and instrumental
error only.
QJ
J^bo
X
QJ
3
OJ
OJ
1
S
1-035
cu
0
rt
CJ
O
51.2
OBSERVATIONS.
s
a
rt
74
S
26
(J
1
3
48
3
a
rt>
V-i
N W
PH
vO
O
a
0
0
0
VO
2^
'3
i
0
<
vO
"rt
O
H
5,893
H a
>'B
SQ
.6
rt
s
30
Amount of
R
Snow. (In
dredths.)
-3
s
3
A
O
1878.
A. M. P. M.
30.060
Mid
night. A. M. T. M. Mid
night. A.M.
45-2
P.M. Mid
night.
OJ
a
January . . 30.096 30.116 30.099 30.020 29.967 30.003 30-548 29-5I3 56.4 50.4 66.1 1,748 1,231 I
,325 I,58Q 2.99 I
3
~"
February 30.001 30.023 29.963 30.008 29.928 29.870 29.914 30-307 29-585 .722 .53-9 48.0 59-5 53-0 7S 31 44 66.8 N i>56
5 1,066 1,065 1,232 4,928 25 2.25 11 March . 3
0
-47 30.080 30.002 30.045 29.986 29.911 29.952 30.446 29.582 .864 63-9 57-9 70.9 62.2 84 38 46 65.8 S 1,894 1,222 t,^ I
,369 5,5i8 2
5
I
-47 8
April . 29.884 29.911 29.845 29.888 29.819 29.756 29.797 3o-i93 29-451
742 69.4 65-9 74-8 67.5 88 47 41 67.5 S i,795 1,278 1,110 i,392
5,575 2
5 6.00 7 May 30.011 3
0
-
0
39 29.974 30.008 29.949 29.885 29.918 30.167 29-755 .412 76.9 74-8 82.3 74- 3 98 56 42 64.7 S w s 1,828 1,294 1,054 I
,3S2
5,52
8 20 1.11 7
June . . 29.994 30.021 29.961 29.997 29-931 29.872 29.907 30.263 29.716 547 78.9 78.4 8^.6 76.1 93 65 28 69.4 s 1,6^2 1,025 742 1,241 4,660 24 6.99 13 July . . 30.010 30.026 29.980 30.009 29-937 29.891 29.920 30.196 29.808 .388 83.0 82.4 86.8 80.9 98 72 26 79.8 E I
,954 1,168 745 I
4
6
5 5,332 3 6-37 12
August . 29.978 30.001 29.940 29.980 29.912 29.852 29.891 30.148 29.792 356 84-5 82.9 89.5 81.7 100 6q 31 76-5 s w 1,467 1,009 858 998 4,332 20 6.63 14 September . 30.061 30.078 30.032 30.063 29.988 29-943 29.972 30.286 29.348 938 76.3 73-7 80.3 75.0 93 63 30 81.2 N E 1,852 I
,
0
33 925 I
,39(> 5,206 42 7.20 '3 October . . 30.094 30.120 30.068 30.092 30.027 29.977 30.000, 30-359 29.611 748 67-3 62.4 72.9 65-4 85 44 .41 76.3 N E 1,361 786 918 1,264 4,329 20 2-54 7
November . 30.084 30.116 30.052 30.088 30.021 29-959 29.994j 30.407 29.687 .720 59-i 5
2
-9 64.8 57-7 77 36 41 73-3 N W i,346 * 949 986 1,196 4,477 28 3-97 7
December . 30-151 30.183 30.120 30.156
36o.433
30.086 30.025 30.060 30.516 29-397 1.119
8.591
50.4
814.8
44-7
769.2
55-i 49-5 73
103. S
24
571
'49
467
65-5 N W 1,300 1,008 1,050 1,276 4,634 36 5.06 13
Sums . . 360.411 360.714 359-997 359.604 358.908 359-328 363-836 355-245 876.9 793.7 85.29 S 19,762 13,069 11,811 '5,770 60,412 t,2X8 125
GENERAL REMARKS.
January . . Lunar halos, 13th, 19th .... Frost, 6th, 8th, 16th Mirage 16th ....
February . . Lunar halos, 9th, 12th Solar halos, 25th Frost, 12th Zodiacal lights, 1st . .
March . . . Lunar halos, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th. Solar halos, 8th, 19th Thunder, 28th, 31st
A
P
ril Solar halos, 23d ' Thunder, Jith, 15th,'24th, 26th' '. . . '. ".'.''.'
Ma
y Solar halos, 3d, nth, 12th, i6th,22d Thunder, 4th, 5th, 14th, 21st, 23d. Solar bands, 16th . .
June . , . . Lunar halos, 7th, 9th Solar halos, brilliant ipeteor, 7 p. M., 12th Thunder, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 19, 21. Hail 8th
J
ul
y Solar halos, 7th, 13th ." ' *...'....'.'. '. Thunder' 3d,'4th, '20th, 31st .' . .' .........
August . . Lunar halos, 15th, 16th Thunder, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 12th, I5ch, 21st, 26th
September . Lunar halos, 6th, 7th, 8th ... Solar halos, 7th Thunder, 4th, 5th Solar bands, 6th .. .
. Lunar halos, 8th, gth Solar halos, 7th, 8th, 9th Frost, 20th Thunder, 30th Solar bands 27th
. Lunar halos, nth Frost, 1st, 2d, 10th, 13th, 29th . . '. '. '. '..'.'.'.'.....'.. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. '. Solar bands, 10th,'24th.
. Lunar halos, 14th Brilliant meteor, 8 p. M. 12th . . . . . . Frost, 5th, nth, 18th, 19th, 23d, 24th,27th, 28th, 29th
October
November
December
STATIONSAVANNAH, GA.
W. S. POPPLE,
Sergeant Signal Corps, U. S. A.

KEPORT OF UNITED STATES ENGINEER.
UNITED STATES ENGINEER'S OFFICE,
SAVANNAH, GA., December 28, 1878.
Hon. John F. Wheaton, Blayor Savannah :
SIR : In reply to your communication of the 11th instant,
addressed to Capt. James C. Post, Corps of Engineers, United
States of America, who has during the past year, up to Novem
ber 1, been in charge of the works of improvements of the
Savannali river, requesting him to furnish you with a detailed
account of the work done in Savannali river during the year
1878, under his supervision, has been referred to me, with a
request that I supply the information desired.
I am gratified in being able to comply with your request
by copying from Capt. Post's annual report to Gen. Gillmore,
who has charge and supervision of all improvements of the
river. Capt. Post says :
" The following are the places at which operations have
been conducted during the past year: First, new channel at
the ' wrecks'; second, the shoals southwest from oyster bed
light and northeast of Fort Pulaski; third, the channel north
east of Fort Pulaski; fourth, the cross tides.
" At the completion of the contract with the American
Dredging Company and the city of Savannah, mentioned in
the last annual report, the latter being completed in August
and the former in September, the new channel at the ' wrecks'
had been made 102 feet wide and thirteen feet deep at mean
low water.
" This channel, by the scour of the ebb tide, has now
widened materially, for nearly half its length, from the
western end, though somewhat irregularly, retaining at the
same time, bhe full dredged depth of thirteen feet mean low
water. The lower half, or the eastern portion, without a ma
terial increase of width, has shoaled in two places to twelve
feet mean low water. To determine the true cause of this
shoaling at the present time is somewhat difficult, as it may
90 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
be the result of two independent actions : First, the natural
flow of the tides; and, secondly, the grounding of two or three
vessels against the sides of the channel, where they have re
mained through two or three tides. As the running aground
of these vessels must have broken down the sides and thus
interrupted the free passage of water through the channel, I
am inchued to attribute this diminution of depth to this latter
cause, rather than to the former. The success of this new
channel has, during the past season, been of great assistance
to commerce, as vessels drawing the full draught of water with
which they can cross the ' obstructions ' or lower flats at
high water, have been enabled to pass to and from the city
without delay on either an ebb or flood tide, provided they
reached the lower flats at high water. By adopting this
course, several vessels on spring tides have left the city, draw
ing eighteen feet four inches, and proceeded to Venus Point
on one tide, whereas, before the channel was opened, sixteen
feet six inches was the maximum draft that could pass out,
and even with this it was more than probable that two tides
would be consumed, on account of its being necessary to pass
through the 'wreck's' channel at high water. The real value
of this new channel in its present state, to commerce, can
therefore be placed at one foot ten inches of draught, or
nearly two feet, besides making the navigation of this portion
of the river much easier by being direct and straight.
" The dredging steamer ' Henry Burden,' continued work
ing in the channel northeast of Fort Pulaski until July 27,
when it was decided to transfer her to Charleston, S. C.
From July 1 to 27, 9,656 cubic yards were removed. During
the month of April, 1878, 7,815 cubic yards were also removed
from the channel by the steamer Burden. The shoal oppo
site the oyster bed light continuing to increase, it became
such an obstacle to navigation that in Marcli it was necessary
to commence its removal. Accordingly, on March 25 the
Henry Burden commenced work at this point. This, how
ever, was discontinued after working some two weeks and
removing only 2,948 cubic yards, as it was found that the
presence of the wreck caused the steamer to work at such
disadvantage that it was decided to employ a dredge, with
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 91
the ordinary equipments, for the removal of this wreck and
shoal. A contract was, in consequence, made with the Amer
ican Dredging Company for the removal of 8,000 cubic yards
at forty cents per yard, such portions of the wreck to be
removed as come in to the lines specified for the dredging.
At the conclusion of this contract the channel at this point
was increased 120 feet in width and deepened to fourteen
feet mean low water.
" Ten piles which acted as an obstacle to the navigation
of the cross tides were also removed by the above-mentioned
company. In order to complete the data already obtained
for the discussion of the improvement of this river, a series
of observations were commenced about June 1 to ascertain
the amount of water flowing through the different river
channels, and also to obtain the amount of fall in each of
them. To explain the method determined upon more fully it
may first be well to divide the river from the cross tides to
Tybee roads into three sections, numbers one, two and three
successively, viz. :
" First sectionAll that portion of the river from the cross
tides to Fort Jackson.
" Second sectionFrom the head of Elba Island to the
head of Long Island.
" Third sectionThe portion including the shoal at the
oyster bed light and the channel northeast of Fort Pulaski.
" In each of these sections any work of improvement made
in any portion has a direct bearing upon all the other portions.
To obtain the requisite data for the first section it was deter
mined to gauge the cross tides, and also front river between
Kings and Marsh Island, and to obtain the fall through the
cross tides and the different portions of Front river to Fort
Jackson.
" In the second section it is intended to gauge both the
north and south channels near their junctions at the head of
Elba Island, and to make current observations in each of the
openings between the islands on the south side of the north
channel to ascertain what would be the effect of closing
them all.
" To determine the effect of any improvement of this por-
92 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
tion of the river upon St. Augustine creek it is also intended
to make some current observations at its entrance into the
south channel. The fall in the river through this section will
also be obtained.
" In the third section the result of the improvement made
during the past month upon the channel abreast of the oyster
bed light will determine the best course to pursue in regard
to it. Thus far the only data obtained is the high and low
water slope through the cross tides and front river to the
eastern end of Fig Island. Through the cross tides the mean
of ten observations gave the water practically level at high
water, while at low water the same number of observations
gave a fall of ^'^ of a foot, or two and one-half inches. From
the cross tides through Front river the fall at high water, the
mean of fourteen observations, is ^ of a foot, or three and
one-half inches, and at low water one foot. The cross tides
has also been guaged, but sufficient time has not elapsed
since its completion to enable the data to be marked out.
" These observations will be continued aijd completed as
rapidly as possible. Soundings taken during the past week
in all the channels dredged during previous years, indicate
that they remain about the same as reported last year.
This includes the channel between King's and Hutchin
son Island, at garden bank, at the obstructions, or head
of Elba Island, and the upper and lower flats. The old
channel at the wrecks has now shoaled to eight feet mean
low water."
The foregoing brings a report of the operations down to Oc
tober 31. I have very little to add. A contract for building
a submerged dam at the cross tides, was made with Mr.
Daniel V. Howell, of New York, October 10, 1878. This
work should have been commenced on November 10, (by its
terms) but I regret to say there has been some delay, un
avoidably he claims, in laying down the dam. Material has
been collected and the construction of the dam will soon be
commenced.
The effect of this dam it is believed, will be to divert a
considerable body of water from Back to Front rivers, thereby
increasing the depth in front of the city.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 93
On the last of November I sounded the channel at Venus'
Point, and as far as I could ascertain, there existed about
the usual depth of water in the channel, though it had some
what narrowed at the western end. Some of the pilots, how
ever, claim that the channel has considerably shoaled, and
the deep channel of (19) nineteen feet of water at low tide
has shortened since the war. Farther examination will be
made of this channel at an early day. I have sounded the ship
channel from the lower end of Fig Island to a point near
Fort Jackson, and find three points in it that seem to have
shoaled somewhat, that is opposite East Broad street, op
posite the gas works, and directly in front of the mouth of
Back river.
The cause of the shoaling opposite East Broad street and
at the gas works must be from sand washing from the streets,
and should be dredged out.
The shoaling in front of Back river is most likely caused
by the washing of the accumulated sand at the mouth of that
stream into the dredged channel by the ebb tide, and the im
mediate remedy is to dredge it out.
We hope much good to navigation will result from the
building of the submerged dam at cross tides in connection
with dredging both west and east of the city.
Should the present Congress make a liberal appropriation
for continuing the works here already commenced and in con
templation, valuable results may be expected, and it, there
fore, I think, behooves you and your government, to use such
influence as you may deem best and proper to lay before the
proper committee of Congress of the important facts of the
case.
If delay in continuing the improvements to completion
causes what has been done to be lost, it will be most unfor
tunate to your city as well as to the government.
Excuse the last paragraph of this report. My only reason
for presuming to offer it is my knowledge of the facts and
necessity of the case, the frequent losses from the failure of
an appropriation in time to save what has been gained.
The already large and rapidly growing commerce of Savan
nah, its importance to the State of Georgia, being its princi-
94 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
pal sea port, seems to assure you such necessary aid in im
proving the navigation to its wharves as you can reasonably
claim.
I am respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. L. FBEMONT,
U. S. Assistant Engineer.
HAEBOR MASTER'S BEPORT.
HARBOR MASTER'S OFFICE,
SAVANNAH, GA, January 1, 1879.
Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor :
SIR : I have the honor to report that I hive deposited
with the City Treasurer nine thousand one hundred and
eighteen dollars and five cents ($9,118.05), amount of harbor
fees collected for the past year. One thousand four hun
dred and forty-one dollars ($1,441) in excess of 1877. The
harbor has been very much crowded for want of wharf room,
which compelled the occupation of a portion of one of the
regular steamship's wharves, much to the dissatisfaction of
the agent, although not at all interfering with the steamship,
there being ample room to discharge and load. The city
slips occupy between four and five hundred feet, and as they
can only be used for small boats, owned almost entirely by
negroes from Carolina; I would respectfully recommend that
all ol them (with the exception of Barnard street or Market
slip, and East Broad street or Screven ferry) be closed, and
that wharves be extended across them so as* to furnish more
accommodation for shipping.
Should the same class of vessels continue to be sent here,
it will become necessary to provide for them. I therefore
make the above recommendation to close the slips.
Vessels drawing more than eighteen feet water have to
complete their cargoes at Venus' Point, and are anchored in
mid channel, causing much inconvenience to vessels passing
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 95
up and down the river, besides in swinging they get aground,
and are compelled to be towed off, causing considerable ex
pense, as well as delay. I would therefore recommend that
rows of piling be driven along the shore line, so as to enable
six vessels to be moored against them. By a charge of two
dollars ($2) per day, the city could be reimbursed in a short
time.
I would call your attention to several wharves along the
city front which are in a dangerous condition, and should be
replanked.
Annexed you will please find a tabulated monthly state
ment of tonnage arriving here to date.
DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN TONNAGE FOR 1878.
MONTHS.
rt
s
<
English.
^2
"Srt
CO
a
rt
OJ
B~
O
A Q
rt
0
OJ
IJ
O
PL,
/n
January .
February
56,586
47,485
43,299
32,886
28,454
29,426
32,232
30,437
50,493
49,735
44,624
48,508
11,969
1,905
1,861
75
1,962
2,156
2,648
1,584
5,550
3,919
3,562
314
278
596 3,197
4,597
1,663
1,089
277
600
March 593
April . .
May . .
June . .
July . .
August .
September
October .
November
1,138 412
309
1,113
16,569
33,787
23,344
II,833
174
833
460
2,443
1,914
2,249
i,372
. . .
574
3,563
3,167
3,651
612
1,773
6,682
1,706
3,459
296
412 689
630
Grand total of tonnage, 669,724.
Very respectfully, etc.,
JULIAN MYERS, Harbor Master.
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMISSIONERS
OF DRAINAGE.
SAVANNAH, October 14, 1878.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen of the City oj
Savannah.:
I am instructed by the Commissioners of Drainage of
Chatham count}7
to inform your honorable body that we
have finished all the work towards the drainage of the Spring
field plantation, which we feel authorized to do under the act
which created the Commission.
In returning these lands, which were placed temporarily
under our control, to your honorable body, we beg leave to
say that, in accordance with our interpretation of the law
we could only expend the appropriation generously made by
the State, as far as possible in the creation and completion
of permanent works looking to the promotion of the health
of our citizens. In other words, we did not think we could
do any work which was temporary and had to be constantly
repeated.
In undertaking the drainage of the lands of the Springfield
plantation, we found the first important step was to provide
a safe outlot for the water which collects in the swamp to the
south and southwest of the plantation.
We ascertained that in case of several days of continuous
rain, with easterly winds and high tides, that the place was
liable to overflow from this direction, as was the case in June,
1876. To prevent this, we have raised the banks of the
Springfield canal along its entire length, and we have had the
canal deepened and widened to a very considerable extent.
We have had, also, the back dam raised to such a height as
that, altogether, we think there is a sufficient basin to contain
the water and prevent its overflow in any contingency, and at
the same time have provided for it a ready outlet when the
tides recede.
We wish it, however, understood that we do not consider
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 97
the Springfield canal in perfect condition, and are aware that
certain expensive improvements are indispensable before the
objects of this work can be fully secured. We regret exceed
ingly that the beneficent appropriation made by the State is
too limited for us to anticipate and undertake these improve
ments. The most important of these, in our opinion, is the
reconstruction of the aqueduct under the Ogeechee canal.
This structure, as it now stands, is much narrower than the
present width of the canal is above the level of the bottom
of the canal, and therefore forms an insufficient conduit for
the passage of the water, and for the rapid emptying of the
swamp above when the tides go out. The bridge which spans
the canal on the Louisville road presents a similar defect,
and will have to be removed and be replaced by a structure
adapted to the width given the canal at that point.
The next important step in the order of our work was to
prevent the rain water which falls upon the western slope,
south of the Central Railroad depot, including and beyond
Laurel Grove Cemetery, from running into the plantation.
This we have accomplished by opening up and completing
the brow-ditch which runs from the mouth of Screven sewer
to the back dam. This we deem an exceedingly important
work. By this brow-ditch all the rain water which falls upon
the western water shed, which covers an extensive area, is
caught and conveyed into the Screven sewer, where it finds
an outlet. We have had also several sand-pits, or catchbasins constructed along the course of the brow-ditch, which
have worked well in preventing the filling up of the ditch as
well as the Screven sewer. We feel that we cannot urge upon
your honorable body too earnestly the great importance of
this brow-ditch, and the constant occurring necessity of keep
ing it and its ^atch-basins well cleaned out. In our early
examinations last year, we found the Screven sewer entirely
choked up, which accounted for its notorious inefficiency in
years past, but having succeeded in clearing it out it has re
mained in good working order ever since, and now furnishes
a ready outlet to all the water caught by the brow-ditch.
We venture to suggest that constant vigilance is necessary
here also, in seeing that the sewer is kept in good working
condition. 7
98 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
The third important object to be attained was to drain the
plantation lands of all the water that naturally falls upon
them. In this we think we have been successful in deepening
Hogg sewer and the central ditch from the Savannali river,
near the Central Railroad wharf, up to the back dam, and
by putting in thorough order the "siphon" under the Ogee
chee canal. By this means we have obtained from eighteen
to twenty-two (18 to 22) inches more of drainage than existed
before, and the effect is marked in the perfectly dry state of
these lands during all the past summer, and in which they
will be found at the present time. In order to keep them in
a perfectly dry state, especially for agricultural purposes, all
the margin and cross ditches should be kept open and free
from weeds and trash. We are of the opinion that if underdrainage was practiced on these lands it would richly repay
the owners and cultivators for the expense it would involve.
It will be observed that in our efforts to dry these lands and
keep them so, we have adopted three separate and distinct
systems, which I beg leave to recapitulate.
First. To dispose of the vast amount of water which is
constantly liable to collect in the wide extent of swamp to
the south and southwest of the plantation, so that it should
never overrun the back dam and the banks of the Springfield
canal. This we think can always be accomplished by main
taining these banks at their present height, and by keeping
the canal free from obstructions, so that the water can have
quick motion when the tides are going down.
Second. To prevent the water which falls upon the western
watershed of the plantation from running into these lowlands.
This has been accomplished by the brow-ditch and Screven
sewer.
Third. To draw off quickly all the water which falls natu
rally upon the lowlands. This has been done by deepening
and enlarging the Hogg drain and the central ditch.
In conclusion, we beg to repeat to your honorable body
that we have not attempted, in the improvements made in
connection with the drainage of Springfield plantation, more
than the foundation of a system which must have further
developments to secure its full beneficial results. But we
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 99
have sufficient assurance of the utility of these improvements
so far as they have already been extended, and in returning
this valuable part of the public domain to your hands we
take the liberty of suggesting that for the promotion of the
public health, as w
r
ell as to ensure due appreciation in the
value of the Springfield lands, the system of drainage, the
foundation of which is now laid, should be promptly pressed
to its proper development.
A careful system of minor 'drainage should be devised for
and enforced on all the cultivable lands of the plantation.
The maintenance of good fences should be required, and the
pasturing of cattle and other stock placed under regulation,
so as to protect the drains and ditches.
Obstructions of the drains and ditches should be made
penal, and the whole should be made the subject of rigid
police inspection. No system of drainage of this nature can
be successful without constant oversight and the prompt
prevention or removal of impediments which -occur daily
from natural or artificial causes, and which, seemingly unim
portant at first, become costly when accumulated.
The improvements already made are ample in their value
and extent to warrant such suggestions for their preserva
tion, and we therefore take the liberty to add thatthe Spring
field canal should be dredged out at least once a year.
The brow-ditch and the sand-pits, the Hogg sewer and the
central ditch require constant attention, and should be kept
clear and at their true draining level at all times.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
J. G. THOMAS,
Chairman Commissioners of Drainage.
EEPOBT OF QUARANTINE OFFICER.
QUARANTINE STATION,
December 24, 1878.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the
Honorable Sanitary Commission :
GENTLEMEN : In response to your communication of the
18th instant, I beg herewith to present a summary of the
operations at this station for the past season, commencing
May 1, 1S78. The station not being completed at the above
date, and it being essential that the examination and possible
retention of vessels at quarantine, should commence at once,
your officer was by the courtesy of Captain Post, U. S. A.
Engineer, officer in charge, kindly permitted to occupy the
hospital at Cockspur, until such time as the building at
" oyster knoll" should be constructed. About August 1
Captain Post intimated to me that he deemed it his duty, as
the yellow fever season was at hand, to protect the occupants
of Cockspur from any chance of contagion, by a farther stay
of your officer at that point, I therefore immediately re
moved to " oyster knoll, " where I had to share the quarters,
yet unfinished, with the workmen then engaged in its con
struction.
I find by reference to my journal, that I have up to date.
visited one hundred and twenty-five (125) vessels, with crews
averaging about sixteen, so that a total of two thousand
(2,000) souls have been examined, and the sick thereof at
tended to by me. A number of which, some eight or nine
only, had in consequence of the unfinished condition of the
building, to be treated on their vessels. They were suffering
principally from some chronic difficulty.
But two deaths have to be recorded, one of a seaman who
fell overboard from the schooner " Sarah Smith, " the other
the case from the " Paquito ;" cause obscure, and heretofore
reported.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 101
By reference to my monthly reports, you will see that
seventy-five vessels have been fumigated, many of them
more than once, and kept at quarantine until thought per
fectly safe to go up to the city.
I may here be allowed to express my admiration of the
class of men with whom my duties have thrown me in con
tact. The officers of the vessels have been, almost without
exception, most courteous under the trying circumstances
attendant upon a protracted but necessary quarantine.
Your honorable body is well advised that the buildings at
this point, though practically habitable, are yet unfinished,
needing much to render them altogether secure against such
storms as are of frequent occurrence in this latitude. From
the best information I can gather, from such parties as
Mr. Hogan, (the present keeper of the Tybee light] and for
many years keeper of the red light, on this " oyster knoll,"
the last gale of September 9-10, was not by any means as
violent as the gale of 1854, when the water was probably two
feet higher; and of my own experience, I know that the water
passed over every rice field bank on the Savannah river.
In my judgment, the works at this place should be raised
at least five feet higher than they now are to meet such an
emergency. At present the vessels moored at the wharf in
rough weather threaten to over-ride the pier-head as they
surge to and fro under effect of wind and wave.
The storm of Friday, September 27, was almost as severe
as the previous one of September 9 and 10. Mr. Furguson's
flat, which he had repaired with great energy, was again
wrecked, causing him to abandon the work on the breakwater
in despair. I am glad to understand that the city authori
ties have seen fit to extend to him due aid and comfort for
his losses. On this occasion two of the piles, as they were
supposed to have been, were struck from under the open
way leading to the official quarters, and were, upon examina
tion, found to be posts with square butts sunk but a foot or
two in the oyster shells of the knoll. This circumstance,
with other corroborative evidence, leads to the conclusion
that much of the under-pinning of the whole structure, may
have been put up in the same inefficient manner.
102 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
Before concluding this report I must be allowed to express
my thanks to the pilots and masters of tugboats generally for
the many facilities of transportation offered to this depart
ment, as likewise to the officers of the custom house steam
launch and the steamer City Point for their cheerfully ren
dered assistance. To the City Engineer, Mr. Hogg, the city
officials and others with whom I have come in contact in
organizing this new department of the city government, I have
to extend my sincere thanks, both as an individual and as
your agent, for much valuable assistance.
In conclusion, I must pray your Honor and the board that
have elected me as their executive in the work, to attribute
some of the shortcomings, of which I feel I may be accused,
to the confusion attendant upon the unsettled condition of
my surroundings. I hope that a more matured experience in
a position entirely new will enable me to render the purga
tory of quarantine less annoying to those who may be per
sonally subjected to it, as also to the owners and agents of
vessels. All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. A. HUGER, M. D.,
Quarantine Officer.
MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 103
FOREIGN EXPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH, 1878.
ARTICLES. QUANTITY. VALUE.
Cotton, upland, bales 482,273
Cotton, sea island? bales 4,110
Naval stores . . .
229,532,227 lbs.
1,522,388 lbs.
322,935,111 OO
224,437 00
196,129 00
261,569 00
44,622 00
352,757 00
Lumber, million feet
Timber, cubic feet
All other articles, not specified above . . . .
19,068,000
23,851,500
Tnfnl vnlnp $24,014,625 00
IMPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH, 1878.
JANUARY I, 1878, TO DECEMBER 31, 1878.
Salt, pounds
Coffee, pounds
Coal, tons
Muriate of Potash, pounds
Earthenware
Sponge
Silvel- coin
Gold coin
Superphosphate and manure salt, tor
Molasses, gallons
Fruits of all kinds
All other articles not specified above
Total value $505,596
QUANTITY.
",545,875
2,852,784
2,723
121,723
2,946
24,930
VALUE.
js 21,079
401,940
6,139
2,712
3,747
2,634
4,849
3,i94
, 38,700
4,658
8,9"
7,033
Duties on imports, $23,364 35.
104 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
COASTWISE EXPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH, 1878.
ARTICLES.
Cotton, upland, bales
Cotton, sea island, bales
Domestics, bales,)
Yarn, bales /
Wool, bales
Moss, bales ' . . . .
Rice, tierces
Lumber, superficial feet
Shingles, number
Old iron, tons
Naval stores, barrels
Spirits of turpentine, barrels
Hides, (baled) bales
Hides, (single) number
Fruit, packages
Paper stock, bales
Vegetables, packages
Melons, number
Clay, (kaolin) casks
Merchandise, miscellaneous, packages
Total value $12,068,453 4
QUANTITY.!
220,956J
4,846,
17,109
35
'9,334
2,666,500
144,000
674
77,072
'5,303
2,052
12,028
29,210
136
27,946
21,662
1,225
24,655
9,390,630 00
353,45o 00
10,265 40
105,608 00
875 00
625,025 00
373,310 00
5,760 00
20,220 00
154,144 00
183,636 00
71,820 00
16,839 00
87,630 00
4,080 00
83,838 00
5,4i5 00
13,475 0
562,433 00
NOTE.This statement includes but a small proportion of the lumber
exports, a large number of vessels taking cargoes under coasting licenses, which
permits them to sail without clearing at the Custom House.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 105
COASTWISE EXPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH,
NOT ENTERED AT CUSTOM HOUSE, 1878.
Compiled by FRANK E. REBARER, Clerk of Council.
ARTICLES.
Cotton, upland, bales
Cotton, sea island, bags
Domestics, bales
Wool, bundles
Moss, bales
Rice, casks
Timber, cubic feet
Lumber, superficial feet
Shingles, number
Staves, number
Rosin, barrels
Turpentine, barrels
Hides, bundles
Hides, single
Leather, bundles
Paper stock, bales
Vegetables, packages
Melons, number
Clay, casks
Fruit, packages
Cotton seed oil cake, sacks
Old iron, hogsheads
Merchandise, miscellaneous, packages
Total value
QUANTITY.
18,617
943
8,325
1,919
130
1,052
,901,562
1,991,461
821,000
550,000
20,421
838
5,705
4,230
96
1,115
60,133
27,842
849
36,294
38,438
1,260
50,673
792,222 50
73,725 00
4,916 00
153,320 00
3,250 00
39,450 00
161,628 77
2,798,804 54
3,284 00
5,500 00
40,822 00
9,936 00
199,675 00'
5,920 00
1,448 00
33,45 0
180,399 00
6,965 5
12,745 00
108,882 00
3,800 00
49,500 00
1,020,756 00
;,7io,399 3
1
106 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.
TONNAGE OF THE PORT OF SAVANNAH,
VESSELS CLEARED AT CUSTOM HOUSE, 1878.
American vessels entered
American vessels cleared
Foreign vessels entered
Foreign vessels cleared
Total foreign
Coastwise arrivals
Coastwise clearances
Total coastwise
Total foreign
Total
Add tonnage of coastwise vessels not cleared at Custom
House
Grand total
TONNAGE. MEN.
45,208
40,128
235,787
183,757
1,576
1,255
5,814
5,375
504,880 16,020
385,532
418,958
10,688
io,475
804,490
504,880
21,163
16,020
1,309,370
429,884
37,i83
'0,235
MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 107
ON N rf N rO 0 ON ro io ON O ro ON
WMDMOt^.Ti-W roONroro to
S pUE[SI 133S 00 t^ t^ CN l-H l-( UO HH^ 00
NO"
as c
? tX <
M O
-_ O ro uo r- M ON ro LO M M NO ~^,
"t-O -^-^-NMCOO OO00
pUEjdn
i^. O tN O 00 LOCX) N \0 TJ- ^- o
r^. ' o" oo 0 cT io rC cs" c ^f LO ON
N-H-H h- u-jrONM ro
^i pUEISI B3S
H a

z
o O f^l . ro
ro O 0 ro
puc^n
ro <0 0^ .
ro -T
ro
VO
pUE[SI E3S
ro LOMD N ON O 0 Tt ro N
00 rh O NO - NO ro r-.NO t
ptreidn ND VO NO ON LO ON ro ro N
W o
u
O" &\QCO ci 00 NO LO
W H- Tf (N) -t U-l IN

O Tt-GO . o W
NO O ro ^ O
^ ..
piIE[SI ESS ^J- ro ON
LONO ON O 00 IO "ro
LO O l~* LONO ON ON
'PuBi^n
O^NO^ N
ro "~ i-T
M N UO
" <^ Tt
ON
Tt
O NO o oo i- NO N r-^ NO z ro ro ui s|- ro rt- .-H ON u-i
M <
-pUE[SJ ESg ^- o W NO vo
ro
*
is i-i ro O ro M c* N r^. - ~z*
O O 00 0 - NO W NO NO
pUEIdn
NO^ -^ q^ ON ro Tt Ov ro ON
ON r^. LO 'd- ON C> oT Tt ro
&i M N HH N ... ro to N N
O N
uj rO00 roO rfONt^LO ONQ N M ON O lONO "I ONIOHH r^.-^-'-i rl- t-.
Ho
piIU[SI B3g 00 C^ ON C^ <- ON Tt ^
HT I-T I-T I-T CT
>-< 0 ro ON M NO ro roOO r-. O ^o r^.
a; O NO ON fO rO00 TtNO TJ- r^ N ro ON
pUBid^q
O ^t LO00 C\ - ON N NO LOOO 00 ON
H I-H LOONM O r^-roONW ONl>.Tp TF 5 r^-^-roi-Hh- ONDOO 00
z
HH - M * NO
rjm)yo roO TtONr^io ONO N !_
ON O ^O t- ONiOH-I>.Tt -rt r^
pireisi B3S CONONW HHON^-I-"
HT I-T i-T i-T HH" cf
NO t-^ Tt t^ ONOO -H Tt TtNO 0 ON U-)
O u-> ON "^00 00 r- r-* !>. O ON ON O
Ul
puBidn
rj I-. QNO -rtONr^voONroLoO ON
O rtrCw rO"- r^TtONro OONO c
r^TtTfH-h- Or^OO ON
NO
v>
X
00
Z 00 J- v- ^
O
5
&(<l*6
iOf^fc

/

toorglA ColUt