d.Chv**** (^ / ^EiaEMiiMisisiaKaMisisiaiMSMaisiasMisEEEisisMaiaraiaai]aisEMi3iMsisiai REPORT JOHN F. WHEATON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31.1879. TO WHICH IS ADDED THE TREASURER'S REPORT, AND REPORTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. SAVANNAH: MORNING Nl'AVS STEAM. I'RINTINO imrsK. ^swaiaajMasisMafflSMSfflfiMaaj^^ e JOHN F. WHEATON, rftiii.-f.. REPORT OF JOHN F. WHEATON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1879. TO WHICH IS ADDED THE I TREASURER'S REPORT, AND REPORTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. SAVANNAH: MOPNING NEWS STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 1880. MAYOR'S REPORT. MAYOR'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Fellow- Citizens: As required by ordinance, I respectfully submit herewifh an account of receipts and expenditures for the municipal year ending 31st December, 1879, to which is appended reports of the several departments of the city gov ernment, containing detailed exhibits of their operations during the year, together with general information touching the condition of the city's finances, its health, commerce and government : Cash in Treasury January 1, 1879.. $ 56,055 84 EECEIPTS. From real estate, 1875 $ 5,314 17 From stock in trade, 1875 22 50 5,336 67 From real estate, 1876 9,727 92 From stock in trade, 1876 202 50 From personal taxes, 1876, 18 00 9,948 42 From real estate, 1877 9,633 75 From stock in trade, 1877 231 50 From personal taxes, 1877 171 37 10,036 62 From real estate, 1878 70,687 08 From specific and stock in trade '78 5,930 96 From personal taxes 6,830 41 83,448 45 From real estate, 1879 145,727 86 From specific and stock in trade,'79. 49,296 72 From personal and receipts, 1879... 15,01i 97 210,036 55 From licenses 23,856 10 From badges 84 00 From market ." 15,403 36 From jail * 5,458 20 From Laurel Grove Cemetery 1,259 50 4 MAYOR'S ANNXTAL REPORT. From water works $42,392 5? From harbor and other fees 9,933 30 From Savannah river improvements 466 66 From City Court 252 00 From rent of public buildings 2,602 59 From city lots 4,594 80 From ground rent ' 26,792 39 From fines and penalties 924 25 From sale of one share S. W. E. R. stock 102 50 From suspense account resulting bal ance in exchanging coupons.. . 339 10 From miscellaneous, to-ivit : Board of Health $1,359 40 Dividends, S. W. R. R. stock 7 00 Fire Department, rent of hose 10 00 Police, balance for uniforms 973 50 Quarantine 2,440 00 Streets and lanes 470 68 5,260 58 Total $514,584 47 EXPENDITURES. Badges purchased 253 50 Board of Health 15,724 96 Bonds 4,200 00 City clocks 170 68 City Court 4,438 07 City lamps 15,528 78 City pumps 2,907 09 Docks and wharves 1,381 05 Dry culture 3,815 69 Fees 1,432 89 Fire Department 13,595 40 Interest Paid on past due bonds 21,173 61 Paid for coupons from past due bonds 85,952 46 Paid for coupons from bonds, issue 1879 98,657 50 205,783 57 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. O Incidentals Paid for feeding prisoners at Police Barracks $ 227 55 Paid for carriages for assessors, fu nerals, etc 294 17 Paid for elections 514 65 - Paid E. C. Hollis for land 800 00 Paid postage, telegrams, etc 484 08 Paid for sundries, costs in suits, etc. 1,154 70 Paid for charity 227 50 Paid for A. R. Lawton and W. S. Chisholm, retaining fees 2,000 00 Paid F. E. Rebarer for Digest 325 00 Paid Centennial celebration expenses 467 96 Paid Reid for business census 75 00 Paid for telephone for one year to December, 1880 92 00 6,662 61 Jail 10,139 96 Laurel Grove Cemetery 6,039 95 Liquidation account 12,480 50 Market 3,093 15 Parks and squares 3,085 32 Police 42,005 93 Printing and stationery 3,522 16 Public buildings 2,792 74 Public schools 15,000 00 Quarantine 4,834 97 Salaries 14,411 82 Savannah river improvements 254 50 Scavenger department 11,409 65 Streets and lanes 25,658 52 Water Works 14,405 70 Discount on taxes for prompt pay ment 21,222 30 Sinking fund 9,995 60 Taxes 1876Judgment favor J. M. Cooper 854 3S Floating debt of 1878paid on past due Mayor's notes 29,609 63 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. Balance in Treasury December 31, 1879 $ 7,873 45 Total $514,584 47 Balance in Treasury December 31, 1879 $7,873 45 At the commencement of the last fiscal year the outstand ing debt of the city, exclusive of matured and maturing bonds, consisted of Balance on Mayor's notes past due and in judg ment as compromised, amounting, with in terest, to $33,774 89 Judgment favor Eugene Kelly & Co., with ac crued interest 57,669 80 Accrued interest on bonded debt to December 31,1878 136,319 00 Coupons maturing January 1, 1879 55,233 00 Outstanding bills for 1878, unpaid, estimated... 10,000 00 Total $292,996 69 Within the year there have been paid Mayor's notes compromised after judgment $29,609 63 In settlement of old coupons, face value ,$143,097.25 85,952 46 In settlement of interest on old and past due bonds to Feb. 1, 1879. 21,173 61 Bills and accounts of 1878 paid 10,000 00 146,735 70 The total amount of outstanding bonds of the city February 1, 1879, was 3,419,000 00 There have been taken in payment of balances due on city lots and canceled, bonds amounting to...$ 5,800 00 Purchased by Sinking Fund Com missioners and canceled 13,900 00 19,700 00 Leaving outstanding January 1, 1880 $3,399,300 00 Of the outstanding bonds February 1,1879... 3,419,000 00 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 7 There have been exchanged for 5 per cent. bonds and purchased $3,015,100 00 Leaving not yet exchanged $403,900 00 Of which it is estimated have been stamped with acceptance of compromise agreement 55,000 00 Leaving outstanding and not compromised old bonds $348,900 00 At this date, January 1, 1880, the outstanding indebted ness of the city, exclusive of its funded debt, is comprised in the following items, to-wit: Judgment on Mayor's notes in favor of Eugene Kelly, including interest to date $ 61,706 68 Accrued interest on matured and maturing bonds, and matured coupons of old bonds not compromised, estimated.. 75,000 00 Appropriation for public schools, unpaid 10,000 00 Outstanding accounts for year 1879, estimated. 21,000 00 Total $ 167,706 68 Cash in Treasury January 1, 1880 7,873 45 There is due the city from past due taxes esti mated to be good, for vears 1875, 1876 and 1877 " 15,000 00 From taxes 1878 18,000 00 From taxes fourth quarter 1879, uncollected and due January 1, 1880 100,000 00 From jail 17,718 60 From all other sources 15,000 00 Total $173,592 05 Pursuant to the requirements of the compromise ordi nance, the Council at its regular meeting, held December 25th, 1878, elected the following citizens Sinking Fund Com missioners, to-wit: Messrs. John Flannery, S. Guckenheimer, C. C. Casey, Jos. D. Weed, and D. R. Thomas. The Com mission organized by the election of Capt. John Flannery as 8 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Chairman and Mr. D. R. Thomas as Secretary. The pay ments provided for in the ordinance have been regularly and promptly paid to the Commissioners. For particulars of their transactions for the year, I refer you to the oificial re port of the Commission, which is appended. In the year 1859, the Mayor of the city, by order of Coun cil, endorsed $300,000 of the bonds of the Savannah and Albany Railroad, having twenty years to run. The interest coupons on these bonds were regularly paid by the railroad company, and its successors, until January, 1877. Since that date the interest has continued in default. These bonds matured January 1, 1879, and demand was made on the city for payment, with interest. In deference to the wishes of a number of property holders and under the advice of eminent legal counsel, payment was refused, whereupon the holders of the bonds brought suit in the Circuit Court of the United States to compel pay ment by the city, and on the 26th of November, 1879, obtained judgment for the full amount sued for. The city has appealed from the judgment of the Circuit Court to the Supreme Court of the United States. Judgments against the city have been entered up in the Circuit Court in twelve suits for the face value with interest of matured city bonds and past due coupons amounting in the aggregate to $40,180, including costs. In all of these cases the city authorities persistently sought to induce the claimants to accept the offer of compromise, which they refused to do. As we have above stated, judgments were obtained and writs of mandamus have been issued ordering payment of the judgments in three equal payments during the year 1880, to-wit: on the 20th of January, July and November. As the annual budget prerequisite to levy ing the tax for the year 1880 had been made up as required by ordinance prior to the issuing of mandamus, and no pro vision having been made for the payment of these claims, it is difficult to see how the mandamus can be obeyed, notwith standing the desire of the authorities to conform fully to the Court's order. They cannot pay without funds, and to raise funds additional taxation may be necessary. MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 9 In the State Courts there are pending suits on past due bonds and coupons amounting, with interest, to $10,771.22, all of which the city is resisting; and it may not be amiss to express the hope that in the end uncompromising, relentless creditors will not have gained any actual advantage over those who, after carefully considering the city's disposition to do the utmost for its creditors, have accepted the compromise, and by so doing have conceded what was claimed, that the city had offered all it could under the circumstances. In the year 1870 Council authorized the construction of the open drain known as the Kirlin sewer, connecting the swampy lands southeast of the city, bordering on the Teynac swamp with the Bilbo canal, to drain the swamp as well as the land through which the drain passed. After the ditch had been sunk and the drainage established, one of the owners of the land through which it runs brought suit against the city for trespass, and recovered damages in the sum of $169.48. Subsequently the city laid a cement drain pipe the bottom of the ditch at a cost of $866.14, and replaced the earth that had been thrown up in its excavation. The owner then claimed for the value of the land through which the sewer passes, a narrow strip containing about one-fourth of an acre, and was awarded $1,000 by arbitrators to whom the claim had been submitted, which award was confirmed by the courts, and finally settled by the payment of $800. The owner of a lot of land adjoining that above mentioned having preferred a claim for damages and for value of land occupied by part of the same drain, the city has in terms of the law appointed appraisers for its adjustment. Atten tion is called to these transactions with the hope that future Councils will be deterred from using private land for the public benefit without the process of law in such cases provided. POLICE. The management and direction of the police force was transferred by Council from the Mayor to a " Committee on Police," under an ordinance passed October 29th, 1879. This radical change in this department of the city government was made against the expressed wishes of a large number of 10 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. the taxpayers of the city in a memorial presented to the City Council. I do not hesitate to express my disapproval of the action taken by a majority of the members of Council, which action, in my judgment, is calculated greatly to impair the efficiency of the department. Time and experience, how ever, will determine the propriety of the new system, which, though not in accordance with my own views, shall be main tained to the best of my ability. The evil results, if any, that may follow shall be charged to the system and not to the want of observance of the law. The aggregate strength of the force in officers and men is the same as last reported; two turnkeys have been employed for station house duty, and two men who were emploj'ed by the banks have been relieved from that service, which adds four additional men for general duty in the streets. In my judgment the force is too small for a proper surviellance of the floating population during the winter months. I can only repeat the recommendations made in my last report. Experience has confirmed the views then expressed, and the adoption of the suggestions therein made would, in my opinion, meet the requirements of the community with more benefit and less expense than any other, and, in view of the importance of the matter, I again urge'it upon the attention of Council. The efficiency of the police force would be greatly improved by extending the term of service of the officers. Their election annually is not only detrimental to the interest of the city, but has a tendency to make the force subject to political influences and the selection of officers to depend upon the political strength of the applicant rather than personal fitness and capacity. STREETS AND LANES. In the Department of Streets and Lanes the committee have been much embarrassed by their inability to procure material to keep the streets in perfect order. The ballast that has heretofore been brought here by vessels in such large quantities, has almost entirely failed during the past MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 11 year or has been discharged at points so remote as not to be available for city work. The improvements made during the year consist of a sub stantial brick culvert and bridge on the Augusta road, cross ing Musgrove canal, and new wooden bridges crossing the Ogeechee canal near the brick yards and the Bilbo canal on Gwinnett street. Extensive repairs have been made to the bridge crossing the Ogeechee canal on the road leading to the Central Railroad wharves. The stone pavement on West Broad street, com'menced December 23, 1878, was completed March 20, 1879. The pavement on Drayton street has been extended from Hall street to Waldburg street, and seven thousand five hundred square yards of pavement have been taken up and relaid in various parts of the city, and the cob ble stone pavements generally resurfaced. The plan of laying plank street crossings, so long in vogue, has been abandoned. One hundred and twenty of the old crossings have been removed and replaced with stone. The streets and lanes, street crossings, parks and squares, have been graded, cleaned and kept in good condition. The ex penditure amounted to $28,273.16, which includes and em braces expenses of every kind for this department. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The organization and strength of the Fire Department remains the same as last reported. The equipment has been improved by the purchase of two thousand feet of rubber hose, and of three superior horses. The apparatus and ap purtenances are in good order. The force has performed the service required promptly and creditably. The total expenses of the department amounts to $13,585.40. This includes salaries, repairs and purchases of every kind. The reports of the Chief Engineer and Secretary give detailed informa tion of the practical working of the department, the number of fires and alarms during the year and the loss sustained. GAS. Under authority of Council a contract was concluded with the Savannah Gas Light Company in January last for lightI 12 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ing the street lamps and supplying the public buildings with gas for the term of three years. The conditions of the con tract require the gas company to supply gas, light, entinguish, clean and keep the lamps in repair for the sum of $26.40 per lamp per annum, and furnish gas for the public buildings at $3.00 per thousand feet. There are five hundred and sixtyseven lamps lighted in the city. The total expense for this service amounts to $15,528.78 per annum. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. In this department new fences have been built at the city pound lot, the dwelling repaired and painted, extensive re pairs made to the stables and storehouses, and the whole property placed in thorough good order. The exterior of the City Dispensary has been painted, the interior replastered, and a new floor laid in the first story. This, with minor repairs to all the other public buildings, fire insurance, premiums, etc., etc., amounts in the aggregate to $2,792.74 for the year. PUMPS. Eighteen pumps have been condemned and replaced by new ones, and twentn new cess-pools to carry off they-seve waste water have been built during the year, and the pumps generally kept in good order. The expenditure for this pur pose amounted to $2,907.09. JAIL. The receipts from the jail have amounted to $5,458.20 for the year, and the expenses to-$l0,139.96. There is due the city from Chatham county and other sources for the care and maintenance of prisoners $17,718.60. Attention is again directed to the unfitness of the present structure for the con finement of prisoners. The cells are small, damp, badly ventilated, and many of them without light. The walls are dilapidated, the wood work decayed, the building generally insecure, and inadequate in size and accommodations for the large number of persons confined in it. The Jailer is commended for the maintenance of discipline, MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 13 careful attention to cleanliness, and a strict observance of the rules of hygiene. DOCKS AND WHARVES. The Market dock has been entirely rebuilt, the wharf at the foot of Abercorn street has had extensive repairs, and the stone wall at the Exchange dock, which had become im paired by the water from the streets flowing through it, has been taken down and rebuilt. New steps have been added to all the public docks. The expenditure in this department amounts to $1,381.05. DRY CULTURE. The dry culture and other low lands in vicinity of the city are in a more perfect and satisfactory condition than ever before known. The committee have given careful attention to the ditches and banks and to the cleaning of the Bilbo and Musgrove canals. Nineteen and -J&JL. acres of rice land have been placed under permanent dry culture contract at an expense of $772. The total expense of this department amounts to $3,815.69. MARKET. The receipts from this source have amounted to $15,403.36 and the expenses, including salaries of Clerk and Assistant Clerk, repairs, improvements and labor, to $3,093.15. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. At the commencement of the past fiscal year Council pro vided an appropriation of $15,000 towards the maintenance of the public schools for the year 1879, which sum was thought to be as much as the city could pay for that purpose, in view of its obligations in other directions. The Board of Education finding that their means from all sources would be insufficient to defray the cost of the schools through the full scholastic year, petitioned Council, under date of March 19, 1879, for the further appropriation of $10,000. To this petition Council responded by the adop tion, April 16, 1879, of the following report: 14 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. The undersigned, representing the majority of the mem bers of the joint committee composed of the Committees of Finance and Education, to whom was referred the accompa nying petition of John Stoddard, Esq., President of the Board of Education of Chatham county, asking an addi tional appropriation of $10,000 for maintaining the public schools for the scholastic year ending July 15 prox., after a careful consideration of the same in committee, recommend that the Mayor be authorized to pay to the Board of Educa tion, from any unappropriated money in the City Treasury, a sum of money not to exceed ten thousand dollars. D. G. PURSE, Chairman Finance Committee. W. DUNCAN, Chairman Committee on Education. There has been at no time since this action was taken by Council any funds in the Treasury that could be made avail able for payment of this additional appropriation ; therefore it has not yet been paid, but is classed among obligations to be provided for out of this year's revenues, and will be paid at the earliest moment practicable. The county authorities have provided for an appropriation of $30,000 for educational purposes this year ; and if, as it would seem just and equit able should be done, the taxes for the support of public schools in the city and county be hereafter assessed and controlled by them, the burden of taxation for that particular purpose will be borne by the entire county, and not, as here tofore, to an unequal extent by the city. WATER WORKS. Under the thorough and systematic business management of the Commissioners of Water Works the revenue from that source has been largely increased. The total receipts for the year have amounted to $42,392.59. The expenses for sala ries, repairs, fuel, laying pipes, etc., amount to $14,405.70. The project of obtaining the water supply from a point in the Savannah river sufficiently removed from the city to avoid the impurities that are supposed to contaminate the MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 15 water at the present source of supply, has received the care ful and earnest attention of Council and the Water Commis sioners, but no definite conclusion has as yet been reached. There appears to be reason to doubt if a supply obtained one mile above the city would, in any appreciable degree, be purer than that taken from the present source of supply, and it may be questioned if, taken from a point higher up the river, it would not be more objectionable in consequence of the contamination of the river by the water used to flow the rice fields. From the most careful consideration of this sub ject, and the best information at command, I am inclined to the opinion that a system of artesian wells, sunk at a suffi cient depth to escape the surface impurities, would furnish the purest water obtainable, and when established could be operated at a less ratio of cost than the present plan of lift ing and pumping the water. SAVANNAH RIVER IMPROVEMENT. The improvement of the Savannah river has been continued by the General Government, under the direction of General Q. A. Gillmore, U. S. A. I am again indebted to the cour tesy of Colonel S. L. Fremont, United States Engineer, in immediate charge of the improvement, for the comprehensive detailed report of work done during the year, which is ap pended, and to which I refer you for information. HEALTH AND CEMETERY. The recommendation of the Sanitary Commission, referred to in the last report of the Mayor, looking to an improve ment in the construction of the privy vaults and the remova]; of their contents, was adopted by Council January 8, 1879, and the Mayor authorized to purchase the necessary appara tus for the new system. Under this authority an Eagle Odorless Excavating Machine, with appurtenances complete, pitting tents, furnaces, implements, and thirty pitting barrels, were purchased at the end of March last. A force was im mediately organized and the work commenced and pursued without intermission to this time. Five hundred and seventyone vaults have been thoroughly cleansed and ninety-two 16 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven cubic feet of fecal matter removed to a distance of not less than three miles from the city. The results of this system have been so satis factory and it is so great an improvement on the former plan of performing this work that additional pitting barrels with implements have been procured, and the force increased to an extent that is estimated will enable the city authorities to have every vault in the city cleaned once in three years. The expense for this service will be materially decreased after the vaults have once been placed in good order. It is to be regretted that some citizens object to and de cline to pay the tax assessed to enable the city to pursue this work. It can be demonstrated beyond question that the expense of the present system will not exceed that of the imperfect, unsatisfactory, offensive and unhealthy one that has been in use in the past, and there is scarcely a doubt of its favorable influence on the health of the city. It is well for the citizens to consider the difference between the value of property in a healthy and prosperous city and that in an unhealthy one. I think it will be generally conceded that judicious expenditure for health measures are among the best investments any community can make. The system of disinfecting the privy vaults inaugurated in 1878 has been continued, and every vault in the city disin fected monthly from April 1st to December 1st. In addition to these measures a systematic and thorough inspection of the city has been made weekly for eight months of the year, and monthly for four months. It has been determined that for the ensuing year a more strict cleanliness of the streets and lanes will be enforced, and it is hoped the people will assist the health authorities by keeping their premises in order, and reporting any violation of the health ordinances that may come to their notice. LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY. The improvements in grading, draining a,nd laying out into lots and avenues the tract of land adjoining Laurel Grove Cemetery, which was enclosed in 1878, have been continued during the year, and many desirable lots for burial purposes MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 17 have thus been added to the cemetery, a number of which have already been purchased by the citizens. The entire fence enclosing the cemetery for colored per sons, and a large portion of that enclosing the cemetery for whites, have been rebuilt. These improvements have added materially to the expenses charged to cemetery account. CITY DISPENSARY. The City Dispensary has been managed carefully and economically. A larger number of prescriptions has been dispensed than ever before in its history. QUARANTINE. The quarantine service has been much improved during the past year, and it is believed that our present system, if rigidly maintained, will be sufficient to protect our city against infection through the merchant marine. Great inconvenience is experienced in the want of quick and regular communica tion between the health authorities and the Quarantine Station, and the Sanitary Commissioners are now investiga ting the advisability of establishing a telephone connection with the island, and recommending the same to the City Council. The breakwater for the protection of the quarantine build ings in stormy weather has been completed. Two hundred and five vessels have been boarded and inspected by the Quarantine < officer during the year, forty-three of which have been fumigated, cleansed and disinfected. CITY PHYSICIANS. Under the provisions of a resolution passed in Council May 14th, 1879, two City Physicians were elected and charged with the duty of attending all sick persons residing in the city, who are unable to pay for medical attendance. Arrangements were also made to provide hospital accommo dation for such indigent sick as were deserving and unable to provide for themselves. The total expense of the Health Department has been as follows : 2 18 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Salary of Health Officer $ 916 63 Salaries of City Physicians 360 00 Hospital accommodations and ice for indigent sick 650 75 Coffins for paupers 549 25 Wages of Keeper Small-pox Hospital.. 457 50 City Dispensary Salaries of Keeper and Assistant 1,375 00 Wages of Porter 96 00 Purchase of medicines 2,603 43 Light, fuel, etc., etc 75 00 Laurel Grove Cemetery Salary of Keeper 916 63 Pay roll of laborers 4,224 70 New fences, repairs, etc., etc 898 62 Disinfecting Corps Hire of wagons 540 00 Wages of men 783 50 Disinfectants purchased 2,480 52 Cleaning Privy Vaults Purchase of odorless excavating appa ratus and appurtenances, including pitting barrels and tents 1,235 47 One mule, cart and harness and forage. 290 76 Bricks, cement and other materials. .. 666 02 Salary of Superintendent 574 00 Wages of mechanics and laborers.. .. 2,550 60 Hire of teams 728 00 Quarantine Expended on breakwater and wharf. . 1,961 89 Medicines and disinfectants. 245 29 Boats, provisions, fuel, lights, utensils, etc., etc 868 32 Salaries of Quarantine Officers and assistants (boatmen) 552 00$26,599 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 19 RECEIPTS. From City Dispensary $ 559 40 From Laurel Grove Cemetery, includ ing sale of lots 1,259 50 From collections for repairs to privy vaults 800 00 From quarantine $2,440 00 5,058 00 Net cost of Health Department $21,540 98 The health authorities have been materially aided in the performance of the duties imposed on them by the co-ope ration of the efficient Chairman of the Street and Lane Committee. The cleaning of the streets and lanes, white washing trees, etc., etc., has been done under his direction and at the expense of the Street and Lane Department. I am again indebted to Dr. William Duncan for the valu able mortuary tables hereto appended. Very respectfully, JOHN F. 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J CO o PH ft. . > o" o O X a. k- H 0) o o ^ 5>, o. ? -2 00 ri o c Ov ^ ft, 3 OJ 3 - 3 P M 3 * oo 73 00 'G ^ ^ 'rt ^ PH fr 28 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. u 0 " ) O O 8 5" Q W O S5 H Z O U H PS OPu w PS .-) D z < OS W OS c w PS Js m .= Mo) O o o o ^ . o 3 3 3 3 3 3 rt rt rt rt rt ri PH PH PH PH PH PH PH O o Pi fi o 6 O o O o o O o M o o O o 6 o o o O o o o O o NO o o 0 o o -n u-j O O o o 0 LT) m U"> rt- 00 TJ- _ r^. OO u-i O u^ o u-) LO 00 t^ O n n GO ro ro fi <^ o^ rO N ^ tS (D jj ^J If} . fi aj . t/i rt o U3 OJ (^ . rt C rt rt 3 1 tD> to 3 .2 rt> CD c ri ri o < ri -fi o rt o rt T3 rt rt rt u c o a. . o o ir. C 4J 4) C OJ in s o rt U 6 3 6 CJ 00 6 c c C > O 1 w i fcj c o 'S -rt T: N^ NS ^ )-< tis tj Lj i !. * CJ ct ^3 5 TS o OH T3 a 1 -o T3 d TJ xs x) T3 *ci T3 3 T> k U > c > > > rto > > > > _> > > ; > S "(D "t/i "33 -y aj '33 "u '33 ' '-5 o 0) Cfc; a o OJ - S to -S ^ = ^ S S > o S ^ ^ 2 a "^ O M PH fi ri rt 3 w 73 o * ^ ID * ^ S *! O s ^ s 3 CQ C> "3 u ^ "ri PS 30 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT a\ ON nwgHZO 2PSo p* w p< 1-1 M J! H OH ^ ^ PI. 4> L. rt ^J *^ (I) HI OJ rS 2 -g '^ 'ri PH ^ O o -3 N M N CD S^ CD 0 wc 0 c; 'i iD>- \ "33 I- 'QJ '(D ^ CJ pu CJ (D CJ QJ J3 S ^5 4 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. 31 Xz O o 22 S a H E5 oo . i N 0 io 0 J5 S o u ^ TJ Tl > (J ID qj if> s 1 -s -, S ri ^ a ^5 _ QJ a; QJ ri o o O ^' (U OJ u *^ PS PS PS =" ~H i- - ^ .S u a; U o Pi PS PS PS PS 3 -^ J, rt ri . ro TJ- r^ 'du-i GO ro NO GO u-i -. GO *>. 3$ F C 3 u F Si . Si i; _u 5 ~ "o "o "S ^ S P O o o ll^^l - ^ 0 0 - e s E O O o o P * i i , fi ^-i CJ ri rt C C OJ LH rt 'H i-H ; "rt ^ C TT oo -s - CJ S rt OJ ri fi 3 a3 'H.-S t, - i- )_, ;- .O ^ .O O ,0 C T3 13 4) -0 PH OH PH pq rt 3 3 O rp; OJ U 3 S si rt 3 wt/3rt D PH 5 0 ^ a O 3 '5 w ri ". m Z 8 S S < b u Q E - fe " is -ti ri -d T3 4> "^ .?l"sQJ (/) O <" SH QJ , QJ X 13 a M c C ^ ri 5 O -3 '" >. !* "5 2 < S H W rt PH u d w g o ^ rt . o < w . o w REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS. SAVANNAH, January 12,1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, 3Iayor : DEAR SIR : The Sinking Fund Commissioners, elected by Council on 'Z8th December, 1878, to serve for the term of ten years, beg respectfully to report that they were duly qualified and formally organized on 2d of March last. On the 22d of April your Honor and the City Treasurer submitted satisfac tory evidences to our body that the holders of over $2,500,000 bonds had agreed to accept the compromise offered by the city, and that Council had made due provision for the pay ment of interest on the new bonds, the creation of a sinking fund, etc., upon which we gave due notice that we were prepared to sign the certificate on bonds, and on follow ing day commenced that work. Up to the present we have signed certificates on bonds as follows : Two thousand bonds, Nos. 1 to 2,000 inclusive, of the de nomination of $1,000 each, say $2,000,000; two thousand and fifty bonds, Nos. 1 to 2,050, of the denomination of $500 each, say $1,025,000; four hundred bonds, Nos. 1 to 400, of the de nomination of $300 each, say $120,000; three hundred bonds, Nos. 1 to 300, of the denomination of $100 each, say $30,000 ; total, four thousand seven hundred and fifty bonds, amount ing to three million one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, all of which have been turned over to City Treasurer for exchange. With the ten thousand dollars placed at our disposal during the fiscal year, we have purchased and cancelled new bonds, with all unmatured coupons attached, amounting to thirteen thousand nine hundred dollars, as follows : May 18-86,800 bonds at 73 per cent., say #4,964 00 Aug. 5 3,700 bonds at 69 per cent., say 2,553 00 Nov. 3 3,400 bonds at 72.90 per cent., say 2,478 60 Total . $13,900 bonds, costing $9,995 60 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 35 Leaving a balance subject to order of Commissioners of $4.40. The bonds purchased, etc., have all been turned over to the City Treasurer for such final destruction as Council may direct. All of which is respectfully submitted. JOHN FLANNERY, S. GUCKENHEIMER, JOSEPH D. WEED, D. E. THOMAS, C. C. CASEY, Sinking Fund Commissioners. REPORT OF CLERK OF COUNCIL. OFFICE CLERK OF COUNCIL, SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 18^0. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor, Savannah, Ga.: DEAR SIR : In puisuance to your order, I have the honor to submit the following report of the transactions of this office from January 1st to December 31st, 1879 : RECEIPTS. Badges (dog) $ 84 oo Board of Health (repairs to sinks) 800 00 Fees 145 00 Fines 2,54550 Licenses 2,500 50 Sewet permits 426 00 Total $6,501 00 Of the above amount returned as fines, $1,621.25, was carried to the police uniform account. During the year the weekly reports of the Board of Health have been carefully examined, and nuisances therein reported, as well as those reported by citizens and entered in ihe complaint book in this office, have received prompt attention, and remedied without delay. The disinfecting corps, as well as the cleansing and repair ing of sinks by the Odorless Excavating Machine Department, have been conducted in accordance with the orders of your Honor, through this office, and the weekly reports made by the superintendents have had careful notice and prompt attention. The bills for the repairs of sinks, taken from the report of Mr. W. J. Cleary, Superintendent O. E. M., have been made out, recorded, and the same served and collected under my direction. The records of the city are written up to date and syste matically arranged. The mortuary reports have been compiled weekly, and pub lished for information. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 37 I am under obligations to Mr. E. F. Bryan, Superintendent Savannah Cotton Exchange, for cotton statistics ; to Colonel Atkins, Collector of Customs, for important tables of imports, exports and tonnage port of Savannah, 1879, which were compiled by the courteous clerks in his office ; and likewise to Captain TenBroeck, the efficient Harbor Master, for infor mation which greatly assisted in the compilation of the table s of coastwise exports not entered at the Custom House, which will be found among the statistics appended to the Mayor's report. In conclusion, permit me to return thanks to your Honor for the kindness and courtesy which you have always ex tended to me in the performance of my duties. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, FRANK E. REBARER, Clerk of Council, REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE. OFFICE CHIEF OF POLICE, SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor : SIR : I have the honor, very respectfully, to submit my annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1879. The aggregate strength of the department is (57) fiftyseven, as follows : Chief I Lieutenant I Sergeants 5 Privates 48 Turnkeys 2 57 During the year 1,674 arrests have been made, being 263 less than the year previous. Of this number 659 were white and 1,015 colored, who were arrested for the following crimes and misdemeanors: OFFENCES. 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 Vagrant T and suspicious characters Safe keeping Violating quarantine regulations . Violating city ordinances .... Beastiality 34 6 9 268 56 2 5 4 3 44 49 3 59 Total 66 14 5 281 7 104 6 8 90 10 14 97 129 9' 7 15 354 396 7 160 8 13 94 10 17 141 17S 3 15c 659 1,015 1,674 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 39 Number of animals impounded during year, 229. Number of stores and dwellings found open, 65. Number of fires which occuned and to which suitable details were sent to protect property and preserve order, 32. Number of lodgers, 400 white, 37 colored; total, 437. During the past year (21) twenty-one privates were detailed as sanitary inspectors, who, from the 1st of April to the 1st of December, made weekly inspections of the entire city, within its corporate limits, of all yards and premises, and submitted their reports of same to me, which were duly forwarded to your office for information and action. In ad dition to these inspections, I divided the city into five dis tricts, to each of which was assigned a Sergeant, whose duty it was made to inspect weekly all the streets and lanes of his district, and to report everything out of order and in the slightest degree prejudicial to the public health. CASUALTIES AND CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT. DroppedPrivate James Walsh, August 7,1879, for physi cal inability. DismissedPrivate Robert E. Carr, November 21, 1879. ResignedPrivate William M. Moran, October 7, 1879, after fourteen years faithful and meritorious service. AppointedPrivate J. G. Bennett, August 9,1879 ; private T. C. Farr, December 1, 1879; private W. H. Smith, Decem ber 1, 1879. TurnkeysLawrence Connell, appointed December 1,1879; John Ray, appointed December 1, 1879. RECAPITULATION. Dropped Dismissed Resigned ' Appointed (policemen) 3 Appointed (turnkeys) 2 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. H. ANDERSON, Chief of Police. REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL. CITY MARSHAL'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, December 31, 1879. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor of Savannah : SIR : I herewith respectfully submit to you the following report for the year ending December 31, 1879. STREETS AND LANES. The condition of the streets and lanes generally is in better order than for several years past, but many of the sidewalks are in bad order and require repairs. Notices have been promptly served to property holders to put them in proper condition. MARKET. I have collected during the year for rent of stalls, $3,899.15, and for rent of stores, $2,096.01, making a total of $5,995.16, as will appear in my statement of receipts. SALE OF CITY LOTS. The following city lots have been sold under resolution of City Council, to-wit: On the first Tuesday in May, lot No. 48, Lloyd ward, for cash, $375 ; lot No. 59, Lloyd ward, for $351, one-fourth cash, balance in one, two and three years ; also lots Nos. 86 and 87, Springfield Plantation, for $1,501, one-third cash, balance in one and two years. GROUND RENTS. All lots in arrears for ground rent were re-entered in De cember, in compliance with the ordinance. TAXES. I have collected under executions placed in my hands by the City Treasurer, $66,127.81, to-wit: MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 41 Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1875 $ 5.336 67 Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1876 9,948 42 Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1877 10,013 89 Real estate, stock in trade, etc., 1878 23,425 84 Specific, 1878 1,423 00 Specific, 1879 8,515 00 Marketrent of stalls $3,899 15 Marketrent of stores 2,096 01$5,995 16 Streets and lanessale of horse 20 50 City lots 963 08 For rent of Oglethorpe Engine House 87 00 Feesexecutions 378 00 Feespound 21 25 399 25 I have in handtax executions uncollected Real estate, etc.,1875 $3,181 00 Real estate, etc., 1876 11,341 00 Real estate, etc., 1877 10,69400 Real estate and specific, 1878 32,00000 Specific, 1879 11,44500 I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, L. L. GOODWIN, City Marshal. REPORT OF CITY SURVEYOR. CITY SURVEYOR'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor : DEAR SIR : I respectfully submit my annual report of the operations of the following departments of public work, towit : Streets and Lanes and Parks and SquaresAlderman J. R. Hamlet, Chairman. Dry CultureAlderman E. A. Weil, Chairman. Docks and Wharves and QuarantineAlderman H. F. Willink, Chairman ; and Public Buildings, Alderman D. O'Connor, Chairman. STREETS AND LANES. It will be noticed in the operations of this department that but little contract work has been done during the year, the long experience and expertness of some of the regular em ployes obviating the necessity of obtaining the services of skilled mechanics, we have thus been enabled promptly to execute certain work in cases of emergency without the delay incident to obtaining outside assistance. The character of the work done will, I believe, bear favorable comparison with similar work elsewhere. The number of men employed has been about the same as last year, averaging twenty-three, and distributed as follows : Foreman, John Fitzgerald I Pavers ., Bridge builder for street crossings . I Cesspool cleaners 2 Stableman ! Crossing cleaners j Laborers l . Total 2-1 The number of teams and teamsters employed at the com mencement of the year was eleven. Owing to the loss of one of the mules the number is now ten. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 43 PAVING. The work of repaying with stone blocks, known as Belgian blocks, that portion of West Broad street between South Broad and Railroad streets, which had been laid with the Nicholson wooden block pavement, but had become so decayed as to require removal, had been commenced as stated in last year's report. This work was completed on the 20th of March. The total number of square yards paved amounted to 5,836. The former pavement, as stated, ended at Railroad street; the new work has been extended to Stone street. There remained after completion 27,560 blocks. A portion of these have been used for crossings on Bay street, and over the central portion of the new brick bridge crossing the Springfield canal on the Louisville road. The cost of the labor in laying this pavement was less than 20 cents per square yard. No more economical or durable pavement, or one better adapted to the wants of the traveling public can be laid down in our streets. The pavement on Drayton street has been extended to Waldburg street, a distance of nine hundred feet, with a width of 28 feet 8 inches, equal to 2,866! square yards. In connection with the paving of this street and necessary to the proper drainage thereof, two new catch basins were built at the corners of Hall street, with the usual pipe and water connections. Under the head of repairs, the following work has been done : Pavement at Market Dock 5 square yards Pavement at Exchange Dock 45 square yards Pavement at West Broad Dock 4 square yards Pavement at Abercorn Dock 25 square yards Pavement on River street east of Randolph 200 square yards Pavement on River street and slips generally 7 square yards Pavement on Canal street 540 square yards Pavement on Drayton street 120 square yards Pavement on East Broad street 4o square yards Pavement on Thunderbolt Road 120 square yards Pavement on Bay street 5 scl uare y ards Pavement on West Broad street 520 square yards Owing to the rapid decay and consequent expense attend- 44 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. ing the use of plank in the street crossings, it has been deemed advisable to substitute flag-stones. The cost is, of course, greater at the outset, but when it is remembered that each time the decayed wood is removed and new plank put in, a width of about six feet of stone must be taken up and relaid, the economy of using a durable material by which this labor is saved, is manifest Crossings laid down with stone twenty years ago, remain in as good condition as when first laid. It is proposed to begin with the principal thorough fares and continue the work as the financial condition of the city will permit. In accordance with this plan eight hundred feet of flag have been purchased and laid down in the cross ings on Bull street. One hundred and twenty crossings, located principally on South, East and West Broad streets, Houston, Lincoln and Price have had the decayed plank removed, and been filled in with small cobble-stone. The number of square yards of paving taken up and relaid in this work amounts to 3,080. Other items of paving have been done during the year, such as repairs around valve boxes, a few crossings laid with Belgian blocks, etc., not requiring special notice, but in the aggregate amounting to 486 yards. BECAPITULATION OF PAVING. New stone pavement, West Broad street 5,836 square yards New stone pavement, Drayton street 2,866 square yards Repairs to cobble-stone pavements 3,260 square yards Repairs to crossing 3,080 square yards Repairs to work generally 486 square yards -Total 15,528 square yards SEWERS. No new sewers have been built during the year. A num ber of short pipe drains have, however, been laid in the southeastern portion of the city, connecting low places with the Bolton sewer in the vicinity of Price, Gwinnett and Habersham streets. These connections were previously wood, and had gone to decay. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 45 BRIDGES. The expenditures under this head have been greater than usual. Two new wooden bridges and one of brick have replaced the old structures, and extensive repairs made to another. The following are the structures referred to : First. The wooden bridge leading to the Central Railroad wharves, across the Savannah and Ogeechee canals ; repaired with new joist to considerable extent, and new flooring. Second. The bridge across said canal, leading to the brick yard of the Savannah Brick Company ; entirely rebuilt. Third. The brick culvert across the Springfield canal, on the line of the Louisville road, which, since the breaking of the embankment of the timber basins in 1871, has remained in a dilapidated condition, has been replaced by a substantial brick bridge of the following dimensions : Width, twenty-one feet; span of arch, twenty feet two inches; the thickness of the abutment walls is three feet nine inches; the structure is built with wing walls and parapet, furnished with granite coping five inches in thickness and twenty-one inches wide ; the whole rests upon a foundation of two thicknesses of threeinch plank, crossed, and sheet piled with grooved and tongued plank of the same thickness. As soon as material can be obtained it is proposed to pave the roadway and approaches, a length of one hundred feet on each side the center. Esti mates had been obtained for building this bridge, but owing to the nature and amount of the incidental work of changing the water course and providing temporary facilities for cross ing during the progress of the work, it was deemed best to employ skilled labor for only such work as could not be per formed by the street hands. Valuable aid was rendered through the kindness of the County Commissioners in furn ishing the labor of the chain gang for the necessary excava tion. The cost of the bridge proper has not exceeded the lowest estimate obtained, namely, $1,300. Fourth. The wooden bridge across the Bilbo canal, on the line of Gwinnett street, has been entirely rebuilt. Though not included in the expenditures of this depart ment, I may mention in this connection that the bridge across 46 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. the Bilbo canal on the line of Perry lane, known as Lawton's bridge, has been rebuilt, Dr. Lawton paying half the expense. SMALL BRIDGES. Two hundred small wooden bridges in the street crossings have been put down, and ten iron crossing plates. BAY STREET RAILING AND STEPS. To provide against any possible future danger to pedes trians, the entire line of railing on the north side of Bay street, overlooking the bluff, has been rebuilt in the most substantial manner. An intermediate rail has also been added. The height in no place is now less than three feet. The total length is 3,514 feet. The various flights of stone steps leading from the wharves to the top of the bluff, have all been repaired and are now in good order. WHITEWASHING. Special attention has been given to this portion of the public work. A force of six men was employed continuously durin" the summer months, and all the trees of the city, both in the public squares and avenues, and opposite private dwellings as far south as Gwinnett street, were thoroughly whitewashed. PARKS AND SQUARES. The force employed in this department consists of three men besides the Keeper of Forsyth Park. The labor of the men is principally confined to the raking up and removal of leaves and rubbish, mowing the grass, etc. The railings of the squares along the line o Bull street have been repainted. The decayed wooden curb to the walks in Pulaski square have been removed and replaced with brick. The grade has been raised and the walks reshelled, and the depressed por tions of the square filled up and graded. A considerable amount of labor is expended yearly in trimming trees, and cutting down and removing dead ones. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 47 DRY CULTURE. In the month of February work was begun on the Bilbo canal with a force of twelve men, for the purpose of removing the accumulation of sand and fecal matter, weeds, etc. The river branch of the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway, occupying the eastern embankment, all the excavated mate rial was removed by successive pitchings to the western side and levelled. The Perry lane canal was also cleaned out, as well as the face ditches on both sides the Bilbo canal, and the drain at the foot of the eastern slope to its outlet, near the floodgate. The whole was completed early in April, and the force reduced to six men, including the foreman. Wr ith this force the entire work in this department east, west and south of the city has been maintained to date. Special care has been taken to keep the weeds cut from the embankments as well as to keep the ditches free from obstructions of every character. The river embankments have been kept up to their proper grade, and I take pleasure in reporting the excel lent condition of the lands under dry culture. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The operations in this department have all been in the nature of repairs. No new buildings have been erected. The City Dispensary building has been thoroughly repaired. The floor on the first story was so much decayed as to require removal. New joist have been put in and the floor relaid at a lower level than the old one, giving more height to the ceiling and greater convenience of access. The walls and ceilings have been whitewashed and kalsomined, after repair ing the plastering, new shutters and fastenings added, and the exterior neatly painted. The Market building has been enclosed with blinds on the north side, the other sides having been done the previous year. The Pest House has had the rear shed of the building covered with tin, the pitch being so slight as to be unsuited to shingles, causing leaks. QUARANTINE. The breakwater for the protection of the quarantine build- 48 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ings, which was in process of construction at the date of my last report, has been completed. The plan has been some what modified in the following particulars : Instead of two rows of piles with a backing of plank on the seaward side, the backing has been omitted, and a third row of piles driven. Each row of piles has been thoroughly braced and capped, and a footway laid for conveying stone ballast from the wharf to and along the breakwater for its protection. Respectfully submitted, JOHN B. HOWARD, City Surveyor. REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER SAVANNAH FIRE DEPARTMENT. OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER, SAVANNAH, GA., December 31, 1879. 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 fifth annual report of the Savannah Fire Department. The organization of the force is the same as at mv last annual report, viz. : Chief Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Second Assistant Engineer, Superintendent Fire Alarm Tele graph, Secretary, and one hundred and forty men. The apparatus and appurtenances remain about the same, viz.: Four steam engines, one hook and ladder truck, three (horse) hose reels, two (hand) hose reels, five thousand feet of hose (of which two thousand feet is new rubber and will stand any pressure we can put upon it, and three thousand feet will only stand hydrant pressure), eleven horses, distribu ted as follows : Engine No. 1, on Broughton, near Houston street; attached to same seven hundred and fifty feet new rubber hose. Engine No. 2, Congress, near Montgomery street; attached to same six hundred feet new rubber hose. Engine No. 3, South Broad, near Abercorn street; attached to same six hundred and fifty feet new rubber hose. Engine No. 4, held in reserve at headquarters, with six hundred'feet leather hose. Hook and ladder truck, South Broad, corner Abercorn treet; hand reel, No. 1, Joachim, near Fahm street; hand reel, No. 2, Henry, near Whitaker street. During the year we have transferred one horse to the Street and Lane Department, and replaced by the purchase of a fine gray, now attached to Bartow engine, No. 3. 50 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. The entire property of the Department is now in good order. For a more specific schedule of the property of the Department, number of fires, etc., I respectfully refer you to the report of the Secretary, herewith accompanying. I am gratified to say that the loss by fire during the year has been less than either of the five preceding. The heaviest losses were the destruction of the saw mill of Messrs. J. JDale & Co., and the bakery of J. H. Ruwe. I again respectfully call your attention to the inadequate supply of water in the western and southeastern portions of the city, and hope that the increasing prosperity of our city will justify the expense of laying, at an parly day, all the needed pipes, and of proper size. Less than an eight-inch pipe should not be put down in any street. The openings to our hydrants are too small (two inches), and should be enlarged to correspond with our couplings (two and a half inches), no matter what the size of the mains may be. As it is now, the supply is reduced, and I earnestly request that you will, at the earliest time possible, order this important change. I respectfully refer you to the accompanying report of the Superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph, as to its condi tion, etc. I respectfully recommend the early passage of ordinance appointing an Inspector of Buildings. Too many, in the haste to complete a structure and to reduce its cost, show culpable disregard of the lives and property of others, and in cases of fire the lives of the force are greatly endan gered in entering such buildings. An important improvement in the apparatus of the Depart ment, and which I earnestly recommend, would be the adop tion (immediately) of a swinging harness, such as is used in other cities. By its use the wear to harness is ihaterially reduced, and the horse is relieved from chafing and irritation caused by keeping the harness on while in the stable. (See diagram enclosed.) I again express my high appreciation for valuable assist ance from the Police Department, and grateful thanks to my MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 51 officers and men for the unflagging 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. BLAIR, Chief Engineer S. F. D. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Frank Blair, Esq., Chief Engineer Savannah Fire Department: DEAR SIR : During the year just ended I have rebuilt about one-half of the telegraph lines, and erected a number of new poles, which have materially improved the system. In my last report I recommended the substitution of the " Calland Battery," for the one now in use, but nothing has been done. I again urge that this change in the battery be made. The saving in a few years alone will pay for the new battery and greatly benefit the system. I have the honor to be, yours respectfully, J. W. JONES, Superintendent Fire Alarm. REPORT OF SECRETARY OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. OFFICE SECRETARY SAVANNAH FIRE DEPARTMENT, SAVANNAH, GA., December 31, 1879. 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 Savannah Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1879: 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, 1879 $10,220 00 Expenses of horses and forage 1,273 5 Ordinary expenses for repairs to apparatus 314 51 Supplies for companies 223 39 Appropriation for gas 50 00 Ordinary expenses for fire alarm telegraph 258 48 Repairs to department wagon 12 25 Purchase of supplies and incidentals 156 59 Repairs to engine houses 7 74$12,516 46 PROPERTY ACCOUNT. New wagon $100 00less sale of old wagon $15 00 . 85 00 Three horses purchased 825 00 Rubber hose purchased 998 00$ 1,908 00 #14.424 46 MAYOR S ANNUAL REPORT. OO w CJ) w O c> oo < o <: on u z Bi g 88 8 8 8 w o z 8 8 C o z 8 8 8 8 %00 1en O 88 88g E0 .S u HZ o o 'C o 8 8 : 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 O ui o Q Q wi N LO 0 0 t ">" N -- 8 S < O W z c c c c c N I -> C 1 c .1 >- ri M PH* d o o B8 o ^ B.2 S.S pq<; OJ "3 Ou s pi )-l rt U rt c IS S < pq ^S u, "3 a o T) C rt pq 6 en 5 P u -; t. B - c d-g c c c > a. E s c r "-H 15 "r o <- c a, a c 5: 3 ,o c 'a c r r c ri 1 d. 1 c a. r >. .2 TSTJOOOOTSC tu 1) ^ ^ J* J4 QJ ^ y ye c c c gs u Qi r E PC r lC c rt ^ - r^ o rt --a ri rt -^ fe 1 C rt rt ^ c 3 5i 2 rt ^ bg Si ^ pq m > c. Si o . . :l| : , ^ -d G oj f> . 5 3 Ol PH UV W i-i, J3 a, o o o u ^d rt (2 c it . c > T: c rt ' c . c % t p (X 1-. r a C c c -c t E * )- C " > c J) n 3 ff a c r a c> 1 c j. c c. i , < a c 13rt . . . g s ' a rt ^ r- r gs j -^ rt a; -^ 1 "" ^r a c < c c (1 - c >. c g . o C O a rt M :! o t^ ro t^- w) ^- LO fo w^^O ("<*) t^-vO r^ &o K 5 S E g i S S 6 B S 6 E ri ri d,d.d.cid,rt QHOHliri ri O^OLOO o O>J^O o o o^o c fO TJ- w r^i-. ro-^-O O O p V? T T 6 O^OWOOONOt^NvOWN^ E S E S E ^rtrirtriCi-rt(i,rtririd.rtrtcj 99T!l r;^?r!Ti "'~,l ~ ,0r )? ,- '9 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 55 88 8 8 8 o o o o o o "~i vo o o vo o ^ vo u-i m O fj o> o o 8 o O vo O o o PO 0 1 & ON % dt o o Tt- N q= cc r^ cc 0 o rifl on rifl rifl * Mrs. Winter J. H. Ruwe J. H. Ruwe Atlantic and D. R. Thom 1) . .'c 0 >, >> > ' ' "^ aj tu tu ^ >^ J o o o s a. 0. c-s c/5 x x 5 c 5?-3 Cg S S J^ r- OJ ^ C tU r{ r-; ^3 -d n 0 '/; S C g. rt o o o ii: ^ pp t- ri C 4J S CT l~"' -O -2 _o c ri 0 c ^ O << <; a; V5 OJ lb^ C ri C c PP 0 CQ C rt QJ rt ri a; QJ rt 0 C ri O 0 s pp MTj- ^ fO N u-) * t^ t^ r-* ' -t * ri N fO M M a g g s 6 s a s S CU ri rt ri rt a a. C- O- rt Oi a- ri IT) LO O O O 0 n O N 0 O U- LO LT) M u <"*") ri ro ri i-n O n )-. l-l C-I TJ- ro 1-1 vO ^ ri - 00 KH l-H N 56 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. RECAPITULATION. MONTH. January February March . April . . May . . June . . July . . August . September October November December Total Fires. 37 False Alarms. Losses. $500 00 1,600 00 300 00 165 00 300 00 1,000 00 21,125 00 18,263 69 13.797 00 Insurance. $900 00 2,700 00 1,200 00 2,100 00 16,800 00 24,375 0o $57,050 69 $48,075 00 SERVICES OF THE VARIOUS ENGINES, HOSE REELS, AND WERNER HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY. S-' IU ,' ^ >, 6 \ 6 6 rt >rt ri rt l-i QJ> ri O 3 it Z 0 u z a0 0 6 6 Z d 0 ' c z 0 d 6 QJ >v^3 K-3S 0) 0 .5 tio tu QJ . .S & 'A Z H ^6 ^S a b/)_G b/3 REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS. OFFICE OF WATER WORKS, SAVANNAH, January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor, Savannah : SIR : I beg leave to make the following report upon the condition of the works under my charge : The general condition of the works is good. The pumping ing machinery of the works having been thoroughly over hauled during the past year, it is now in good order. During the past year the Chief Fireman complaining of a want of pressure at fires, and appearing to be impressed with the idea that the mains and fire hydrant connections were decreased in diameter from accretions of mud, a fire hydrant was cut out at the main for the purpose of testing the matter. The idea proved to be erroneous, no reduction in the sec tional area being found. There is no doubt that the falling off from the original pressure is due to increased consumption of water. This is but the history of every city, the original pipes having in many cities been replaced by larger ones. Three thousand and sixty feet of six-inch mains have been laid during the past year; one hundred and forty-four feet four inch pipes, five fire hydrants and two stop-gates placed. At the request of the Chairman of the Pump Committee, one dozen service hydrants were ordered to be placed where pumps were condemned, from being worn out, or the water being bad. Three of these have been put in at points desig nated by him. The remaining nine are on hand subject to his orders. I have in obedience to orders of Commissioners ordered one hundred two-and-a-half-inch nozzles, to com mence replacing the two-inch nozzles in use now in fire hydrants, it being hoped that a better supply will be given to fire engines. This will also dispense with the use of a reducer. The total hours run by all pumps during the past year is 8,231. Of this the old pumps run 1,119 hours. Seven hun dred and twenty-nine million nine hundred and thirty-four 60 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. thousand five hundred and thirty-two gallons have been pumped. This is an increase over last year of 31,279,606 gallons. The increased consumption is due to large quan tity used in flushing sewers and cess-pools. During the past year there has been, in obedience to your orders, six additional stop-gates placed in connection with the different sewers for the purpose of flushing them. The work of flush ing the cess-pools and sewers has been constantly kept up, as is evinced by the large consumption of water during the past year. Some of the cess-pools are not properly trapped, and do not hold water. Respectfully, vour obedient servant, R. D. GUERARD, Superintendent Savannah Water Works. REPORT OF JAILOR. JAILOR'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor of the City of Savannah : SIR : I have the honor very respectfully to submit herewith the following report of the jail for the year ending December 31, 1879: Of the total number of prisoners received during the year There were from Chatham county 1,022 There were from United States 18 There were from other counties 33 There were from other States 2 There were lunatics '7 Making a total of 1,092 An increase over the previous year of 155 The amount of money due the city of Savannah By Chatham county $ 9>881 6o By other counties l ,S 10 5 By United States 107 40 Making a total amount of $11,499 5 I have so frequently called the attention of the proper authorities to the dilapidated condition of the jail, and the grand inquest of the county having done likewise, I think it unnecessary for me to allude to the matter again. In con clusion, allow me to return my sincere thanks for your ever ready aid and kind assistance rendered me in the discharge of my duties, and also to the Chairman of the Jail Commit tee, Alderman John Schwarz. Yours with respect, WARING RUSSELL, Jailor. REPORT OF THE CLERK OF THE MARKET. OFFICE OF CLERK OF THE MARKET. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor of the City of Savannah : SIR : I have the honor to present herewith a statement of the market fees collected through this office from January 1 to December 31, 1879, and turned into the City Treasury : Total amount of fees collected $8,993 20 Average monthly collections $749 44 Average weekly collections 172 95 Decrease as compared with 1878 482 27 Your obedient servant, HENRY L. DAVIS, Clerk of the Market. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT. OFFICE HEALTH OFFICER, SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. To the Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor, and Chairman Board of Sanitary Coimnissioners: SIR : I have the honor to submit the Health Office report for the official year ending December 31, 1879. The Board of Sanitary Commissioners held its first meeting January 6, 1879, and subsequent meetings on each Monday preceding the regular meetings of Council, and special meet ings when necessary. The following is a statement of the matters of most prac tical interest transacted during the year : - In January a communication was received and read pro testing against certain quarantine regulations, whereupon the following resolution was adopted : " All vessels from infected ports must stop at Quarantine for inspection ; if with no sickness on board, and with stone ballast, no further detention will be required ; if with sand ballast, it must be discharged at Quarantine Station." A communication was also received from the Georgia Medi cal Society, recommending the appointment of a sanitary inspector for the city by the City Council. The Secretary was instructed to inform the Georgia Medi cal Society that the board did not consider it necessary for an inspector to be appointed, as by ordinance of City Council, passed February 21, 1877, the Health Officer had been ap pointed executive officer of the Board of Sanitary Commis sioners, with full powers as an inspector of the city. February 4, 1879, the Mayor announced the following " Board of Sanitary Commissioners " for the ensuing year : Aldermen Wm. Duncan, G. C. Freeman, J. R. Hamlet; Mr. J. R. Saussy, Dr. J. T. McFarland, Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor, and J. C. Habersham, M. D., Health Officer, ex-officio members of the board. 64 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Bids for furnishing coffins and transportation for the dead paupers of the city were made by several undertakers. The contract was awarded Mr. Wm. D. Dixon, his being the lowest bid. The following resolution was offered by Alderman Duncan and passed : " Resolved, That authority be granted his Honor the Mayor, and to the Board of Sanitary Commissioners to employ a competent person to superintend the working of the Odorless Excavating Machine; also to employ such other assistance as may be necessary for the proper working of the same, the term of employment and compensation to be fixed by the Board of Sanitary Commissioners." Dr. McFarland offered the following : " Resolved, That Dr. Huger, Quarantine Officer, be con tinued on duty until the Sanitary Board takes further action." Adopted. The following schedule of quarantine charges was deter mined ontwo hundred and fifty copies be printed for distri bution : RATES OF CHARGES FOR BOARDING, INSPECTING AND FUMIGATING VESSELS AT QUARANTINE STATION, PORT OF SAVANNAH. For every vessel boarded and inspected $ 500 For every vessel of 100 tons or less, fumigating and disinfecting, each process 1500 For every vessel over 100 tons and less than 250 tons, fumigating and disinfecting, each process 20 00 For every vessel over 250 tons and less than 500 tons, fumigating and disinfecting, each process 30 00 For every vessel over 500 tons and less than 750 tons, fumigating and disinfecting, each process 40 00 For every vessel over 750 tons and less than 1,000 tons, fumigating and disinfecting, each process 50 00 For every vessel over 1,000 tons and less than 1,250 tons, fumigating and disinfecting, each process 60 00 Fqr every vessel over 1,250 tons fumigating and disinfecting, each pro cess, according to tonnage of vessel $70 to 100 00 Additional fees will be charged for medical attendance. In all cases the Quarantine Officer will collect charges made against vessels before giving permission to proceed to MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 65 the city, either by Captain's draft on consignees or in cur rency, as may be most convenient. The Quarantine Officer shall report all vessels arriving at Quarantine Station as soon as possible after their arrival, their tonnage, condition, where from, number of days at sea, and if any sickness or death during the voyage, and any and all other information neces sary to protect the public health. He shall also report as often as practicable, the condition of all vessels and crews during their detention at the Quar antine Station, and the number of times each vessel has been fumigated ; and he shall give such other information as is necessary to enable the Mayor, or acting Mayor, and Board of Sanitary Commissioners, to give permission for vessels to be released from quarantine. [Signed] J. F. WHEATON, Mayor and Chairman Sanitary Commissioners. J. C. HABERSHAM, M. D., Health Officer. A form of questions for the use of the Quarantine Officer, at the Quarantine Station, was ordered to be printed by the board. At a special meeting of the board, held February 11,1879, it was moved by Dr. Duncan " that his Honor the Mayor be authorized to appoint a Superintendent of the Odorless Excavating Machine, at a salary of from $60.00 to $75.00 per month ; also three laborers, a bricklayer and assistant, was adopted. Mr. W. J. Cleary was appointed March 3d. It was determined, that the quarantine of the port should begin on April 1st, and the Health Officer was instructed to prepare quarantine notices to be published in the daily papers. Five hundred copies of " instructionsto citizens on hygienic measures necessary to be carried out during the summer months," were ordered to be printed for distribution. Action was taken in providing medical attendance upon the poor of the city and county, the privies of the city to be disinfected monthly from April 1st to November 1st. The Mayor reported favorably in regard to the working of the Oderless Excavating Machine, and also informed the board that he had proceeded on the 10th inst., with several 5 66 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. of the Aldermen and members of the board, to Timber LandHospital, and found the city property, hospital buildings, bedding, etc., in good condition. April 14, it was determined that all vessels arriving at this port from infected places should remain at the Quarantine Station at least twelve days after arrival. Also, " That all steamers arriving from Florida should not, at present, be subjected to quarantine examination unless arriving with sickness on board, in which case they shall be visited by the Quarantine Officer at quarantine, and by theHealth Officer in the city." May 12. a communication was received from J. C. Haber sham, Health Officera committee appointed by the Georgia Medical Societyrecommending to the City Council the drawing up of an ordinance limiting the number of cows kept in the city limits, and enforcing the cleansing of the stables in which they are kept." Alderman Duncan offered the following resolution, which was adopted: " That his Honor the Mayor be requested to direct a daily inspection of all stables where more than two cows are placed, with a view to their being kept in a cleanly and sanitary con dition, and that the Health Officer inspect the same once a week." May 26, the rules and regulations prescribed for the two city physicians, elected at the last meeting of Council, were adopted. The Health Officer reported that fifty-nine cow-stables had been inspected by Policeman Read, detailed for that purpose, and found to be in good condition. July 14, the following communication was received officially by the Mayor : " SAVANNAH, July 12, 1879. " Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Chairman B. S. Commissioners : " DEAR SIR : I have called twice this morning to see you regarding the sewer connection which is now being dug from Drayton street to connect with houses of Mr. D. G. Purse on Charlton street, west of Bull. I do not think it pru dent at this season of the year to take up so much soil, more MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 67 especially in a lane. I drove to this point mentioned this morning and the work was still going on. As a member of the Sanitary Board, I would suggest that a stop be put to said digging until the summer is past. " Very respectfully, [Signed] "J. T" MCFARLAND." This communication had been referred to the Health Officer, who had requested that a special meeting should be called to consider the subject. The board passed the following reso lution : "Resolved, That, in the opinion of this board, the excavations for the laying of the sewer pipe in Charlton street lane, during the hot weather, is injurious to the public health; and the Secretary of this board is hereby directed to notify the par ties engaged in such work to discontinue the same until further orders of this board." It was also subsequently resolved: " That the upheaving of the soil within the city limits, dur ing the summer months, is injurious to the health of the city, and that no excavations for the purpose of making sewer or other connection shall be made during the summer months, without the approval of this board, and under the supervision of the Health Officer, and under such restrictions and regu lations as may be prescribed in each case by the board." This last resolution was, by order of the board, published in the Morning News and Recorder. This sewer connection, and all others made during the summer months, were made under the immediate supervision of the Health Officer, with instructions as to disinfection, etc., from the board. July 21, the following resolution was passed : " Resolved, That in the opinion of this Commission, as a sanitary measure, the wharf lots on Hutchinson's Island, within the corporate limits of the city, shall be placed in condition to correspond to the dry culture contracts, and it is hereby recommended to City Council to put the owners on notice that such lots must be put under work and kept dry, in accordance with dry culture contracts, previous to the 68 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. first of March, 1880, or Council will proceed to do the work at the owner's expense, as provided by law." The cleaning of privy vaults was deemed prudental, and it was ordered to be continued. At a special meeting of the board, held July 23, 1879, the chairman informed the board that he had called a special meeting to consider the question of recommending to the City Council the adoption of the rules and regulations of the National Board of Health as regards quarantine, etc., at this port. Alderman Duncan offered the following preamble and reso lution, which was adopted : "WHEREAS, AS it is eminently advisable that all efforts towards the prevention of the origin and spread of conta gious and infectious diseases should be well directed and uniform ; therefore be it " Resolved, That the rules and regulations of the National Board of Health be adopted by this Council, and that the same be referred to the Board of Sanitary Commissioners for their guidance, as far as practicable." It was determined that all sailing vessels arriving at this port from all ports should be stopped at quarantine for in spection of the Quarantine Officer. This notice was to be appended to the quarantine notices already published, for the information of pilots and masters of vessels. August 4th, Dr. Duncan offered this resolution : " Resolved, That the Board of Sanitary Commissioners recommend to the City Council to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to have analyses of the river water made, taken from different points; also an analysis of the water from driven wells in the vicinity of the present water works, with the view of obtaining the purest quality for drink ing and other purposes." Adopted. A special meeting of the board was held August 11th Hon. E. A. Weil, chairman pro tern. The chairman stated he had called a special meeting to consider various applica tions and communications. A communication was read from MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 69 Mr. J. Z. Johnston, relative to a violation of the city ordinance by Mr. Swoll, City Scavenger, depositing garbage within the city limits. Alderman Duncan offered the following resolution : " That the Health Officer be requested to enforce the ordi nance of the city referring to the disposition to be made of all offal and garbage collected by the Scavenger, and he be directed to notify the Scavenger that garbage already de posited within the city limits be removed without delay to a point one mile beyond the city limits." Alderman Duncan also offered this resolution : " That the Board of Sanitary Commissioners be requested to examine into and to report fully to this meeting, as early as practicable, the statements published in the New York Herald, of the 29th July, relating to the sanitary condition of the city of Savannah, which statements were made by Dr. Bell, Sanitary Inspector National Board of Health." This was adopted. Messrs. Duncan, McFarland and Habersham were ap pointed committee on this resolution. A communication was received from Dr. Huger, Quaran tine Officer, calling attention to runners boarding vessels pre vious to their arriving at the Quarantine Station. Mr. Saussy moved " that all persons are prohibited from communication with vessels arriving at this port before such vessels have reported to the Quarantine Officer, unless written permission from the Quarantine Officer is first given ; provided such pro hibition does not apply to licensed pilots in the discharge of duty." Dr. Habersham, Health Officer, made a report of having boarded and inspected the Norwegian bark Navedis, on the 5th of August at the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad wharf, by order of the Mayor, and finding her with foul ballast, part of which ballast having been discharged and spread out on'the wharf. This ballast consisting of wet sand, with which rotten wheat was mixed, was reported by the Health Officer to be unsanitary, and it was advised by him that the bark be re manded to the Quarantine Station for discharge of ballast, and disinfection at that point. The Health Officer also 70 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. recommended that disinfectants should be freely used on the ballast on the wharf. The bark was, by order of the Mayor, sent back to quarantine,vand carbolic acid, sulphate iron, and lime freely applied to the foul ballast on the wharf. It was moved " that this action of the Health Officer is approved by the board, and his report received and spread on the minutes." This was carried. August 12th, a special meeting of the board was called by Alderman E. A. Weil, to reconsider the case of Mr. Swoll, City Scavenger. Dr. Duncan offered this resolution : " That the Health Officer be directed to enforce the city ordinance relating to the scavenger department, and in the case of any refusal or neglect on the part of any contractor or contractors to comply with his instructions, that he be directed to place such party or parties upon the information docket." Passed. A communication was received from Dr. Huger, Quaran tine Officer, stating that the ballast of the Navedis had been discharged, and asking permit for her to come to the city. This was granted, provided that the vessel be disinfected be fore coming to the city. August 18th, Dr. Duncan offered this resolution : " Resolved., In consequence of the opinion of the Health Officer, and of the members of this board, that it would be more deliterious to the public health to remove the manure heap made by the scavenger department than to allow the same to remain undisturbed; " Therefore, be it resolved. That the action at the last meet ing be rescinded, and that the scavenger contractor be re quired to thoroughly disinfect the same at such times and in such manner as may be directed by the Health Officer, and that he be notified that for any violation of his contract in future, that he shall be put upon the information docket by the Health Officer." This was carried. Dr. McFarland offered this : " Resolved, That all persons having manure heaps upon their farming lands, within the corporate limits of the city, be required to have board shades (or shelters) erected over said MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 71 heaps, sufficiently large and tight to protect them from the action of the sun and rain, and that an ordinance be passed for the purpose of carrying out this recommendation." Car ried. Dr. Duncan, Chairman of the committee to report upon Dr. A. N. Bell, Sanitary Inspector of the National Board of Health, made the following report: SAVANNAH, August 13, 18'7 9. The Board of Sanitary Commissioners, to whom has been referred the resolution of the City Council, requesting them to examine into and report upon the statement published in the New Yoi-k Herald of the 29th ult., in reference to the sanitary condition of the city of Savannah, beg to report that they have instituted the examination desired, and that the statements alluded to were published in the New York Herald from the representations made by Dr. A. N. Bell, Sanitary In spector of the National Board of Health, for this district. The assumption of Dr. Bell that the people do not realize their danger, and do not believe that they can have yellow fever unless it be brought to them from somewhere else, and in the seaport towns they insist that the disease never reaches them except by ship, is without foundation, and is a misrep resentation of the views and opinions entertained by this board, as well as the opinions of a large number of practicing physicians in this city. It is furthermore a reflection upon the efforts of this board, as well as the City Council, who have not confined themselves to any theories in their legisla tion upon sanitary measures, but have always exercised a rigid system of quarantine combined with as vigorous local sanitation as the financial condition of the city would permit, and their judgment indicated as the most advisable for the protection of the public health. The statement in reference to the filthy condition of Bilbo canal, an open canal a quarter of a mile distant from the eastern side of the city, and the principal outlet of the sew erage of .the town, in which canal the tide ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours, is also without foundation, and we challenge Dr. Bell or any one else to prove the origin of a single case of yellow fever occurring on board a ship which 72 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. has left this port which was due to the impurity of the river water taken from a point adjacent thereto. On the contrary our merchant marine will bear testimony to a preference for the river water over any that can be supplied to them from other ports generally. The Board of Sanitary Commissioners report that Dr. Bell, Sanitary Inspector for the National Board of Health, for this district, during his recent visit to this city, expressed himself very favorably concerning the quarantine system of the port, and was perfectly satisfied with its efficiency. The sanitary suggestions made by him were verbal, and were limited to an improvement of the privy arrangements, and the procuring of a purer water supplymatters which have en gaged the attention of the municipal authorities for some years past, are well known to our entire community, and are still under consideration. In conclusion, your committee are of opinion that any sanitary defects which may fall under the observation of the Inspector of the National Board of Health, should be re ported directly to the authorities under whom such inspectors are serving, and this board can but condemn the publication of such articles as the one now under consideration, which can only effect the public mind injuriously without being produc tive of the least sanitary benefit. Your committee respectfully recommend that this report be respectfully forwarded to the National Board of Health at Washington, with the request that they adopt such meas ures as will hereafter prevent the publication by their official representatives of hastily formed opinions, which are preju dicial to the public welfare, and which have not been sub stantiated by sufficient evidence. Respectfully submitted, J. C. HABERSHAM, M. D., Secretary Board of Sanitary Commissioners. The following is a letter received from the President of the National Board of Health: MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 73 NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH, WASHINGTON, D. C, August 16, 1879. F. E. Rebarer, Clerk of Council and Secretary Board of Health, Savannah. Ga.: DEAR SIR : Your communication of the 14th inst., contain ing certain enclosures, has just been received. I have to inform you that having seen an abstract of this report in the Baltimore Sun of yesterday, I laid it before the Executive Committee at its regular meeting, on that morning, and was directed to communicate to Dr. Bell, and to the health au thorities of Savannah, the disapprobation by this board of the publication to which these reports allude, etc. Very respectfully yours, [Signed] J. L. CABALL, President National Board of Health. AUGUST 15, 1879. Dr. A. N. Bell, Sanitary Inspector : DEAR DOCTOR : The attention of the Executive Committee having been called to an abstract published in the Baltimore Sun of this morning, of a report of the Board of Sanitary Commissioners to the City Council of Savannah, in which complaint is made of your having published in a New York paper on the 27th ult., certain statements which they pro nounce to be unfounded and unjust, touching the sanitary condition of that city, I am directed by the Executive Com mittee to inform you that any publication by sanitary in spectors in the service of this board of facts and opinions in relation to matters brought to their notice in the discharge of their official duties, as agents of this board, is disap proved and will be disavowed. These reports should be communicated to the board only, and should be regarded as strictly confidential on their part. Very respectfully, [Signed] J- L- CABALL, President National Board of Health. A communication was addressed to the National Board of Health upon the apparent discrepancy between the reports 74 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. of deaths from preventable diseases at Rio de Janeiro, made by the United States Consul General from April 12 to June 28, 1879, and a bill of health, dated Rio de Janeiro, July 7, 1879, under the sign and signature of Consul General Adamson, presented at this port, by the Danish brig Johana Brodessen, Captain Boesen. August 25, the Health Officer was notified to publish a quarantine notice that all vessels " waiting orders " or " seek ing," were to report to the Quarantine Officer at the Quaran tine Station, immediately on arrival. It was also resolved " That the foreign bills of health of any vessel touching at any American port other than Savannah, and then arriving at this port, be required as well as the bill of health from the port last touched at." This was passed. May 30th, The petition of Captain Johnson, of the Norwe gian bark Navedis, was read before the board and members of the Finance Committee. Alderman Blun moved " That from the evidence brought before the board and the Finance Committee, that the action of the Mayor as ad vised by the Health Officer, in regard to the brig Navedis, was a sanitary necessity, and that the petition of Captain Johnson is disapproved." September 1, it was resolved " That the chairman of the Sanitary Board appoint a committee of two members, who shall investigate and report upon as to the practicability and cost of establishing a tele phonic communication with the Quarantine Station." Drs. McFarland and Duncan were appointed the committee. I have now given a brief summary of some of the most important transactions of the board during the year. As Executive Officer of the board, and as Health Officer, I have made weekly inspections of the city and made weekly re ports ; given surgical and medical attendance to members of the Police and Fire Departments; given certificates of death for city and county ; received from the physicians of the city reports of diseases, and reported them to the Chairman of the Sanitary Board ; supervised the disinfection and cleans- MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 75 ing of infected places ; visited and inspected steamers coming by the inland route from Florida, and in sanitary measures attempted to carry out the rules and regulations enforced by the orders of the Sanitary Board. During the year there has not been a case of yellow fever, nor small-pox within the limits of the city. Diphtheria has prevailed to some extent in various parts of the city. Our city has been singularly exempt from mala rial diseases, and we have cause to be grateful for continued health and prosperity. I am, dear sir, very respectfully yours, J. C. HABERSHAM, M. D, Health Officer. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT ODORLESS EXCA VATING MACHINE. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wlieaton, Mayor, Savannah, Ga.: DEAR SIR : I have the honor to forward herewith report of the work done by the Odorless Excavating Machine during the year 1879. The work was commenced March 24th and continued to December 31, 1879, with the following result: Number of privies cleaned 571 Matter removed (cubic feet) , 92,837 EXPENSES OF DEPARTMENT Including apparatus, appurtenances, hire of teams, wages, etc ... . $6,044 85 Amount collected for repairs 800 00 Net cost $5,244 85 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. J. CLEAREY, Superintendent, REPORTS OF CITY PHYSICIANS. SAVANNAH, January 1, 1879. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor: DEAR SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the office of City Physician of the Eastern district: June . . . July . . . August . . September October November December 104 2 322 33 235 252 205 36 76 no 121 96 104 77 68 142 212 210 139 148 128 289 954 929 747 506 Total ,667 620 ,047 4.871 21 The number of deaths has been twenty-one, all of which were colored. Respectfully, FRANK T. LINCOLN, M. D., City Physician, Eastern Distiict. *i SAVANNAH, January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor: DEAR SIR : I have the honor to submit the following report of City Physician, Western Division, from June to Decem ber, 1879, inclusive: June . . . July . . . August . . -September October November December 390 595 484 423 45i 329 99 122 174 '85 158 202 118 199 268 421 299 264 249 211 641 698 927 780 735 702 507 Total 1,058 1,911 4,990 52 Of the fifty-two deaths twenty-two were white and thirty colored. Respectfully submitted, T. B. CHISHOLM, M. D., City Physician, Western Division. REPORT OF KEEPER LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY. OFFICE KEEPER LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY, SAVANNAH, January 1, 1880. Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor of the City of Savannah.: SIR : I have the honor to report Laurel Grove Cemetery in good order and condition. The storm in April last blew down nearly the whole of the fencing around the colored cemetery which was in very bad order, as stated in my last annual report, and a new fence has been erected which will require no repairs for several years. All of the fencing is now in good condition. During the past year a brick pave ment has been laid at the front entrance, and the paths across the ravine have been raised and a bridge built across one for a carriage drive. During the past year there has been received For sale of burial lots $685 00 For burial fees 574 50 Total $1,259 5 Amount paid for labor, tools, materials, etc 6,039 95 Number of interments at the expense of the city : Whites, from the city 16 Whites, from the Savannah Hospital 21 37 Colored, from the city , 104 Colored, from the Colored Infirmary 41145 Total 182 The number of interments during the past year are as follows: NUMBER OF INTERMENTS IN LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY AND CEMETERY FOR COLORED PERSONS, FROM JANUARY I TO DECEMBER 31, 1879. MONTHS. January . February March . April May . . June . . July . . August . September October . November December Total 3 I 3 '5 10 15 19 20 7 17 25 22 21 7 2 5 6 4 3 6 2 10 6 2 6 37 '5 20 16 '9 22 26 9 27 3i 24 27 23 19 6 H '9 '3 22 23 20 H 10 3 99 64 5 56 67 81 95 82 70 79 55 65 214 59 273 667 196 '863 .2 u 136 79 70 72 86 103 121 91 9V no 79 92 ,136 I have the honor to be, respectfully yours, A. F. TORLAY, Keeper Laurel Grove Cemetery. REPORT OF KEEPER CITY DISPENSARY. SAVANNAH, January 1, 1880. 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 31,1879: MONTHS. January . February March . . April . . May . . June . . July . . . August September October . November December Total 1,521 902 907 1,011 1,178 .356 i>577 1,684 1,837 1,762 1,608 1,296 16,639 709 522 422 438 509 722 814 720 i,053 920 843 722 >,394 _3 "o 812 380 485 573 669 634 763 964 784 842 765 574 '.245 cu 2,023 1,167 1,387 1,469 1,524 2,155 2,547 2,769 3,0 9i 2,903 2,556 2,284 25,875 o J3 S, 296 I07 86 169 140 182 120 170 150 216 233 156 2,025 Respectfully, LEWIS CASS, Keeper City Dispensary. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED BY THE CITY DISPENSARY AND THE COST OF MEDI CINES FOR THE FIVE YEARS ENDING DECEMBER I, 1879. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. IB CO m M'nths 'S O S fi ft S Pi 0 Ck O O fit O CM O CK O Jan ... 1,269 $231 80 1,498 $281 85 2,050 $316 77 1,707 $238 15 2,023 $192 25 Feb... 1,257 195 45 1,554 295 00 2,213 286 50 1,728 189 10 1,167 164 47 March. 1,429 223 03 1,872 337 20 2,216 260 84 2,111 218 65 1,387 153 85 April. 1,428 268 35 1,807 548 55 1,980 295 80 1,879 211 85 1,464 182 80 May... 1,376 240 30 1,669 517 05 1,703 285 75 1,761 215 70 1,529 167 00 June.. 1,462 253 85 1,538 222 15 1,622 154 45 1,601 165 30 2,155 240 63 July .. 1,420 247 65 1,751 234 40 2,020 235 90 1,808 143 20 2,547 260 75 Aug'st. 1,659 282 58 2,555 434 45 2,625 330 95 2,192 165 90 2,769 259 85 Sept.. 1,947 327 30 3,670 604 05 2,600 303 20 1,697 180 65 3,091 260 00 Oct... 1,922 356 65 2,779 430 55 2 687 349 65 2,054 202 00 2,903 313 65 Nov... 1,564 290 60 3,233 575 54 1866 262 70 1,632 179 10 2 556 253 88 Deo .. 1,471 264 85 1,970 3:4 65 1,664 237 50 1,243 130 65 2,284 255 60 From the business reported above we must deduct For the year 1877, paid by county for 905 prescriptions $271 50 For the year 1878, paid by county for 1,932 prescriptions 579 60 For the year 1879, paid by county for 2,035 prescriptions 60750 Which makes the net business and expenses of this office to be For the year 1877, 24,321 prescriptions, costing $3,038 51 For the year 1878, 21,413 prescriptions, costing 1,660 65 For the year 1879, 25,875 prescriptions, costing 2,103 27 Respectfully, LEWIS CASS, Keeper City Dispensary. HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT. HARBOR MASTER'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, January 1, 1880. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor City of Savannah: DEAR SIR : I have the honor to report that I have deposited with the City Treasurer the sum of nine thousand three hun dred and seventy-five dollars and five cents ($9,375.05), amount of harbor fees collected for the past year, two hun dred and fifty-seven dollars ($257) in excess of 1878. There has been ample wharf room for all classes of vessels arriving at this port. The amount of tonnage is seventeen thousand one hundred and twenty-eight tons less than 1878. The total amount of tonnage includes seven thousand and forty tons of vessels engaged in inland navigation. Annexed please find a tabulated monthly statement of tonnage and fees. 84 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. OS OO O PH (3 O <5 Szi !z; O H Oii O fi 21 H o fi aS^uuoj^ S33J t^. U-) ro v) CO LOM u-il^ vOvO OOOvO ""irOLn-^-^-OO M N qsiucQ uBissnjj qsipaMg r^ ON ^ssSnpoj UBiujaQ O^O ON r^%0 CO qouaaj ireujsny rn N eg" N" OT PT U'Cl33A\JOJVj O ONO -OO O f^r^'d-^lO -H >o_ tovO oooo x^ 0\ Tj- TJ- o_ o oo ^O" PT I-T HH" CT u-j cs" o M VO O . . . oo ON ON ^l-vo Tf N ON C M ro O Tf XJ~1 Hs uudg 00 00 ON M . ^ r^. *qsi[3ua IOOLO-^-ONWN ooooo ro ro i-T i-T Cs ro rC ON 'UB3U3Uiy O r^ TJ- ^- ON^O t^ rn i-t~i - TJ- ON 00 TtiorOM rj- M OOO^O N ^h O M CO o ^ W ^H O r-. rt -2 rt ^ 1 &J o a ^ < ^3 O Pi O o REPORT OF QUARANTINE OFFICER. QUARANTINE STATION, December 29, 1879. Hon. John F. Wheaton, Mayor : DEAR SIR : I have the honor of presenting you below my report for the past year : The only case of serious disease that I have to report is that of the Master of the May Morn, who came in February 21st, from the Island of Ruatan. After several days' detention aboard his vessel, he was well enough to be removed to my quarters (the hospital not being lined and without a stove), where he soon so far recovered that I allowed him to go up to the cityhis vessel, in the meantime, having been twice fumigated for a space of twenty-four hours each, with an interval of twenty-four hours between the fumigations, was then allowed to go up. No casualties are to be reported ; no deaths, and but few cases of disease. The work that your officer has been called upon to perform has been multiplied manifold by the order to board all ves sels coming in from all quarters. During four months this required me to be constantly afloat, and the employment of another boatman was found necessary. Up to this writing I have boarded two hundred and five vessels, of which forty-three have been fumigated and disin fected. The past year has been marked by no unusual meteorologi cal disturbances, save a few days of severe cold in February, and a northwester of twelve hours' duration of exceeding violence (seventy-two miles an hour being reported to me as the average speed of the wind by the weather officer at Tybee.) All of which is respectfully submitted. J. A. HUGER, M. D., Quarantine Officer. REPORT OF UNITED STATES ENGINEER. UNITED STATES ENGINEER'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, GA., January 14, 1880. Hon. J. F. Wheaton, Mayor of Savannah: SIR : In reply to your letter of the December last, I submit the following report, giving a general resume of the works of improvement upon the Savannah river from January, 1879, to the first of the current month. The following extract from my annual report to MajorGeneral Q. A. Gillmore, of the engineers in charge of this work, for the fiscal year terminating June 30, 1879, is sub mitted : REPORT Of the Operations of, and Progress made in, Improving >he Navigation of the Savannah river, both Above and Below the City of Savannah, during the last Eight Months of the Fiscal Year. * * * * * * ' # " The principal work to which my attention was directed, was the contract for the construction of a submerged dam at the ' Cross Tides.' " The contractor for this work did not arrive here until the 9th of November, and then only to remain a few days. He did not again appear until the middle of December, and then without appliances or mechanics for the execution of his contract. * * * * His progress from the first has been slow and feeble, and with the excep tion of a slight exhibition of more activity, in March and April, the work has dragged instead of being pushed by active and efficient management. " There has been laid down in the execution of this con tract (553) five hundred and fifty-three feet of apron-mat tresses and stone covering, leaving about one hundred and eighty feet more to be laid to complete the submerged por- MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 87 tion of the dam. No work has been done on the shore ends, or that portion above mean low water. When the remaining portion of the work will be completed by the contractor, I am unable to conjecture. There has yet been no visible effect produced by this incomplete work on the volume of water discharged by front river. There can, however, be no doubt as of the ultimate effect, and the increased volume of water that will be discharged through front river when the dam shall have been completed and that elevation given to it that future experience shall fix as the proper one. " Dredging, as a work auxiliary to this dam, in diverting the water from back to front river, was commenced on the first day of May by deepening a channel beginning near the lower end of King's Island and continuing in nearly a straight line along the Georgia (south) shore, to within about four hundred yards (at this date) of the Central Railroad wharves, where there is at present about twenty feet of water at low tide. This channel, as stated above, deflects but a little from a right line for the entire distance from King's Island to the Central Railroad wharves, continuing along and within about (100) one hundred yards of the Georgia shore. " The old channel on the north side of Marsh Island, in which considerable dredging has been done during the past two or three years (I am informed), has decreased in depth from ten to less than five feet. " At King's Island this new channel connects with the deep water channel on the north side of the island. With this favorable location receiving the united waters from both sides of King's Island, which includes that of the Cross Tides river, and discharging into the deep water channel at the Central Railroad wharves, we have every reason for believing it will enable the new channel not only to maintain itself, but to materially increase the water-way and the volume of water that will be discharged by it, both at ebb and flood tides, thereby largely increasing the volume of water in front of the city of Savannah, and along the new ship channel to Fort Jackson and at the ' wrecks.' " The work of examining the channels and measuring the distance between the islands, from Elba to Cockspur, forming 88 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. together the broken shore line between the north and south channels, was done in December, and a report, with the estimated cost for closing the openings between them, was submitted in that month. " The river was gauged at four places during the month of December, viz.: At two places near Dr. Reed's, between Marsh and King's Islands, one hundred yards apart, and at the Cross Tides above and below the new dam. " Under your instructions of the 17th of March and 16th of April, a very important work has been done already in obtaining the volume of water discharged at both ebb and flood tides, at the following places : Front River, between W. H. Gibbon's house and Argyle Island (above Cross Tides); at the Cross Tides river (below the dam); at Dr. Reed's house, between Marsh and King's Islands ; Front and Back rivers, across the lower end of Hutchinson's Island ; North and South channels across Elba, and the middle of Spirit Islands ; St. Augustine creek, and North and South channels, across the upper end of Long Island. " The leveling, which was suspended in May, will soon be completed to Fort Pulaski, and across Cockspur to the Light house wharf, where the work of observing the rate at which the tidal wave is propagated, will be commenced, and, when the desired information is obtained, it will be transmitted to you." In continuation of this report I may add that since the first of July the work of improiing the navigation by perma nently deepening the water way between the city and the sea, has made fair progress ; not as much, however, as could have been desired, and would have been realized, had the Cross Tides dam been promptly completed as originally designed. The dredging above and below the city hasin connection with this dam at the Cross Tides, though late in coming to its aidmanifestly increased the velocities of both the flood and ebb tide currents in front of the city wharves, as well as in the newly dredged channelsand this is espe cially the case with the ebb tidal flow. Of course there has been a corresponding increase in the volume of water voided daily in front river. The amount of that increase will be MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 89 ascertained definitely in a short time by a comparative gauging of the river above the city. The dredging done this year, commencing the first of May, amounts to ninety-five thousand nine hundred and eighty-five cubic yards. It was done by the American Dredging Company, at the rate of fourteen and five-eighth cents per cubic yard, the lowest rate ever paid here. The effect of this, with other works of improvement referred to above, has been to increase the available depth of water about one foot in the shoalest places in the ship channel, at the " wrecks," and at the "obstructions," besides adding con siderably to the width of the " wrecks " channel. Vessels now pass each other in this channel drawing nineteen (19) feet at mean high water. This work of improvement will, no doubt, now go on, until vessels laden with your valuable products, or returning with their exchange cargoes, pass out from and home again to your wharves, carrying a. draught of more than (22) twenty-two feet. Savannah seems destined, in the near future, to be the great port and city of the South Atlantic seaboard. As Georgia is the acknowledged Empire State of the South, why should not her principal seaport be the commercial metropo lis of the same ? Her facilities for doing a large commercial business are ample, I may say, unsurpassed in the South. Her interior connection with the West and Northwest are already secured, and are of the most extensive character. With the full depth of water from the sea to her wharves, that it is now certain will be obtained in a short period of time, there seems to be scarcely a limit to her future pros perity and commercial greatness. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. L. FREMONT, United States Assistant Engineer. 90 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. MORTUARY STATISTICS CITY OF SAVANNAHJANUARY 1 to DECEMBER 31, 1879. WHITES. COLORED. TOTAL. TOT'L Adults. Ch'd'n.l Adults. Ch'd'n-I a a; "o O T3 DISEASES. Sirt s Sirt "rt 6 rt tu I I 20 2 72 86 6 I i i i 2 2 16 3 43 5 2 13 I I I 3 13 6 2 1 2 4 5 1 1 1 2 4 2 3 1 1 t 3 1 10 1 2 92 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. MORTUARY STATISTICSJANUARY 1 TO DECEM BER 31, 1879CONTINUED. WHITES. COLORED. TOTAL. TOT'L Adults. Ch'd'n.! Adults. Ch'd'n.| DISEASES. a S c 0 rn in rt- u s rt a s s in 13 5 rt e 1 Si 13 rt S , v Uk ' S O "o V I $ Hemorrhage after labor . . . I Hemorrhage from cord . . . 1 I 2 2 Hemorrhage from stomach . . I I Hemorrhage from lungs . . . 3 3 I 7 7 Hemorrhage from rectum . . I 1 Hydrocephalus 1 I T 1 3 Hypertrophy of heart .... I 1 Idiopathic tetanus I 2 I 2 T 1 Inanition I 3 Infanticide 1 Inflammation of brain .... 1 I I 2 Inflammation of liver (acute) . 1 I 1 Incised wound of arm .... i I 1 Injuries (railroad) 2 2 2 Intermittent fever I I 5 7 7 Internal injuries I I 1 Intus-susception of bowels . . 1 1 1 Ileus 1 , 1 Jaundice 2 2 2 Lacerated wound of leg . . . I 1 Laryngitis I I 2 2 Laryngeal phthisis I - 1 Lencocythemia I . . 1 I 2 Leg ulcer and general debility . 1 I 1 Lockjaw J 3 3 ,-4 4 Malarial fever - 4 2 3 '"" 2 - j 9 Marasmus X 6 '5 g 14 3 2 "fi 40 Measles i 3 3 j 1 1 Meningitis 12 15 Mitral insufficiency heart . . . 2 2 Murdered 2 1 2 Nervous shock in child birth . 1 2 Old age 5 i 4 7 1 5 1 Ovarian 12 tumor Paralysis 3 fi 5 1 7 1 1 Paralysis of heart 1 ^ Paralysis from diphtheria . . 1 Perforating ulcer of bowels . . i 1 1 Peritoneal dropsy 1 , 1 Pertussis and malarial fever . i T 1 Pertussis and convulsions . . i 1 Phthisis 15 27 1 5 4 29 57 1 86 Phrenitis 1 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 93 MORTUARY STATISTICSJANUARY 1 TO DECEM BER 31, 1879CONTINUED. WHITES. COLORED. TOTAL. -i< s DISEASES. Adul 13 3 ts. Si 13 S I Ch'd (A oj 13s 3 n. QJ rt s 2 Adul 13 s. 13 S OJ 2 I 2 8 I 2 I Ch'd in OJ 13s I 5 2 2 I n Sirts i 3 i 2 I I 3 3 2 I 3 3 3 i 4 5 i 8 i i i OJ O "o CJ 4 I 2 I 2 8 8 2 ^3 O 1) Providential causes Pleuro pneumonia 2 1 I I I 8 i 7 i I I I 3 4 6 1 3 Puerperal convulsions Puerperal Peritonitis .... Remittent fever Rheumatic endocardtiis . . . Rheumatic inflammt'n of heart.. Rupture of intestines .... 4 i i i 8 i 16 i 3 i i IO I II i 3 i i i i i i 4 1 1 2 I 2 2 1 I II 2 I 2 4 3 3 4 3 8 i n IO IO 2 5 Senile bronchitis Senile decay 2 1 I 3 4 2 I I i i 1 1 Sequela; whooping cough . . . Septicaemia Shock after amputation of thigh Softening of brain 1 3 I I 4 3 Spasmodic asthma I 2 Starvation and general neglect.. Stricture of rectum Sudeten death i 2 I I I 2 I 3 i 2 1 1 2 3 Syphilis of brain i 4 Tertiary syphilis I I 4 3 2 4 2 3 I 2 8 7 2 8 Traumatic erysipelas .... Trismus 6 i I 5 I 12 21 94 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. MORTUARY STATISTICS-JANUARY 1 TO DECEM BER 31, 1879CONTINUED. WHITES. COLORED. TOTAL. O DISEASES. Adu ts. y? QJ s OJ Ch'd IA "rt s 'n. in OJ 13 S & 2 2 1 Ad IA OJ "rt s 2 1 1 137 5 142 ilts. 13 S I I ' 2 I 163 6 169 Ch' Si 13 S 2 2 4 2 d'n I I 2 2 yi a; 7 3 2 1 1 6 1 1 416 34 11 461 V O "O u 4 2 3 9 1 4 1 686 44 75 805 T3 OJ -0 S So Tubercular pneumonia . . . Typhoid fever Typhoid malarial fever . . . Typhoid pneumonia .... Ulceration of bowels .... Ulceration of stomach . . . 4 2 I I I I I 1 1 n 3 4 4 1 Unknown 4 I 15 Uraemia Varicose veins with hem'age. . "Whooping cough 1 1 5 1 Total deaths in the city . . . 142 89 83 102 203 183 16 17 33 42 1,102 Brought dead to the city . . . Still born infants 16 8 6 6 4 5 78 86 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 95 AGES. 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and Under I year Between I and Between Between Between Between Between IO and Between 20 and Between 30 and Between 40 and Between 50 and Between 60 and Between 70 and Between 80 and Between 90 and Over 100 years . Unknown ages . 2 years . 3 years . 4 years . 5 years . 10 years . 20 years . 30 years . 40 years . 50 years , 60 years 70 years 80 years 90 years 100 years Total Whites. 28 20 H 12 10 20 53 44 41 Colored. 416 54 26 26 14 22 43 75 64 43 23 25 19 13 3 686 Total. 1,102 PopulationWhites PopulationColored Total Annual ratio per 1,000 whites . Annual ratio per 1,000 colored 17,493 32,656 .23.8 45.2 WILLIAM DUNCAN, M. D., Chairman Health and Cemetery Committee. 96 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. FOREIGN EXPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH1879. ARTICLES. Quantity. Value. Cotton, upland, bales 449,241 lbs. Cotton, sea island, 580 bales lbs. Naval stores 215,198,065 172,689 $21,929,951 00 44,451 00 307,694 00 Lumber, million feet Timber, cubic feet 13,515,000 213,213 190,865 00 25,045 00 58,749 00 22,556,755 00 COASTWISE EXPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH1879. Compiled by FRANK E. REBARER, Clerk of Council. ARTICLES. Cotton, upland, bales Cotton, sea islands, bales Cotton seed, tons Cotton seed oil, barrels Cotton seed cake, bags Cotton seed meal, bags Clay, casks Domestics, bales Empty barrels and kegs, number . . . Fruit, packages Furniture, packages Fish, casks Gold ore, bags Hides, bundles Lumber, superficial feet Leather, undressed, bundles .... Merchandise, miscellaneous, packages Moss, bales Melons, number Old iron, tons Paper stock, bales Rice, casks Rice, rough, bags Rice chaff, bags Rice flour, bags Rosin, barrels Spirits turpentine, barrels Syrup, hogsheads Sugar, barrels Shingles, number Turtles, number Timber, superficial feet Vegetables, packages Warps, bales Wool, bales Quantity. 33 291,904 9,794 10 i,53i 3,269 18,570 2,476 23,538 10,896 49,576 300 63' 27 7,127 .897,576 238 41,680 214 io7,373 4,594 2,207 16,745 8,758 4,59! 3,000 96,706 5,427 171 26 650,157 566 =,247,749 82,030 1,324 3,368 Value. Total #'4,595>2oo 00 783,520 00 220 00 35,641 10 141 00 324 00 37,140 00 2,118,420 00 5,448 00 148,728 00 900 00 12,620 00 685 00 249,445 00 440,668 48 5,950 00 833,600 00 3,210 00 io,737 3 114,650 00 33,IO 5 00 66,202 65 25,398 20 459 10 3,000 00 29,978 86 99,856 80 8,208 00 403 00 i,95o,47i 00 1,698 00 202,297 40 246,090 00 66,200 00 292,600 00 #22,423,315 89 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 97 IMPORTS, PORT OF SAVANNAH1879. ARTICLES. Quantity. Value. Salt, pounds Coffee, pounds Malt liquors, gallons 15,775,052 2,932,751 180 3,349 $24,575 00 308,013 00 129 00 6,199 00 Earthenware . .... 3,0^0 00 Merchandise of American production returned All manufactures of iron and steel 3,652 00 2,854 00 3,3" oo 14,647 00 1,563 00 ' 6,825 0 3,964 00 Wine, gallons Guano, and other fertilizing substances, tons . 1,098 1,109 Fruits of all kinds ... ... Total value $378,782 00 Duties on imports . $27,778 73. TONNAGE OF THE PORT OF SAVANNAH1879. VESSELS ENTERED AND CLEARED AT CUSTOM HOUSE. VESSELS. Tonnage. Men. American vessels entered American vessels cleared Foreign vessels entered Foreign vessels cleared 21,994 24,891 198,040 156,470 439 497 3,96o 3,129 Total foreign . 401,395 8,025 Coastwise arrivals 411,794 442,734 8,235 8,834 854,528 401,395 17,069 8,025 Total Add tonnage of coastwise vessels not cleared 1,255,923 513,229 25,094 10,264 1,769,142 35,358 98 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. oo oo EOiJ O P-. CT) < E-i O F-- fO s (^ o nS. gi PC < 00 o P< o P-. S) ?. 'si '-1 g puB[Si Bay ONN -^ N roO ON^^OO^ M vO M O 1- -- N r^ONr^rO 00 !>. P^ ON -H -' "^ -^ IN" M LO 00 NO -r-.o^-^-M^ooOOOco iirn'idn t^ O N 0 00 io:" M.NO, -ft q. put.[Ufl rC^ooo 0 O inr^M c^*^ 0 ON ro N J puB[si r;3S puB[dn - 0 :8 ro ro ro LO z H 2 P^i O O U pucisi Bay puBida LO ro LONO M ON 00 Tf 0 0 ~ NO NO NO ON LO b" ON NO" 00 N (N ^JO 0 -3- ro vO ro r-NO QS ro co 00 NO" I-T M T}- LO < H O pUU[SI B3S \0 O fO ' O . . . ' ,:i _ O OO LO ro LONO ON ON ' 0) CI LO ON - O^ r? 4 puE[SI T33S NO NO O CO rO r O LO *^- 1-1 NO N t^ (O rj- - ON NO NO NO LO ro 1- ro 0 ^1 N vO 0 N ON pu-EjdQ ^ _: ^ ^ -f M N - W N N 1-, 1-. NO W NO I-I ro -"t ON ro d\ CN rT TT CO LO M ON ro Z 'puu[si -ess rooo roO '^-ONr^^o<- ONO ON O LOO M ONLO'-I I^-'d- Th co-o O ^O ON ro <~020 ^NO TJ- t-- iN r^ r Lll ^LoONWO^-fOONNONt^Th r^-^t-ro--^ ONOOO ON ON 00 NO . 't r-*- ONOO Tf -^-NO 0 ON O *o ON LOCO 00 r-*. r-. i^- O ON ON M ONO ^ONt^ioONroLoq, ^rC.-i ro^ r^Ti-ON'^'-*00NO NO MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 99 r.- X l^ Of) y, _._ W OH O o Hi co VI o o X b is ! S o (J rt ^ o X puc[si -eag 00 O N ONNO M W 0^ CT\ TJro ^NO O rd- roO TJ-LO N ON ^i C^ ^ 0 r^^O o N - ^ \r, o ^ - r^ 0 ON I-I r^> ONO r^ IT, M r^ TJ- O nuncln M "O ^ ""r o. ^jo ON q; i^oo.oo ON r^Nh-M r^^-Ly-iiTN'ON 1 " 5 el OS o 2 'pUC[SJ E3^ pu^jdn LO ON ro d- ON ro q, LO Z P g "pUBJSJ "GSg - --- prnqdrj LO LO t-i ON N ONOO ^h W rj- 0 IN rO O" N* O ro OJ ^ iONNO r^ N N O ON 00 NO r~. r^- * *_ rC "oo" ro CN LO id" ro u u z < 01 H 2 X puB[si V3S xn ro 00 M :2 ro ptiB[dn O ^o LO ro - ro - ro -d1 NO CO LO z' 5 o w X o nuB[SI Bag - 00 CN 5 o -t O -0 C puB[da ^- M r-. r^oo M ro00 O O r-.'O co O^ (^ i-T ON tC rC ro Mi- i-i CO ro itNO HH O TJ-NO rd" N f^ Th LO ON TF cf d^ o" ro vf ro NO LO 00 00 in H 3 rt z pUB|S"J B3g Td-NO N O N rONO ro ro -^ ON ON O M ro ro N ci ro 00 CO 0 pUE[dQ rovoO 1^ rO00 O N O 00 N ON ON GOON'-LOONONN'^-ThONi-iCO ^JONNO LOi-OrOMONOOONr-- TJ| LOLoONMro'- roONO w* DOLOM'-I OQNOLoro (O s u tdrt in'n O rt O pUBISJ 133S -rfvOMON ' ' * ON CN O M CO r^ _ -^ N rt r-*\o - co rONO ro ro ' ro ro N_ r^ - . i-T c? ro o" pUB^H ON (N NO r^ rocO O N 00 ON Os M r^vO *-i io ON ON ro-"d-NO - CI r-- r-, i^* LO i-i NO ro n ONNO T)- "-^OO^ MD vo ON W ro i-" ro fT N ro OO to N M OOONOro LO NO to CO METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY. 1879. January February March April May June . July August September October . November December BAROMETER. 30.206 30-151 30.150 30.036 30.052 30.056 30.046 30.009 30.100 S 0 - 1 39 30.222 30.203 TELEGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS. Corrected for temper ature, instrumental error, and elevation. 30.232 30-165 30.180 30.067 30-075 30.084 30.067 30.032 30.116 30.164 30.246 30.227 30.176 30.119 30.106 29.982 30.014 30.021 30.010 29-975 30.070 30.110 30.1 30.166 Mid night. 30.216 30.166 30.I47 30.038 30-051 30.057 30.048 30.008 30.104 30-I33 30.222 30.204 Sums . . 361.370 361.655 360.935 361.394 360.537 359.845 360.2 Annual means 30.114 30.138 30.078' 30.116 30.045 29.987 30.024 Corrected for temper ature and instrumen tal error only. 30-I35 30.068 30.086 29-973 29.983 29.994 29.977 29.942 30.025 30.072 30.151 30-131 Mid night. 30.081 30.024 30.014 29.892 29.928 29.932 29.922 29.886 29.980 30.019 30.094 30-073 30.120 30.070 30-053 29.945 29.960 29.967 29.959 29.918 30.013 30.041 30.128 30.109 0 G CJ OJ u fc/D *z !e B X Q 30.558 29.809 749 30.555 29.794 .761 30.587 29.408 .1-179 30.473 29.568 905 30.374 29.804 .570 30.271 29.787 .484 30.285 29.746 539 30.237 29.760 477 30.321 29.854 .467 30.577 29-853 724 30.482 29.886 596 30.418 29.732 .686 365-138 357.001 8-137 THERMOMETER. 5i-7 51-5 61.8 65.1 73-7 79.2 83.6 79.8 74.2 70-5 59-8 58.6 TELEGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS. 45-9 46-3 56.0 61.4 71.7 78.7 82.3 78.2 7i-3 67.6 54-3 51.6 809.51765.3 872.3 67.5! 63.8 72.7 Mid night. 57-2 57-o 68.2 7i-5 78.7 83-5 87.1 83-9 78.5 73-7 66.8 66.2 50.7 50-7 60.4 62.9 7i-5 76.6 81.0 77-5 72.4 69.4 58.1 57-6 65-7 s S e B s X 3 * g Q 80 24 56 74 31 43 85 38 47 84 39 45 89 57 32 96 61 35 105 69 36 97 63 34 90 55 35 86 43 43 81 33 48 76 33 43 1043 546 497 SJ^. 68.3 63-9 67.0 61.6 67.7 67-5 69.5 74.6 76.6 79.8 69.0 74-7 840.2 70.0 WIND. 0 N W N SW s s s s s N EN E N S NUMBER OF MILES. 1,407 1,319 1,886 2,070 1,883 i,479 1,592 1,452 1,626 1,820 1,407 i,i35 19,076 1589.7 < NO 1,223 1,272 1,508 1,441 I,404 1,094 I,l67 1,220 ',339 i,497 1,211 849 15,225 1268.7 4,648 4,632 5,85i 5,905 5,578 4,161 4,437 4,3! 9 4,690 5,525 4,373 3,5oo 57,6i9 323 4801.6 26.9 26 26 39 29 30 23 26 27 27 26 24 20 fi a S a t gC/3T! < 1.00 3.22 i-55 8.69 3-o5 5.86 4.29 5.10 5-54 3-87 2.46 45-: 3.8 a is" r O _ C/3 a 135 11.2 GENERAL REMARKS. January Great range in temperature. Frost on 10th. Lunar halo on 10th. High barometer. Small rainfall. February High barometer. Frost on 10th. Lunar halo, 2d. Highest wind on 1st. Heavy rain, thunder and lightning, 18th. Large rainfall. March , . . Great range in barometer. No frost. Lunar halo on 5th. Small rainfall. Great quantity of haze and smoke. April No halo. Frost reported in country on the 4th. 6.11 inches of rain fell in 19^ hours, commencing 3.31 p. M. 16th. May Solar halo, 31st. Small range'in barometer. The maximum temperature for May is the lowest on record. Rainfall exceeds any May since 1875. June Solar halo on 22d and 23rd. Small range in barometer on 8th. 3.18 inches rain fell in 5^ hours. Slight deficiency in rainfall. July Solar halo on 16th. Lunar halo, 30th. The 12th was the hottest day on record in Savannah. A deficiency in rainfall. August Lunar halo, 3rd. Small range in barometer. Highest wind 27 miles on the 8th. Deficiency in rainfall. September High barometer. Rainfall 1.66 inches less than September, 1878. 3.75 inches fell on 19th to 22d, inclu.ively. October Lunar halo on 3rd and 25th. The highest mean barometer for October on the records of the office. November Lunar halo, 27th and 28th. Solar halo, 5th, 6th and 29th. Frost on 20th, 21st, 22d and 23rd. Ice on 21st. Frost reported in country, 4th. December Lunar halo, 19th. Solar halo, nth. Frost, 17th and 27th. Small rainfall. Least movement of the atmosphere for Decembei on record, .03 inches fog-fall on A. M. of December 8th. STATIONSAVANNAH, GA. PETER C. GUTHRIE, Sergeant Signal Corps, U. S. A. NAMES OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN FOR 1879-'80. MAYOR, JOHN F. WHEATON. CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, ELIAS A. WEIL. VICE-CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, HENEY F. WILLINK. ALDERMEN: 1. ELIAS A. WEIL. 7. DANIEL O'CONNOE. 2. HENEY F. WILLINK. 8. EDWAED LOVELL. 3. JOHN E. HAMLET. 9. THOS. BALLANTYNE. 4. JOHN SCHWAEZ. 10. GEOEGE C. FEEEMAN. 5. WM. DUNCAN, M. D. 11. HENEY BLUN. 6. DANIEL G. PUESE. 12. L. H. DEMONTMOLLIN. STANDING COMMITTERS OF COUNCIL. AccountsAldermen Freemau, Weil, DeMontmollin. Docks and WharvesAldermen Willink, O'Connor, Blun. Dry CultureAldermen Weil, Freeman, Purse. EducationAldermen Duncan, DeMontmollin, O'Connor. FinanceAldermen Purse, Freeman, Blun, Weil, Duncan. FireAldermen Willink, Lovell, Hamlet. GasAldermen Blun, Ballantyne, Purse. Health and (Jemetei yAldermen Duncan, Schwarz, Lovell. JailAldermen Schwarz, Weil, O'Connor. MarketAldermen Lovell, Schwarz, Willink. * PoliceAldermen Willink, DeMontmollin, Blun. Public BuildingsAldermen O'Connor, Hamlet, Ballantyne. Public Sales and City LotsAldermen DeMontmollin, Wil link, Hamlet. PumpsAldermen Ballantyne, DeMontmollin, Schwarz. Streets and LanesAldermen Hamlet, Ballantyne, Lovell, Freeman. Water WorksAldermen Blun, Duncan, Weil. COMMISSIONEES OF WATEE WOEKS. AldermenGeorge C. Freeman and Henry Blun. CitizensF. M. Hull, D. C. Bacon and E. J. Acosta, Jr. COMMISSIONEES OF EDUCATION. William Duncan, M. D. H. S. Haines.