37 ti- Y u- ; ' i - - I ' i ', ci N ' T". ANNUAL REPORT HERMAN MYERS, Mayor of the City of Savannah FOR THE /ear Ending December 31, 1896. TO WHICH IS ADDED THE TREASURER'S REPORT ; REPORTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS; COMMERCIAL STATISTICS, . .' AND ORDINANCES PASSED IN 1896. SAVANNAH, GA. : THE MOBNING NEWS PRINT. 1897. rife: MAYOR AND ALDERMEN FOR 1896, flAYOR, HERMAN MYERS. CHAIRMAN OP COUNCIL, THOMAS SCBEVEN. VICE-CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL, GEORGE W. TIEDEMAN. H. H. BACON, *J. J. CAROLAN, L. A. FALLIGANT, WM. GARRARD, E. C. GLEASON, G. A. HUDSON, ALDERMEN, HENRY KOLSHORN, C. A. LAMOTTE, THOMAS SCREVEN, GEO. W. TIEDEMAN, W. J. WATSON, D. B. LE8TER, ADOLPH M. LEFFLER. *J. J. Carolan resigned Aug. 3,1886; Adolpb M. Leffler'elected Sept. 26,1886. CITY OFFICERS, 1896. MAYORHERMAN MYERS. CLERK OF COUNCILA. N. MANUCY. CITY TREASURERC. S. HARDEE. CITY MARSHALJOHN POWER. CHIEF OF POLICEFRANK McDERMOTT. ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICEOWEN F. REILLY. RECORDER POLICE COURTH. E. WILSON. CITY ENGINEERW. J. WINN. HEALTH OFFICERDR. W. F. BRUNNER QUARANTINE OFFICERW. J. LTNLEY. CITY PHYSICIANS-DR. L. E. WELCH, DR. B. F. 8HEFTALL, DR. C. C. LAWRENCE, DR. S. P. LLOYD, (c.) HARBOR MASTERJ. J. GRAHAM. CLERK OF THE MARKETD. 8. GARDNER. CITY ATTORNEYSAMUEL B. ADAMS. KEEPER LAUREL GROVE CEMETERYA. B. LAROCHE. KEEPER PEST HOUSEWM. REAGAN. PORT WARDENSLEWIS WIGGINS, W. B. ADAMS. / FIRE CHIEFJOHN E. MAGUIRE. ASSISTANT FrRE CHIEFGEO. MOURO. SUPERINTENDENT SCAVENGER DEPARTMENTH. E. DREESON. SUPERINTENDENT WATER WORKSH. M. LOFTON. CHIHNEY CONTRACTORSDANIEL SULLIVAN, Eastern Division ; THEO. BASCH, Western Division. INSPECTORS OF NAVAL STORESJ. F. McEARCHERN, A. A. McEARCHERN, NAT HARRI8ON, J. E. REGISTER, J. F. BLISS, LEWIS BLISS, R B. JEWITT, R. P. REGISTER, JAMES T. WELLS, M. G. REGISTER. MESSENGER OF COUNCILJOHN HARRI8ON. COMMISSIONS. Tax Assessor* and ReceiversJohn Schwaiz, Chairman; J. H. H. Osborne, Clerk; W. W. Chlsholm. PoliceEdward Karow, Chairman; Abram Vetsburg, Joseph W. Jackson. lireWm. L. Grayson, Chairman ; B. 8. Mell; *Hugh Logan, Geo. W. Parish. WaterJ. M. Bixoo, Chairman; Jonas Mendel, John H. Fox. Park and FreeDr. Geo. H- Stone, Chairman ; W. W. Gordon, Jr., Secretary; Geo. J. Baldwin, P. D. Baffin, Charles 8. Bills. Commissioner of Public WorksHarry Willink. Hugh Logan resigned March 11,189S. Geo. V. Parish appointed Hay 2,1*96. STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL, 1896, AccountsAldermen Tiedemen, Screven, Lamotte. . Assessments Aldermen Hudson, Bacon, Carolan, Watson, Tiedetnan. City LotsAldermen Kolshorn, Screven, Carolan. DrainageAldermen Bacon, Failigant, Gleason. financeAldermen Garrard, Tiedeman, Bacon, Wateon, Hudson. FireAldermen Carolan, Bacon, Lester. Harbor and WharvesAldermen, Lester, Carolan, Lamotte. Health and CemeteryAldermen Failigant, Kolshorn, Lamotte. MarketAldermen Lamotte, Watson, Gleason. PoliceAldermen Screven, Garrard, Kolshorn. Streets and Lanes Aldermen Gleason, Tiedeman, Failigant, Kolshorn, Hudsou. Water Aldermen Wateon, Lester, Tiedeman. Special Committee on Opening StreetsAldermen Hudson, Glea- ,(!00 172,500 5V.OO $375.000 Signed by S.'F. Commleelonere, No. 2,000 2,708 42) 413 Amount. 12,000,009 1,131,000 127,500 41,30I> 11,522,800 On Hand Signed. No. S Ain't l.fOO 11,000 On Hand Not Signed No. 12 Amount 1,200 81,2:0 Signed and letued. No. 2,000 2,698 424 413 Amount. $2,000,000 1,319,000 127,200 41, SOU 18,517,500 Not -Available. No. 2 1 Amount. l.COO 300 11,800 Cancelled by 8.F. Commlitlvntia. No. 221 341 162 101 Amount. 1220,000* 170,600 45,600 10,100 1455,100 Amount Outitanding. fe; k No. 1,771 8,357 272 812 Amount. k k q 11,771,000 k J,nH,500 ^ ." "" 81,100 K 81,200 S t t8,08J,80Q STATEMENT OF CITY OF SAVANNAH BONDS. Issue 18835 Per Cent Mutt Bond! Printed. Vita*. 11,000 500 SO No. 800 200 800 Amount. 1800,000 100,000 15,000 *415,000 Dettfoyid b Finance CommlttM. No, GO Amount 125,001) 125,000 Signed by S. F. Commissioner*. No. 800 160 800 Amount. 1300,000 75,000 16,000 1890,000 On H*nd Signed. No. 2 *8 Amount. 11,000 800 11,800" 8l|nd and Itcutd. No. 800 147 804 Amount. {300,000 - 7?,500 15,200 $338,700 Cancelled by S. F. Commiulonort. No. 71 38 64 Amount. in,ooo 16,600 8,200 190,700 Amount Outstanding. No. W9 114 240 Amount. (229,030 57,000 12,000 B98.100 i s 1 One $500 bond exchanged lor ten $50 bonda to adjust exchange or old bond. S8 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Report of Tax Assessors and Receivers.1896. OFFICE BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS AND RECEIVERS, ) SAVAKNAH, GA., JAN. 1st, 1897. J Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: SIRWe respectfully submit the following report of the Tax Assessors and Receivers for the year ending December 31st, 1896. We entered office on the 6th of January, 1896, and at once began to receive the returns of personal property. The total personal property returned was as follows: Stock in Trade..............................$ 1,960,047 00 Goods on Consignment.... .............. 75,775 00 Office and Household Furniture........ 911,363 00 Jewelry, Silverware, etc.................. 120,139 00 Musical Instruments....................... 76,549 00 Money and Solvent Accounts........... 2,489,582 00 Stocks and Bonds.......................... 656,435 00 Promissory Notes........................... 170,320 00 Mortgages"on Real Estate..../........... 437,745 00 " Personal Property........ 54,300 00 Bonds for Titles ........................... 3,50000 Shipping...................................... 675,990 00 Banks.......................................... 2,299,912 00 Horses, Mules and Live Stock.......... 116,160 00 Vehicles....................................... 61,865 00 Machinery, Fixtures, etc................. 182,140 00 MA YOKS ANNUAL REPORT. 9 Telegraph and Telephones............... 10,470 00 Libraries...................................... 50,295 00 Other Personal Property.................. 66,440 00 Total Personal Property for 1896...110,409,018 00 " " 1895... 9,160,522 00 Increase................................. $1,248,496 00 The above returns have been entered upon two identical tax digests, alphabetically arranged, one of which was retained for use in our office, and the other turned over to the City Treasurer, as required by ordinance of January 4th, 1896. We have inspected and assessed during the year 291 permits for new buildings and improvements, the total assessed value of which amounted to $210,700.00 We found 14 new houses and 9 improvements built without permits this year, and 8 houses built prior to January 1st, 1896, all of which have been assessed and are included in the above figures. The book containing these assessments is now in our officeopen to inspection by all parties at interest. A complete copy of the books containing the assessed valuation of all the real estate and improvements in the city has been made, and is now in our office for reference by the general public. The total taxable property of the city of Savannah is as follows: SO MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. Real Estate..................................$23,002,517 00 Ground Rent Lots......................... 1,357,940 00 Stock in Trade............... .............. 2,035,822 00 Furniture, Money, etc .................... 5,397,294 00 Banks.............!. ........................ 2,299,912 00 Shipping...................................... 675,990 00 Total.....................................$34,769,475 00 Very respectfully, JOHN SCHWAKZ, Chairman, City Treasurer'5 Report. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY TREASURER. Dr. Statement of Cash Received and Disbursed from Jan. 1,1896 to Dec. 31, 1896. Cr. Cash In Treasury Jan. 1,1896. 38,538 06 Board of HMlth. Salaries of Health Officer, City Physicians, Inspectors and Keeper of Pest House from Jan. 1, 1896, to Dec. 81,1896................................. 9,610 79 Drugs and medicines for city patients....................................... 7,806 43 Time of hands for disinfecting......... 639 80 Printing mortuary reports, circulars, permits, stationery, advertising, eta ...................................... JJ37 60 Shoeing, repairs to buggy, empty bottles, buckets, dippers, forage, etc.............................................. 118 91 Coffins and wagon hire for paupers.. 322 10 Copperas, lime and carbolic acid for disinfection purposes................... 1,002 65 Clothing and other articles destroyed by order of the Health Officer........................................ 25 00 I s o a XI Board of Hlth. (O. B. MACHINE.) Office collection for odorless excavating machine......................... ..? City Marshal for collections for account of odorless excavating machine as follows: Executions for year 1892................. Executions for year 1894................. Executions for year 1895......... ...... Executions for year 1896................. City Maps. Received for one mounted Map....... 3,619 92 40D 8 uO 186 00 64 00 3,881 92 250 250 Expenses of Health Officer attending convention at New York city. 100 00 19,862 OS (O. E. MACHINE.) Salary of Superintendent and time of hands..................... ... ........... 1,596 21 Charcoal, lime, tar, forage aud other incidentals................................. 276 75 J. W. Creekman as per contract for cleaning vaults............................ 6,45900- 8,33196 City Lamps. Brush Electric Light and Power Company for lighting streets from Dec. 1,1895, to Nov. SO, 1896.. City Clocks. Amount paid for attending city clocks and repairing office clocks.. City Court. Clerk, Sheriff and deputies for attending court and fees......... ......... Clerk and Sheriff for cost in insolvent criminal cases and issuing subpoanas... ................................. 27,203 08 27,208 08 23000 23000 4,53000 1,10060 i s City Court. Amount collected from Fretwell A Nlohola by Cltv Treasurer for bill for stationery paid them twice........................................... 1765 Solicitor General fees...................... 80000 Printing and stationery and advertising........ ................................. 547 29 Furnishing meals to jurors..,........... 180 00 Amount paid witnesses.................. 346 Sheriff for conveying prisoners from jail to court house...................... 96500 ^ Sheriff for summoning grand and petit jurors.................................. 8000 "<$ Amount paid for hand cuffs, etc...... 29 60 g Hire of carriages for grand jurors to &J Inspect convict camps.................. 3500 ^ 1755 Clerk for making out list of jurors... 6000 8,32085 fe 3 2 , Crematories. Received from Superintendent proceeds of sale of cow and hone hides........................................... Beoelved from Commissioner of Public Works proceeds of sale of old material............... ..... ........... 1856 4400- 6265 Crematories. Salary of Superintendent and time of hands.......................... ........... Blacksmith and bricklayer work..... Oils, drays, forage, lime, cement, lumber, bricks, etc...................... Fuel....................... ....................... Printing and stationery.................. Insurance premium........................ Chert..................................... ........ 4,96568 196 23 85042 1.645 35 10 52 3000 147 18- 7 845 28 Dry Culture. Bent of Twickenham plantation for one year................................. ..... 1,20000 Citizens' Industrial Committee. Amount paid D. Q. Purse, Chairman, for defraying necessary expenses attendant the exhibit from Savannah at the Cotton States and International Exposition at Atlanta....................................... 165 00 166 00 ^ Dry Culture. to Time of hands............................... 9,18805 ** Rent of Twickenham plantation for one year................................ 1,50000 ^ Lumber, lime, nails, shovels and CJ other incidentals......................... 747 25 ^ One horee....................................... 16000 One buggy and repairs to same....... 273 75 ff Printing and stationery.................. 10262 ^ 1,20000 Bent of telephone for one year........ 418612,00163 2 K] * Fire Department. Pay roll of Firemen from Dec. 1, 1895, to Nov. 30,1896.................... 49,258 60 Repairs to engines, trucks, wagons and buggy.......,...,.....,.........,...., 1.12287 Harbor Master for collection for harbor fees from Dec. 1, 1805, to -Nov. 80, 1896................................ 4,138 55 City Marshal for collection for executions........................... ............ 1,846 00 Harness and repairs to same........... 277 40 Repairs and renovating engine houses, etc................................... 610 16 Fuel............................................... 581 00 Lights.................1....... ... ............... 860 52 Kent of engine house No. 2.............. 333 32 Waste, oil, paint, tools, ice, sawdust and other Incidentals................... 2,157 95 Horses purchased........................... 725 00 Medicine and treatment of sick stock........................................... 82 00 Rent of telephones for engine houses 82000 Shoeing bill.................................... 486 86 Printing and stationery.................. 166 90 One chemical engine...................... 724 25 Hose, couplings, suctions, nozzles, 5,48454 feedpumps, etc........................... 4,02205 Iron bedsteads and bedding ........... 50 80 Forage............................................ 2,270 66 Amount paid physician for attending firemen.................................. 420 60 Poles and Labor.............................. 79 82 Alarm signal and brackets.............. 23.2 90 Fifty badges................................... 37 50 Premium on bond of Chief and Assistant Chief..................... ...... 85 00 32 ts tjo Fir* Department. Beoeived from the Fire Chief proceeds of sale of old material.......... 304 36 804 36 Ground Rent*. Office collections for ground rents on city lots................................. 17,991 68 17,991 68 Ground Rent Lot*. Received from various parties balance due on ground rent lots........ 2,158 88- 2,166 88 B. F. Finney professional services making examination and report on origin of fires............ .............. 25 00 65,238 06 Fir* and Polio* Uniforms. Firemen's uniforms, shirts, caps, etc 3,246 67 Police uniforms, helmets, etc.......... 5,984 43 9,230 10 Harbor and Wharves. Amount paid Harbor Master for use of horse and buggy ..................... Printing and stationery.................. Port Wardens for amount of office expenses of Harbor Master's office Repairing wharf and cleaning out basins...... ................................... Coal.......................... ..................... 24000 27 95 28 45 12000 12 75 429 15 3 2C^ 1 Hospital*. g Savannah Hospital for keeping city patient* for the year ending Dec. 31, 1890........................................ 8,600 00 St. Joseph Infirmary for keeping olty patients for the year ending Dec. 81, 1896................................ 8,600 00 fe Georgia Infirmary for keeping city u. patients for the year ending Dec. ^ 81, 1896........................................ 8,600 00- 10,800 00 2 HOUM Drainage. tj Amount paid for services of engineer 3 and time of hands making sur- fi veys of outlet sewer.......... ........... 2,10569 s, Lumber, shovels, rope, lanterns, etc 218 45 t? Amount paid for plan sewer........... 860 00 2,676 14 |j> to S Incidentals. Postage, telegrams, exchange, fares for paupers, charity, ice and sundry incidental expenses............... 2,862 67 City Assessors for assessing improvements for 1896..................... 450 00 Incidentals. Keeper of City Pound for collections of pound fees............................... Minks Interest on daily balances..... 1200 3,052 62 Rent of telephone......... ............... 6000 Carriage hire for assessors................ 100 00 Cost of court in Sunday cases......... 148 20 Expenses incurrred in entertaining Rhode Island Press Club, Police Chiefs and Mr. Btevens and party 309 75 Commission of Pilotage amount assessed in defraying expenses for 1896............................................. 75 00 Amount paid for detective service... 102 50 A. N. Manuoy for compiling port statistics...................................... !50 00 Lighting for city offices.................. 5 60 Fuel for city offices......................... 56 50 Tbe American Exchange National Bank commission for paying coupons from city bonds in New York city.................................... 59 50 Premium on bonds for city officers. 225 00 E. A. Gradot for copying mortgagea 100 00 John Fleming, Jr., for taking testimony In the scrap iron case.......... 2$ 00- Expenses of committee attending grain convention at Charleston.... 53 59 D. O. Purse expenses to Chicago attending convention..................... 98 60 IIo City Marshal, amount collected for interest on executions......,.....,.,,.. City Marshal, proceeds of sales at Court House................................ Received for surveying lots and making plats............................... Laurel Grove Cemetery. Keeper for Burial fees.......... Keeper for sale of lots.......... Military Interstate Association for 171 60 Advertising................................. 250 00 Expenses of Speo. Com. to Atlanta.. 6090 38 00 Amount paid for pasting coupons in coupon books from Nov. 1,1895, 240 00 3,614 31 to Nov. 80,1896........................... 100 00 6,292 81 B < Interest. Coupons from city bonds issue of 65 1879............................................. 158,006 25 u. Coupons from city bonds issue of fcg 1888............................................. 16,658 61173,669 76 ^ Ukb< id Laurel Grave Cemetery fcj Salary of Keeper and time of hands 5,962 90 o Material and tools........................... 9430 Rent of telephone for one year........ 46 00 Printing and stationery.................. 26 00 Amount paid for chert.................... 17382 Amount paid Kenan and Hartridge for fees in case of Hopkins............ 25 00 1,328 60 Savannah Hedge Fence Company 650 00 1,973 60 for planting hedge as per contract 200 00 6,528 02 License*. Office collections for liquor licenses and interest on liquor notes for 1890............................................. 51,884 05 51,884 05 Market. City Marshal rent of stores............. City Marshal rent of stalls.............. Clerk of Marshal for collections....... 2,659 00 700 00 12,545 05- 15,904 05 Market Salary of Clerk, Assistant Clerk and time of hands.............................. 2,810 00 Lighting market............... ........... B74 12 Brooms, soda, aoap, sawdust and other incidentals......................... 282 45 Printing and stationery.................. 33 85 Repairs and material...................... 172 80 Cleaning chimneys........................ 16 50 Fuel............................................... 22 75 Amount paid Joseph Fried for damages sustained by him caused by water leaking through the market floor...................................... 5765 Repairing roof................................ 361 00 Opening Streets"! Savannah Investment Company for . land conveyed to the city for opening streets........................... 1,000 00 J. A. G. Carson for land conveyed to the city for opening streets...... 1,000 00 R. P. Lovell, Administrator, for land conveyed to the city for opening street*............................ 2,500 00 4,431 12 I 2 IM I O to Mrs. E. W. Lovell for land conveyed to city for opening streets..; 2,600 00 Charles Seller for land conveyed to city for opening streets................ 4,000 00 George W. Alien for land conveyed to city for opening streets............ 600 00 J. F. Glatigny for land conveyed to city for opening street*..,............. 1,723 28 F. W. Mundorf for land conveyed to city for opening street*............ 600 00 0. A. Minister for land conveyed to city for opening streeta................. 660 00 B. J. Roche for land conveyed to city for opening streets ............... 000 00 Southern Mutual Loan Association for land conveyed to city for opening utreetB.................................... 460 00 Mrs. Matilda Krouskoff for land conveyed to city for opening streete.......................................... 833 84 F. J. Buokert for land conveyed to city for opening streets................ 220 00 John M. Fisher for land conveyed to city for opening streets............ 800 00 0. F. Pendergast for land conveyed to city for opening streets............ 866 79 W. W. Gross for land conveyed 38- 05gI Opening Streets. Received from B. B. Beppard for old building on 5| of Lot D, Beppard Ward, said building sold to him by the Committee on Opening Street! to be removed by him at his expense.............................. Squares. Beoeived from the Park and Tree Commissioners for Betting out trees for sundry persons............... Received from John Bourke & Son proceeds of sale of railing around Court House Square, Gordon Monument and Forsyth Park...... Account paid by the Park and Tree Commissioners to pity Treasurer, being amount paid to H. H. Oaborne for one horse and wagon. 100 00- 100 00 85 00 527 00 6000 66200 to city for opening streets............ Alexander Harris for land conveyed to city tor-opening streetsHenry H. Miller for land conveyed to city for opening streets............ Interest on notes given for opening streets............................ ............. Clerk Superior Court for recording deeds................... ........................ Parks and Squares. Salary of Keeper of Foreyth Place and time of hands........................ Lumber, tools, brick, lime, painting, lawn mowers, repairs to same and other incidentals................... Plants and roses.............................. Printing and stationery..... ............ Chert, stone, gravel, etc.................. Laying walks................... .............. Estill Park.... ............................... Work at Colonial Park................... Planting grass and plants.............. Horse, wagon and harness....... ...... Bench frames................................ 86218 806 8T 46000 1,96968 22 85 21,034 39 7,645 13 1,88809 62449 56 62 660 16 86 00 1,00000 1,848 20 200 00 5000 140 90 18,047 a 2 I Paving StreetsOffice collections for Improving the following streets: . Aberoorn........................ ............... 853 25 Habereham..................................... 888 88 Ogeeohee Road.... ........................ 93 48 City Marshal for oolleotlons for improving .the following streets: Bull............................................... 187 SI Jefferson...,..................................... 807 27 Liberty........................... .... ......... 180 01 Ogeeohee Road............................... 1,803 76 Habereham,.................................... 8,474 78- Paving Sidewalks. City Marshal for collections for repairing sidewalks........................ 80 25- Polloe Department Received from George D. Barnard & Co., amount of one cypher code 0,238 74 30 25 Paving Streets. Paving and Improving streets.. 84,84-2 20 84,842 20 Police Department. Police pay roll from Dec. 1,1895, to Nov. 80,1896..............................:. 69,561 46 Material and repairs to buildings.... 023 95 Oils, ice, sawdust and sundry incidentals..................................... 492 69 Fuel............................................... 228 14 Printing and stationery................. 2S1 06 Forage............................................ 2,149 87 Harness and repairs to same.,......... 460 26 Food to prisoners........................... 641 95 6 3 to Co s I this amount being paid twice, and same collected by Treasurer......... Proceeds of sale of horses................. Proceeds of sale of manure.............. Proceeds of sale of old muskets, brass, lead and sacks.................... Received from the Clerk of Council, being the amount of fines imposed upon Policeman Arnold, and afterwards remitted by the Mayor. Credited to Arnold on January pay roll by mistake........ T. A. Ward amount of his bill paid twice and collected back by Treasurer..................................... Received from the Police Commissioners for fines recorded on police pay rolls.................................. .... Polio* Court. Received from the Clerk of Council for fines collected by him from the Police Court........................... Printing and Stationery. City Marshal for advertising realestate sales, etc.....:...................... 4 65 40500 50 00 51 47 200 13 75 161 DO- 687 87 5,389 00 5.389 00 196 03 196 00 Shoeing, repairs to wagons and other incidentals.................. .. . Batteries, wire, etc.......................... Rent of telephone........................... Chairs, matting, etc................. ...... Medicine and treatment of sick stock...................................... .... Horses purchased........................... Lighting barracks........................... Special services.............................. Funeral expenses of Policeman P. Russell................... .................... Blankets........................ ............. Expenses of Chief attending convention at Columbus................... I)r. Norton and Silverman for services rendered.............................. Iron safe and moving same............. Printing and Stationery. Salary of city printer, stationery, printing circulars,, reports, proceedings of council and Mayor's Report 1895........ ........................ 794 33 271 37 235 00 89 66 9562 1,26500 447 12 231 44 5000 12 00 60 00 105 00 45 00 78,130 82 I 09 I B I ' 3,223 04 3,223 04 Publlo Buildings. Received from the Home Insurance Company of New York for damage sustained to Exchange Building by the storm of September 29, 1896............................................. Received from the Home Insurance Company of New York for amount of returned premium on tornado policy...... ....................... 36015 2 82 862 47 Quarantine. Various vessels for boarding fees and fumigating charges............... 4,543 10 Various vessels for discharging ballast at station.............................. 1,634 SO Public Buildings. Premium of insurance.................... 86 75 Repain and material, renovating city offices, Exchange building.... 1,225 65 Fuel, furniture and sundry incidentals..................................... 549 66 Lighting City Exchange................ 318 63 Cleaning chimneys......................... 6 20 Public Property. Amount paid interest on notes........ 2,186 89 162 50 162 50 Quarantine. Salary of Quarantine Officer and time of hands from Dec. 1,1895, to Nov. 30,1896............................... 5,094 91 Printing and stationery................... 24 60 Oil, tool8,rope, paint and sundry incidentals...................................... 42J 53 Machine and blacksmith work........ 31 24 Fuel................................................ 957 50 Rent of telephone........................... 200 00 Repairs to roof.............................. 356 00 2 i S3 Received from Green A Gaynor for ballast at Quarantine Station....... Received from the Atlantic Construction Company for all the rook ballast at the old Quarantine Station. ................................. ... Rent Account. 0. G. Beebe rent of land known aa the McLeod track for year ending Dec. 81,1893................................. Brick store foot of West Broad street........................................... City Dispensary building................ Encroachment of south side of wharf lot No. 8, Decker Ward...... Wharf slip foot of Dray ton street..... Wharf slip foot of Whltaker street... Eastern room Exchange building from Dec. 81,1805, to Aug. 1,1806 Hutobinson Island from Dec. 1, 1805, to Nov. 80,1896.................... Lota on Springfield Plantation....... 600 00 350 00 7027 40 200 00 51000 48000 500 10000 10000 60000 10000 1000 2,105 00 Furniture, etc........................... .... Premium of insurance on building at station...... .............................. Corrosive sublimate....................... Dr. Kenan for services as acting quarantine officer....................... Quarantine Tug. Salary of captain and crew from Dec. 1,1895, to Nov. SO, 1896......... Provisions, ice, etc.......................... Premium of insurance on Tug......... Material, machine and blacksmith work........................................... Rope, oil, waste, paint and sundry incidentals.................................. Fuel............................................... Repairs on boat.............................. J. W. Daniels for services as ucti ng captain........................................ 15408 227 25 55 80 180 00- 7,655 91 8,268 91 931 31 80 00 29287 28360 141 18 326 52 26 66 5,800 85 I 8 I Salaries. & Salaries of city officers and clerks from Dec. 1, 1895, to Nov. 80,18116 86,741 36 James L,"Bankln for examining Treasurer's, Marshal's and Clerk of Council's books........................ 25000 35,091 8 Street Numbering. s TimeX men................................... 757 50 OQ National! Enameling Works for U. numbering plates........................ 551 25 ^ Amount paid for drayage, tele- *j grams, hammers and screws........ 2307 1,33382 x b Scavenger Department. I Salary of Superintendent and time | of hands...................................... 15,654 97 " New wagons, repairs to wagons, shoeing........................................ 2,192 20 Oil, shovels and sundry incidentals. 412 41 Harness and repairs to same............ 382 85 Forage............................................ 4,869 23 Rent of lot...................................... 55'J 00 Scavenger Department. Received from Commissioner of Public Works proceeds of sale of mules and horses......................... Streets and Lane*. Received from various parties for repairing sidewalks..................... Clerk of Council for collections for sewer permits.................. ....... C. C. Eeebe proceeds of sale of manure from city lots.................. Various parties for cutting weeds.... National Conduit Company for 680 bushels of oyster shells ............... Commissioner of Public Works proceeds of sale horses, mules, barrels and sacks.................... ............... Amount expended by street and lane department for paving streets, charged to streets and lanes. 23000 23000 22998 264 41 100 00 3 15 27 20 255 65 Medicine and treatment to sick stock........................................... Mules and horses purchased............ Printing and stationery.................. Rent of telephone........................... Roofing and painting new stables... Insurance premium........................ Burglar Alarm & Telegraph Company running wires..................... 214 70 1,075 00 30 32 116 25 144 89 139 75 58 00 25,540 67 Streets and Lanes. Time of hands................................. 33,040 29 Forage............................................ 2,585 45 Harness and repairs to same, shoeing, repairs to wagons, sprinklers, tools and sundry incidentals......... 1,565 27 Lime, cement, brick, sewer pipe, oil, lumber, tools and sundry incidentals ..................................... 4,431 59 Building cess pool and catch basins and repairs to same.,.. ........ ........ 106 57 Oyster shell.................................... 1,098 75 Medicine and treatment of sick stock........................................... 39 50 Warren Scharf Asphalt Paving Company for repairing streets...... 4,366 84 I S Vrhloh should have been charged to paving streets, hence transferee! to paving account, and streets and lanes credited.............................. Commissioner of Public Works the amount placed on pay roll for W. B. Walker by mistake, and returned to Treasurer as cash.......... Tx*-1890. City Marshal's collections for real estate., Tax**-1891. City Marshal's collections for real estate. TaxM-1892. City Marshal's collections for real estate........................ ................. Taxes-1893. City Marshal's collections for real estate.......................................... 48382 14 83 1,378 89 1050 1050- 18 94 1050 1050 18 94 180 19 180 19 Stone curbing, etc........................... Premium on bond for T. J. Gamble. Hire of Teams, etc.......................... Printing and stationery,.., ............ Premium on insurance................... Electric Kupply Company for a watchman's register..................... Lighting stables.............................. Sinking Fund. (SINKING FUND BONDS.1870). Commissioners for bonds issue of 1879 cancelled and retired ............ (SINKING FUND BONDS.1883). Commissioners for bunds issue of 1883 cancelled and retired............ Storm Appropriation. Time of hands cleaning streets........ Repairing roof City Exchange......... Hire of teams................................. Axes, lanterns, etc.. 216 36 1250 80 75 214 40 28 50 74 50 76 00 47,887 27 MAYOR'S ANN 44,779 75- 4t,779 75 8,71401 8,71401 4,662 53 154 00 937 10 193 17 i Repairing damage to Market........... 1,200 00 7,146 80 TixM-1894. City Marshal's collections for JReal estate.................................... Stock In trade.,..................,,.,..,,. Personal....................................... TaxM-1895. Office collections for Real estate .................................. Stock in trade............................... Personal....................................... Bhipping...................................... City Marshal's collections for Real estate.................................. Stock in trade.............................. Shipping...................................... Personal....................................... Specific... ................................... TaxM-1696. Office collections from Real estate......................... Stock in Tmde.................. Shipping........................... Personal............................ 1,712 40 8275 1 50- 1.806 65 77,394 21 5481 18 19,257 11 2,154 31 21,423 58 320 98 7 60 756 29 800 10--127,095 26 231,888 58 19,320 87 6,656 27 75,812 60 6 g u. B TaxM-1895. Amount refunded various parties allowed by Council...................... 9012 9012 Bpectflc.......................................... 72,868 88 Received for badges as follows One-horse wagon............................ 8,322 80 Two-horse wngon,.......................... 804 00 One-horse drays or trucks............... 477 60 Two-horse trucks............................ 1,368 80 One-horse hacks.............................. 207 60 Two-horse hacks............................. 109 60 Two-horse omnibus........................ 36 00 Street oars...................................... 563 50 Hucksters....................................... 810 50 Dogs............................................... 1,085 80 Push Carts..................................... 135 00 Poultry Hucksters.......................... 18 00 City Marshal's collection for Real estate................................ ..... 457 92 Block in trade................................. 34 85 Personal......................................... 4,149 29 Shipping........................................ 179 75 Specific.......................................... 8,738 53426,123 19 Water Work*. Waterrentfl.................................... Ocean Steamship Company for freight on 32 pieces of cast iron water pipe; freight was prepaid 77,618 40 TaxM-1696. Amount paid for badges.................. Specific tax refunded to the Bankers Life Insurance of New York by action of Council..................... Amount of taxes refunded various parties allowed by Council........... s so 69 12092 g 180 00 26 30 327 22 and should not have been paid In Savannah.................................... 8 82 Estate Jacob Waldburg for one meter........................................... 21 60 National Conduit Company for use of water in laying conduit........... 69 00 Central of Georgia Railway Co., for meters......................................... 469 38 Savannah, Fiotida & Western Railway Co., for meters...................... 465 96 Mrs. E. Lathrope for one meter....... 21 60 Southern Express Company for one meter........................................... 74 05 Mutual Gas Light Company for meters........................................ 185 50 Savannah Theatre Company for one meter .................................. 82 85 Baldwin Fertilizer Company for cast iron plug.............................. 1 00 Home Insurance Company of New York in payment of damages sustained water works plant by the storm of September 29,1896.......... 860 10 Thomson Meter Company's bill paid twice and collected by Treasurer.................................... 17 80 Water Works. Salaries of officers and employes from Dee. 1,1895, to Nov. 30,1898 17,841 04 Running expenses of pumps, engines, etc..................................... 7,636 87 Flushing and repairing cess pools... 70 12 Incidentals, printing and stationery 701 78 Repairs to engines, pumps, mains, etc............................................... 473 80 S2 T. M. Cunningimm, Agent, one flre hydrant and putting in same.>..,., Savannah Cotton Exchange for one meter........................................... Central of Georgia Railway Co., repairs to flre hydrant.................... Southern Pine and Lumber Company for gate, value labor, etc...... Propeller Tow Boat Company for meter........................................... Improvement account..................... 1,54969 1790 Extension account.......................... 0,95478 Hydrant account......... .................. 675 90 4270 Connection account........'.... ........... 6784 Meter account......... ............ .......... 4,868 28 1590 Insurance account.......................... 25000 Electric plunt................................. 2,37686 u 1582 Storm Insurance account................. 85000 Overcharges refunded for water ^ 90 00 79,953 27 rent............................................. 22 00- 46,834 36 Co U. Nw Water Work*. J3 Amount of note given the Holly c* Manufacturing Company in pay- ^ in en t for engines and pumps........ 18,180 00 Amount of interest on note given tj the Holly Manufacturing Com- ^ pany in payment for engines and O pumps......................................... 303 00- 18.483 00 g Balance on hand Dec. 31,1896......... 87,490 04 ' $802,467 65 $802,467 65 We, the undersigned Committee on Finance, have examined the accounts and books of the City Treasurer from the first day of January, 1896, to the thirty-first day of December, 1896, inclusive, and find the same correct, with proper vouchers produced, and a balance in the Treasury of f 37,490.04. WM. GARBAED, W. J. WATSON, GEO. A. HUDSON, HAL H. BACON, GEO. W. TlEDEMAN, Finance Committee. s 1t I Sb I 6$ MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. BUDGET1896. Board of Health............................. ......$ 18,500 City Clocks.......................................... 200 City Court............................................ 6.500 City Lamps.................. ....................... 29,000 Crematories........................................... 7,000 Drainage and Dry Culture....................... 14,000 Fire Department.................................... 70,000 Harborand Wharves.............................. 1,500 Hospitals........... ................................. 10,800 House Drainage.................................... 3,000 Incidentals........................................... 7,500 InterestBonded Debt.............. ............ 174,000 Laurel Grove Cemetery............................ 6,500 Market................................................ 4,600 Opening Streets.................................... 30,000 Parks and Squares (including $500 for Estill Park)............................................ 11,000 Paving Streets....................................... 10,000 Police.................................................. 80,000 Police and Fire Uniforms................. ...... 5,000 Printing and Stationery........................... 3.500 Public Buildings.................................... 1,500 Quarantine .......................................... 16,500 Salaries................................................. 35,000 Scavenger Department............................ 26,000 Sink Department........ .......................... 8,500 Sinking Fund....................................... 46,000 Streets and Lanes................................... 54,000 Water Works......................................... 35,000 Water Mains Extension............................ 10,000 Water Works, New and Notes.................. 18,483 Total..............................................$743,583 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Trial Balance to December jist, 1896. EXPENDITURES. RECEIPTS. Board of Health.........,.............................! 19,862 08 Board of HealthO. E. Machine............... 8,33196 $ 3,88192 Balance of Cash on Hand Dec. 31, 1895...... 38,538 06 City Clocks ........................... .. ............. . 230 00 City Court................................................ 8,320 85 17 55 City Lamps............................................... 27,203 08 City Maps ................................................ 2 50 Crematories .................. ........................ 7,845 28 62 55 Coupons, 1879 ........................ .................. 158,006 25 Coupons, 1883.................. ............... ......... 15,653 51 Cash on Hand December 31,1896 ............. 37,490 04 Dry Culture and Drainage........................ 12,00153 1,20000 Fees...................... ................................. 6,484 54 Fire Department....................................... 65,238 06 301 36 Firemen's Uniforms................................... 3,245 67 Ground Rents......................................... . 17,991 68 Ground Rent Lots ........ ........................... 2,156 88 Harbor and Wharves................................. 429 16 Hospitals .................................................. 10,800 00 Incidentals.................. .......................... 5,29281 3,51431 Laurel Grove Cemetery........................... 6,528 02 1,973 50 Liquor Licenses............................ ............ 51,884 65 Market.............................. ....................... 4,431 12 15,904 05 Opening Streets......................................... 21,054 89 100 00 Parks and Squares.................................... 13,047 69 662 00 Paving Street*......................................... 34,84220 6,233 74 Paving Sidewalks......... .... ...................... 30 23 Police........................................................ 78,130 82 687 87 Printing and Stationery............................ 3,22304 196 00 Police Uniforms............ ........................... 5,984 43 Public Buildings....................................... 2,186 89 362 47 Police Court............................................... 5,389 00 Quarantine ...................................... ........ 12,956 76 7,027 40 Rent Account............................................ 2,105 00 Salaries........................................ .. ........ 35,991 36 Scavenger Department.'............................. 25,54067 23000 Streets and Lanes...................................... 47,85727 1,37889 Sinking Fund, 1879 .............. .................... 44,779 75 Sinking Fund, 1883 ................................... 8,714 01 Taxes, 1890................................................ 10 50 Taxes, 1891................................................ 1050 Taxes, 1892.................. ............................. 18 94 68 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Taxes, 1893................................. .............. 130 1 Taxes, 1894................................................ 1,806 65 Taxes, 1895................. .............................. 90 12 127,095 28 Taxes, 1898................................................ 327 22 426,123 19 Water Works........................................... 46,834 36 79,953 27 Water WorksNew................................... 18,483 00 Public Property......................................... 162 50 Citizens Industrial Committee.................. 165 00 House Drainage........................ ........ ...... 2,676 14 Street Numberiug................ ..................... 1,333 82 Storm Damage.......................................... 7,146 80 $802,467 65 $802,467 65 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORI. 69 REPORT OF CITY MARSHAL. CITY MARSHAL'S OFFICE, SAVANNAH, GA., December 31st, 1896. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: SIRI have to honor to submit my Annual Report for the year 1896, ending this day. The money collected in this office amounts to $43,191.78, as follows: Real estate, 1890..... ...............,...........$ 10 50 Real estate, 1891................................. 10 50 Real estate, 1892................................. 18 94 Real estate, 1893................................. 130 19 Real estate, 1894................................. 1,711 40 Real estate, 1895.................................. 21,424 08 Real estate, 1896.......................... ...... 457 92 Personal property, 1894........................ 95 25 Persona] property, 1895........................ 1,077 27 Personal property, 1896........................ 4,183 64 Shipping, 1895.................................... 7 50 Shipping, 1896........ ........................... 99 75 Specific tax, 1895............................... 300 10 Specific tax, 1896......... ...................... 3,818 53 Privy vaults, 1892............................... 4 00 Privy vaults, 1894.................. ............ 8 00 Privy vaults, 1895 .............................. 178 00 Privy vaults, 189(>....................... ....... 72 00 Fees................................................. 1,346 00 Advertising...... ................................ 196 00 60 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Interest............................................. 164 01 T -A *! f Sale of Horses, $38.00...) QQ KC\ Incidentals, j Oyerbids at c jj. 50... } 38 50 Recording of deeds.............................. 2 10 Rent of Market vaults.......................... 2,659 00 Rent of Market stalls......... ...... .......... 700 00 Paving streets.................................... 4,448 37 Paving sidewalks................................ 30 23 Total.......................... ................$43,191 78 Sidewalks. Notices were served whenever repairs have been necessary, and lot owners who have not complied with the notice, have been reported to Council, and the instructions received were carried out. Ground Rent*. All lots reported to this office by the City Treasurer have been re-entered for arrears of rent as required by ordinance. Very respectfully, JOHN POWER, (tity Marshal. MA YOM'S ANNUAL REPORT. 61 REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor : DEAR SIRSince my last annual report, to be found on pages 52 et. seq. of the last Municipal Reports, only two cases have been brought against the city of Savannah. One of these is that of Thomas J. McEvoy, claiming damages in the sum of five thousand dollars for personal injuries alleged to have been sustained upon the streets of the city of Savannah, and the other is that of A. J. Gresham against the city for injunction, denying the right of the city to collect from him a specific tax of two hundred and fifty dollars required of "persons other than pawnbrokers doing the business of lending money on personal property." I believe that the small ness of the number of cases brought during the past twelve months is probably unprecedented, at least it is since my incumbency of the office. During the year a number of claims were made upon the city by petition to Council and otherwise, but none of them, except the two mentioned, have ever found their way into the courts. It frequently happens that, upon a report from the City Attorney that the city is not liable, a claim is not pressed. In the Gresham case Judge Falligant granted a restraining order until a hearing on the facts, without passing in any way upon any of the legal ques- 6S MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. tions raised. For the sake of precedent in this character of cases, I concluded to take to the Supreme Court the grant of this restraining order, and the case is now pending there. It will probably be heard sometime next month. Since my last report two of the Liberty street cases have been again tried, and have resulted in judgments for the city for the full amount with interests and costs. The property owners are still endeavoring to get rid of these adjudications, but I am confident that, the amounts claimed by the city will have to be paid with interest at seven per cent, and costs. This is certainly true, unless our Supreme Court changes its mind, and this I cannot anticipate. The city has certainly done those things which, in the last decision, the Court said would make the executions collectible. I believe the Court intended that this last decision should finally dispose of this litigation. There are still pending, however, thirty-four of originally more than one hundred executions. While this litigation has been protracted, yet, in its essential and controlling results, the decisions of the Supreme Court have been, in the main, favorable to the city. In these cases the constitutionality of the Act of 1887 and of like legislation was vigorously assailed upon various grounds, which, if sustained, would have deprived the city of making-these improvements, unless the entire expense was paid out of the City Treasury. The sustaining of the validity of this legislation has permitted the city to do a great deal of improvement since, which would probably not have been done had the law been set aside. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 6S The litigation with the Savannah, Florida. & Western Railway Co., noticed in my former report, has been happily terminated by an agreement with the Railway Company secured by the diligent and assiduous work of the Committee, and by yourself and the other members of the Board, which is an exceedingly fortunate one, and will be of great service and advantage to the citizens of Savannah. As you are aware, the Railway Company officials, in this matter, manifested not only a just, but a liberal and generous spirit. The seven cases mentioned on page 55 of the Report, in which the city is a party defendant, are still pending. The Jefferson street cases are assigned for trial in our Superior Court for next month. During the past year I have drawn a large number of titles to the city, growing out, chiefly, of the extension of streets, some of which have required considerable investigation. I take it that it is not" necessary to mention these, or the drawing of ordinances, or the routine business of the office in detail. Yours very truly, SAM'L B. ADAMS, City Attorney. 64 MAYOR1 S ANNUAL REPORT. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS. SAVANNAH, GA., December 31st, 1896. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: SIRWhen this Commission, at the beginning of the past year, took charge of the Police Department, in accordance with the Act creating the Board of Police Commissioners, it adopted as its policy not one of sweeping reforms, but on the contrary, one of gradual improvements. We therefore resolved to acquaint ourselves first thoroughly with the system of the department, and to watch its workings, before making any improvements or changes at all. For that purpose no change was made in the beginning in the officers or men of the force, and the discharges that have taken place since have, in every instance, been ordered for the grossest misconduct on the part of the delinquents, or for absolute unfitness for service. In order to improve the general physique of the force, we adopted a higher standard of physical qualification for new appointments, requiring a strict medical examination of the applicants on prescribed blank forms and making the minimum standard as follows: Age, not over 40 years. Height, 5 ft. 7i in. Weight, 133 Ibs. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 65 By careful and patient investigation of all complaints made against members of the department, and by enforcement of all our rules and regulations, we have endeavored to obtain a stricter discipline and adherence to duty, which, in our opinion, has resulted in a better " esprit du corps" among our men. Since the cooler season has set in a daily drill has been practiced in the barracks yard in order to make the men more supple and keep them in better bodily trim, a condition most important for a policeman. The Commission has thought it proper to accentuate its desire to prevent members of the force from taking an active part in "politics" by adopting the most stringent rules for the guidance of the force in this respect. It is earnestly hoped that the enforcement of these rules will result in banishing "politics" from our department, which end we consider not only desirable, but absolutely necessary for the maintenance of an efficient police force. Under the provisions of the Act creating the Board, a proper set of books has been kept at headquarters by our clerk and secretary, which books show a complete record of the workings of the whole department. The annual report of the Chief is hereto attached, showing the strength of the force, the changes therein during the year, the detailed work of the department, and the status of our property. The annual report of the Electrician is also attached. Special attention is called to the work done by the detectives. Deeming a more extensive detective department of great value, we increased the detectives 66 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT, from two to four, and the excellent record of our detective bureau hasproven the wisdom of our action. That portion of the city "South of Anderson Street" has received our special attention, an additional patrolman being provided for that district the only additional patrol our budget allowed us to make. To properly patrol the city, in the present limits, the force ought to be increased to at least eighty patrolmen. The horses of the department have been carefully looked after; those becoming unfit for service were promptly condemned, sold and replaced by new ones as far as our budget would permit. The buildings of the department are in good condition, with the exception of our Guard House, which is partly out of repairs and absolutely unfit for our requirements. There are only seven cells for the detention of prisoners, and sometimes these and the corridor connecting them are so crowded that there is actually not room enough for the prisoners to lie down. There is at present no provision for the :separation of the sexes. Our department requires a Guard House of at least 20 cells, with modern appliances for heating and other conveniences, and we sincerely hope that Council will see its way to make the necessary appropriation of about $5,000 for the required alteration during the new year. A better ambulance service is needed for our city. As none of the three public hospitals have an ambulance of their own, they rely upon the police ambulance for doing their work. We also have to convey .any sailors that fall sick aboard their vessels to the MA YOS'S ANNUAL REPORT. 67 hospitals. A two-horse ambulance is badly needed for our work. The ambulance service should also be embraced in our Gamewell system and made as prompt as the patrol service. We append a statement of our expenditures and receipts : STATEMENTS. Paid salaries from 30th Nov., 1895, until 1st Dec., 1895.. $69,731 95 Paid stables .................... 2,820 75 " barracks expenses...... 314 48 " feeding prisoners........ 657 39 " blank books, stationery, etc......... .............. 214 10 Paid postage.................... 25 00 " horses..................... 950 00 " coal and wood........... 158 25 " Gamewell system....... 718 25 " equipment............... 20000 " repair to harness, etc... 287 20 " detective department.. 98 15 " storm damage........... 59068 " lighting........... ... .. 521 11 " funerals .................. 5000 " incidentals............... 411 50$77,749 42 RECEIPTS For stable manure......... 40 00 " fees and empty sacks. 15 91 " condemned horses...,, 240 00 295 91 $77,453 51 68 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Paid for uniforms, 1896..... $ 4,603 43 Allowed in special budget for uniforms................. 2,750 00 Excess ......... .............. $ 1,853 43 Total expenses.............. $79,306 94 It will be noticed that the storm in September last necessitated repairs of our property, amounting to $590.68, which sum we were able to pay out of our budget. The amount of $2,750 allowed for uniforms was found totally insufficient for our requirements. A city of our importance cannot afford to have her police officers walk the streets in shabby or unbecoming uniforms. The usual summer and winter uniforms can hardly be supplied for the money put at our disposal, much Jess overcoats, which the men stood in need of this winter. As our uniforms cost us $4,603.43, and the city's appropriation amounted only to $2,750, we have paid the excess of $1,853.43 out of our budget. Our net expenditures amounted to $79,306.94, hence a saving in our budget of 693.06. The authorities of the Ocean Steamship Company have cheerfully complied with every suggestion made by us to bring about a closer connection ot their police force with that of the city, and the result is undoubtedly of great advantage to both parties. This Board commends Chief McDermott for strict attention to his arduous duties, and alsoLieut. Reilly for his efficient services. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 69 The AtCt creating this Board of Commissioners is faulty in several respects, and we recommend its revision in the following points: The position of the Mayor regarding the Police Department should be more clearly defined; the Commissioners, under certain conditions, should be subject to removal by Council; an unanimous vote of the members of the Commission should have the power of appointment, even without the Chiefs consent. In conclusion we beg to say that much of our work thus iar, necessarily, has been experimental, as the projected improvements must be limited to our budget, and reforms can only be of gradual growth, but we feel encouraged by the results so far achieved. Respectfully submitted, EDWARD KAROW, .Chairman Board of Police Commissioners. 70 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE. HEADQUARTERS POLICE DEPARTMENT, ) SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. 5 The Honorable Board of Police Commissioners, Oity : GENTLEMENI have the honor to submit to you my Second Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1896. The year just closed finds the department in good ondition, and on the line of improvement the discipline of the force is considered good. The hurricane which visited the city last September, blowing down fences and trees, left the city in total darkness for seven nights, giving burglars a fine opportunity to get in their work, but I am pleased to say not a burglary was reported as having occurred during that trying time. The force was divided in two reliefs, the men required to do twelve hours duty out of twenty-four, and they performed this duty faithfully. There have been several murders committed, and also a large number of burglaries, and start the new year with a record that not one of these murderers or burglars escaped arrest. The police and detectives have done most excellent work. There have been during the year 3,747 persons arrested, 1,131 whites and 2,616 colored. Included in the above number of arrests made by the detectives is 457119 whites and 338 colored. The following are thecrimes and misdemeanors for which the arrests were made: MA YOX'S ANNUAL REPORT. 7t OFFENSE. Abandoning children.......................... ............. Abduction ............................ ............................ Allowing animals at large.................................. Allowing vicious dogs at large...... .......... .......... Arson............................................ .................... Arson, attempt to commit.................................. Assaulting and cutting......... ............................. Assaulting and shooting.................................... Assaulting and striking...................................... Assault, with intent to murder...... ..................... Assault, with intent to murder, accessory to.. .. Assault, with intent to rape............................... Bonfires ...................................... ..................... Burglary............... ......... .................................... Buying and receiving goods, false pretenses... ...... Cheating and swindling................ ................... . Concealed weapon*......... .................................... Contempt of court.............................................. Cow stealing......................... ............................. Cruelty to animals.............. .............................. Cursing, resisting and striking officers... ...... ...... Deserting seamen................ .............................. Deserting U- S. soldiers................ ...... ................. Driving wagon on Bull street....... ....... ... .......... Drunkenness Drunk and disorderly....... ................................ .. Escaped convicts.... ............................................ Exposing person............................................ ... Fast, disorderly and reckless driving.................. Fighting............... ....................................... ...... Forgery......................................... ............ ......... Fugitive from justice.......................................... Gambling......... ................................................. Illegal voting............................. ...................... Interfering with officers......... ............................. Keeping disorderly house................................... Keeping gaming house............ ............ ............. Keeping policy shops....... ................................. Larceny....................................... ..................... Licentious conduct.... ......................................... Malicious mischief............................................. Murder ......................... ...... ........... ................ Murder, accessory to..... ...................................... Obscene language............. .................................. Obstructing streets and sidewalks....................... Peddling without a license........... ..................... Pickpockets. ...................................................... Playing ball. ................................ ..................... 1 6 4 1 1 11 85 13"i 5 2 a n 5 . 18 1 6I 4 127 172 160 2 3 11 87 5 6 4 9 f> t 4 51 9 * 13 2 6 1 D 1 10 3 1 63 2 214 45 3 1 2 42 9 27 4 1 1 46 1 44 555 79 137 7 7 15 260 3 5 40 2 20 24 10 2 8 443 3 3 18 1 23 14 5 3 6 "9 is 3 1 16 T 1 2: 74 2 29fr 5fr 3 2 2. 47 a 15- 40 9 1 1 64 2 6 1 98 6S2 251 297 9 JO 26 347 8 5 4ft<. 24 33 12 4 12 494 3 3 27 2 36 16 11 4 7-2 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. OFFENSE. Pointing a pistol................................................ Rape.......................... .................... .................. Riotous conduct................................................. Robbery............................................................ 9 Robbery, attempt to commit.............................. 1 Running vehicles without license....................... 3 Bafe keeping...................................................... 18 Shooting Ala. slings........................................... Shooting guns and pistols.'.................................. 17 Suspicious characters...................... ...... . ......... 14 Shooting at officers........................ .................... Swimming in canal and river................... ......... Seduction................................................ ......... I Threatening to cut officers .............................. Threatening to shoot officers.............................. 1 Throwing rocks.................................................. 11 Vagrancy........................................................... 44 Violating barber-shop ordinance.............. ......... 1 Violating barroom ordinance......... ............... fl Violating bicycle ordinance............................... 18 Violating fireworks ordinance...... ..................... 2 Violating hack ordinance....... ........................... Violating imrket ordinance................................ Violating push cart ordinance.................. ......... 4 Violating sanitary ordinance.............................. 1 Violating Sunday ordinance........ ..................... 24 Violating tax ordinance...... .............................. 41 Violating harbor regulations.............................. 2 Violating water regulations................................ 2 Violating U- S la.w*.......................................... 1 'o I o 6 3 3 7 3 14 5 It 82 1 6 6 1 CO I I 8 14 2(1 II 17 6 11 6 8 3 IB 4 17 00 5 31 96 1 C I 6 2 71 113 2 C 26 16 20 II 4 18 30 52 2 2 Total................................. ........... ................ 1,131 2.GI6 3,747 Animnls impounded, 60. Animals and vehicles at large, 22. Foundlings, 2, colored. Lodgerswhites, 524; colored, 86610. Lost childrenwhites, 8; colored, 614. Stores and offices found open, 120. MAYOR'3 ANNUAL REPORT. Arrest* toy Detectives. OFFENSE. Abandoning children.. ............. .. .....................1 ... Assaulting and cutting...................................... 2 Assaulting and shooting/................................... 1 ... Assaulting and striking.................................... 5 Assaulting to murder....................................... 2 Assaulting to murder, accessory.......................... ... Burglary............................................................ 5 Cheating and swindling.................................... 1 Concealed weapons......... .... ............ .. .............. ... Cursing, resisting and striking officers............... ... House-breaking.................................................. 1 Deserting seamen............................................... 6 Deserting soldiers......................... .................... 1 Drunkenness...................................................... 5 Drunk and disorderly....................................... 6 Disorderly conduct............................................ 8 Escaped convicts...................................... .. ..... 2 Fast driving........ ............................................. .... Fighting....................................... .... ......... .. .. 9 Forgery.............................. ............................... 3 Fugitive from justice........................................... ... Keeping policy shops....................... ................. Larceny................................:............................ 31 Obstructing streets and sidewalks..................... 1 Pickpockets....................... .............................. Pointing pistols............................................ .... ... Riotous conduct................................................. Robbery.................. ........................................ 8 Robbery, accessory to......................................... ... Safekeeping......................................................! 6 Suspicious characters......................................... 15 Swimming in canal and river............................. Seduction................ ......................................... 1 Throwing rocks.................................. ............... ... Vagrancy........................................ .................. 3 1 6 1 10 16 2 32 2 3 1 3 5 17 2 1 4 "* 2 151 1 2 2 1 2 5 10 40 5 1 8 1 15 18 2 37 3 3 1 1 6 I 8 II 23 4 1 13 3 4 2 182 2 2 2 1 10 5 16 55 5 1 1 9 Total.. 1 119 ' 338 : 457 Following is a list of arrests for murder duringthe year, and the names of the persons killed, as well as those of the officers making the arrests: Murders1896. Mack Frazer, col., for killing Jeff Brown, col., Jan. 19. Arrested by Detective Godbold Jan. 20. 74 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. E. L. Gest, J. E. Conley, D. P. Walker and F. Floyd for killing Gibson, col., Feb. 18. Arrested by Detectives Wetherhorn, Sculiy, Kily, Godbold Feb. 18. Mattie Clark, alias Sanders, col., for killing Willie Sales, col., March 15. Surrendered March 15. James Jackson, col., for drowning Mossa Stephney, col., July 10. Arrested by Detective Wetherhorn Julv 10. V Rosa Platz, col., for killing Laura Cuthbert, col.r July 23. Arrested by Officer Cronin July 23. Brister Graham, col., for killing Ben Wilson, col.r Sept. 22. Arrested by Officer Eady Sept. 22. George Gruver for killing Henry Voight Oct. 16. Arrested by Officers Cronin, Shea, Mendel Oct. 16. P. Kearney for killing J. W. Wyness Nov. 3. Arrested by Detective Sculiy Nov. 3. Morris Sullivan and Simon O'Neil for killing Preston Brooks Nov. 9. Arrested by Officers Crimmins and Murphy Nov. 9. Lovett Pitts for killing A. Thornburg Dec. 3. Arrested by Officer Mock Dec. 3, 1896. J. H. Perkins, col., for killing P. Barnes, col., Dec. 24. Arrested by Officer Barrett Dec. 24, 1896. William Elmore for killing a man in South Carolina, Oct. 25, 1896. Arrested by Detective Kiley. James Brown and Geo. Dyer for killing Wm. Titcomb Dec. 25. Arrested by Detective Sculiy and Policeman Shea. The detectives have faithfully discharged their duty in every case, and many times have been on duty night and day to effect their purpose. During the year they have recovered stolen property to the amount of $9,532.80. MA FOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. 7$ The old station house is an eyesore to this department, and I would recommend that an appropriation be made by the City Council for the purpose of building a new one, or remodeling the old one, with at least twenty cells, in order that we may have room to separate the sexes. The horses of the department are in fine condition, in fact our department is up to date. The aggregate strength of the department is 81, as follows: Chief............................................... 1 Lieutenant....................................... 1 Sergeants...... ...... ............................. 4 Detectives......................................... 4 Privates...........................................70 Clerk............................................... 1 Total.........................................81 The Ocean Steamship Company's force (doing duty on the Company's property exclusively) consists of Sergeants.......................................... 3 Privates...........................................21 Total.........................................24 RECAPITULATION. City's force...................................... 81 Ocean Steamship Company's force........ 24 Total.......................................105 76 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Register of the Force. Naae. Rank. Date Appointed, Frank MeDerruott......... Chief................'Elected January 23, 1895. Owen F. Reilly....... .... Lieutenant.......! " Nov. 1, 1895. Henry Lingg............... 'Sergeant........... 'Appointed April 10, 1S66. Jas. M. Mock Henry W. Baughn...... Jno. B. Killourhy......... D. F. Kiley................... Detective ......... Henry Wetherhorn...... Martin Scully............... G. S- Godboli............... T. B. Masters............... Clerk Arnold, Jno.................. Private Atkinson, C. J.............. Barrett, J- J................. Beeker, W. L............... Blumberg, L............... Bostiek. R. B............... Bradley, W. E.............. Brantlev, J. H.............. Brazell.'S. P ..... - ...... Christian, J. A.............. Christie, C. T............... Clavton, A. J............... Coffee, E. J.................. Collins, C. A ................ Crimmins, J. C............ Cronin, D. J................ Crosby, W. F............... Davis, E F.................. Davis, R. E........... ...... Davis, R- T.................. Davis, S. M.................. Deignan, J. J................ Downing, D. T............ Dwyer, L..................... Ewers, P. J.................. Farr, T.C..................... Farrell, J..................... Farrell, T. J.................. Fleming, W. H............ Floyd, B. G.................. Guilfoyle, J.................. Haar, M ....................... Halford, J.S................ Higgins, J. S................ Hodgos, \V. D.............. Jarreil, S. J.................. Jernigan, D. W............ Keane, J....................... Kelly, P. J................... Jan. 19, 1881. Sept.-29, 1881. Jan. 21,1866. Jan. SI, 1895. Feb. 2,1895. Feb. 24,1890 Feb. 2, 1895. April 23, 1886. July 8. 1882. April 8. 196. Dec. 18, 1894. July 24, 1891. Feb. 4, 1896. Sept, 30, 1894. Nov. 17, 1894- Oct. 7, 1868. Feb. 2, 1894 Oct. 1,1890. Oct. 1, 1890. Oct. 23, 1*82. Sept. 24, 1891. Dec. 8, 1896. Nov. 29, 1892. Dec. 10, 1887. May 30, 1S95. August 21,1692. Oct. 15,1869. Jan. 10, 1890. May 30, 1893. Feb. 6. 1894. July 23, 1894. Feb. IB, 188?- June 27, 1890. Dec. 1, 1879. Jan. 3,1895. July 1, 1895- Nov. 28, 1893. Oct. 20, Ih70. Nov. 4,1896. April 20, 1896. Sept. 53, 1894. August 9, 1&81. Jan. 3,1895. Oct. 16, 1891. Dec. 6, 1893. Jan. 13, 1890. August S, 1894. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Register of ttie force.Continued. Name. Kiernan, W.......... ........ Lariaey. J. W............... McCabe, P.................... McCool,J. .................... McHugh, M.......... ...... McQuade, M........ ......... Meldrim, M. ~L.. ........... Mitchell, G. W. ............ Mock, C. W......... ........ Murphy, T. C...... ......... Neidlinger, C. S.... ....... Norris.J. J. ................. O'Keefe, B... ................. Sandiford, C. A............ Schroder, J. D. 0 ......... Bemken J. D ............... Shea, J.......... ............... Sbeehan, W.. ............... Smith, F. J. ................. Smith, G.L ................. Smith, W. H.... ........... Solomons, M. A............ Speight, W. G.... .......... Stark, J........ ........._.... TuIIis, B. L.......... ........ Ungar, B-. .................... Williams, B. W... ......... Williams, J. T.... .......... Winn, W. S....... ........... Woods.J. W.... ............. York,J. B....... ............. Hall, E. B...... ............. Rank. Pn t vate ............ ............ :::::::::::: ............ . Retired. Date Appointed. Appj>inted Sept. 17, 1871. Jan. 3, 1895. Oct. 7, 1873. Sept. 24, 1891. Sept. 29. 1890. Oct. 24, 1868. Feb. 14, 1896. Oct. 16, 1893. July 1, 1895. August 22, 1890. March 1, 1887. Sept. 28, 1894. Oct. 23, 1871. Oct. 1,1895. June 10, 1895. Feb. 4, 1896. Sept. 28, 1895. Dec. 1, 18R2. June 25, 1890. Sept. 5, 1893. Dec. 1, 1879. Oct. 30, 1896. Dec. 17, 1890. Sept. 1, 1893. Feb. 6, 1895. Dec. 18, 1894. Oct. 7, 1895. Oct. 31,1885. Dec. 8, 1896. Feb. 12, 1896. Sept. 1, 1893. Nov. 1, 1865. Chief of Police, Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants and 17 Patrolmen are mounted. W. D. Clairborne, Electrician. M. Beblasky, Driver Patrol Wagon. J. Kelly, Driver Patrol Wagon. B. T. Strobhar, Foreman Stables. J. W. Pitts, Ambulance Driver. Harvey Bacot, Groom. Solomon Johnson, Groom. Kogers Roberta, Groom. 18 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Ocean Steamship Company's Force. Under the supervision of the Chief of Police and the Police Commission. Name. Rank. Date Appointed. E. 8- Muse............JSergeant................. (September 26,1881. F. W. Langbell............ " ...............'October4, Mil. W. H. Powell................ ". ...............(September 25,1891. Blakewood, ........."Private................ .(September J, 1881. Brennan, T Con nelly, J. M.. DouRlass, W. E Eatfleson, J....... Filzhenry, J. T Harris, D. N...... Horning, J. B... Joiner,....... King, 8............ Knox, J ........... Lee, C. P......... Lee, W. N....... Lysaught, D...... Mallette. L. E.............. Morrell.F. E................I Parrish, H. A...............! Powers, T. J...............J Bweeney, M.T............J Thorpe, <;. B-...............' Thorpe. J. E.................I i February 4, 1893. ^November 3, 1890. May 14,1884. June II, 1895. September 4, 1895. July S, 1893. September 17,1895. September 28,1896. July 14,18W. November 27, 1881. October 18. 1894. AuicustS, 1893. March 1,1882. Octobers, 1891. October 28, 1894. May 26, 1893. May 25,1K92. January 11.1882. September 1,1886. November 6,1891. Inventory of City Property at Police Barrack*, January x, 1:897. 42 Springfield rifles. 47 Winchester rifles. 16 Winchester shot guns. 19 Smith & Wesson pistols, 45 cal. 95 Smith & Wesson pistols. 38 cal. 74 Pistol holsters. 42 Bayonets and scabbards. 74 Waist belts. 81 Clubs. 74 Whistles. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 100 Shields. 81 Fire keys. 370 Police signal box keys. 2,000 Rounds ammunition for Springfield rifles. 4,000 Rounds ammunition for Winchester rifles. 195 Rounds ammunition for shot guns. 700 Rounds ammunition for pistols. 2 Patrol wagons. 1 Supply wagon. 1 Ambulance. 1 Buggy. 5 Sets harness. 28 Horses. 23 Saddles. 23 Saddle cloths. 24 Halters. 23 Pairs spurs. 5 Curry combs and brushes. 3 Rakes. 3 Shovels. 10 Buckets. 12 Brooms. 40 Spittoons. 4 Scrub brushes. 4 Water coolers. 2 Wheelbarrows. 2 Coal scuttles. 2 Axes. 1 Iron bucket. 2 Lawn mowers. 2 Saws. 70 Bedsteads. SO MA YOJR'S ANNUAL REPORZ. 70 Mattresses. 70 Bedspreads. 70 Pillows. 2 Wardrobes. 24 Blankets. 6 Stoves. 35 Sabers and scabbards. 35 Saber belts. 80 Lockers. 1 Locker. I Roller desk. 3 Roller chairs. 1 Rogues' gallery. 1 Carpet. 6 Chairs. 1 Sofa. 1 Table and cloth. 1 Water cooler. 1 Ink stand. 2 Spittoons. 1 Looking glass. 3 Desks, 1 table. 3 Chairs, 1 iron safe. 1 Stamp press. 3 Spittoons. 3 Ink stands. 1 Hat rack. 2 Strips carpet. 3 Rugs, 4 pieces matting. 1 Stove. 3 Chairs, 1 desk. 1 Cabinet, 2 clocks. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 8t Gamewell table and appliances. 1 Large picture of police. 2 Spittoons. The Game-well Signal Syatem. This department of the service has given good satisfaction, with the exception of a few weeks after the storm last September, which blew down Avires, &c. During the year there have been registered in the office 2,090 calls for the patrol wagon; 425 calls for the ambulance, and 2,978 telephone calls. The number of reports received from the Patrolmen through the signal boxes is 107,950, all of which received prompt attention. I recommend that the force be increased ten men. The city is rapidly extending, and the need of a larger number of Patrolmen to properly guard life and property is apparent. In closing I beg leave to express my appreciation of the kindness of your honorable body in extending to me every assistance in your power in the discharge of my duty, and for many courtesies at your hands I return my sincere thanks. I beg also to express my thanks to his Honor,. Mayor Myers, for his valuable assistance and courtesies to me. Respectfully submitted, FRANK MCDERMOTT, Chief of Police. SS MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT POLICE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1897. Capt. Frank McDermott: DEAR SIRI have the pleasure to submit the following report of the Police Telegraph system for the year ending December 31,1896: During the year 113,443 calls were transmitted -over the system, of which 2,090 calls were for the patrol wagon, 425 calls for the ambulance. The number of telephone calls were 2,978, and the number of officers' reports 107,950. The system has given fairly good service. Induction continues to be very strong, especially in bad weather, but I hope to relieve this by stringing an extra wire. The following are the expenses of this branch of .the service: Banning; Expense*. Bluestone and Zinc............................. ...$ 86 46 Telephone rent ..................................... 235 00 56 Samson Batteries and 47 Dry Batteries... 53 52 Register Paper, Ink, Ribbon..................... 42 05 Oil...................................................... 17 48 Sash Cord....................................... ..... 1 00 $435 51 JfAYOS'S ANNUAL REPORT 83 ImproYement*. Double Harness and Wagon.....................fill 94 Lanterns and Lamps .............................. 1 50 $113 44 Repair*. Repairs to Wagons.................................$147 10 Hinges for Signal Boxes.......................... 345 Extra Labor.......................................... 1 50 Lumber for Patrol House ........................ 15 36 One Gong for Patrol Wagon..................... 2 50 $169 91 Storm Damage. Wire...................................................$101 70 Extra Labor......................................... 18 38 $120 08 Recapitulation. Running Expenses.............................. ...$435 51 Improvements....................................... 113 44 Repairs................................................ 169 91 Storm Damage........................................ 120 08 Total............ ................................$838 94 Recommendations. The following recommendations are respectfully submitted, with the hope that they may receive earnest consideration, and that it may be found feasible to carry them out: S4 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. I recommend that two new street boxes be bought and located, one in Collinsville and one at Bolton and Cuyler streets. I also recommend that box 412, at Florence and Sixth streets, be moved to some convenient place on the Ogeechee road. I also recommend that two large rotary gongs be bought for the two patrol wagons; the one on the small wagon is worn out, and the one on the large wagon is too small. I also wish to inform you that during the year 1897 the Telephone Company of Savannah intend to discontinue the overhead system and place their wires under ground. We are at present depending on the Telephone Company for right of way on a great number of their poles, and by the Telephone Company making this change it will be necessary for us to go under ground with them or build routes; therefore, I recommend that $800.00 be set aside for that purpose. I also recommend that an Assistant Superintendent of Fire and Police Telegraph be appointed, the Police Department to pay one-half the salary. I also recommend that we change from gravity to storage battery, as I believe it to be much better and cheaper. I also recommend that we change from a two-wire to a three-wire system, as at present it is very difficult to talk over our system, especially at night, when the electric light is running and the weather is bad. By this third wire the system would be greatly improved. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 85 Permit me before closing this report to return my thanks to the Chief of Police and to the officers and members of the Police Department for courtesies extended. I am, most respectfully, (Signed) W. D. CLAIBORNE, Supt. Police Telegraph. MATOKS ANNUAL BEPOR1. POLICE COURT-REPORT OF RECORDER. SAVANNAH, GA., January 16, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: SIRIn compliance with the request contained in your letter of 21st, ult. I submit below a statement of the matters disposed of in the Police Court of Savannah, for the year 1896. Case* Fined for Violation* of City Ordinance*. Convictions.........................................1,797 Acquittals.......................................... 940 2,737 Case* Diapoaed of for Violation* of State I^aw*. Warrant issued and defendant turned over to State Courts: Arson.................................................. 1 Assaultand battery................................ 15 Assault with intent to murder.................. 30 Assault with intent to commit rape........... 2 Attempt to commit burglary .................. 1 Attempt to cheat and swindle ................. 1 Attempt to commit a larceny.................. 1 Burglary............................................. 28 Buying and receiving stolen goods, etc..... 1 Carrying concealed weapons................ ... 30 Cheating and swindling................. ........ 2 Cow stealing......................................... 1 Escaped convict.................................... 1 Forgery................................ .............. 2 Gambling............................................ 13 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 8T; Illegal voting....................................... 1, Keeping gaming house........................... 2" Keeping a policy lottery ..... .................. 11 Larceny............................................. 294 Larceny after trust................................ 3 Malicious mischief ................................ 1 Murder............................................... 4 Pointing a pistol at another..................... 1 Rape ............................................ ..... 1 Robbery ............................................ 4 Selling liquor to a minor..........'.............. 2. Shooting at another, etc.......................... ;3 Stabbing another, etc ............................. II Vagrancy .................................... ........ 52: 519 Dismissals .......................................... 342 861 Investigated as being suspicious characters.. 113- Sent to hospital for treatment.................. 6 Turned over under warrant from state court 25- Turned over under warrant from the coroner 5 Turned over under warrant for lunacy...... 8 Turned over to officers holding warrant from other States and U. S.......................... 7 Contempt of court................................. 6. Total cases disposed of .......................3,768 Cash collected for fines imposed......f 5,389.00 Respectfully submitted, H. E. WILSON, Recorder. I t. i 38 MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. * REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS SAVANNAH FIRE DEPARTMENT. Year Ending December 31st, 1896. | Oflcer* of tbe Fire Department of the City of Sari vannah for tbe Year Ending: Dec. gut, 1896. [| CommissionersWilliam L. Grayson, Chairman, I Robt. S. Mell, Geo. W. Parish. SecretaryJno. JE. Maguire. Fire ChiefJno. E. Maguire. Assistant Mre ChiefGeo. Mouro. Superintendent Mre AlarmW. D. Claiborne. Superintendent of HorsesThos. Brady. Clerk and StorekeeperE. J. Seymour. FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. 5 ,. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS, / r SAVANNAH, GA., Dec. 31st, 1896. ) I To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen, I City of Savannah, Ga: } GENTLEMENAs required by law, the Board of | Fire Commissioners have the honor to herewith respectfully submit their first annual report of the \ condition and operations of this department for the | year ending Dec. 31st, 1896. I A report of this character, reviewing in a con- | densed manner the operations and conditions of the * department under our charge, by no means fully i, -explains or represents the work incumbent upon a I MAYO&S ANNUAL REPOKT. 89 Commission responsible for the general management of so important a branch of the public service. Matters are constantly occurring that require the time and attention of the Commissioners, aside of their regular and special meetings. During the year the Board has held thirty-eight (38) meetings, and we believe all matters pertaining to the department have been acted upon in accordance with our duties as Commissioners. There are now in the department eighty-six (86) officers and men, a large portion of whom have long experience as firemen, and our force, as a whole, are faithful, brave and efficient. One member died during the year from natural cause, and another lost his life in the discharge of his duty. On assuming charge of this important branch of the public service, we found that there were many needed improvements in the manner of conducting the department, and that a great many of the apparatus were in need of repairs. It is the desire of your Board to make this report as concise as possible, but we feel that the report would in nowise be complete were we not to call your attention to certain improvements "and reforms that have been accomplished during the past year. The office was sadly in need of system, particularly as to the book work. The careless manner of conducting this part of the service has been overcome by appointing a clerk, whose duty it is to take charge of the storeroom (where all supplies are kept), and to keep the books posted daily. It is due to this particular method that we are enabled to make our report on the first day of the new year. 90 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. We have put into use the Metropolitan "leave of absence," which gives members of the department one day of 24 hours every 10 days, and 5 hours every fifth day off, whereas, under the old system, they were only allowed one day of 24 hours in every 10 days. We found the department annoyed and hampered by the public at fires, and we have overcome this trouble by issuing fire line badges to only such per- ' sons whose duty calls them within the line. A standard has been adopted which insures the [ appointment to membership of only such persons as are physically and mentally worthy of appointment. A system of house inspection has been adopted, and 1 we are satisfied that much of the good work attained this year by the Fire Department is traceable to the ; fact that the men are familiar with the interior of j most of our business houses. While we cannot point ij to any particular instance, we believe that many fires P have been averted, by the inspectors calling atten- , tion of owners to such hazards as would no doubt i have caused numerous fires. \ We found the petty cash of the department, loose- ;; ly kept, and instead of cash, due bills were found in I the cash drawer. The clerk who is in charge of the ! petty cash, has definite orders to accept a due bill from no one. The petty cash is checked and approved monthly. For detailed report of petty cash see Exhibit A. I During the year the department has been inspected f- and tested with very gratifying results. We met * with the Committee representing the "Underwriters" of the city of Savannah, also the National Inspector I MAYOJR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 01 of the "Underwriters Association" and we are very glad to report that they could offer no suggestions in the improvements, other than those mentioned at this meeting by the Board of Fire Commissioners,, which we have since learned has been endorsed by them as a whole. We have added during the year, to the department four (4) regular men and eight (8) supernumerariea at a total increase in the salary account of six thousand six hundred dollars ($6,600). We have been granted the use of a -large lot adjacent to Hose Co. No. 1, by the Waring Estater which we use as a lot for horses out of service and in need of rest. In the rear of No. 1 House we have built outhouses and stalls, so that the stock not in use can be kept properly, and in cases where they are thrown out of service temporarily, they can receive such attention as will save them to the city. New rules have been adopted and have given entire satisfaction. We found that the Fire Chief who preceded us, gave a personal bond to the city. We have exacted a bond from both the Fire Chief and the Asst. Chief in an indemnity company, which removes them, in their responsible positions, from the necessity of being under obligations to individuals. We found that No. 2 House was unsanitary, unsightly and unsafe, and recommended the purchase of the Tynan property, which received favorable consideration, and we are at present at work on same, and hope to have it tenantable within sixty (60) days. St MA YOB'S ANNUAL KEPORT. Fire Record. A review of the operations of the department during the past year justifies us in asserting that its reputation for its efficiency has been fully sustained. The same spirit of promptness, the same masterly management have characterized the acts of officers and men. We enjoy with our citizens, the uncommon pride taken in the department, and our claim that this feeling is fully merited will, we believe, be generally supported. During-the past' year there were 196 alarms, and in several instances the fires wer.e very threatening in their character, but the department was in each instance equal to the emergency. Were we to fail to make special mention of the untiring energy displayed and the merited success attained by officers and men during the holiday week, we feel that we would be derelict in our duty were we not to commend them for their untiring and successful services. Numerous fires have occurred during the year, which were promptly extinguished (with a comparatively small loss) which had in them, from the character of the buildings and their contents, the elements of an extensive conflagration, and but for the energy and determination of the department would have resulted in very serious destruction of property. In this connection we would say that we fear that some few of our citizens let their partisan feelings get the better of their discretion, and in their efforts to belittle and criticise this body of brave and true men, they not only make the men feel, when they are called upon to face danger, that their ' MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. . 95 services are not appreciated, but they place before other cities (which are not conversant with the efficient service rendered by the department) a view of our department which cannot be established by facts, and which judging from the insurance comments we have seen in other parts of the country, are working an unjust and a most irreparable injury on the fair name of Savannah. Improrements. During the year the working strength of the department has been increased by the addition of one Double Tank Holloway Chemical Engine, in order that the southern section of the city should receive better protection from fire. Upon assuming charge we found a lot of old material cast away in sheds at Hose Station No. 1, among which were 5 old Hose Reels which had been abandoned as useless. We found no Reserve Hose tender and from these old reels we selected two, and after having them put in thorough order located one at Headquarters and one at No. 4 House for carrying the Reserve Hose. The department buildings have received proper and necessarv attention, and several new outhouses, / ' ' for feed, coal etc., have been erected. During the year 6,000 feet of fire hose were purchased. 1,300 feet of which were to replace hose upon which the limits of guarantee had expired this year, and 4,700 feet which the department was in need of for effective service. S4 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. HERITORIOUS CONDUCT. It is with pleasure that we devote this page in our report in commendation of the heroic conduct displayed by Fireman Jno. Morris, Jr., at the Hull fire Sept. 23, 1896. JOHN MORRIS, JR., Appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners to Membership in this Department, January 15th, 1896. While the Hull building was afire Fireman McStay, in coming out of the building, fell through the open space on Bay street, a depth of 35 feet. When the alarm was given that a man had fallen through the opening, Morris, without hesitation, and conscious of the peril that confronted him, descended amid the smoke and steam on a ladder, which was attached to a rope held by several members of the Fire Department, and succeeded in rescuing his fallen comrade from the burning building, but, sad to relate, only that he might die surrounded by his beloved ones. MAJOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. DEATHS. TERRANCE BENNETT, Driver Engine Co. No. 1, died Sept. 22d, 1896. He was appointed a member of the call force at the time of its organization and had served as a member of the department in various capacities for more than 25 years. FRANK McSTAY, Hoseman Engine Co. No. 2, killed while on duty S,ept. 23d, 1896. He was appointed a member of the department Oct. 8th, 1892. 9S MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Finances. Your Board has labored zealously to conduct the department without extravagance, keeping in view the fact that the service is an expensive one, and must at all times be kept up to the highest state of efficiency. The amount appropriated for the maintenance of the department for the fiscal year was $70,000.00. Of this amount $65,226.57 were expended. $55,640.54 in payment of salaries of firemen and general expenses, and $9,587.03 for improvements There remains an unexpended balance of $4,773.43 left in the City Treasury. A detailed statement of expenses will be found under Exhibit 2. In another part of this report will be found detailed statements of Clerk, Superintendent of Fire Alarms, statements of fires, insurance, losses, etc., the whole making a complete report. In conclusion the Board desires to commend the officers and members of the department for the faithful discharge of their duties; to thank the Police Department for the uniform courtesy and efficient aid rendered this department, and to thank our citizens generally, the public press, and all of the city .officials with whom we have had official business. Respectfully submitted, WM. L. GRAYSON, R. S. MELL, GEO. W. PARISH. MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S7 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FIRE CHIEF SAVANNAH FIRE DEPARTMENT. For the Year Ending December 31st, 1896. OFFICE FIRE CHIEF, ) SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 1,1897. To the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners: GENTLEMENI have the pleasure to submit the following report of the Savannah Fire department for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1896: Force. On December 31st, 1896, the force of this department consisted of 86 men, as follows: 68 Uniform,. 8 Supernumerary and 10 Volunteers. 1 Fire Chief. 1 Assistant Chief. 1 Superintendent of Fire Alarm. 6 Foremen. 1 Acting Foreman. 5 Engineers. 15 Drivers. 38 Uniformed Firemen. 8 Supernumerary Firemen. 10 Volunteers. 86 7 98 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. During the past twelve months the force was increased by the addition of 3 Firemen, 1 Engineer and 8 Supernumeraries. The volunteer force connected with Hose Company No. 1 continue to serve without compensation. Nine resignations were received and accepted during the past year. Two members of the department died and twenty were dismissed for cause. Organisation of the Fire Department. Headquarters, South Broad and Abercorn. John E. Maguire, Fire Chief. Geo. Mouro, Assistant Chief. E. J. Seymour, Clerk. W. D. Claiborne, Superintendent Fire Alarm Tel. Engine Company No. i. 20 Broughton Street. NAME. CAPACITY. Connolly, J. J......... ............... Foreman. Hamilton, Thos.......................Assistant Foreman. Christian, Chas........................Engineer. Williams, W. H.......................Engine Driver. Equesne, C. V..........................Wagon Driver. Htore. Church. D Office. Store. 1) School. 1) OH Works. Owner H. H. McKee. ........ 0. Heldleraan......... Ueo. Deiter... ......... Mrs. A. K. Rowland. Not ascertained ..... Cotton Press Ass'n. . Jno. Juchter......... Mra.M.C. Ferreli... Roman Catholic Ch . A. Samuels........... D. J. Morrlsson. ...,,, W. I,. Koines.. ........ Central of Ga. R. H . . T. A. Russell. ........ Kst. (1. W. Garnmny., Hev.O.C.Prendergaat. B. t. ShotterACo.... Occupant H. H. MoKee . ........ Mrs. C. Gassman. .... Mrs. A.T. Rowland.. G. R. Hoslgnol.. ...... Frlu Wenter......... Chtts. Collman. ....... St. Johns Cathedral. . Dr. C.B. Royal.,,.... Jno. Molntyre. . ...... C. R. K. Inspector.... 8av. Tailoring Co.... Annie Jenkins, e ..... Klliot Holloway, a.... Sylvia Johnson, o. . . . . 8. P. Shelter & Co.... CauM Unknown ............. Unknown.............. Smoke from heater... Defective construot'n Unknown............. Defective construot'n Defective stove pipe. Overheated stove p.. INSUBANCK. Conttnts (2,00000 1,20000 90000 5,366 66 15,00000 ........... 2,00000 ........... (25,70000 Building ( 2.50000 WOOD 60000 40000 5.00000 2.50000 2,50000 3,500 UO .,oou oo 75,00000 1,200 00 2,50000 1,00000 3,666 66 40000 60000 30000 1,00000 (106,600 00 INSURED LOSS. Content* (3500 ........... 1584 20000 """"i'so 83436 (1.086 70 Bul'dlng t 100 100 20 UO 500 500 13000 500 480 00 II 50 8800 300 H i2 (741 60 Total Lost ( i 66 1 01) 2&00 400 5 UO 14584 500 68000 6 50 150 S4286 300 17 12 '(1,773 82 LLocal. TTelephone. FiguresNumber of Box. tl>Dwelling, SStore. BBrick. FFrame. 8Stone, kECORD FIRES DURlVfO MONTH OP FEBRUARY, 1896. Al^ARM.* Dite Fob. 1 X 10 18 18 111 20 20 21 21 21 23 *\ 26 n 28 By 125 125 I, T T 34 4.1 L L 141 L T 53 li 0 8 T 8 45 84 Thnt S38pm 7 15 pm 20 pm 760am 1 25 pm 120am 3 It! pm 12 HO pm 12 45 pm 108.1am 5 55 pm 800am raipm '( 22 pin ft 05 am 704pm 122pm a 30 pm 1295am II 21 pm 8 18 pin F1RK AT Fifth..... .......... 41 Oak. ................ 20 WHon ............. i! Fiord...... .......... AKIoyd... ............. llth, & Haboreham. . . Oontral Cotton 1*. . . . . 260 New Houston..... 120 Bay................ Blms It W. Boundary. DESCRIPTION OIT PROPERTY.! M 35 1 Fe 1 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 S 3 1 1 Wr> 2 i 0! W lira W n w 1! w w ood B W Die ftflro I) Out onse ) Yard Store 1) Stable Owner lobt. Stuart.......... lohn O. Hawklns..... Killle Battle, o....... J.N.Gell ............. Chrlsflelrt* Qolden.. il. Bunt. ............. II. Blun .............. b'alse Alarm.......... J.K.Nolan ........... J. C. I'uder ........... Floyd & Co., & othera Occupant Martha law, o. ....... Dolllo Battle, o....... tfrs. C. K. Holmes.... Fred Wragge... ...... Klla Hose, c, .......... 11, Bunt. ............. Jane Klmore, o , .... II. Blun............... [>efect in Fire Alarm. H. Klllot.. ............ m. Fltigerald ....... J. C. Puder........... A. B.Hull & Co,....., O.F.RelUy........... Floyd A Co., A othera Cau* Defective flno ........ Defeotlre Hue ........ Carelessness.......... Defective Hue .. ..... Flying sparks, . ....... i, it " False Sap. deft. In elot. wire Unknown ............. INSUBANCK. Contents i-V,5,W66 5.00000 20000 31,00000 2.56666 110,300(10 Bulit'lng $ 50000 72500 200 00 4.00000 00(1 00 8,500 00 loooo 10000 1.566 66 5,000 00 2.00000 46660 oou oo H.011000 i,&oooo 80000 130.500 00 imum.DTXH*. Contents .1 1 1 . . i ,. ""i95'50 ........... u,6666o sou 1.00000 18.09850 BulMIng 1 15 00 2000 15 1X1 15 00 10 00 .......... 22500 2 66 :<0 00 Not Ace. 5 00 80000 11,137 60 Total Lost t 1500 20 IW 15 00 210 00 10 UO """"JO 1 00 ,156 66 200 2 W 3000 7,50000 800 3,30000 11,4C4 00 IfLocal. TTelephone. FiguresNumber of Box. tl>I>welllng. 8Store. BBrick. F Frame. 8Stone, RECORD OF FIRES DURING MONTH MARCH, 1896. ALARM.* Dtle Mar. 2 2 a 4 4 li 8 9 12 111 20 20 27 2S 30 By L T T 45 7S I, T i; 2U 14 I, 67 I, L Time 1 05 pm fi 06 pm 1030am 645 pm 7 43 pm 10 10 am 1 10 am 4 58 pm 7 30 am 1 50 pm U fti pm 11 45 pm 11 15 nm 1U 10 am 8 30 an FIRE AT 105K W. Htmndary ... 60 DuBy.. ............. 3tt and Ancleraim.... River and Houston. . . 74 Duffy..... .......... DMSOUII'TION OF PROPBBTY.t 5> 2 2 2 1 ;\ 1 T 2 I* 2 I ot W w ur W Ute T) DruK Btoro Hturo pot I) Owner Mm. O. rairlers....... .j. Morris, o........... (ifriDwelling. SStore. BBrick. FFrame B-Stone. RECORD OP FIRES DCRING MONTH OF APRIL, 1896. ALAHM. Dt. April 2 2 8 8 6 0 8 9 10 11 14 16 19 20 90 92 J3 M 24 n 80 Br 19 L Tel. 91 58 1! 18 43 g 18 42 121 T L 85 I, I 26 1, L 6T T Time 1220am 440pm 130pm 400am 805pm 8 10 am 1000am 1065pm 110am 648am 223pm 906pm 220am 8 07 am 840pm 910am 816pm 965am IMam 845pm 920am 6 SO am 923am FIBK AT 83 to a; Indian........ Stsh'p Ceoellla.C.C.Pr SPerry.. .............. Givlnnett.eHKAWKy. By....... ............ Whlt'kr.orPres&Slate 55 toCl Gwinnett..... 5th at., nr Waters Kd. nworUrayt'n&Jonesla se cor. Drayton & Bay 1M Huntingdon....... 20TW.Broad... ....... Liberty and Wheaton 106 Taylor... .......... N.H.labtWhtt.iBar'd 233 Jones.............. DESCRIPTION OF PBOPEIlTY.t 1 I! 4 3 2 '2 8 5 3 2 2 2 2 3 2* 1 Of B W W B W B W B W B W B W UM Store 1) l) Kit. Ship Clothing H 8nw Mill W. Grocery 1'ost OtMco 1) Cook Shop Lttbratory Office Parsonage Owntr OddKello Ans'n.... Potor Hellly, at ..... Brunswick, (ia [Gulro McAlcor, CHrroll, MtJ. F.MInls, ant........ A. McOruadtuonil ost. H?h dumber Co...... Wlleox, Glbti A Co... Botbesda Union [anm Snertekor. Bryan * AdV. 11. Miller. .......... Dr. H. S. Coldlng. .... Mrs. Moyftr. .......... W.H. Woonor......... DlionMltohelliWells Hrat Presbyterian Ch J. Manlon.... ......... Occupint OOO. K. Hauls. ........ J.M.Hmlth,(ieo.IIaU,e MoAleer, Carroll, Captain and orew. .... Havh dumber Co. ..... Savh Grocery Co..... Havh Post UOtce ...... Hned'k'rCheatb'mBry K.H.MlUer.tan, Adams B. Coleman, o. ........ K.Mell... .............. Sarah Brightly, o. . . . . I^aura Williams, o , . . . Dixon.MHchell, Wells Ij.C.Vass.. ........... Hacbie Williams ..... Henry Johnson, o . . . . OllaUlsen... .......... CcttM Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Sup. Incendiary ...... Caused by gas jet.. . . . Unknown ............. Defective flue........ INSURANCE. 'Contend Not sac,.. I 1.80000 Not asc... "isb'.wg'oo 4,20000 Notaio'.!! s'.floo'oo 1141,643 90 Budding Mfl.onnoo 1,90000 8,20000 IJOOOO "'2,466' 66 8.00000 9,60000 90000 80000 7,00000 1,00000 2,50660 60000 1,10000 173,60000 INSURE)) LOSS. Content! Not asc... 3,90000 "102,600' 66 1,66000 ........... 1104,640 00 Bidldlng ( 282 70 1.400 00 Not axo. . . V700 "is.ooo'oo 7,45000 ........... 15000 500 25 00 181,409 70 Total LOM t 3,232 70 i.omoo 5,00000 1)7 00 10,000 00 125,00000 10,00000 No two.. 6 00 800 20000 500 32500 7600 2600 1165,917 70 TTelephone. FiguresNumber of Box. tDDwelling. 8Store. BBrick. FFrame. 8Stone. RECORD OF FIRES DURING MONTH OF HI A V, 1896. ALARM.' Date May 2 1 !! 10in 20 2:1 By 89 K 141 182 T 143 Time 1 30 am 8 27 pin li 04 pm 12 6a am 10 45 tat 1 10 pm 9 12 pm FIRE AT ISTaylor.............. 10th, and Wbltnkor... Hsnlenbct litti, 4 7th,. Me Alllstera Marble Yd s e or. 10th, Burroughs DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY.* 1 *fl 1* ^ i 2 Of W Use n Tool house I) Owner Mary Lloyd, o. ........ Paul Kuhlnborg ...... Walker Bat.. ......... Krtwarrt Lovell A Son. Dnrcos Hull, o........ Occupant Vncant.... ............ Josuiihine Jonus ... .. K. P. Postull.......... P. W. Williams....... A. McAlllator......... Durcasllull, c........ Ciute Kxploslon of lamp . . . Unknown ............. Buy with matches.. .. Uufcnown ............. INSURANCE. Contents t 40000 1,30000 11,71X1 UO Building S 80000 79000 1,200 00 TOUUD "'"wo" 66 B,:o 00 INSURED LOSS. Contents fuoooo r.iuooo Bulldl-g 73500 H 30 Sib 00 '""iiwi'oi $70U 50 Total LOM ( ;is oo 11 m 1,300 00 iw in 5 00 :^5 (K 2.41K DO *Ir-Local. TTelephone. FiguresNumbor of Box. tl*-DwolllnK. 8Store. BBrick. SStono. RECORD OF FIRES DURING MONTH OF JUNE, 1896. ALA KM.* Data Juno 8 I) 10 18 IS 25 an m 27 By 57 T 4ti L 114 lit 81 35 25 lime (141 pra 2 Ml pin 1 81! am 11 57 am 4 88 pin 11 40 urn 840m 820pm 12 40 pin WHK AT l>uffy AM, flroml.,.,. 5S Congress lano 3d atr bet Bull * IJ'ton 237- 2iNi Jones........ I'rentlorKast * Slmrns 101 Liberty.. .......... DKHCHII'TION OF PKOl'KUTY.t | 2 4 I I 1* 1 01 w11 w1! w Use n omco Outhouse 1) Outhotifio usedankltob Owner VnA Sohrodor ........ Thus. Thomaason nut. K.Vrolhor...... ....... Kato H. Brown ....... Occupant Mrs. Hussy ........... DwolloDunlelCotlniiK I, aura Wllliiuiis ...... Aunustn Wllllnnis..,, Anna Wllliiuus. ...... Aim 1 lonilortiim. o. . . . I.. H, Moreiin... ...... Cause IJNjfuctlvo Hut) ........ Spurks from iihlinnuy 1NSUUANOK. Content! Not ne. ........... Building t fiwoo D.UUU 1X1 liUOOO Uccllnt'il iKWOO 1NSUU1* Contents ...........1 f7.ouo UD'.. ........ l> UWS. Building $51)0 15 W) Declined 5(10 Total LOSI t i on 5 1X1 6 OU 1 00 15 OU 10000 5UU f25 ml t!33 00 LLocal. TTelephone. FiguresNumber of Box. tUDwelling. 8Store BBrlok. FFrame. 8Stone. RECORD OF FIRES DURING MONTH OP JULY, 1896. ALAUM.* Date July 4 II 9 11 15 17 182:1 24 24 27 27 By in L i, :u as 28 17HI 57 68 T T Time 10 45 pin 10 15 am 8 60 pin into urn U 18 Hill 7 42 am 1 48 am 111 38 piu 1 30 mil 9 02|i' 2 30 pill 946pm KIRK AT Robert and Btewart.. 31 Charlton lane...... 41 W. Broad........... Broughton and W Bid 110 Liberty............ DKSC1UPTION OF PROPERTY.t I w 2 2 2 1 1 2 4 1 2 !* Of w B W* W B W B W B Use D IBarlFactr D Rice Mill Bar Uoom Krult Store I) Cwner Grlffln Williams...... F.C. Batty.. .......... Planters Kice Mill Co. J. Williams........... R. 1). Guerard........ Aim Fay .............. Planters Kice Mill Co. Feely est. . . ........... W.J.DeUenne. ....... Occupant Jas. Finnish, o. ....... L.C.GuKlo............ J. W. Leavy, Mfjr..... J.B.Butler........... Matilda Williams .... Alien Lorell, c....... Ram Barber........... Planters Ulce Mill Co. Kriward Lawson...... Oeorgo Chrlstuphor . . W. P. Uutner......... Cause Smoke Issul'c [rinbUli! CuiiKhf roiii stove plpu Spttrks from chhiiney Unknown ............. Unknown ............. (jiisullno stove ex|i.... 1NSHHANCB. Contents $1,00000 "wJm'w 2.0UO 00 sou uo t;u,;m uo Building f '-'.MM 2,000 00 ioo HI S10000 1.UOO 00 50.1)0(1 (M) 11.200 00 3.0UUUO 4,:VK) 00 1N8UUKI) LOSS. Con'ents $ 1000 "xiMmm 400 OD BuHdlng $ 1000 ij UO Total Loss S 10 ( 15 ( 87 UO U7 ( 1 00 It 40 00 40 I 49,600 OUJ 154.000 ( 48 U) 500 t S,4uO OO1 t29.!)10 00 Wfl.TOl 00 15 ( 1 154,678 ( *IDwelling. 8Store. BBrick. vFrame, 8Store. RECORD OP FIRES DURING MONTH OP AUGUST, 1896. ALARM.* Ditt Aug. 8 6 10 11 15 17 21 24 2* 28 2tt 29 29 ao 81 HI By i, 117 ]j L la 13i,(k'> m 21) 27 L 84 L T 29 Tlra 11 41 am li 00 am 12 .SO ]>m U .VI pin 2 04 am 12 K4 pin 2 16 am 1 01 pin 2 1)7 am 3 62 pin 4 611 pm 2 20 pm 12 18 pm 685pm 4 80 pm U58pm F1KK AT 12 Farm............... 274 llonry. ............ 158 KWBrouKhton..., 21! 28 Indian,-, [and 1st Burnanl.bt. Amlereon White Bluff nl, IX m 10 Harris.... [out city. UK Harris.............. It tjuerarrt..... ....,.., 12 ConnreiuiLane..... Jones, near Guurard.. DKSCRIPTtON OK PROI'KUTY.t | i 2 'M 2 2 2 4 2 1 1 2 2 2 01 w B W B W B W Die p Dry H Store D.Bbocntorc 1) Moh, Shop. Store and I) I) Kn.A C "hop Owner Josephine Jones, ..... K. 1). (inoranl ........ Mm. 1). K. Duaxnue.. Solomona est... . ...... J.W.MlsCHlly, agt... Planters Hlce Mill Co J. KiominK............ 11. F. Ijeudornian... .. R Mendel.... ......... 1>. Cookuhnt........... Mn>. tieo. Burnea. .... .Iiui. Kuurko. .......... Central U.K.. ........ K. I>. Uuerard . ....... Occuptnt C. U.rartwrlKht...... Kllon (ireen.e.. ...... I. Kessel.... .......... M. L. I,amhort.. ...... J. C. FiumintJ . ........ T. F. O'lkmneU....... J. H. lluwanl......... H. F. l^udoriuan. .... I*noh Bunsos. ........ T. Boltun ............. Knlce Austin ......... Minis (itlllara. ....... Central K. K.. ........ Dim Limlaw. .......... fiute Bpark from chimney. Spark from ohlmney. unknown.............. Unknown ............. Broken pipe tncelllnx Unknown............. Sparks.........'....... OverhtmUsii smokestk Foul chimney......... 1NSUBANOK. Contmtt "i'i.ww 8,00000 Not'asb.i! 3,00000 tlO,600 00 Building i noow 2.MHI 00 a.ouooo ""uwo'65 NOt UBO... 700 OU 1.00000 1,00000 tio.ioo uo INPUUKD LOSS. Content* "j" '&' on s,uu w Not 1190. . . B,02uOB Building f 100 AOOO & Ml llo 00 10 IX) '"s.2i6'o Not use... is I'M 12136 K,' S7 30 Totil Lot* t 200 i in (HI Oil 75 (W itwoo 10 OU ','.:>UU IK) SAW 00 Not ae , 25 OU 16 OU 121 an 15.039 30 ITxwal. TTelephone. FiguresNumber of Box. 11>l>welllng. 8Store. BBrick. FFrame. 8Stone. RECORD OF FIRES DURING MONTH OF SEPTEMBER. 1896. ALAKM.* Date Bent. 2 4 7 8 10 U 12 14 15in Hi 18 2S 24 24 211 2T 29 29 2!> By i, 62 I, Ij T 116 20 118 12 I, llfi 66 8 Ij T 21 1)54 L, I. J, Time 10 Man 12 65 pm U 16 am 4 60 pm 1005 am 1 6 am 720pm 4 64 am 9 43 pm 12 10 am 6 Hi pm 4 OS aul 435am 11 00 am 2 30 am a Oil pm 440am 1 20 pm 1 40 pm 5 57 pm FIUBAT Blumark at...... ..... Old field over canal.. 118 Drayten........... Xl'ettf lane.. ........ >th, near Florence. . . . 18 Taylor., ............ 241 Habenham ....... Broughton& Jefferson Haboraham n of 2il st. Ugeecheerdn lilsmark 24hj W. Boundary..... 128 Bay.... ............ 7 Kioyd...... ........ 8 Whltaker...... ...... 40 Montgomery ....... IDOllve ............... South 8. V ft W. whf . Luthern church ...... DESCRIPTION OK PROPKRTY.t I v> 2 2" 1 2 2 2 2,'i 1 & 2 6 i* 2 2 Of WB' w "])' B W B W B Die D """!)'"" Shoo shop D "'"ii""" W. Grocery I) M. News I) (3. Works Church Owner K.M.Dennis.......... Central K. It.......... W. W. Owens......... D.C. Urlmin.. ........ J. W. Heater.......... Glilen eat...... ....... KateM. Muiler....... Test alarm.... ........ Burning. .trash., on.. James O'Brten. ....... Mary B. 11. King...... J. H. Kstlll..... ...... A. BlumberK. ......... Mrs. O. 0. Mhlers..... Plant System......... Hav'h giiuno works. . . Lutheran unurch asn Occupant Anna Sf mmons. ..... Central K. K. ......... Miss IX) nt............. ?ora Uublnson ........ J. w. Hester.......... Kate Blake, o......... A. I.. Muiler.......... ..vacant. .lot ......... Defour* Jones....... A. Meuclum. .......... Oetman & Davis ...... J.H. Kstlll...... ...... John Perllne ......... Plant System......... Sav'h guano works. . . Lutbomn church assu Cause ^up. Inoendtary ...... Ut-known ............. Unknown ............. Defective Hue......... Unknown ............. Koul chimney ........ Unknown ....... ..... Burning brush........ Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Burning waste. ....... Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Smoke from heater . . INSURANCE. Content! $ 1,00000 '"V,so6'flo '""MO'OO " Sow' 66 Not asc. Not asc. 14,40000 Building Not asc. * 500UO 2.00000 1.00000 2.60000 '""coo'oo Not asc, 9.00000 2,700 UO Not asc. 1UO 00 10900 Not use. tl8,5UO UO INSURED LOSS. Contents 1 flOOOQ '""iou'oo 75 00 28,8T5 25 2!I,'.I50 25 Building 1 500 i.28udo 1 00 55 UO ""'220'66 100 (X) 5,041 00 1000 i 66 luOOO 100 UO K,>00 Total Low r 5 w 2,18U i oa "":i2o"o 17508 3a,OOUU 1U It 150 M loom K<8,003 1! Local. TTelephone. FiguresNumber of Box. tn-DwelHnK. 8Store. BBrick. VKramo. 8Stone. RECORD OP FIRES DURING MONTH OF OCTOBER, 1896. ALARM. Date ()ot. 1 S 5 7 T 10ia 14 21 21 By i Time I. 21 US 1, 1, 125 U I, It I, 1, 10 40 Mil 820am 8 84 inn 7 1'l am 12 OS ]iiii 1 1? am !t40l>m 1100am 5 30 pin X 10 ant 8 M itm U (W am K1UK AT 10 Montgomery ....... 180 H. Broad........... klonncd and Bth His. . tOtb.nearBullook.... 1 lull fit ex, e Watnrd W. Broad and Olive.. 8. Broad, bt Aborcorn 7 Hry an.,., (A Lincoln DKSCUIITION OK 1'KOl'KBTV. t | f a-iH Hru 2 2 01 W 8h V Use i) Bsmlthshop 1'ark. Owner A. Minis... ............ Mrs. 8. M. Btanton & ........ IM, Wylly. Mrs. Murphy.......... I), Knoll1 * J.Monroe.'e W. V. CorlHJtt..,.,,.,. City of Bavannnh. .... J.V, Heidtman....... Occupant Krank Olnclvlch...... C, K, JiU8Uil ,..,,.,., Clam (IrtHJn. o........ Flunincd Wutera,. , . . , Knoll and Monroo, e.. T.A. Ward............ Ben iKHits, ............ Caute Defective stove pliio. Dcfooilvu Htuvo pliio. HtOVO |li|O ............ Hnuike froniBtove.... Unknown ............. K|>arkK from fori;o.... Stove |il|o ............ 1NSUUANCK. Contents Not HSO . , ; Tiuu uo Not use... .'.J.IXIO M) r>-,,m IHI Building t l/iOO OU a.K no mw oo '.! U) IMOUO NOf HMC... s.ooo uo I.WK'I 06 1,000 01) 70000 *l:i,SK 00 1NSUKK1) I.OSH. Contints ""'iao'oii Not use . . tto oo Building t a HI lf> (10 3 00 """lao'oo Not use. . . 19000 XT) OU JTdft 50 Total Loss 1 :i 50 IS 00 3(10 Not use.. 130 00 3000 &71 00 * Ir-IiOcal. T Telephone. Klffurcs Number of Box. 1 1> Dwelling. 8 Store. B Brick. K Kranio. K~Stono. RECORD OP FIRES DURING MONTH OF NOVEMBER, 1896. ALAKM.* Date Nov. U 10 12 15 18 20 21 23 24a; 28 21) By 67 10 18 in T 5 I,IB T 8 51! 113 Time 2 32 pin 12 10 inn 12 30 am I! 33 pm 1! 2U l>ni 12 03 piu 4 80 pm 1! 48 Bill a 25 1)111 U 1'J am 11 K> |im 4 43 urn FIRE AT Barnuril and State . . . Uandolph.ftBrough'n Steamship Hlpon City Bay la, Houston A KB N.IiuuBton,2d.K.Prlco Randolph, ft Bniunh'n 278-280 Bryan 1&. 1st t Heynolds,bt Anderson OK8C1UPTION Of 1'UOPKHTY.t M 4 5 2 .... 1 1* 1-2 Of B W WA W B W u* Grocery, L.B. i'aot'ly B&U D Stable. 1) I) 8*1) Owner Odd Fellows Ass'n . . . . Mr. McGuire.. ........ J. F. Minis, agt....... A. Kent...... .......... Laamr tist..... ........ Sent, In by Kiro Chief. Venus Walker, c...... Occupant Mutual Grocery Co. . . Mr. Mciiulre. ......... Captain tuiil crow,. . . . KoKer Black, o, ....... Hove nil families, c . . . Venus Walker, o.. . . . . Cause Waxon striking polo.. Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Unknown ............. Unknown ............. MlKChto vons children. Unknown ............. INSURANCE. Contents $11.0W 00 301)00 Not asi-er $11.500 00 Building Wti.UOO (W 2,!W) 66 tillnuil. 40000 60000 fjl.SOU 00 INSUHKI) I.OSS. Contents $S,(WU 00 JO 00 Not uscer ::::::::::: S5.K70 00 Building f TH4 4ti 12S 00 tfilneil. 25 00 141 89 ""'iio'66 *1.3J9 3r Total Loss rMioo o 5,001)00 7uOO l.V) 00 SoOO 41 00 uOOO 17000 ri2,oi oo *LIxal. TTelephone. ilguresNumber of Box. t Dwelling. 8Store. BBrick. KFrame. S-Stone. RECORD OP FIRES DURING MONTH OP DECEMBER, 1896. ALARM, Dte Den. 2 8 6 8 8 11 11 18 111 21 28 24 24 24 24 24 25 26 26 20 28 HI 81 HI 81 By 02 L 2U 62 U5 'I 1 T 61! T 24 24 24 21 T 15 611 04 L I, S4 T 114 212 Time 1 25 pm 4 05 pm 0 15 pm HO am fi 11 pin 2 18 am II 10 am 11 20 am H 46 am 11 16 am 760pm ISSani 7 48 pm 065am 122pm r. 60 pm 7 18 pm 1102am 269pm 410pm 0 25 pm 800pm 010pm 428am 12 50 pm 2 03pm 1060pm Finn AT 44 Oak................. Foot W. Broad st. . 25 H. Boundary ... 103 K. Broad .:.... . (Jnodwln's Milk Da ry 2.17 W. Broad...... . Steamship Cldral. . Steamship Klpon City Olive and Farm....... Barnard and Congress 8., F. &W. My Yard.. W. Boundary.......... 2M-4 Harris. ....[Hull Bull.bt.MolXmouKh A 218 Bolton. ............ 226 Montgomery ...... MontgomeryiB.B'rt la Dray ton and Churl ton 26-28 Broughton lane. 82 Farm,...,..,,...... 218-220 Bolton 220 Anderson'tW.Bdry Walker.bt. Lumber & York and Wbltaker... 2d. bt. Bull A Drayton DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY ,t 1 2 I 1 i' V 2 2 2 i 2 1 2 1 I 1 Tra 01 W W W Irjn W B W B W W B W B W vel Uie T> Coal Yard D Store Dairy D Freight Store and D Drug Store Box Car Store and D D Theatre p Kmpty Ixit Stable Market D ngVan Owner D. ,1. Morrlson..,.,.., A. O. Uund... . if'.'i'/Hoodwin '. '. H.T. Skipper. . .T. F, Minis, agt.. J. F. Minis, agt. j. K.Fulton & son.agt s'.FJt w'Ry ' pYantSys'. J. H. Pratt............ Owen Uellly.. ........ (ircenwnll Thoafl Co. W. B. Sturtevant..... Rutherford.. .......... Jno. Barry.......... . T. Whltesldes 218 John Morrlso , 220-J,Kpstein.... City of Savannah... , Fas. MeQInley est , . . . Frank Foster, ,...,, Mr. Kldred............ Mrs. A. Carson,. ...... Ann Carstens. .,,,,.,, Occupant Carrie Black.......... .Ino. 1'rcdronno... .. C. Christopher. ... .. S. 1'. Uoodwln..... .. H.T. Skipper..... .. Captain and Crow .. Captain and Crow .. W. Blockor. ....... Solomons 4 Co ... 1'lant System..... .. August I'ratt. .... Unoccupied. .......... Ureenwall Thoat'l Co 1. W. Johnson........ S. W. Whltehurst William Jackson, o. . . Unoccupied........... Katie Smith........... 21S Vacant. 220 M. K, Uoblnson ........ Sommer & Wlnkler. . . Frank Foster.,,....,, Mr, Kldred............ Mrs. A, Carson........ Ann Carstens. ..,.., Ciuse Smoking stove........ Spon. combustion... , . Crack In chimney,. ... Defective stove pipe. Burning brush.. ..... Unknown ....... ..... Unknown ....... ..... Unknown....... ..... Unknown ....... ..... Carboy vitriol bursted Unknown ....... ..... Unknown....... ..... Unknown ............. Overheated oil stove. Kparks from chimney. Unknown . ........... Foul chimney,....,. .. Unknown ............. Unknown ..,,.,,,..,,. Supposed fire works.. Bunting aflre on top stall Unknown,, . , . Bxplos'n gasoline tv Hot ashes............. Unknown .,...,,....,. INSURANCE. Contents KI.OOO III) ""'sou' 60 Not ascer000 tX) Informa- '"V.ooo'oo Sot ascer60000 69 r.'.4l 00 Building f 2 00 ""'250'00 ted. '.ill) "66 ciipnnts. mi no 1,0110 00 10 00 talned. talnod. S5.46DOO Total Loss 11.184 W) 200 ""ftso'oo "'"is'66 64(100 526 10000 2,60001) 1000 2 00 1 00 500 2500 raw 60 UO 40000 260 2,00000 I7.5; 76 J,-ix>eal. T-Telephone, Figures Number of Box, t Dwelling. S Store. B -Brick. F Frame, 8 Stone. MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ALARMS. Manner of Receipt. Numlw. Street BoxesTelephones.... Locals .......... Ill 27 58 Total. 196 Causes. MONTH. f January....... ........................ February ........... .................. March........ ........................... April..... .............................. .. May...................................... June ................................ ..... July ...................................... August ................................. September....... ...................... October ......... ....................... November...................:......... December................ .... .......... Total.................................. | *> > CO 20 16 9 20 5 7 10 13 18 11 9 16 154 ExplotlMt 1 1 i i 2 1 1 6 14 Foul Chimney 2 3 4 2 1 1 2 1 3 19 Test and F list 1 1 1 2 5 o 1 "i 2 4 i 22 21 15 23 7 9 12 16 20 12 12 27 196 126 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ALARMS. Day on "Which Received. MONTH. January ................................. February.. ............................ .. March................................... April...................................... May.................... .................. June........... ........................ ... July....................................... August ................... ............. September....... ........................ October................................... November.............................. December .............................. Total...... ....... ..... ....... ...... s 4 9, 1 1 1 1 1 ?. 1 14 M 1 9, 4 1 9, 6 2 3 1 9. 30 T 9, 9, 9, 1 1 1 fi 1 9, 9, 19 W 7 9, T 1 1 4 6 1 37 T 2 1 6 1 9: 8 1 8 30 F 4 4 5 3 8 3 9, fl 37 S 3 2 1 1 6 9. 8 4 S ?! 29 Total. 22 91 15 23 12 16 20 12 12 27 196 Time of Receipt. MONTH. January ........... February ......... March ............. April ............... May ........ ......... June........... ...... July ................. August............. September ....... . October ........... . November ........ December.. ...... . Total.... ......... Midnight 10 3A M 4 2 1 5 2 1 2 3 2 2 1 25 3 A.M. to 6A.M. 1 3 1 4 1 4 14 6A.M. to Noon. o 5 6 6 1 2 4 2 5 2 5 47 Noon to 3 KM. 7 2 2 2 1 2 6 0 1 5 31 3P.M. to 6P.M. 4 8 2 3 1 4 f 3 3 34 6P.M. to Midnight 4 4 4 4 3 2 6 2 2 3 3 9 45 Total. 22 21 15 23 7 9 12 16 20 12 12 27 196 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Origin of Fire*. MONTH. January ...... February ..... March.......... April........... May ............ Juiie. . .......... July ......... ... August........ September ... October........ November ... December..... Total......... Is HEATING. f 10 7 fi fi 1 4 4 5 3 7 8 15 70 3 ...... ...... 4 O> O 2 1 1 2 1 1 7 1 15 8 7 fi 1 4 4 6 4 8 S 16 81 In ILLUMINATING. f 0 1 1 1 2 1 6 ** 1 1 2 I ...... 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 8 MISCELLANEOUS. 1 ! 3 7 6 6 4 ...... 6 9 3 2 8 fil i 3 ""l" 1 1 3 4 4 ...... 6 31 1 1 4 1 4 1 2 1 ""s" 1 6 2 25 1 7 11 7 17 5 3 8 9 16 4 9 11 107 Cattaea of Klrea. MONTH. January .................... February.......... ......... March ....................... April ........................ May .......................... June...... ................. ... July.......................... August...................... September........... ...... October ..................... December.................. Total..... ................ S K f ~I f I 1 !! o 1 3 m m c m O 1 3 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 16 1 Construe- DefectIn 1tie*. 4 1 ft 1In Flue.Defect 4 4 1 3 91 ?, 1 1 6 24 1 Incendiary and Sup- Incendiary. poted 1 9. ?, 1 1 1 1 9 fi 4 1 3 3 3 1 O 33 | 8 1 1 13 1 S 5to 8 ft IS 66 Explosions. 1 1 1 1 ?, ? 1 8 14 |Foul Chimney. 3 4 1 9! 1 4 17 Iand FalteTt. 1 1 1 5 o 1 ?, 3 iS flfl SI 1ft 23 19 16 flO 12 12 9!7 196 128 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Fire Statistics. MONTH. January ..................... February .................... March ........................ April ................. ......... May........................... June......... .................. July..... ..................... August _..:.................. September .................. October....................... December........ ............ Total ....................... OKIG Bldgi. * StontBrick 8 4 ib 2 4 8 4 3 4 42 INATE Woodn Building*. 13 14 13 11 7 8 13 13 11 6 16 132 TDIN Building* than Other 1 3 2 2 3 1 3 7 22 o Point of Confined to 18 17 13 14 4 8 8 11 14 9 10 18 144 o of Floor Confined to 4 3 2 4 3 1 3 4 4 3 1 7 39 & i Adjohiln Extended to 'i 5 1 1 2 I 2 13 Conflagration*. None MA YOJVS ANNUAL REPORT. U9- Fire Loss. In presenting this statement, I desire to say that a comparison of one year or, one month's work with another is almost impossible, and even though the loss is less it is of itself no evidence of increased efficiency. It must be remembered that the amount of fire loss is regulated entirely by the number of fires, and it must also be remembered that ever time an alarm is sounded more or less loss is sustained. No two fires burn alike, and the only proper way to determine whether one years' work is as good as another is to ascertain the percentage that the property destroyed bears to the total property involved and compare the results, thus we arrive at a reasonable basis for the establishment and measurement of the money results of fire department work in a really accurate manner. Our statistics become valuable alike to ourselves and the Insurance Companies, they introduce an element of certainty in the question of fire losses which must at once be appreciated and valued. The amount of insurance carried has no place in such an inquiry. We have to do with much property on which there is no insurance, much that is not insured for its full value, some that is over insured. We should seek the value of the property burned, the actual loss, not the insurance loss and statistics showing the amount of insurance on property, and the loss entertained by the insurance companies are practically of no value to anyone. The information may however be of service in determining to what extent the insurance businesshas suffered, and I present the usual statement. ISO MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Value of Property and Loaa. MONTH January ..................................... ...... February .................. ......................... March ........................................ ....... April .. ............................................... May .......................................... ......... June............................................ ...... July ........ .......................................... August ............................................. .. September.......................................... October...... ........................................ November .. . .. ........ ........................ Total.... ......................................... Value n AftA OO QDf Aft 155,917 70 2,416 60 IQO nn i^id. R7ft fin 5,030 36 88,003 10 Q7| AA 12,096 00 7,598 75 $390,970 23 Percentage of total loss to Property involved 11 per cent. Statement of Insurance. MONTH .January .............. February ............ March ................. April .................. May ................. ... .June.................. July........... ....... August ............... September........... October ............... November ........... December............ Total............... "*Totnl TnBUrftTi^M* INSURANCE BaiMing $106,600 00 30,50000 7,650 00 73,500 00 2,350 00 7,000 00 65,450 00 10,100 00 18.560 00 13325 00 61,800 00 11,175 69 393,010 69 Content* i $ 25,700 00 40,20000 1,90000 141,648 00 1,700 00 00 33,300 00 10,500 00 34,400 00 25,500 00 11,500 00 ; 5,400 00 $331,748 00 INSURANCE LOSS Building $ 741 00 1,137 50 269 00 Sl,4<)9 70 766 50 25 49,701 00 2,637 36 6,96900 795 50 1.229 37 5,456 00 $101,112 78 Total InsaranceliOH ................... ......... ...................... Contents $ 1,086 70 8,098 50 70700 104,540 00 900 00 00 29,910 00 3,025 00 29,950 25 50 00 6,870 00 2,484 00 $186,621 45 ..$729,758 69 .. 287.734 23 Amount of Insurance over Loss ......................................$442,024 46 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 1S1 REPORT OF CLERK OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. SAVANNAH, GA., Jan., 1st, 1897. Jno. E. Maguire, Esq., Fire Chief, City: DEAR SIR :I beg to submit the following report for the period commencing October 19th, and ending December 31st, 1896. Supplies turned over to me as per inventory to the value of.................................$319 71 Charged to me since October 18th............. 43 49 Total......................... ..............$363 20 Out of this I have filled 115 requisitions and charged out................................... 78 53 Balance.......................................$284 67 Deduct amount of loss in issue.................. 1 21 Total value of supplies now on hand...$283 46 During the past 12 month 1067 letters have been issued from this office. Report were made on 141 building permits. 317 Reports of house inspections were filed. 564 Special leaves of absence were granted. 516 Letters and documents were filed. A Theatre detail of 4 men was furnished at each performance in the Savannah Theatre. Very respectfully, E. J. SEYMOTJB, Clerk. US MA VOX'S ANNUAL REPORT. ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH. Jno. E. Maguire, Esq., Fire Chief, S. F. D. DEAR SIB:I have the pleasure to submit the following report of the Fire Alarm Telegraph service for the year ending December 31st, 1896. During the year 134 alarms were transmitted over the lines of the Alarm system. Telephones were credited with 24 and the Alarm boxes with 112. During the year one new box No. 15 has been received of the non-interfering pattern, and located at Broughton and Price Sts. One new station has been created at Gwinnett and Ott Sts., and numbered 212. During the year Engine Co. No. 1, has been connected by private telephone, which has been a great convenience to the Department generally. The late storm which struck Savannah last Sept. was very disastrous to the system. The only suggestion that I can advance would be to put the entire system under ground, which would be very expensive. The following is the expense of this branch of the service. Running Expenses. ! Salary of Superintendent........................! 600 00 Blue Stone 129.93, Zincs & Coppers 104.30 234 83 Telephone rent 320.00 Stationery 2.00........ 322 00 Clock oil............................................. 35 V _____^____ $1,157 18 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 1SS Repair*. 24 Battery Jars 4.00 Lumber 2.03 Climbers Straps $1.00......................................$ 7 03 35 Telephone poles 47.60 Extra Labor 25.12.. 72 72 Drayage................................................ 8 50 $88 25 Extensions. 1 Fire Alarm box 125.00 1 mile wire 33.50..$158 50 2 Telephones, wire brackets and glass......... 45 25 Tin frames for signs on Fire Alarm poles..... 10 50 Fire Alarm keys.................................... 25 45 $239 70 Storm. Wire 74.40 Tools and Hardward 6.91 Winding Magnets 5.75.............................$ 87 06 Extra labor 9.63 Rope 1.59 Wire & Gleets 4.18............................................. 15 40 Total ..........................................$1,587 59 Less old material sold........................ 53 97 fl,533 62 Recommendations. I recommend that the old style gongs at Engine Co. Nos. 1, 4 and 5, and Hose Co. No. 1, be taken down and exchanged for new ones of improved patterns. I also recommend that as many as possible of our old style boxes be changed for new ones of the noninterfering pattern. ISi MA TOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. I also recommend that twenty-five or thirty Key guard boxes be bought; by means of these boxes many alarms could be turned in much sooner than they are at present. I also recommend that we change from gravity to storage battery, as I believe it to be better and would reduce our running expenses at least 50 per cent. I also recommend that this branch of the service be furnished with a horse and wagon, as the system has grown so large as to make it very difficult to attend to its duties on foot. I also recommend thatan Assistant Superintendent of Fire and Police Telegraph be appointed. I also recommend that all of the iron wire be taken down and replaced with copper wire. Permit me before closing this report to return my thanks to the Hon. Board of Fire Commissioners, and to the Fire Chief for the confidence that they have shown in me. Very respectfully, W. D. CLAIBOENE, Supt. Fire Alarm. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 1SSREPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: DEAR SIRHerewith you will find the report of Superintendent of the Water Department for the year ending December 31st, 1896. The report is full, giving in detail the operation of the department, together with all improvements, and the expenses of the various sub-departments; The report of the Superintendent shows that 10,100 feet of mains have been laid, 38 new fire hydrants put in, 159 meters set, new artesian well connected, new electric light plant put in, and many other minor improvements made during the past year. The operation of the department during the past year has been most satisfactory. The expenses have been kept down to the lowest possible point. The revenue has been increased considerable by extendthe mains into new territory. The Board endeavored to lay these mains in sections where they were most needed, taking into consideration at the same time the general system as adopted for the best distribution of the water. The meters put in have so far proved most advantageous to the department, having saved during the time they have been in nearly a half million gallonsof water per day. 1S6 MAYOS>& ANNUAL REPORT. The Board have endeavored in every way possible to improve the department, and to manage it in a manner that would best subserve the interest of the people generally. The report of the Superintendent shows that the expenses for the operation of the department proper has been $29,289.44, a very satisfactory showing, considering the efficient manner in which it has been operated. The Board would recommend that Council take some action looking to the extension of the conduit to the river. While this is not needed at the present time, it is well to have this done as a precautionary measure. We also recommend that an office of Plumbing Inspector be created and an efficient inspector employed. Said office will cost the city about $1,000.00 per year. Under the present system there is a large amount of plumbing done annually which is not alone expensive to property owners to maintain, but is also unsanitary and unhealthy to occupants and a great annoyance to this department. Very truly yours, JAS. M. DIXON, Chairman. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 137 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. To the Board of Water Commissioners: GENTLEMENI herewith submit to you the annual report of the Water Works Department for the year ending December 31st, 1896. The total pumpage of water for the year has been 2,253,212,145 gallons, an average per day of 6,173,- 184 gallons, as against 2,402,693,708 gallons for the year 1895, showing an annual decrease of 149,481,- 563 gallons, and a daily decrease of 409,296 gallons for the year 1896. I have during the past year made every effort possible to reduce the unnecessary waste of water, and the above figures will show that I have been in a .measure successful. The total amount of coal consumed during the past year has been 1,779 tons, an average of 4 8-10 tons per day, as against 1,894 tons for the year 1895, with an average of 5 1-5 tons per day, showing a decrease of 115 tons for the year 1896. The average quantity of water pumped per ton of coal in 1896 has been 1,266,561 gallons, as against 1,268,536 gallons for the year 1895, showing a slight difference in favor of 1895. This is accounted by using steam for the electric light engine during part of the past year. 1SS MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Expenses. Following will be found a financial statement for the year: Appropriation for operation of water works proper ................................$ 35,000 00 Expenses for operation of water works proper......................................... 29,289 44 Cost of Electric Light Plant .............. 2.376 86 Repairing damage caused by storm, (covered by policy)........................ 850 00 Total expenses paid out of regular appropriation.......................... ........ ... 32,516 30 Balance appropriation unexpended ...... 2,483 70 Appropriation for extension of mains... 10,000 00 Amount expended in extension of mains. 9,954 78 Balance unexpended ........................ 45 22 Appropriation for meters..................... 3,500 00 Amount expended for meters and putting in same................................. 4,363 28 Amount collected from sale of large meters............................................. 1,333 64 Amount expended, (deducting amount collected)..................................... 3,029 64 Balance unexpended of meter appropriation........................................... 470 36 Grand total expenses .............. ......... 46,834 36 Grand total appropriations.................. 48,500 00 Total amount unexpended.................. 1,665 64 Receipts from water rents, . . >iod5 .... >o '5 *04w> i:ss ! ! : : ! ! :" I : s ! i i : !|5 : i :::': \ 1: :g 3 DBY UtTUKK S88 : :S : : 88 : :S : : : : SS 3SS ta-o i33S rH M 3SS SS >^1 2 3 - Bftl 335 S : : : :S 13 : : :S Jj >79 -C5 ... i . tO . . . . M tj? " -t * '"f ><*^^ "II! 3 egM *<5 BU S3 M :5SS : : : : : :S STHEKTS ANJlliANE S3 S :383 ejssg 38SSS33 ssss *F^ e5 rH^ g i33 3! a*"-" 1 s. ii City ligh expen Sturm num House lot MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPOR1. Streets and Lanes Department. There are within the city limits ninety-six and five-tenths lineal miles of streets and twenty miles of lanes. Twenty lineal miles of streets are paved. The paved streets, the material and the superficial area of pavement are as follows: STHEE*. MAI4U Broughton...... ........ Asphalt..... ............... 17,950 Bryan..................... Asphalt..................... 619 Bull.........................Asphalt.....................32,831 Congress..................Asphalt..................... 6,539 Harris..................... Asphalt..................... 1,675 Liberty.....................Asphalt..................... 30,430 St. Julian................. Asphalt..................... 1,088 Abercorn............. Vitrified Brick................ 3,501 Habersham........... Vitrified Brick................ 3,439 Bay..........................Chert...................... 4,977 New..........................Chert...................... 900 Bay.........................Cobble.....................35,042 Factors Walk............ Cobble..................... 8,800 Lanes.......................Cobble..................... 13,000 Pine.................. .....Cobble..................... 1,800 Kew........................Cobble..................... 1,378 River.......................Cobble..................... 21,833 Streets & slips N of Bay. Cobble..................... 9,000 Randolph..............."...Cobble...................... 8,500 Reynolds..................Cobble..................... 3,500 Barnard....................Cobble..................... 5,500 East Broad................Cobble..................... 15,800 West Broad...............Cobble..................... 26,000 Whitaker..................Cobble.....................25,000 Bay.. ................ Granite Blocks................ 1,707 MA FOB'5 A.\NUAL REPORT. 155 Bryan.................Granite Blocks................ 902 East Broad...........Granite Blocks................ 9,190 Jefferson.............Granite Blocks................ 20,311 Wadley...... .........Granite Blocks................ 4,409 Wheaton..............Granite Blocks................ 5,000 Bolton....................... Shell....................... 11,700 Bull.........................Shell....................... 12,700 Barnard.....................Shell....................... 6,500 Drayton.....................Shell.................... .. 25,000 Jones........................Shell....................... 15,400 Gaston.......................Shell....................... 12,300 Hall..........................Shell....................... 12,300 j Henry........................Shell....................... 21,000 : Ogeechee....................Shell....................... 16,000 ;i Wheaton....................Shell....................... 8,000 Recapitulation. MATERIAL. SQUARE YABDS. Asphalt.................................... 91,132 Brick...... .................................. 6,940 Chert....................................... 5,877 Cobble....................................... 175,153 Granite..................................... 41,519 Shell........................................ 14,900 461,521 The expenditures iu streets and lanes were as follows : Cleaning asphalt streets........................! 4,155 06 Cleaning streets other than asphalt.......... 3,919 02 Cleaning catch basins........................... 4,072 95 Cleaning crossings............................... 1,840 00 Cutting and removing weeds, etc.......:.... 1,966 50 166 MAYOR'S ANKUAL REPORT. Grading and filling.............................. 3,678 21 Laying and repairing crossings and sidewalks.......................................... 1,062 32 Maintenance of shelled streets............... 1,904 82 New stables, lotman's house, etc............. 5,751 89 Repairing and cleaning sewers and catch basins.......................................... 565 00 Repairing asphalt streets....................... 4,366 84 Repairing streets other than asphalt........ 1,292 90 Work and supplies other than above....... 13,311 76 147,887 27 Cleaning Streets. The cost of cleaning improved streets follows: MATEBIAI. 8QFABEYABDS. COST. p^Q^KE vllL Asphalt...............$ 91,132 $4,155.06 .0456 Cobble and granite. 216,672 1,888.59 .0087 Shell.................. 140,900 1,215.47 .0086 From asphalt streets there were removed 3,516 cart loads of waste; from Jefferson street 1,650 loads, and from other streets 13,378 loads. It will be seen that the cost of cleaning asphalt streets is about five times that of cleaning shell, cobble or granite. Asphalt, while a pretty pavement, and as claimed by some the most sanitary of all pavements, unless kept absolutely clean speedily becomes the most unsanitary and injurious to the public's health as well as offensive to its eyes. It accordingly requires more attention than any other class of pavements. The method of cleaning also makes it especially expensive. The work is done by hand scrapers, the dirt being collected by carts as deposited in piles by the scrapers. MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPOR1. 157 As far as I have been able to ascertain, the method in use here will compare favorably, both as regards expense and results, with that of any other city. It has been claimed that it would cost equally as much to keep other classes of pavements clean as asphalt pavements are kept, with the same amount of traffic upon them. Experience does not bear this out. On granite pavements the horse, sweeper can be used to great advantage. Such pavements are smooth enough for machines to do the work well and the preliminary watering does no injury. Asphalt streets, though, cannot be swept as granite and brick pavements are. The wetting required to prevent dust is injurious to the asphalt, as is evidenced by the fact that the asphalt pavements in this city wear out first in the gutters where there is little oi no traffic. Whatever the expense, though, asphalt pavements must be cleaned continuously. During the summer months, owing to the heavy traffic to a late hour Saturday nights, these streets were swept early Sunday mornings. Granite pavements are undoubtedly the cheapest, so far as the expense of cleaning is concerned. Brick pavements can also be cleaned by machine at about the same cost as granite. Cobble and shell streets a're swept by hand, cobble pavements being too uneven to permit of the use of the machine, and the shell streets requiring a greater degree of care than is permitted by its use. 158 MA YOR'& ANXUAL REPORT. Repairs to Pavements. Repairs were made to paved streets at a cost of $7,564.56. In detail they are as follows: Sq. Yds Cost of Average Cost Material. of Area. Repairs, sq. yd. of Area. Asphalt, not under contract.. 60,350 $4,366 84 $ .0723 Cobble...................................175,153 1,289 40 .0074 Shell.....................................140,900 1,904 82 .0135 On granite pavements there were repairs required to but 10 sq. yards, at a cost of $3.50. In repairs to shell streets 29,835 bushels of shells were used. . Of this quantity 11,145 bushels were used on Drayton street, the repairing of which cost about $560. This money was practically thrown away, the shells being quickly ground into powder, and .being either blown away by heavy winds or washed away by the rains. Shells are entirely unsuited for a street with such continuous and heavy traffic as passes over Drayton street. The shell and cobble pavement should be taken up and a granite block or other substantial pavement substituted. The asphalt pavements were in need of repairs early in the fall, but the plant of the company had been damaged by the storm, and it was necessary to delay operations. In the meantime the City Council began the consideration of a new maintenance contract, and repairs were accordingly postponed. This proved fortunate for the city, as the repairs now in progress would, under the old contract, have cost an additional $5,000. As it is, all asphalt streets in the city must be maintained in proper condition throughout the year for but $4,500. The City Council is certainly to be commended for the great saving it has effected. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 159- Cleaning: Crossings. The expense of cleaning crossings, mainly on unimproved streets, was $1,840. It is necessary to keep a small force on this work throughout the year to have the crossings in a passable condition. Cleaning Catch Basins. There were in the city, at the close of 1896, 807 catch basins, a net increase of 15 during the year. The expense of cleaning them was $4,072.95. In all, 5,796 catch basins were cleaned, an average of 483- monthly; 6,113 loads of waste, measuring about 4,074 cubic yards, were taken from them and mainly hauled to the outskirts of the city. In some instances, owing to the character of the waste, it was necessary to take it to the crematory. This was due to the misuse of the catch basins by unknown persons converting them into receptacles for night soil, garbage and other foreign substances. Offensive odors arising from them were generally found to have their origin in such abuses. Efforts to discover the guilty parties were unsuccessful. Nuisances of this character, it i& evident, can only be corrected by the constant co-operation of the police. Cutting: and Removing Weeds, Etc. Work of this character in previous years was generally not begun until late in the summer or early in the fall. In 1896 the work of removing weedsand grass from vacant lots and streets was begun in, the latter part of May and continued until early in October. A considerable force was at times employed and the expenditures were f 1,966.50. The greater part of this work was done in the southern section of '160 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. the city. Traffic over the sand streets there is so limited that the weeds and grass attain a large growth, and would soon render the streets impassable were a continuous war not maintained on them. The large number of vacant lote there also required constant attention. Work on such lots was begun at the time designated by the Health Officer, after notice had been served on the agents or property owners by public advertisement. Grading and Pilling: and New Roadways. Under the agreement entered into between the city and the S., F. & W. Railway Company for the opening up of the southern and southeastern sections of the corporate limits, a roadway was constructed on each side of the right of way of that railroad, extending from Anderson street to the Drouillard tract, or to about Sixth street, a distance of 2,000 feet. These roadways are thirty feet wide. The railway company furnished the earth for their construction, 11,500 cubic yards, and the work was done by the city hands. The cost was as follows: Street and lane hands...............$ 399 26. Dry culture hands.................... 1,053 70 Total................... ...............$1,252 96 Outside of this work there was expended in grading and filling $3,478.95, as follows: Unimproved streets..................$1,292 63 Unimproved lanes..................... 362 77 Streets south of Anderson street.. 1,823 55 I MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 161 From this it will be seen that there was a total expenditure in work of this character in the portion of the city south of Anderson street of $3,071.51. As a matter of general interest the following statement is given of the expenditures in the new sections for grading and filling, outside of the roadways referred to: Barnard, south of Sixth...................,..$ 7 63 Bull, south of Anderson..................... 86 50 Burroughs, between 7th and llth sts..... 103 62 Eighth, between Bull and West Broad... 142 47 Eleventh, bet. Barnard and Burroughs.. 139 37 Gwinnett, east of Bilbo.. .................... 361 12 Gwinnett, east of S., F. & W............... 82 50 Jefferson, between 4th and llth streets.. 344 62 Ninth, between Bull and West Broad... 229 74 Second, west of Bull.......................... 25 25 Seventh, west of Jefferson................... 221 92 West Broad, between 10th and 12th..... 78 81 Repairing; Sewers and Catcta Basins and Cleaning; Sewers. There are in Savannah sixteen and seven-tenths lineal miles of sewers, with 807 catch basins. These sewers are, for the most part, nothing but elongated cesspools, deficient in all the scientific requirements of such avenues of escape for waste. They are, without exception, imperfect and laid with an absolute lack of system. This is either the result of imperfect engineering or of unscrupulous or ignorant contracting. It being, of course, the desire of the contractors to make all the money possible, they, no doubt, avoided excavating to the proper grade, but rather 11 I isa MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. sought to conform to the surface of the street. The result is that, for hundreds of feet on a stretch, the sewers, instead of having the proper fall, are actually built on an incline, backing up the sewage instead of permitting its free escape. In the Broughton street sewer, which is beyond question the best in the city, this is true to a certain extent. The condition of the Barnard street sewer became so bad, owing to the accumulation of foecal matter, resulting from its improper construction, that, acting under the instructions of the Ma3?or and the Health Officer, a force was put to work at night to clean it thoroughly throughout. At places it was found that this sewer ran for some distance at a level, or even at a decline from the outlet. Proper flushing of such sewers is almost impossible, and it is apparent that they are a source of constant danger to the public health. The structural weakness of the sewers is demonstrated by the frequent breaks. In 1895 there were twenty-four of such breaks, and in 1896 there were thirty-three. Prior reports do not give the cost of repairs. Last year the expenditures for this purpose amounted to $486.06. The location of the breaks and the cost of repairs were as follows: LOCATION. COST. Abercorn and Duffy streets............! 4 87 Abercorn and New Houston........... 10 75 Anderson and East Broad streets..... 7 50 a u n tt ti 212 . Barnard and Gaston streets............ 600 Barnard and Jones streets.............. 11 78 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 16S LOCATION. COST. Barnard, north of Jones................. 3 37 Barnard and McDonough streets..... 2 00 Barnard, west of city market........... 2 75 Broughton and Bull streets............ 18 34 Congress and Whitaker streets........ 4 00 Congress la., bet. Bull and Whitaker... 3 75 Duffy and Abercorn streets............ 7 50 Duffy, west of Dray ton street......... 11 38 Fifth and Drayton streets.............. 2 50 Habersham and Duffy streets ......... 22 25 " " " " ......... 93 13 " " " ........ 38 53 Hall, east of Howard street............ 4 50 Hall and West Broad streets........... 12 28 Jones, near East Broad street......... 36 65 Jones, west of East Broad street...... 63 56 Price and Bolton streets................. 17 30 Eiver, near Bull street.................. 41 15 River, west of West Boundary......... 8 25 Railroad, west of West Broad street.. 7 50 State, west of Drayton street........... 7 50 Whitaker, near Eiver street........... 22 85 Whitaker, north of Perry lane........ 2 50 West Broad an d New streets........... 2 00 " Sixth streets......... 2 00 " Hull streets.......... 300 < : " " Jones.................. 2 50 164 MA YOJPS ANNUAL REPORT. Kew Sewers and Catch Basins. During the year l,527i feet of sewer pipe was laid, as follows: 220 lin. ft. 12-in. pipe and 32* lin. ft. 10-in. pipe on McDonough street, to connect catch basin southeast corner McDonough and Houston streets with East Broad street sewer. 365 lin. ft. 12-in. pipe and 25 ft. 10-in. pipe on South Broad street, to connect catch basins at Habersham and South Broad streets with Price street sewer. 285 lin. ft. 18-in. pipe on Louisville road, to connect catch basins with Musgrove creek. 385 lin. ft. 15-in. pipe and 215 ft. 10-in. pipe on South Broad street, to connect catch basins at South Broad and Houston streets with East Broad street sewer. Twenty-three new catch basins were put in, located as follows: McDonough and Houston 1, Habersham and South Broad 2, Abercorn 6, Bay street extended 6, Louisville road 4, Houston and South Broad 4. One cesspool with man hole was built at East Broad and South Broad streets. Eight catch basins were abandoned, 2 at Abercorn and Liberty, 2 at East Broad and South Broad, 2 at Price and South Broad and 2 at Bull and South Broad. Sewer Connections. In order to place the responsibility in the event that streets torn up for sewer connections or for other purposes were not put back in proper order a rule was established that permits must be secured from this office in addition to those issued by the MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 165 Health Officer or the Clerk of Council. A large number of such permits were issued to various parties during the year, including 73 for sewer connections, which were inspected by this office. These connections were with the following sewers : Abercorn street 4, Anderson street 1, Barnard street 4, Bilbo canal 1, Bolton street 1, Broughtou street 3, Bryan street 1, Bull street 3, Dray ton street 3, Duffy street 1, East Broad street 9, Farm street 1, Habersham street 5, Houston street 3, Hull street 1, Jefferson street 6, Jones street 4, Liberty street lane 1, Montgomery street 1, Price street 2, Sixth street 3, Wayne street 1, West Broad street 10, Whitaker street 3. Crossings and Sidewalks. Nineteen street crossings, measuring 616 square yards, have been put down at a cost of $590.23. Repairs have been made to 35 others at a cost of $194.24, giving a total expenditure on crossings of $784.47. The storm of September 29, by uprooting many trees throughout the city, caused considerable damage to sidewalks. Repairs were made by the city hands to 146 sidewalks torn up in this way. In addition to this there were repaired during the year 88 sidewalks at a cost of $277.85. Of these sidewalks 3 were "accepted," the city keeping them in order, and 10 were repaired free, the damage having been done by tree roots. For repairing the other 76* property owners were billed to the amount of $243.03 A vitrified brick sidewalk is being laid on the western side of Colonial Park. While the cost is greater than that of an ordinary brick pavement, the wearing quality more than offsets the additional expense. 166 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. In this connection I would respectfully suggest the advisability of Council extending the sidewalks ordinance to include the city limits, framing the amendment in such a manner that its operation would not be burdensome to the people. A start must be made in this direction. Owing to the limits set by the present ordinance a large area of the city is without either sidewalks or a vestige of a curb, although in part densely populated. One result of such a condition of affairs is that a large number of catch basins stand practically in the street, and from 10 to 12 inches above its surface. This not only impairs the service of the catch basins but renders them dangerous to the public. Mew City Stables, Etc. On city land, at Cemetery and Sycamore streets, new city stables, together with lotman's house and suitable outbuildings were erected and equipped during 1896 at a cost of $6,888.02, as follows:: Stables....................................$4,958 27 Lotman's house and office........... 1,258 70 Tool house and closet, etc........... 353 20 Indicator and clock.................. 7200 Filling in lot, etc...................... 245 85 $6,888 02 Of this amount $5,751.89 was charged to streets and lanes, and $1,136.13 to scavenger appropriation. The lot on which these buildings are situated is 80 feet wide at the front, tapering to 54 feet at the rear, and is about 800 feet long. It adjoins Laurel Grove Cemetery, to the north MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. ' 167 and is convenient to the city crematories, which are but a short distance to the west, saving considerable time for the scavenger teams hauling city waste there. Prior to the erection of these stables the stock of the streets and lanes department was stabled at the city pound in quarters which were inadequate in size and deficient in accommodations. In these stables the stock were uncomfortably cramped, and were cared for at a decided disadvantage and expense. The stock of the scavenger department had been quartered since 1888, at least, in hired stables at West Boundary and Cohen streets. For the most miserable accommodations the city paid a yearly rental of $600. The stables were situated in a hollow, which in rainy weather became the outlet for the drainage of a considerable area, converting the stables into a drain and the surrounding lot into a slough of mud. The building was merely a shed, requiring frequent repairs at the city's expense. The stalls were so small that the animals were unable to secure proper rest. With such unhealthful surroundings the maintenance of the stock in first-class condition was out of the question. It was apparent that the city must either expend a considerable amount in improvements to these hired sheds, or . \ erect suitable stables of its own. Considerations of ; proper economy suggested the consolidation of the J two stables in a new, commodious and thoroughly < modern building. The size of the pound lot and its I situation rendered its use inadvisable, and the lot on ; Cemetery street was selected as the most suitable place for the stables. The new structure is 232 feet long, 44 feet wide, contaijns 88 single and 4 double 168 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. stalls. The feed bin, above the stable, is 232 feet by 10 feet. The dwelling house is 39 feet by 36 feet, contains five rooms, and, like the stables, is lighted by electricity and well supplied with water. The cart shed is 198 feet by 18 feet. Another shed is in process of erection. The tool house, containing three rooms, is 30 J feet by 10J feet. The expenses of the buildings and other work incidental to this improvement, as stated, were borne by the regular street and lane and scavenger appropriations. Savannah's stock is now as well housed and as well cared for as the stock of any other city, and the expense to the city in this connection has been so reduced as to make the investment a very profitable one to it. Street Paving. During 1896 there were laid 12,500.9 square yards of pavement at a total cost of $20,516.68, and work was well under way at the close of the j'ear on pavements aggregating 34,000 square yards on which the city had, up to that time, expended $14,110.70. The following table gives full information in regard to the completed work. STREET Abercorn..... Habersbam Bay Ext d... Wadley....... MATERIAL Vit. Brick ...... Vlt. Brick...... Crashed Rock and Chert Granite Blocks Totals... .... : Sq. Yds. 3,501.7 3,139.6 4,9:7.0 682.6 J2,6*.9 Total Cost * 6,484 27 6,7139i 6,43925 614 18 M,58i fig Cott to CHy *4,ie 54 2,88533 V0092 80473 $8,55752 Rai'rotdi Proporiion $1,041 66 2,211 51 .............._. 13,28317 Cost to Property Owners $1,276 07 1,117 14 4,23833 609 45 7,7iO 98 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 169 The average cost per square yard of the paving ol these streets was as follows: STREET Bay Ext'd...... Wadley ........... MATERIAL VJtrffled Brick.. .................. ...... Vttrifled Brick.... ......................... Granite Bloofe..... ........................ Square Yards 8,501.7 8.489.6 4,977,0 532.8 Coit of Paving 15,521 88 6,92847 5.011 35 14 18 Average Cost Per Square Yard H.577 1.72* 1.008 1.5 Vitrified brick was used for the first time in Savannah as a pavement material. Samples of all bricks competing were secured and put to severe tests to determine their respective qualities. On the basis of these tests, coupled with information obtained from other cities where the bricks have been used, the City Council selected the Bobbin pavers for use on Habersham street and the Virginia Paving Cornpan's brick for Abercorn street. The former, manufactured by the Tennessee Paving Brick Company, of Chattanooga, were contracted for at the rate of $1.14| per square yard, the latter at fl.OSi per square yard. All bricks were inspected on arrival and those hot up to the original samples were rejected. Every care was taken to secure a first-class pavement. Paving pitch was used to fill the interstices. By the use of sand instead the cost of paving would have been reduced about 12 cents per square 3rard. The results were eminently satisfactory ; the two pavements, according to good judges, comparing favorably with the best of their class elsewhere. Factitious objections, such as the one so strenuously urged, that the noise from brick pavements would be too great, proved entirely baseless. In my opinion these pavements will be found durable, easily and cheaply repaired, and the cost of cleaning 170 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. less than on any class of pavements except granite blocks. The paving of Bay street extended, from Wadley street to the city limits, was the first use by the city of crushed rock and chert for paving purposes. On a foundation of six inches of crushed rock a surface bed of three inches of chert is laid and rolled. The result is a solid roadbed, having all the good qualities of a macadam road and in addition that of smoothness. The expense of paving of this character, as will be seen from the preceding statement, is decidedly in its favor. Its durability is beyond question. Repairs will cost but little. Pavements of this kind stand heavy traffic well. Gravel could be used instead of chert, if desired. Pavements of this character have much to commend them and careful consideration should be given to these materials for city streets hereafter. The Louisville road, the paving of which from the Ogeechee canal to the Augusta road is now nearing completion, will be another fine example of this class of pavement. The paving of South Broad street with asphalt, which will be completed in March, will add about 23,650 square yards to the area of this class of pavements. The contract price, $1.95 per square yard, is the cheapest at which work of this character has ever been done in Savannah. Bry Culture Department. Under the care of this department there are 6.48 miles of canal and 45.26 miles of ditches, with a large number of drains, culverts, dams, bridges, etc. The work is brought so little to the attention of the gen- MAYOR'S ANNUAL &EPOR1. 171 eral public that its importance is apt to be minimized in its eyes. As a matter of fact this is really one of the most important departments, its duties having a decided bearing on the health of the city. The amount of work done has also been but little appreciated, owing, perhaps, to the failure to present the results in a sufficiently tangible shape. During the year under review, in addition to many minor matters, work was done equivalent to cleaning 1,211,369 feet of ditches and 80,112 feet of canals, and 15,368 cubic feet of sand was removed from the traps. The hands of the eastern division were also employed in the construction of the roadways along the S., F. & W. The expenditures charged to this department were $12,001.53, but, as stated elsewhere, it bore, in addition to $ 1,053.70 expended on the roadways, the salary of the Commissioner's Clerk and incidental expenses of the City Engineer's office. The main work of the department by months follows: MONTH. January. ...... .............. February ... .... ......... March.. .................. ... April ........................ May.......................... July.......................... August ......... ............ September..... ....... .... October....... ............... November................. December...... .. ........ .. Totals............ ........ No. Feet Dltcnes Cleaned. 81,000 103,400 118,370 130,798 111,115 104,360 95,214 90,691 103,730 112,900 85,653 71,132 1,2H?69 No. Feat Ca nals cleaned. i.boo 3,700 20,425 4,685 22,810 3,800 13,540 6.570 1,620 2,462 80,112 Cable ft. Sand Taken Prom Traps. 159 2,058 1,654 150 4,094 1,804 150 1,431 100 2,368 250 1,150 15,368 No. Days Worn. 374 300 90 375 352 469 507 483 496 519 434 397 5,096 I desire to call attention to the unsanitary condition of the Ogeechee canal. From the foot of Zubly 17S MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. street, going west and south to Gay's lock, the canal is grown up with grass and weeds to such an extent that it can but be injurious to the health of the city. From Zubly street the canal does not seem to be used for any commercial purposes, and is simply a receptacle for filth. At the point where the Hogg sewer crosses the canal there is a dam that prevents the tide water from passing. This dam has a trunk with a shutter that lets the drainage water out from the west and into the eastern portion of the canal. Several years ago the Central Railroad Companj', after urgent demands by the city to place the canal in proper sanitary condition, placed a dam across the canal about two miles from the city to prevent the drainage water west of that point coming this way. This dam has been cut so that a heavy rainfall would flood lower Springfield plantation. The Central Railroad has also had dug a ditch to the dam. This ditch is not kept in a sanitary state. Beyond this dam the canal is full of grass and weeds, and the water is stagnant. Steps should be taken to remedy this nuisance. Scavenger Department. The operating expenses of this department have been $24,404.54. In addition it has been charged with $1,136.13 on account of construction of new stables, etc., making a total of $25,540.67. Twenty-one regular wagons have been at work during the entire year, and during the summer months an extra wagon was added. During the fiftyeight days that the crematory was shut down the waste collected was carried two miles in the country. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 17S This long haul in the hot weather was especially severe on the stock and the men, making the hours of labor longer than usual. The clearing of the city after the storm of September 29th also greatly increased the work. No department has been more efficiently managed than this one, the Superintendent, Mr. Henry E. Dreeson, securing the best results possible with the teams at his command. With a city of the area of Savannah, the collecting of garbage once a day from all residences, with such a limited number of wagons, pushes the stock to a point almost beyond endurance. That the number of complaints was so small is proof of the satisfactory character of the services rendered. With the southern section of the city developing so rapidly, an increase in the number of wagons is imperative. In adding new wagons, in my opinion, the most improved covered sanitary vehicles for this purpose should be bought. The present wagons, the repairs to which form no small item of expense, should also be discarded as soon as possible and succeeded by those especially designed for this work. There was hauled during the year 1896 8,653 loads of garbage to the country and 19,041 loads of garbage, 161 horses, 45 mules and 105' cows to the ci*ematory. A detailed statement of the work of the department follows: 174 MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. Work of the Scavenger Department, January xat to December iat, 1896. 1838 "IToh March... May...... June..... July...... . 1 LOIDS REMOVED 1 ,2 1,584 1,569 t 1 S ff 443 . S S i 1 v i 4181 16 1,715 436 1 13 1,164 . i I 2 12 2 18 3 14 932 ! fl 5 9 ............ 1,847 715 1,184 2,173 August.! 2,166 S*-pt.....| 1,959 October 1,889 Nov...... 1.992 Dec.....J 2,115 Totals,! 19,041 665 420 608 975 487 243 8,658 3 7 3 17 2 11 12 3 9 4 2 10 4 8 91 5 18 8 10 5 19 4 10 3 14 45 161 FEED S 5 19,975 17,450 21,410 18,847 22,359 18,126 22,814 21,452 20,579 11,878 23,463 27,573 245,956 O o 1 9,291 672 6,544 4,839 7,296 9,234 8,986 8,999 4,523 3,824 7.050 7,341 77,499 f S 18,808 24,615 20,168 19,947 17,479 16,745 5,909 14,415 18,273 23,305 18,644 18,337 216,043 _ I 5 3,420 1,824 1.93S 1,140 8,322 City Crematories. The expenses of operating the city crematories during 1896 were $6,045.28, In addition $1,800.00 was expended in necessary improvements, making the total expenditures of the department $7,845.25. In assuming charge it was apparent that the crematories would have to be abandoned or considerable repairs made. Complaints had been frequent of offensive odors spreading over the city from the crematories. This was due to the draught being so inadequate that the garbage and other waste instead of being completely incinerated simply charred on the surface, and instead of ashes being drawn out when new material was fed to the flames a half burned mass of decaying matter was exposed from which the stench referred to came. A special appro- MA YOJR'S ANNUAL REPORT. J75 priation of $800 was granted by Council for repairs and improvements. With this, and part of the regular appropriation, a new stack was built and one of the furnaces completely overhauled. No cause for complaint has since arisen. At one time after the repairs had been made there were complaints alleging that the stench from the crematory was rendering life unbearable all over the city. The crematory was shut down but the stench continued, and was soon found to come from burning rice chaff in fields near the city. Official reports from the weather bureau at this time showed the prevailing direction of the wind to have been from the east, which, even were there an offensive odor at the crematory, would have driven it from the city. I cite this merely to show the injustice of running into newspapers with complaints about the crematory without first investigating the matter. While one of the furnaces is now in first-class order the other now needs repairs. This work will be attended to early in the spring, I would recommend the building of a second crematory east of the city. The two crematories would be able to consume all the waste and would materially lighten the work of the scavenger department, thereby increasing the service rendered by it. The amount of matter consumed at the crematorv in previous years has been greatly overestimated. Experiments have demonstrated that it was an impossibility to incinerate the quantity claimed. Especial care was taken during the past year to secure reliable data. The work done by the crematory follows : 176 MA YOk'S ANNUAL REPO&T. Work of the City Crematory, January it to December 310!, 1896. January Feb.... Mrcn. April.. June . . July... Atlgast Sept... October Nor...... Dec...... Totals.. GARBAGE! i 1,584 1.569 1.TI5 1,164 5 2,831 2.884 3.239 2,243 7ia 1.778 2.173' 3.705 2.166 4.183 1.959 4,336 1.889 4.427 1,992 4.350 2.115 4.417 19.041 38.393 BE I HOHSKH. GOATS. o o S5 23 II 1 14 2 IB 24 2 131 16 1 6; 9 3 8 15 i S'.... 13 4 25.... 18.... 25.... 48.... 18 I 105 218 13 o g i 184 164 232 148 153 224 226 265 264 212 212 E 5 o 265 239 308 182 243 308 319 351 350 317 329 2,284' 3,211 FISH. BBLH. 4 4 12 1 .... H DC O 880 1,000 250 2,000 1,100 300 1,500 1.060 1 HiA1)8f SS\ 1*OIJLTV. 1,260 850 1J407 1.410 1,552 1,460 1,340 24 ) 8,090' 12,789 OQ O "& 10 15 t'HUlTB LJUB. AND VIO1STAB8. ...... ...... 384 112 FUEL. COKD8 NO, WOOD. 6694 83 i 496 100 No. TONS COAI.. 1 1 UALLB. Oil.. M 29 31 31 61 81 31 31 31 324 The crematory was closed from April 20th, to June 17th, 1896. Laurel GFOTC Cemetery. The expenses of Laurel Grove Cemetery during 1896 were $6,528.02. The storm of September 29th did considerable damage to the trees and shrubbery, which was repaired as quickly as possible. The grounds were kept in good order throughout the year, and the services at interments were in everywise satisfactory. With the appropriation as at present, improvements on any large scale are impossible. The drives in both the white and colored cemeteries should be paved with chert, gravel, or some similar material,and I would recommend a special appropriation for that purpose. A beginning was made in this direction last year, when the main drive was paved for a distance of two hundred feet from the entrance to a width of twenty feet. The chert used in this work cost $173.81, the hauling being done by the streets and lanes carts, and .the laying by the cemetery MAYOR'S ANNVAL JSEPORT. 177 hands. A frame shelter has also been built in the colored cemetery, an improvement greatly appreciated by those visiting that portion of the grounds. There is still a considerable area of land available for cemetery purposes that could be utilized at small cost. Some addition should be made to the Hebrew portion of the cemetery, scarcely a lot being now available there. Beginning with January 1, 1897, the control of the cemetery is transferred to the Parks and Squares Commission, under an Act of the Legislature. During the year there has been collected from sales of lots in the white portion $510.00, and from sales of lots in the colored portion $130.00. Burial fees amounted to $1,339.00, giving a total income of $1,979.00. Interments at the city's expense were as follows: WhitesFrom city, 44; from hospitals, 14; total, 58. ColoredFrom city, 198; from infirmary, 123; total 321. Total of free interments, 379. The following table gives the number of interments from January 1 to December 31, 1896: 12 178 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Interments From January x, 1896, to Dec. 31,1806 MONTH. February.......... ............ March .......................... April ........................... May .UXOJ ........................' ... ......... .......... June... ....................... ... July ............................. September .................... October..... . ............. .. ^ffrt vf* Tin \\f* i* December..................... Totals........... ............ City Dtathl In 18 10 m is 9K HI 21 SI ?4 28 16 23 256 Stillborn [and Premature 3 3 1 X a." . A c:SI 1 Dec., 1895. 108$ 486 00 Jan.,1896. 89 400 50 Feb., ' 9S 441 00 Mar., ' 88 396 00 Apr., 10-2 459 00 May, , 79 355 50 June. 103 463 50 July, 120 540 00 Aug., 75 337 50 Sept.. 78 351 00 Oct., 91 409 50 Nov., 45 202 50 Totals... 1,076'$4,842 00 i m o 40 17 24 11 42 45 19 23 28 31 1 $12000 51 00 7200 33 00 126 00 135 00 57 00 69 00 84 00 93 00 No.' Tubs 17 4 11 11 3 1 2 1 280|$S40 00 i $51 00 12 00 33 00 3300 12 00 900 3 00 12 00 6 00 3 00 58.$ 174 (10 |1 Cleaned "o.M _H-- I |ind Filled *.wm-cs -< -j H^ $4550 71 00 26 00 10400 45 50 39 00 71 00 91 00 3900 26 00 19 50 26 00 I $ 702 50 483 50 551 00 605 00 549 50 529 50 672 50 700 00 451 50 461 DO 525 0(1 22850 93 $603 50;$6,459 50 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 179 Public Bulldinga. Repairs, improvements and furnishing of public buildings cost $2,199.64 during 1896. This does not include the repairs of storm damages. In the City Exchange the office of the City Treasurer was completely renovated, and the offices formerly occupied by Ellis, Young & Co. were furnished and converted into suitable offices for the Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers and the Commissioner of Public Works. Small repairs to the closets and other parts of the Exchange were frequently required. The condition of the building is such as to necessitate its early renovation throughout. The exterior presents a discreditable appearance and should be repainted and otherwise improved. The plumbing in the building is in such condition as to require constant repairs. The powder magazine is now located within a very short distance of the water works and within the city limits. Here are stored, on an average, 175,000 Ibs. of powder and 17,000 Ibs. of dynamite. Situated as it is, it is a constant and terrible menace to the public safety. The keeper's house is in bad order and the magazine is an old structure. I would earnestly recommend that the magazine be removed at least five miles beyond the city limits, and placed within easy access of a railroad to facilitate the storage or removals of explosives. As there are now three paved roads leading out of the city to the distance of four or five miles, and as small magazines for the storage of 400 Ibs. of powder are permitted in the business section of the city, this would entail no hardship. The keeper cf, the magazine now receives his com- 180 MAYOKS ASNUAL REPORT. pensation in fees, and the city has absolutely no income from the magazine. I would respectfully recommend that, whether the magazine be removed or not, the keeper be paid a salary and the fees be turned in to the city treasury. Storm Damage. On the morning of September 29th Savannah was visited by a cyclone of considerable severity. Much damage was done to buildings and to the trees in the parks, cemeteries and streets. A large extra force of men was at once put to work to clean up the debris, and within a comparatively few days the city had resumed its normal appearance. This work and the repairs to the public buildings required large expenditures, for which a special appropriation was made. These expenditures were as follows: Labor, streets and lanes..................$2,854 17 " parks and squares.................. 1,022 89 " Laurel Grove cemetery........... 433 12 " Scavenger department............ 270 75 " Citv market......................... 8510 / Teams for hauling debris.................. 937 10 Repairs to city market, on account..... 1,525 00 " " " exchange.................. 108 50 Tools, hardware, etc........................ 163 67 Lumber ....................................... 40 00 Bricks.......................................... 22 00 Repairs to water pipes..................... 11 00 Total.........................................$7,473 30 The wood from ruined trees was distributed by the city among the poor. J MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. 181 House Numbering. The renumbering of the buildings of the city on a modern principle is rapidly nearing completion. Within a few weeks this important work will be ended. The cost, for which a special appropriation was made by the City Council, is slight, compared with the necessity for the work and the thorough manner in which it has been done. The decimal system, allowing one hundred numbers to the block, using no fractional parts or alphabetical designations, was adopted. Under it a plain, easily read and very durable number was secured. There have already been placed in position 7,328 of these plates, which are of copper base, with white enameled face, the figures being burned in in black. About 4,800 more plates will be put up before the numbering is finished. The expenditures for this work during 1896 were as follows: Timeof hands..........................$ 757 50 Number plates.......................... 551 25 Tools, etc................................ 2507 Total.................. ................$1,333 82 It is estimated that it will require a further expenditure of about f 1,100 on this work, making a total cost of about $2,400. In this connection it may be stated that, under the direction of Chairman Kolshorn, of the special committee having it in charge, the matter of street signs has been quite thoroughly considered and investigated during 1896. Samples of signs of different characters have been secured from several parties, 182 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. and this office is now in position to move intelligently on this work whenever Council may see fit to authorize it. Suitable signs for the city's thoroughfares are second in importance only to house numbers. At present there are few streets the names of which are so displayed that visitors or residents can ascertain them without inquiry. City Lighting The expense of lighting the city during 1896 was $27,203.08. At the beginning of the year there were 305 arc lights of 600 candle power each, at a contract price of $7.50 per month for each light. Deductions of 1.00 a night are made in the event that any light is reported not burning for an houror longer. During the year the light at Rose Court and Herndon street was moved to Mercer and Herndon streets and changed to a swinging light. Five lights were also added, giving 310 lights at the close of the year. These new lights are situated as follows: Colonial Park, 2; Seventh and Habersham streets, 1; Police Barracks sally-port, 1; Margaret and West Broad streets, 1. Of the present lights 29 are situated in the district south of Anderson street. Additional lights are required for that portion of the city. Attention is also directed to the fact that twenty-five poles for lights are situated in the roadways at the intersection of streets, a danger to both pedestrians and vehicles. A special appropriation has been requested for their removal during the coming .year. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 18S Harbor and Wharves. The expenditures in this department, of which this office is cognizant, amount to but $41 75, of which $35.00 was paid out for cleaning the West Broad street slip. A. much larger amount appears to have been paid out, but as the work was not done through this office, no accounts were kept here and no further information can be given. The attention of the Chairman of the Harbor and Wharves Committee was directed to the necessity of repairing certain slips and wharves which were in a dangerous condition. Under the law all such work should be done through this office, under the instructions of Council. I am informed that some, at least, of this work has been done. Not having been consulted in the matter there are no records at hand from whieh a report can be made. Parks and Squares. The direction of the labor employed in this department was vested in the Commissioner of Public Works, under the original act creating the Board of Parks and Trees Commissioners. This law has since been amended, and beginning January 1, 1897, the control of the labor is removed from this office. During the past year due regard has been given to the wishes of the Board in the employment of hands, and the instructions of that body have been carried out. As its Chairman will present a detailed report of the work done and the monies expended, it would be a needless repetition for me to give more than a passing allusion to this department. 184 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. In closing I desire to express my appreciation of the uniform courtesy extended to this office by your Honor and by the Aldermen, and also to acknowledge the valuable assistance of the City Engineer, who, despite his numerous and arduous duties, has at all times promptly complied with requests for information. Very respectfully, HARKY WILLINK, Commissioner. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 185 REPORT OF CITY ENGINEER. OFFICE CITY ENGINEER. > SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1897. j Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor:, SIRI have the honor to herewith transmit the report of the work carried out under this department for the year ending December 31st, 1896. The tabulated statements show the work of surveys, grades, estimates, reports, plans and profiles made by this department. Opening Street*. The negotiations with the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway in reference to crossing their tracks, resulted in the opening of St. Thomas, St. Nicholas, Abereorn, New Houston and Henry streets, and the granting of two drive-ways, each thirty (30) feet in width, from Anderson street to the north line of the Drouillard Tract, each some twenty-two hundred (2200) feet in length. The material for constructing these drive-ways was furnished by the railway company, but the grading done by the city. Paving: Street*. The portions of Habersham street and Abercorn street, between Liberty street and South Broad street, have been paved with vitrified brick, and the method employed in laying these pavements was that used by the city of Jacksonville, Fla. (Number ISfi MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. square yards, on Abercorn 3,507; on Habersham 3,439 square yards). On Bay street (extended) from Wadley street to the city limits, a roadway thirty (30) feet in width, inclosed by a granite curbing, and provided with the necessary catch basins, etc., has been paved (number square yards 4,977). This pavement consists of a crushed granite foundation six inches in depth, and a chert surface three inches deep, each layer being thoroughly rolled. The Louisville road is now being similarly constructed. A portion of Wadley street, north of the Central of Georgia Railway warehouse No. 4, to River street, has been paved with granite blocks (Number square yards 5,826). The roadway being thirty (30) feet in width, and inclosed by granite curbing. The portions of River street, from the Savannah and Ogeechee Canal to the '* Y" of the Central of Georgia Railway, has been paved by said railway company, the paving being thirty feet in width (number square yards 4,174), and inclosed by granite curbing, and provided with the necessary catch basins, etc. The contract for paving South Broad street from East Broad to West Broad streets, has been let to the Warren-Scbarf Asphalt Paving Co., and the work of grading was begun on Monday, December 7th, 1896. The plans and profiles for this improvement were made and grades given by this department. The bridge across Musgrove Creek has been thoroughly repaired. The obstruction to travel on the Louisville road, at the water works trestle, is now being removed. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 1ST The Florida Central and Peninsular Railway making the necessary preparations to span the roadway with a steel bridge. Dry Culture. As Inspector of Dry Culture, I have made frequent examinations of the work done in this department and highly commend its character. I have repeatedly called attention to the obstruction to the free flow of water in Musgrove Creek, caused by the numerous piles driven in the creek, as well as by the water main which crosses it, and I would again recommend that steps be taken to remedy this evil. The area for voiding the water of Musgrove Creek, at the double trunks, is entirely inadequate to properly drain the scope of country tributary thereto, and should be enlarged. One of these trunks is now in a dangerous condition, and liable to succumb to any extraordinary pressure. Harbor and Wharves. The " slip " at the foot of West Broad street has been rebuilt, new piles driven, the floor of the incline renewed and rails placed on the sides for protection. Bids for repairs to the wharf foot of Abercorn street has been called for; said repairs to be constructed in conformity to the plans and specifications on file in this office. I would recommend that the abutments at the various slips owned by the city be bu i 11 of masonry. Estimates of the cost of repairs to the wharf and tramways at Quarantine Station have been made and are on file in this office. L 188 J/AYOS'S ANNUAL REPORT. The proposed improvement of the channel of the Savannah river will cut away the entire wharf and a large portion of the tramways, and I would suggest, that the question of determining as to the proper location for dumping the ballast, as well as other methods for discharging the same, be thoroughly investigated, ere additional expense be encountered for repairs to the tramways at the station. The improved method of discharging ballast by means of cable ways are so highly recommended, both for economy and dispatch, that it certainly merits investigation at OUT- hands. Sewers. In order to ascertain the condition of the present system of sewers, and their adaptability as a part of a system of house drainage, a survey of them was made by Mr. E. J. Thomas, Civil Engineer, under the direction of this office, and his report is one of so thorough a nature, that I have hereto appended it in full, and would call your especial attention to same. House Drainage* On July 23rd, 1895, the Commission on House Drainage directed that I prepare "a plan for an outlet for the sewage of the city from the terminus of the Bolton street sewer to the Savannah river," said "plan to be estimated fora population of 200,000 people." After having several routes surveyed and the conditions of each carefully considered, I decided that if the sewage must be emptied into the river, the farthest point from the city's front economically reached, would be the best. September 23rd, 1895, I MA YOWS ANNUAL REPORT. 189 made my report to the committee. After the hearing of said paper, I was again instructed to make a report on an outlet into Wilmington river. This required additional surveys, and not being acquainted with the tidal movements of said river, this too had to be carefully examined. Mr. E. J. Thomas was assigned the duties in the field, and Mr. J. de Bruyn Kops placed in charge of the investigations at said river. The various lines, with the accompanying profiles, were mapped, estimates of cost, etc., carefully prepared, and an outlet decided on at Causton's Bluff'. On June 4th, 1896, my report on this outlet was submitted, and with it a very complete report by Mr. J. de Bruyn Kops, Assistant City Engineer, as to the Wilmington river waters. Contrary to previous understanding, sufficient tidal velocity and volume were found to make the dilution of sewage into this river practicable. The report was favorably recommended by the Commission on House Drainage. Recommendations. I would again call your attention to obstruction to travel caused by the bend of the trestle of the C. of G. Ry. in Railroad street. This divides this narrow street into two parts (one of which is occupied by a street railway company), and does not allow sufficient room on either side for the passage of vehicles approaching from opposite directions. Should the teams become unmanageable from the noise of overhead trains, accidents of a serious nature are liable to occur. I would recommend that negotiations with said road be entered into for its removal. ISO MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Jefferson street, from Bay to Henry, is paved with Granite blocks, excepting that portion between Bay and Broughton streets. I would recommend that this interval be paved with the same material. On account of the heavy traffic on a portion of Railroad street and the heavy grade, I would recommend that this street be paved with granite blocks, with tarred joints, from West Broad street to the Ogeeehee canal, thereby connecting the pavement of the Louisville road with that on West Broad street. The condition of Drayton street demonstrates the impracticability of using shells as a covering for cobble stone pavements. , The county has been experimenting with Augusta gravel as a paving material. This gravel seems to be giving satisfaction. I would recommend that some of our streets, not subject to heavy travel, be paved with it. The restrictions as to travel on Bull street, the narrowness of Drayton street, necessitates the paving of another avenue, running north and south, for travel, and I would recommend that either Lincoln or Habersham streets be paved to Henry street. East Broad street has been paved as far south as Jones street, and I would all your attention to the desirability of paving this street as far south as Henry street. West of Bull street there are only two narrow streets, running north and south, which are paved, and one of them (Whitaker) being occupied by an electric railway line, the travel is almost entirely concentrated on Jefferson ttreet. In view of these facts, I would recommend that the paving of West Broad street be extended to Henrv street. MAYOR1 S ANNUAL REPORT. 191 The southern section of the city demands our attention. I would recommend that Seventh street be paved with Augusta gravel, and that the portion of Jefferson street, in the city extension, be paved with the same material. I would also recommend that the portion of Bryan street, from the west side of Barnard to Farm street, and Farm street, from Bryan to Bay, be paved with granite blocks, with tarred joints. I*lst of Plans, Maps, Profile*, Etc., Etc., Blade Daring: the Year 1896. DESCRIPTION. Map of the city of Savannah and tracing same. Cross section map of Wilmington river and tracing same. Section of sewer, Philadelphia, and tracing of same. Contour map of city extension, showing elevation, and tracing same. Map of the city of Savannah, showing the location of water mains, fire hydrants, stop valves, etc. Map of the city of Savannah for house numbering. Map of Eiver street, for extension of Central of Georgia Railway. Plan of Abercorn street, between South Broad and Liberty, for proposed pavement. Plan of a portion of River street, through the Georgia Chemical Works, with tracing. Plan showing crossing of F. C. & P. Ry. over Louisville road, and tracing same. Plan of Louisville road and tracing same. Plan for opening Burroughs street from Anderson to Seventh street. 192 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Plan of a portion of a street showing system of street numbering. Tracing of a plan of South Broad street. Plan of a part of Estill ward for establishing street lines. Seven plans of property on the east side of city for opening streets. Map of eastern section of Savannah, showing proposed streets through various properties. Map of the city of Savannah, showing paved streets. Map of the city of Savannah, showing location of sewers. Profile of Charles street. Profile of South Broad street, from East Broad to West Broad streets. Profile of proposed sewer on right of way from Tenth to St. Charles street. Profile of Ogeechee road. Profile of Louisville road. Profile of bottom of Bilbo canal. Plan of Bryan street, from Farm to Whitaker street to proposed pavement. Profiles of various proposed lines from mouth of Bolton street sewer to the Savannah and Wilmington rivers for proposed outlet sewer. Plan for opening Twelfth street from Bull street to the Ogeechee road. Plan of city pound lot. Plan lot 18, Garden. Plan lot L, west portion, Middle Oglethorpe ward. Plan lot 10, Hull's sub-division, Choctaw ward. J MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 1SS Plan lot 7, N J of west half, Trustees Garden. Plan lot 3, Estill ward. Plan lot 17, Liberty ward. Plan lots 81, 82, 83 and 84, Barry ward. Plan lot 53, south half, Johnson ward. Plan lot 8, Holland Tything, Derby ward. Plan lot 9, West Point, Digby Tything, Decker ward. Plan lot 3, section 7, Cuthbert ward. Plan lot 1, east portion, North Oglethorpe ward. Tracing map of the city of Savannah, showing Waring's proposed sewerage system. Tracing of the eastern vicinity of the city of Savannah to Wilmington river. Tracing Sugden and Kollock's profile. Tracing of Sugden and Kollock's proposed outlet for the sewerage of this city. Plan showing portion of Bilbo canal and surroundings. Six diagrams to accompany report on gauging Wilmington river. Plan of land north of Wheaton street, bordering Bilbo canal. Plan showing analysis of Sugden and Kollock's plan of sewer under S., F. & W. Ry. Tracing plan of the property of John 0. Smith, on Wheaton street, east of Bilbo canal. Diagram showing discharge of the Bolton street sewer. Plan showing construction of proposed outlet sewer. Cross sections of Bilbo canal. Cross section of Casey canal. Plan for repairing wharf foot of Abercorn street. 13 194 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Plan showing line for proposed outlet sewer from Bolton street sewer to Wilminglon river. Topographical plan of Estill park. Plan of Forsyth park, enlai'ged from city map of 1868. Map of city, marking proposed route of S., T. & I. of H. Ry. Plan of Colonial Park. Plan of River street, through the Georgia Chemical Works. Map of city, showing location of water mains, fire hydrants, stop valves. Opening streets east of S., F. & W. Ry. (7 plans.) Lots 2 and 4, Falligant ward. North half lot 9, Middle 'Oglethorpe ward. Lot 68, Camming ward. Lot No. 54, Atlantic ward. Lots 4, 5 and west portion 6, wharf lots east of Lincoln street. Letter N, Middle Oglethorpe ward. 22 (east half) and N. W. portion No. 58, Gaston ward. Lots 1 and 2, Estill ward. 23 and west portion No. 22, Brown ward. Northwest portion lot 10, and south portion lot 11, Currytown ward. No. 16, portion, Brownsville ward. Lot 33, Estill sub-division Solomon's ward. Lot 12, Troupe ward. Northwest portion lot 19, Washington ward. Lot for opening Fourth street, Lester ward. Lot 11, east half, Trustee's Garden. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 19S West portion lot 29, Elbert ward. Lot 19, sub-division Garden lot 24 west, Robert's ward. Lot 13, Washington ward. Lots 55, 56 and 57 for opening streets, Estill ward. Lot 54, Southville ward. Lot 13, portion north half, Crawford ward. Lots 32 and 33 Atlantic ward. West portion lot 76 and east portion lot 77, Gaston ward. Lot 76 east portion, Gaston ward. Lot 19, south half, Wesley ward. Lot 19, north half, Wesley ward. Lot No. 11, east half, Sec. 1, Schley ward. Lot 108 north half, Brownsville ward. Lot 31 Lee ward. Lot 35 east half, Lovell ward. Lot 58, Atlantic ward. Lot 29, Reppard ward. Lot 15 west half, South Oglethorpe ward. Lots 32 and 33 Atlantic ward. l,It of Reports Made on Various Subjects During: Tne Year 1896. SUBJECT. Property belonging to the Dry Culture Department. List of parks, squares and grass plats in the city of Savannah. Encroachment of lot 16 Brownsville ward on Bullock, Condition of asphalt pavement. Lay ing. of sewer on President street. 19G MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Square yards of asphalt pavement in the. city of Savannah. Tinning roof of Quarantine Officer's dwelling at Quarantine station. Condition of incline foot of West Broad street. Line of Abercorn street south of S., P. & W. Ry. Cost of surveys. Examination of bridge, Musgrove creek. Examination of low places in city extension. Examination of wharves and tramways at Quarantine station. Condition of asphalt, Congress and Liberty streets. Condition of iron work, bridge, Musgrove creek. Condition of incline foot of West Broad street. Examination of warehouse under Screven sewer. Lot 13 Crawford ward (property lines). Encroachment of fence on 30 (east half) Dale ward. Damages to Exchange building by storm of September 28th. Sewers in southern section of the city. Property line of a portion of lot 13, Green ward. Track of the City & Suburban Ry. on Ogeechee road. Gutters across Henry streetconstruction of same. Square yards brick pavement laid on Habersham street front Police Station. Opening streets through Gann and Hollis properties. Streets owned by the city through Ehrlich property. Encroachment of lot No. 10 Holland Tything, Derby ward. Draining lot on Gwinnett St. east of S., F. & W. Railway. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 197 Petition of citizens for sewers in southern section of city. Report of Sugden & Kollock's plan for outlet sewer at Bilbo canal. Report pn outlet sewer to Wilmington river. Report on gauging Wilmington river. Report on pipe line for Standard Oil Co. Report of cost of changing intersection of Bull and South Broad streets. List of Estimates Hade tor Paving: Streets During: the Year 1896. NAME OF STREET. !-'outh Broad Bay St. Ext'ion Lincoln Habersbam Abercorn Bail road Hull McDonough Harris Perry State President President York York Gwinnett Habersham Abercorn South Broad Jefferson Louisville Road Louisville Road Bull Bryan Farm FROM West Broad Wadley Bay South Broad South Broad West Broad Whitaker Whitaker Whitaker Whitaker Bull Bull Bull Drayton Bull Jefferson South Broad South Broad West Broad Bryan Ogeechee C'l Ogeechee C'l Anderson Whitaker Bryan TO East Broad City .Limits South Broad Liberty Liberty S. & O. Canal Abercorn Abercorn Bull Abercorn Drayton Drayton Wbitaker Bull Whitaker Cemetery Liberty Liberty East Broad Broughton Augusta Road Augusta Road Estill Avenue Farm Bay ROADWAY 25ft. SOft. 30ft. 40ft. 40ft. SOft. 22ft. 30ft. 30ft. 22ft. 23ft. 40ft. 37.4ft. 23ft. 22ft. SOft. 40ft. 40 ft. 25ft. 32ft. 25ft. 25ft. SOft. 21 ft. MATERIAL Vitrified Brick Chert Vitrified Brick Vitrified Brick Vitrified Brick Granite Blocks Chert Chert Asphalt Chert Brick Brick Brick Brick Brick Granite Blocks Asphalt Asphalt Asphalt Granite Blocks Augusta Gravel Chert Gravel Granite Blocks 3'" ft. sGrauite Blocks 198 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. List of Estimates and Statement* Hade During: the Year 1896. FOR WHAT. Enclosing Thomas park, Wells square and Tiny Thompson park with curb. Measurement of Water Works track in Springfield plantation. Value of track of the Central of Ga. Railway in River street. Sidewalk in front of Colonial park on Abercorn st. Square feet of ground required for opening streets through the Schley property. Bill of lumber for repairing bridge over Musgrove creek, Bay street. Estimate of number of lineal feet curbing, square yards paving on Wadley street. Ground necessary for right of way for proposed sewer to Wilmington river. Amount of work done on Bay street and frontages on same. dumber ot yards of paving and curbing laid and frontages on Habersham street. Cost of conduit from Savannah to points along River street. . Cost of repairing the Abercorn street wharf. Number of bushels of oyster shells contained in flat. Number of yards of asphalt paving done by Warren S. A. P. Co., guarantee not expired. Square yards of walks in Forsyth park and Extension, and curbing. Square yards of walks in all unpaved squares in the city. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 199 Paving and curbing laid on Abercorn street with frontages. Cost of survey of parks and squares in city. Curbing necessary to protect trees along South Broad street. Cost of remodeling gutters across Henry street. Cost of repairing slips and wharf foot of Abercorn street, and slip West Broad street. Cost of constructing sewers in city extension. Lineal feet headers required for South Broad street. Square yards in portions of President and York streets. Surveys Made Daring: 1896. LOCATION. Lot 12 Bartow ward. Lot 21 Garden ward. Lot 9 Southville ward. Lot 24 Brown ward. Lot 3 Reppard ward. Lot 9 Middle Oglethorpe ward. Lot 66 Crawford ward. Lot 2 Walton ward. Lots 54 and 55 Atlantic ward. Lot 68 Gumming ward. Lot 54 Atlantic ward. Lot 23 and 22 Brown ward. Lot 20 Crawford ward, east. Lot N Middle Oglethorpe ward. Lot 10 Reppard ward. Lot 20 Stiles ward. Lots 16 and 21- White ward. Lot 19 Southville ward. SOO MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Lot 22 Stiles ward. Lot 4 Stiles ward. Lots 22 and 58 Gaston ward. Lots 1 and 2 Estill ward. Lots 10 and 11 Currytown ward. Lots 16 and 17 White ward. Lot 72 White ward. Lot 28 Lovell ward. Lot 11 Troupe ward. Lot 6 Berrien ward. Lot 20 Gaston ward. Lot 33 Solomons ward. Lots 8 and 9 Da vis ward. Lots 99, 100, 101 and 102 Waring ward. Lots 1 and 2 Estill ward. Lot 48 Duncan ward. Lot 20 Railroad ward. Lot 19 Wesley ward. Lot 17 Stiles ward. Lot 11 South Oglethorpe ward. Lot 19 Washington ward. Lots 88 and 89 Estill ward. Lot 34 Dale ward. Lot 19 Roberts ward. Lot 13 Washington ward. Lot 11 Trustees Garden. Lots 11 and 13 Southville ward. Lot 23 Wadley ward. Lot 108 Brownsville ward. Lot 19 Wesley ward. Lot 31 Lee ward. Lot 35 Lovell ward. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPOliT. Lot 58 Atlantic ward. Lot 29 Elbert ward. Lot (church) Lester ward. Lot 11 Schley ward. Lots 32 and 33 Atlantic ward. Lot 29 Reppard ward. Lot 14 Green ward. Lot 15-South Oglethorpe ward. Lots 32 and 33 Atlantic ward. Lots 1 and 6 Estill ward. Lot 65 Flannery ward. Lots 1 and 2 Estill ward. Lots 33 and 34 Barry ward. Lot 127 Brownsville ward. Lot 24 Stephens ward. Lot 54 Southville ward. Lot 24 Haywood ward. Lot 13 Crawford ward. Lot 14 Marshall ward. Blocks 3 and 4 Wadley ward. Lot 25 Calhoun ward. Lot 35 Lovell ward. Lot 7 Trustees Garden. Lot 72 Gue ward. Lot 63 Jones ward. Lot 30 Forsyth ward. Lots 171 and 172 Gartland ward. 3 wharf lots, North Oglethorpe ward. Lot 1 Estill ward. Lot 17 Elliott ward. Lots 5 and 6 Griffin ward. Lot 15 Davis ward. SOS MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Lot 3 Estill ward. Lot 44 Marshall ward. Lot 39 Section 2, Garden ward. Lot 8 Cuthbert ward. Lot 18 Section 1, Garden ward. Lot 29 Dale ward. Lot 10 subd. 79 to 86 Choctaw ward. Lot L Middle Oglethorpe ward. Lot 17 Liberty ward. Lot 38 Gilmerville ward. Lot 53 Johnston ward. Lots 81, 82, 83 and 84 Barry ward. Lot 89 Estill ward. . Lot 1 Choctaw ward. 1 subdivision, 84 Springfield plantation. Lot 10 South Oglethorpe ward. Lot 8 Holland Tything, Percival ward. Lot 4 Law ward. Lot O Heathcote ward. Lots 62 and 63 Mercer ward. Lot 9 Digby Tything, Decker ward. Lot]9 Digby Tything, Decker ward. 8 wharf lots east of Lincoln street. Lot 2 Section 3 Cuthbert ward. Lot 43 Section 7, Southvilie ward. Lot 14 Hay wood ward. Lot 7 Heathcote Laroche. Lot 24 Wesley ward. Central Railroad lot on West Boundary street. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S09 Ust of Specification* made for Various Improvements daring the Year 1896. FOR WHAT. Repairing wharf foot of Abercorn street. Moving track of West End Railway on Louisville road. Paving South Broad street with sheet asphalt. 1 I PROPERTY PURCHASED FOR OPENING STREETS DURING THE YEAR 1S6. DATE. GBANTOK. DESCRIPTION. January 2........'Mrs. Mary 0. Repp:trd........,! A. B. & C. Reppard Wd...... January 2........ H. B. Keppard...................JLotbet. C.&l). Reppard Wd.. R. B. Rt-ppm-d....................Lot north of A. " Savannah Investment C'o...iGlatigny Tract....................... Trustee Hebrew Cemeicry..jGarden Lot 22 West... ........... Ueo, W. Alien.................., : 7 & 14 Reppard Wd............... W.F. Reid.........,...............jE.& P. Reppard Wd... ...... ... Waring Kussell..................-22, 23, 26, 26, 27 Roberts Wd... J. 8. ColliiiH........................i8 & 9 Estill Wd.................... January 2... January 3.... February 8.. March 10...., April 7........ April 31)......, May 5......... May 23........ June 16 June 24 .September 11... Ellen M. Prendergast.........'!. 20 & 21 Reppard W<1.. Alexander Harris............... B. Sec. 7, Southville Wd. D. R. Thomas..................... .55, 56, 57 JSstlll Wd , FOR OPENING Henry H. Miller................;A. Sec. 7, Southville \Vd...!..".lBull Street. Bull Street. Bull Street. Bull Street. Lincoln, Habersham and Seventh. Wilson Street. Abercorn Street, Bull Street, Huntingdon Street. Seventh Street. Bull Street. Bull Street. Barnard and Seventh Streets J. 8. Sehley........................ : Schley Tract, ,'Bolton, New Houston and Atlantic SU. MAYOR'S ANKUAL REPORT. tOS Electricity and Ita Effects. In all our large cities the effect of electricity on the water and gas pipes is attracting attention. The crude method first adopted by the Electric Railroads of binding the ends of the rails with a small copper wire, to induce the current passing through the motors to find an unbroken passage back to the generators at the power house, is now considered obsolete. Particularly is this true on railways whenever these small copper wires are frequently broken, with good T or girder rails, when the rails,- even at the joint, are rigid, this objection of improper connection is not so frequent, but with the old horse car centre bearing rails, as still used on many of the streets in this city, these joints are more or less always broken; hence the current, seeking the path of least resistance, leaves these rails at every broken joint, passing through the moist earth to the water and gas pipes, before finally returning to the rail. This leakage produces electrolysis on these pipes, much to their injury. As yet no complaints have been made by the gas and water companies, but the injury is surely going on and the complaint must eventually come. While perhaps in a small measure this leakage must occur, still the railroad companies should be induced to do all in their power to reduce this injury'to the minimum. Well bonded rails is the remedy; and if the railroads could be induced to use the latest improvements in this line, they would, in the end, commend the authority which required the change. -The city of St. Louis furnishes an excellent example. The Missouri R. R. Co. had great trouble with leakage of current. To quote 06 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. from one of their papers, " It was a case of buying additional generators or attending to the return conductors." The best improved cast welded joints were discussed, and it is estimated the consumption of energy for the operating of their lines, will be reduced some 20 per cent. I herewith attach a tabulated statement of the number and character of the vehicles passing over Broughton street pavement for one week. This gives an idea of the wear to which the asphalt pavement on Broughton street is constantly subjected. I am very respectfully, W. J. WINN, City Engineer. Record of Traffic on Broughfon St, Between Bull and Whitaker Sts, for One Week, Showing Totals for Week and Average per Hour. CLASSIFICATION. VEHICLES AND LOAD UNDER ONE TON, HUCH AS 1 or 2-horse carriages, empty or loaded l*horse wagons, empty Or light loaded. 2-horse wagons, empty. 1-horeo carts, empty. VEHICLES AND LOAD, ONE TO THREE TONS, HITCH AS 1 horse wagons, heavily loaded 1-boree earn, loaded. 2-horse wagons, loaded. VEHICLES AND LOAD, OVER THREE TONS, SUCH AS Wagons or trucks drawn by two or more horses and heavily loaded. Horses not attached to vehicles. Specially heavy loads, over fire tons. Street Cars. .,..,.,.......,,.,........... 7!* If 1= " IS ^ . is If |t If 1 Horse. 2 Horse.. 4 Horse. 1 Horse. 2 Horse. 4 Horse. 2 Horse. 1 Horse.. 2 Horse. 2 Horse. 2 Horse, 2 Hurse.. 4 Horse.. Electric. SOMBER OK HOUSES AND VKHICLKS. 6W7 A.M. 1 6 2 118 13 1 4 6 1 3 75 Average 0.9 0.3 16.9 1.9 0.1 0.6 0.9 0.1 0.4 10.T 7 to 8 A.M. 3 56 29 288 42 6 13 7 1 3 16 .... Average 8.0 4.1 41.1 6.0 0.9 1.9 1.0 0.1 0.4 2.1 selis.? 8to9 A.M. I 95 29 373 59 10 12 7 14 18 2 11 27 105 j 13.6 4.1 53.3 8.4 1.4 1.7 1.0 2.0 2.6 0.3 1.6 3.9 18.0 BtolO A.M. 1 112 32 634 88 21 43 1 15 23 5 12 1 106 Average 16.0 4.6 76.3 12.6 30 6.1 0.1 2.1 3.2 .... 0.7 1.7 01 15.1 10 to 11 A.M. "3 134 36 689 69 21 44 1 7 48 3 6 M 1 103 Average 19 1 5.1 84.1 9.9 3.0 6.3 0.1 1.0 6.9 0.4 0.9 2.4 0,1 14.7 11 to 12 A.M. 3 S 139 53 531 81 24 51 21 40 1:1 15 105 Average 19.9 7.6 0,1 75.9 11.6 3.4 7.3 3.0 5.7 1.7 2.1 15.0 12W1 1>. M. 1 134 41 1 545 74 3 36 21 11 28 1 13 16 102 1 19.1 5.9 01 7,9 10.6 0-4 6.1 3.0 1.6 4.0 0.1 1.7 2.1 14.6 1102 P.M. I 85 20 475 66 17 21 14 11 5 14 I 12.1 2.9 67.9 9.4 2.4 30 2.0 1.6 0.7 2.0 1 01 102 14.6 2 to 3 P.M. I 116 30 413 65 29 3ti 2 5 19 3 5 11 1 Average 16.6 4.3 69.0 9.3 4.1 5.1 0.3 0.7 2.7 0.4 0.7 1.6 0.1 3 to 4 P.M. 3 g 127 45 481 76 25 45 5 37 4 6 18 i 102;i4.6 99 8 18.1 6.4 68.7 10.9 0.1 3.6 6.4 0.7 5.3 0.6 0.7 2.6 0.1 0.1 14.1 4 to 5 P.M. 1 137 49 628 111 18 52 15 33 2 20 1 1 104 Average 19.6 7.0 89.7 15.9 2.6 7.4 2.1 5.0 5 to 6 P.M. 3 g 1(3 33 522 77 11 23 1 19 15 2 1.3J 8 2.9 0.1 0.1 " I"" 14.9! 85 I 3 27.0 5.5 87.0 12.8 1.8 3.8 0.2 3.2 2.6 O.S 1.3 1.8 14.2 8W7 P.M. 1 109 19 365 45 11 7 5 1 6 6 87 Average 18.2 3.2 G0.8 T.5 1.8 1.2 0.8 0.2 1.0 1.0 14.5 908 MA YOX'S AJfJVUAL REPORT. REPORT ON EXAMINATION OF THE SEWERS OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH. By E. J. THOMAS, CIVIL ENGINEER. SAVANNAH, GA., December 26, 1896. Col. W. J. Winn, City Engineer: SIRIn compliance with your instructions I here submit report of the sewers of the city. Prior to 1869 the city was virtually without drainage. The Perry lane sewer had been constructed from Whitaker street eastwardly, emptying into the low lands of the Lawton estate; the Barnard street sewer had been laid from about Taylor street and meandering through the low places towards Huntingdon street, thence through the Park, and finally in a zigzag southeasterly direction, discharging into an open ditch through the Waring property, thus contributing to the swampy condition of all lands immediately to the southeast of the city. It was no unusual spectacle, after a heavy rain, to see many portions of the city several feet under water and the city's street force, reinforced with mules and plows, endeavoring to lead the water to the Perry lane sewer, and should their efforts be successful, only to surcharge this sewer, causing it to be frequently ruptured, and at times inflicting damage to adjacent property owners. After every heavy rainfall the city was completely water-logged and only received partial relief by virtue of its sandy soil and considerable elevation above the immediate low lands towards the east, south and west. But the benefit received by the one only enhanced the injury to the otherthese MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S09 miserable swampy lands at this time surrounding the city. To quote from the Mayor's report of 1870, "In particular localities, some of them the oldest in the city, drainage, whether by absorption or by the surface, has become impossible, while it is notorious that these localities are not merely the coverts of malaria and filth, but, though well adapted to social and commercial convenience, remain reproachful vestiges of a defective system of public improvement." Just at this time the city government fortunately was placed in the hands of citizens of progressive ideas. We read from the Mayor's report, dated Oct. 1st, 1870: " During the past year the attention of the City Council has been earnestly directed to organize an enlarged and permanent system of sewerage and drainage. The sewers heretofore constructed had not been laid upon a very comprehensive plan looking to a common purpose for the common good." The report goes on to state that skillful engineers were employed, and that the "system of drainage recommended by the engineers, having been approved and adopted, the City Council proceeded to authorize the construction of a portion of the main sewers forming a part of the same." Suitable appropriation was made for these sewers, and they were forth with constructed,, and where located gave almost instant relief. Speaking of the Bolton street sewer to Abercora street, and thence up Duffy street, etc., the above mentioned report says: " It has effectually and permanently dried a large area of the land lying in the southeast section of the city, and converted an uninhabitable fen into a locality at once inviting and val14 10 MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. liable." The drainage of the low lands to the eastern and western portions of the city was also improved. The unspeakable benefits resulting from this work would brook no delay, and what was begun as " merely to lay the foundation of a system to be gradually enlarged" (Mayor's report) was urged to completion. Quoting from the Mayor's report of October, 1871: "The great usefulness, developed by the very first results of the system, invited a demand for its expansion, which refused all denial and forced a concession to well founded public necessity." While the expense of these improvements to the city was large, yet the benefits resulting cannot be computed. It can only be estimated by comparing the soil-sobbed city of 1869 with the well drained city of to-day. These sewers were constructed chiefly to relieve the city of storm water. This is evidenced by the inverts of the sewers being laid dry, by the manner in which the catch basins in the manholes are built, by the absence of any provisions for connections with dwellings and for flushing the upper ends, and by the rough material used. In fact the reports ot the Mayor and City Surveyor at that time, in commenting on | this work in their annual reports, allude only to the i advantages derived from drainage. Nevertheless, 1 connections from dwellings were made by simply < punching holes in the sewers and inserting the desired length of piping. At the date of the building of these sewers, the methods of sewage disposal from the dwellings to the outlet had not been so fully discussed and understood as at this date. The world MAYOR'S ANNDAL REPORT. til progresses rapidly, and what was considered the best in 1870 cannot be tolerated in 1896. Surrey and Examination. A careful survey and examination of these sewers have been made; levels ran over the principal streets, establishing the necessary bench marks from which the elevations of all the sewers were computed ; profiles made and exact location of all sewers, manholes, sand traps, etc., noted ; sizes, conditions and grades of all sewers and pipes (except a few small pipes under asphalt pavements) carefully measured. The largest sewers were entered by the force in charge, and, with level, rod and line, the grades of the inverts established. Lengths of all these taken from records in City Engineer's office, velocity and discharge of each computed, according to Kutter's formula m R v VR m and n co-efficients of average brick work or average pipe, and ail carefully recorded in a book now in file in City Engineer's office. Present Arrangement* of Sewers. Bolton street, at East Broad street, being the lowest point of the plateau on which the city of 1869 stood, excepting the eastern and western slopes, was selected as the point to which this system of sewers should converge, from thence in its final outfall temporarily, according to the Mayor's report, into Bilbo canal, Warsaw river at that time being selected as the proper outlet. SIS MAYOR1 S ANNUAL REPORT. Conformable to the elevations, the city was divided into drainage districts. That portion between the river and East Broad and West Broad streets, extending southward to Jones, thence via Habersham street to Bolton street, containing some 381 acres, drains the northern portion into the Broughton street sewer, and the southern portion into Perry lane sewer, and thence into East Broad street sewer, will be known in this report as District No, 1; that area south of this district, extending westward as far as Purse street, and southward to Hall and Bolton streets, containing 180 acres, drains into Hall street sewer via Abercorn to Bolton, as District No. 2; that between Hall street, Cuyler street to the west, Second Avenue to the south and Price street to the east, containing 207 acres, drains via Abercorn and Habersham street sewers into Bolton street, as District No. 3; that area tributary to East Broad street south of Bolton street, containing about 35 acres, direct into the Bolton street sewer at East Broad street as District No. 4. The discharge from the Dufly and Hall system of sewers uniting via Abercorn street and flowing down Bolton street sewer, meeting the discharge at Bolton and East Broad streets, northward and southward from East Broad street sewers, all more fully shown by accompanying map. Rainfall and Discharge of Sewer*. The amount of storm water that reaches the sewers in a certain space of time is very indefinite. Even in well built urban districts, properly sewered, with well graded and paved streets, roof gutter connec- I MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. tlS tions and paved yards where it would be supposed every gallon of storm water would find immediate access to the sewers, it has been demonstrated that not 75 per cent, reaches the sewers during the storm or immediately after. On sparsely built up districts, sandy soil, few underdrains, wide and unpaved streets, badly paved sidewalks, grassy yards and trees along the streets, but a small per cent, reaches the sewers during the interval of the rain. Valuable data have been furnished the Society of Engineers by Emil Kucklin, M. Am. So. Civ. Engs., from a series of gaugings of the flood discharge of a number of sewers in the city of Rochester: "A drainage area of 128.67 acres, the average density of population estimated at about 32 per acre. The area contains many large business blocks and other buildings along North Avenue, but the rest of the territory is occupied chiefly by residences of medium size, standing on moderately large lots. The soil is mainly a clayey loam, with muck in the lower districts. All the streets sewered and graded and about 4 of the aggregate length of roadway has been paved with asphalt, stone, etc., macadam predominating ; the remainder of the roadways are common earth. The average grade of the streets is 1 in 130, and the sewers 1 in 50 to 1 in 630." From such a district he reports: DATE INCHES PER DURATION OP PERCENTAGE OF HOUR. BAIN. DISCHARGE. Dec. 10, '87.:...... 0.31 60 Minutes 24.1 May 26,'88........ LOO 13 " 25.9 Aug. 26, '88....... 2.50 14 " 12.2 SU MA TOJR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Again quoting: " Drainage area of 132.96 acres is chiefly a well developed residental district with a few large buildings close together in lots of medium size. The average density of population is about 36 per acre. Every street is sewered and graded and the roadways are nearly all improved with macadam or gravel, but there is not a first-class pavement in the whole district. The soil is generally of a loamy character, with some clay, gravel and muck in different portions; the surface in undulating; the average grade of the streets is about 1 in 151 and the sewer grades range from one in 54 to 1 in 400." From this district he reports the same rain fall as last quoted: , INCHES PER DURATION OP PERCENTAGE OF UAii HOUR. RAIN. DISCHARGE. Dec. 10, '87........ .31 60 Minutes 41.6 May 26, '88........ 1.00 13 " 18.7 Aug. 26, '88....... 2.50 14 ' 13.8 Mr. Kucklin also reports an area of 25.12 acres, a well improved city district, on December 10, 1887, with a maximum intensity of 0.31 inches of rain for one hour, the discharge was 58 per cent. August 26, 1888, with a maximum intensity of 2.50 inches per hour for 14 minutes, the percentage of discharge was 33.5. While the first shower was not as intense as the second, the first was of sufficient duration to saturate the soil and allow the water to flow from the surface; the second of short duration and 66.5 per cent, was taken off by absorption, etc. It will be seen from the above that even on well improved urban districts the percentage of storm water reaching the sewers is small, 58 per cent, the largest MA YOJPU ANNUAL MEPOBT. S15 reported, and even with a heavy down pour of 2.50 inches per hour, in 14 minutes only 13.8. per cent, was discharged. Of course, the per cent, of storm water that is not discharged direct into the sewers is absorbed, except so much as is taken up by evaporation or, held by the foliage and finally percolates into the various drains, but this sepage is so gradual that it need not be calculated in determining the dimensions of the sewers. Such rainfalls as are here tabulated for the city of Rochester are not infrequent in this city. In fact the heaviest rain storms of the states occur in the South Atlantic and Gulf sections. The following table shows the heaviest rain falls in Savannah as recorded by the U. S. signal service. DATE AMOUNT IN INCHES. DUBATION OF BAIN. BATE IN ONE HOUR. Sept. 17, 74........ 2.16 Aug. 21, '76........ 3.40 JuneS. '78......... 2.00 June 9, '89......... 0.40 Aug. 6, '89......... 0.80 July 13, '95........ 1.80 July 13, '95........ 1.70 July 13, '95......... 1.40 July 13, '95........ 1.00 July 13, '95......... 0.55 This shows that the rains in this section are twice the rate of those falling in Rochester. Regret that we have no percentages of discharges to refer to. The Present Sewera of the City, as to Their Utility. This brings "me to the discussion of our sewers, as regards their capacity to discharge the storm waters of their respective districts, and as to their fitness for 1.00 Hour 1.05 " 0.50 0.05 " 0.10 " 0.25 " 0.20' 0.15 " 0.10 " 0.05 " 2.16 3.14 2.40 4.80 4.80 4.32 5.10 5.60 6.00 6.60 S1G MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. sewage conveyors. If it was the simple proposition of how much water falls on the land, and all of it to be conducted away by sewers as fast as it falls, it would be an easy problem to solve, so far as the engineer is concerned, but a sad one for the banker. The sizes of the conduits would be so large as to make their construction financially prohibitory. The factors of absorption, filtration, leakage and evaporation must be considered, which, in our warm sandy soil, are even greater than at Rochester, where the experiments referred to above, and now accepted by the Engineering Society, were formulated by perhaps the most learned engineer of the times in this special branch of rainfall and discharge of sewers. Again, in determining the sizes of sewers necessary to drain a certain territory, the average rainfall of one inch per hour, or even two or three inches per hour, must not control the engineer's decision. Sewers must be designated, not for the quantity of rainfall per hour, but for its intensity. To illustrate, a rainfall of one inch per hour on District No. 1 of 381 acres would require a sewer, supposing 50 per cent, to reach the sewer, of capacity and construction to discharge 192 c. f. per second, whereas, a rainfall of one inch in 15 minutes over the same area, would require a sewer four times the size, i. e. of capacity to void 768 c. f. per second. Just such a rain did occur on July 13, 1895. MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Table of Rainfall of District No. x, 381 Acrea. Riintall bi One Hsiir. Inches. 1 2 3 Upon OiwAcrt. C. f. 3,630 7,260 10,890 Upon 381 Acre*. C. f. 1,383,031 2,786,082 4,149.093 VOLUME PER SECOND. Upon On* Acre. C.f. 1.01 2.02 3.03 Upon SSIXcras. C. f. 3.84 7.68 1.152 Approxtmitt Dtschargt. 60 p. c. U. f, 192 384 576 26 p. c. C. f. 96 192 288 10 p. e. c. f. 38 77 115 An inch rain in 15 minutes would be four times the volume per second, as the same rain in one hour; hence approximate discharge per second reads 50 per cent. 768 c. f.; 25 per cent. 384 c. f. per second; 10per cent. 152 c. f. per second. If by reason of sandy streets, badly paved sidewalks, large yards and gardens and open plateaus, called by us squares, as composes the greater part of this district of 381 acres, 50 per cent, of the storm water does not reach the sewers during its duration, then, of course, the sewers will not require such discharging capacity. The sewer on East Broad street, just south of Perry lane receives 9-10 of the storm water of this 381 acres. This is a sewer of 6' 3" diameter, constructed ot Savannah grey brick, with a grade of 1 in 728. The discharging capacity of this sewer (computed from Kutter's formula before mentioned) is 131 c. f. per second, which is not 11 per cent, of the storm water falling on this area with a three-inch rainfall in one hour, and only eight per cent, of a two-inch rain in 30 minutes, or a one-inch rain in 15 minutes. According to notes made by Mr. J. de Bruy n Kops, Assistant City Engineer, on August 18, 1898, with SIS MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. rain at a rate of 1.65 inches per hour, lasting 20 minutes, the East Broad street sewer, between Perry street and Jones street, was so badly surcharged that the catch basins on Liberty, Harris, Charlton and Jones were overtopped. Under existing circumstances it is impossible, unless a proper system of gauging is introduced, to determine the per cent, of storm water falling on this area of 381 acres that reaches the sewers during the storm. Surely 30 per cent, does not reach it, or there would be more water, after one of our heavy rainfalls, pouring out of the catch basins and running down the streets than in the sewer. It is very evident, however, that, as this section becomes more improved with paved streets, etc., and hence less impervious, the capacity of this sewer will be entirely inadequate to the demands. Fortunately a proper relief is at hand by constructing an overflow into Perry lane. In fact this relief is called for at once, if the sewage is continued in these storm water drains. Every overflow at these catch basins necessaril}' leaves a scum of sewage more or less obnoxious. The regular hourly flow of household sewage has not been discussed in this report. This discharge is so small, as compared with storm water, that it need not be considered in discussing storm drains. MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Table of Rainfall of District No. 2, 180 Acres. VOLUME PER SECOND. Rainfall in One Hour. Upon On Acre. Upon 180 Acre*. . One Acre. ISO Acres. . Approximate Discharge. 60 p. e. Inches, i c. f. 1 I 3,630 2 i 7,260 3 ! 10,890 Rainfall one' Inch In I 3 630 15 minutes ] t c. f. 653,400 1,306,800 1,960,200 653,400 c. f. 1.01 2.02 3.03 4.04 c. f. 181 863 545 727. c. f. 91 182 273 363. C. f. i C. f. 45 j 18 91 36 136 54 182. j 72. I 25 p. c. 110 p. c. The storm water of this district concentrates at Hall and Abercorn streets and discharges southward from this point in a brick sewer of four feet diameter down Abercorn street, slope of 1 in 105, velocity of 10.1 feet per second, capacity to discharge 127 c. f. per second. This sewer voids all the rain fall on this area under its present semi-urban condition. The outlet by this discharge is good, but the sewers at the upper ends are only makeshifts. The West Broad St. sewer, the Barnard street to Taylor, and the Dray ton street sewer to Jones, thence west on Jones to Whitaker, and north on Whitaker to Charlton, are all tributary to this system. To specialize, the first 1,500 feet of the West Broad street sewer, i. e. from Stone to Wayne streets, is choked with sewage. The Barnard street sewer, from Taylor to Huntingdon, can scarcely be called a drain. It is simply a depository of filth, and only finds relief, as would a privy vault, by uncovering and shoveling out; yet dwellings are connected with both these so-called sewers. They also have auxiliary pipes leading into them from fSO MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. abutting side streets with which the dwellings fronting are connected. These localities stand to-day reeking masses of filth. The Drayton street sewer is but little better. With uneven grades, inadequately designed sections, they do not convey the deposits into them from the adjoining houses until overtaken by a rain storm, and then, if the storm is heavy, become so surcharged as to overflow the catch basins. During every severe rain the catch basins in this street, at Gordon, Gaston and Huntingdon are overtopped. A comparison as to rainfall on tributary areas and discharging capacity of these sewers could be here written, did space permit. A glance at the accompanying profiles of these sewers will be sufficient to the intelligent observer, or if detail information is desired, to the notes and drawings as filed in the City Engineer's office. Table of Rainfall, District No. 3, 907 Acres. IbhMta II lit HOW. Inches. 1 2 8 RaMallMie inch in IS ntaiite*. UpM OntAcn. C. f. 8,630 7,260 10,890 3,630 UpM MTXcriJ. C. f. 7-51,410 1,502,820 2,254,230 751,410 VOLUME PER SECOND. On* ACT*. C-f. 101 2.02 3.03 4.04 407 Aw**. C-f 209 418 627 S36 nt *"rr" " 60 p. e. C. f. 104 209 813 418 25 p. c. c. f. 52 104 156 209 10 p. c. c. f. 21 42 62 83 This district lies between Gwinnett street and Anderson street, and discharges via the Duffy street sewer into the Abercorn street sewer. Of 4' 8" diam- MA YOB1 S ANNUAL REPORT. eei eter, grade 1 in 462, discharging capacity 94 c. f. per second. Evidently this end of the Abercorn street sewer has not the discharging capacity to void the water from this district of 207 acres. It has not the capacity of the north end that voids the rainfall from District 2 of 140 acres. This sewer will discharge but 11 per cent, of a 1" rain in 15 minutes over this area. It is fed by the Duffy street sewer of capacity 101 c. f. per second. It is often so badly surcharged that the catch basin at New Houston and others along this line are overtopped and frequently the sewer is disrupted. The fault here is not altogether on account of the low gradient of this length (although this would be cause sufficient), but also by reason of its meeting at Bolton street the discharge by a sewer of four feet diameter of the drainage area of 180 acres, and, meeting, flows down the Bolton street sewer of dimensions 4' 8", grade 1 in 170, discharging capacity 169 c. f. per second. These two sewers draining the second and third districts of united capacity 194 c. f. per second, attempting to flow down the Bolton street sewer of 169 c. f, the sewer of lesser velocity suffers, and hence the surcharge and breaking of the Abercorn sewer from Duffy street. The upper ends of this section of drains are also defective; that portion from Burroughs street via Anderson and Henry is almost level. I chanced to have with me on the examination of this work one of the foremen employed by the contractor who laid this piping. This foreman (and an intelligent mechanic he is, too,) told me that the guide he had for the grade when laying the pipe was a tack on one end of his carpenter's level, but that the contractor S2t MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. supplemented this by saying, "Foreman, you have a long ways to go, so keep down." Result, no grade. Council decides to put in certain lengths of drains, the Street and Lane Committee lets the work to the lowest bidder, and the contractor is turned loose without proper engineering superintendence. That section of the city not included in the districts here mentioned lies just west of the S., F. & W. Ry, and "extends southward to about Second avenue. This area is drained by a three-foot sewer in East Broad street into Bolton street outlet. Considerable fudging was done to connect this sewer at Boltou street with the outlet, and in doing so the drainage capacity of this sewer of three feet is considerably lessened. Its invert is'on the same level as the three large sewers meeting at this manhole, and being of lighter gradient, its outlet at this manhole is considerably backed up with deposits of sewage. Better results would have followed had the crowns, and not inverts, been at the same elevation. The southern section of the city is being rapidly improved, and is now calling for relief from storm water, and, as heretofore, incidentally for sewage disposal. It only asks to have the area about them drained These citizens, very justly, are tired living on water-sobbed land and want a sewer. They don't know (it is not their business to know) and don't care where the drainage is carried. When the sewer is built they punch holes in it and connect pipes for household sewage, and don't know and don't care (not their business) where this goes. It gets out of sight somewhere. They, have sufficient influence to get what that section needs, and soon the owner of MAYOlt'S ANNUAL REPORT. ess the territory somewhere below gets a whiff of something disagreeable, and, on inquiry, finds that "it comes from that sewer up yonder to help those people and injure me." The Sixth street sewer is a fair illustration of this Only sufficient appropriation is made to put another length on an already obsolete systemno extensive and intelligent plan devised. There are several sewers* that empty directly into the river. These are the West Boundary, the West Broad, the Barnard, from Market place, and the Whitaker, from Broughton street, but most of the water closet connections from the Bay street offices, as the Cotton Exchange, etc., are by special pipe with the river. These house connections were not inspected or inquired into. Sewers Inadequate. It is very evident that, as the city improves, lots built on, streets paved, etc., and consequently the sewers called upon to discharge 30 to 40 per cent, of rainfall, the present Bolton street sewer outlet will not void the storm water of the entire city south of Anderson street, as now contemplated and designed for. The sewer of 9 feet diameter down Bolton street, with grade 1 in 445, has capacity to discharge 556 c. f. per second. This is about 25 per cent, of a threeinch rainfall in one hour on this territory, and only a small per cent, of a one-inch rainfall in 15 minutes; but even this amount of storm water, under the present system of leaders to this system, will never reach it; the sewers leading to the point of outlet are inadequate. I do not think it good engineering practice to conduct the storm water of the entire city in Sf4 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. large sewers to one point of discharge. It would be advisable, surely economical, to divide the city into storm water districts, and each have its own outlet. Have District No. 1 drained into Perry lane sewer; Districts Nos. 2, 3 and 4 into Bolton street outlet, and that portion south of Anderson street by way of Sixth street sewer and its proper connection into a tributary of the Casey canal. The eastern and western slopes direct into the river. This proposition conveys with it the idea that the household sewage of the city is taken in a special system of drains to a proper point of discharge. Profiles. I invite close examination of the profiles of these sewers. It shows for the Mayor's and City Surveyor's reports of 1871-72 that extreme precaution was taken in the design of these sewers. The Mayor's report of this date speaks as follows: "The sewers heretofore constructed had not been laid under anv / combined plan looking to a common purpose for the common good. * * * Council authorized the employment of skillful engineers, &c." and the City Surveyor, in his report, speaking of the improvements of the past year, says: "Foremost among these has been drainage. During the past year this subject has received, as it deserved, a large share of attention from Council. A suitable plan has been devised and we confidently expect that, in construction of our sewers in the future, the best results will be obtained and the errors of the past avoided." Also, on reporting on them, he says: "The depth of the Broughton street sewer at East Broad is a little over sixteen feet, and MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SS5 proceeds with a uniform grade to West Broad street,, where the depth is six feet." Other sewers are similarly described, showing that much time and intelligent thought was given to the subject. How, then, can we account for the imperfect grades on which these sewers, every one of them, were constructed? Contractors build sewers as they do all other structures, for the money they expect to make, and every foot of excavation saved, particularly in deep cutting, counts largely on the side of profit. Examining the profiles, we find that the very best laid sewer in thecity, from East Broad to West Broad in Broughton street, the contractor did not go to the grade required by three feet at Lincoln and Abercorn streets, where the cutting was excessive, and thus so interfered with the slope of the invert of this sewer as to have the upper end very defective in grade. The other systems are even more slighted, all as shown by profiles accompanying. The trouble perhaps was not in the designs, but for want of honest, reliable and intelligent engineering supervision on the part of the city. Too much was expected of the detail work from thevery efficient and trustworthy city surveyor of that date. Now keeping the main sewers down to proper elevation has caused in part the drains laid at the upper, ends of the several systems to be defective in gradeDisliking to make this report too long prevents itemizing. I can only call attention to the jaggedl condition of the invert in the Bolton street outlet sewer, 500 feet east of East Broad street sand trap;. of the depression in the invert of the East Broad, street sewer, about 400 feet north of this sand trap,. 15 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. in which depression brickbats and sewage of all kinds lodge and accumulate. In this particular locality, I judge, 25 or 30 cart loads; in the Perry lane sewer, when the invert reaches up, so to speak, two feet to find access in the East Broad sewer; of the various level sections in the various systems, as shown by the profiles, all more or less basins for sewage of all kinds. The description, thus far, of these sewers will perhaps convince any one that, while they are adapted for storm drains, with the exceptions already pointed out, they are not suited as conveyors of sewage as understood to-day and accepted by foremost sanitariansopen inverts, rough material and sand traps to catch and hold deposits, unequal grades, allowing accumulation of foul matter, level sections, where these deposits stop and putrify, waiting for a rain storm, which may not come in 60 days, dead ends, that never get relief, no flushing arrangements, and the entire length creating foul gases, the larger the sewer the greater the supply, that find access into every dwelling connected therewith. They do not possess a single quality among the requisites for household drains. Sewers, as conveyors of domestic wastes, should be laid at grade to at least assure a velocity of three feet per second, to allow the complete removal of all excreta, S ANNUAL REPORT. esa cemetery was a puzzle to us, considering the fact that we were not to detract from either, and must harmonize both objects, but the result has been, we think, very satisfactory. First, the entire park had to be regraded, a survey and contour map made, vaults and head stones repaired and placed in position, walks laid out, 1,400 square yards of cement and 1,062 square yards of rubble, covered by gravel and granite screenings. We have placed watermains all over the grounds, planted 2,000 ornamental shrubs, plants and trees, and have secured a fine bermuda sod all over the park. It is the intention of the Commission that, as the vegetation becomes larger, with the tombs covered with vines and surrounded by trees, it will impart to the visitor the suggestion of a cemetery of the past age, surrounded and guarded by the impressions of a more modern time. Acting upon our recommendation, the city has laid a sidewalk on the west side of the park. In the development of Colonial Park we were fortunate in securing the valuable services of P. J. Bercksman, of Augusta, Ga. Eatlll Park. Estill Park comprises 275 acres of land, situated about five miles south of Savannah, and is crossed by the City and Suburban R. R. and by the old and new Casey canal. It was donated to the city by the Commissioners of Chatham county, upon condition that the municipal government should appropriate for its improvement $500 per annum for six years 240 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. and $1,000 per annum for five years. The first period commenced in 1893. During the year we have started an artesian well, which will be complete in January, 1897. We have planted four rows of magnolias, 256 trees on the Meridian road, which crosses the western side of the park. We have had a survey and contour map made, commenced a nursery from which to obtain trees for planting in the city, have completed a beautiful rustic bridge over the Casey canal, and a log cabin for the Superintendent, which is a typical cabin of antebellum days. The artesian well will feed the lake and the bridge will be one of several connecting the drives about the park. In our work we have had the advice of Olmsted, Olmsted & Elliot, Landscape Artists. GEO. H. STONE, Chairman. MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. J REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER. ft j ______ OFFICE OF HEALTH OFFICER, ) SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. J To the Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor City of Savannah : SIRThe annual report of the Health Officer for the year ending December 31st, 1896, is respectfully submitted. Attached to this report are tables of vital statistics showing 1st. Deaths from natural causes. 2d. Age of decedents. 3d. Nativity of decedents. 4th. Deaths from violence, still and premature births, etc. 5th. Names and ages of decedents aged 70 years and upwards. Embodied in the report are other statistics. It cannot be said that the year 1896 has been a year of healthfulness, if we may judge from the total mortality, which is in excess of the average mortality for the past ten or fifteen years, yet a careful examination of the table of deaths from natural causes will show that the city has had an immunity from deaths from diphtheria and scarlet fever; that but few deaths have occurred from typhoid fever, and that the deaths from the different forms of malarial fever among the whites are much below the average. 16 949 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. The following comparative statement of deaths may be of interest: Death* from 181 to 189 Inclusive. POPULATION. Whites 16,000 Ncgroe* 14,000 16,500 '14,500 17,000 18,000 18,500 19,0'JO 20,000 21,000 15,000 15,500 16,000 16,500 17,000 17,500 22,500 118,500 24,000 25,500 27,000 28,000 29,000 30,000 80,500 19,500 20,500 21,500 22,500 23,000 24,500 25,000 TUI 30,000 Y*ar* 1881 31,000' 1882 32,000 1883 33,500 34,500 35,500 37,000 38,500 41,000 43,500 46,000 43,500 50,500 52,000 54^00 55,500 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 Whlet 453 375 488 466 333 452 460 366 884 479 464 468 475 413 472 465 Ncgroet 703 740 659 703 659 936 796 665 685 870 746 834 ToU! 1156 1115 1147 1169 992 1388 1256 1031 1069 1349 1210 A1NIML RATIO PER 1,000 Whttet 28. 22. 28. 25. 18. 23. 23. 17. 17. 19. 18. 1302 1 17. 791 1266 766 1179 826 867 1298 16. 14. 15. 1332 15 Ntgroet 50. 51. 43. 45. 41. 65. 46. 38. 37. 45. 85. 38. 85. 32. 33. 34. Total 38. 35. 35. 34. 28. 39. 34. 26. 26. 31. 28. 27. 25. 22. 24. 24. It may be well to present here the principal causes of death for the year: Disease. Whites. Negroes. Phthisis Pulmonalis..........80 132 Malarial Fevers................27 68 Pneumonia..................... 24 49 Convulsions....................10 42 Dropsy............. .............. 2 42 Heart Disease...... ...........17 22 Old Age.........................13 25 Paralvsis........................16 21 Total. 212 95 73 52 44 39 38 37 INFECTIOUS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. Diphtheria. There were six cases of this disease reported to my office, and at least four of them were true diphtheria. There were no deaths. MA TOM'S ANNUAL REPORT. 24S The last death from diphtheria.occurring in this city was on October 25th, 1895. The records of the city fail to show that Savannah ever enjoyed such an immunity before. Your Health Officer, with no little pride, spoke of this immunity at the meeting of the American Public Health Association held in Buffalo, N. Y., last September, and the Health Officials of different cities expressed surprise at our freedom from this and other epidemic diseases, and since returning home I have received communications from several sources asking for information concerning the absence of diphtheria. Your Health Officer will be frank in stating that he is not able to state why the disease has been restricted to a few cases. Dr. A. P. Waring has kindly made bacteriological examinations whenever called upon to do so, and as this work was done without charge, the thanks of this office is due him. Measlea. This disease assumed a severe type during the months of February and March, and several deaths occurred during the following three months, after which time there was no mortality, and there were but few cases during the last six months of the year. There were many cases of this disease not reported to this office. Nearly all of those reported occurred in the work of the City Physicians. The following figures show the number of eases and deaths: Cases, 244. Deaths, 11. 44 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Scarlet Fever. There were eight cases of this disease reported during the year. None of them resulted fatally. Typhoid Fever. There were eleven deaths from this cause. During the first eleven months of the yearthere were but five deaths, but during the month of December six deaths occurred. It is. not likely that there will be any serious outbreak of the disease. Phthisis Pulmonalla, Using the common term, consumption, causes more deaths than any other disease, in fact more than any three, and those physicians interested in preventive medicine are trying first to discover a specific for a radical cure of the disease, and, second, to adopt such measures as will prevent the spread of the disease as have been taken with other infective diseases, i. e. isolation, quarantine, etc. The disease is caused by a specific gerin. It is transmissible from one person to another. The infection can be conveyed by milk from a cow suffering from tuberculosis, and the meat of tuberculous animals may be infective. No specific has yet been found, nor has any practical methods been evolved to prevent the spread of the disease as practiced in other infections, although many papers have been prepared by sanitarians advocating colonization of consumptives, sleeping cars and rooms at hotels to be set aside for those afflicted with this disease, and many other methods, none of which are practical. Consumption cannot be treated like diphtheria,scarlet fever and other acute infections, MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S45 as these latter run a course of short duration, while the former may continue for years. This part of my report is suggested by the increased number of deaths from this disease, and it is apparent that it is spreading more rapidly than the general public is aware of. There were more deaths from consumption among the whites during the year 1896 than during any year for twenty years. It may not be amiss to dwell on the prevention of the disease that the public may have some knowledge of its prevention. The report of the Health Officer is hardly a paper in which a scientific discussion of a disease should be presented, nor is it my intention to try to do more than present from a high authority the best preventive measures against this growing infection. The sputa of consumptives should be collected and destroyed. Portable flasks to receive the same are for sale in every city, and they should be used. The chances of infection are greatest in young children. The patient should occupy a single bed. The possibility of transmission by infected milk has been fully demonstrated; tuberculous cattle should be killed; veterinary inspectionof dairies should be made. A mother with consumption should not suckle her child. An infant born of consumptive parents, or of a family .in which the disease prevails, should receive special attention as to food, .clothing and general environments. Report* of Infectious and Contagious Diseases. Reports of all infectious or contagious diseases are not made to this office by the attending physicians, S46 &AYO&S ANNUAL REPORT. and it is evident that many physicians are under the impression that only cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, small pox should be reported. The list of diseases that should be reported are as follows: Asiatic Cholera, Yellow Fever, Small Pox, Varioloid,, Varicella, . Typhus Fever, Enteric (or Typhoid) Fever, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Measles. Whooping Cough, Phthisis Pulmonalis should be included in this list. Take whooping cough, seldom reported, there were 27 deaths from this disease during the year 1896. More deaths during the year from this cause than from diphtheria and scarlet fever for two years. A circular letter will be addressed to each member of the medical profession asking their assistance in getting a report of all the diseases enumerated above. Malarial Fevers. There were 95 deaths from all forms of malarial fever. Of this number 27 were whites and 68 were negroes, and it would appear the mortality from this disease among the whites is getting beautifully less each year, in spite of a statement made in a medical journal last year to the effect that malarial fevers were again becoming prevalent in this city. During the month of "August two deaths occurred from the congestive type of malarial fever. Both of these cases were attended by prominent medical men and certificates were given by these gentlemen as to MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 47 the cause of death. The Morning News published an account of the deaths, stating the true cause of death, which attracted the attention of the Spanish Consul at this porthis name would appear here, but space and time forbids the publication of an old Castillian name in this reportwhereupon he made up his mind that the cases were yellow fever and so told it on the streets until it came to the ears of a prominent medical gentleman, who immediately reported the diagnosis of this representative of a noble and ancient, yet almost defunct race. When the rumor was traced positively to him, he was sent for by the Mayor and at first refused to appear before him. Finally, on going to the Mayor, he was persuaded that in view of the existing relations between his country and the United States, and more particularly on account of a law punishing persons spreading false reports about the existence of disease in the city, any attempt on his part to determine the causes of death in this city would not be to his interest. Nearly every summer these reports spring up here, based on newspaper reports, and frequent visits are paid to this office by timid persons asking if yellow fever prevails in the city. This is a result of one or more persons with some notoriety, not reputation, availing himself or themselves of the privileges of the press to advocate their views on sanitation, epidemic diseases, etc., who have predicted direful epidemics for years without the same showing up according to prediction. S4S MA YOK'S ANNUAL REPORT. Sanitary Inspection.' Much improvement has been made in this direction during the past year. In addition to the two Sanitary Inspectors holding over from 1895, two were appointed on January 1st, and in the early spring two more were appointed, making six men for the summer months. It is just to state that these Inspectors were the best men that have ever served under me. They were more intelligent and more industrious than any appointed in previous years. On November 1st the force was reduced to four men. One of the men allowed to go, Mr. C. C. Lebey, was one of the best men. Mr. C. J. Melvin, Chief Sanitary Inspector, has given the city intelligent service, and has been of great assistance, not only as an Inspector, but has done good, careful, conscientious work in the disinfection of premises; he has also done, in addition to this, as much clerical work as usually falls to the lot of a man employed for that purpose alone. To all of these Inspectors the Health Officer returns his thanks for their creditable work. To many persons the work of the Inspectors does not seem to be of much value; the intelligent, educated man does not know how his neighbor, the unintelligent, uneducated man, lives; the latter must be watched and told how to live. The work of the Sanitary Inspectors takes them into the yards, and often the houses, of filthy persons living in filthy houses; there they not only advocate cleanliness, but see that it is practiced. It is a thankless task, and often abuse is showered on the official MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 249 who says a yard is foul and dirty and should be cleaned and proceeds to have it cleaned, and sometimes, yes, often, the moral effect of the police is called upon before that object is obtained. It is doubtful if any city in the South has a more unclean negro population than those who live in the two sections of the city called Yamacraw and Frogtown, and a frequent inspection of these two localities is made necessary for the protection of the rest of the city. The following statement of _the work accomplished by the Sanitary Inspectors gives but a vague idea of the work done by them: Nuisances abatedfilthy yards and wharves, streets, drains, cellars, choked supply and waste pipes to houses, etc.......................... 547 Privy vaults reported for cleansing.................1,725 " " disinfection.............. 1,042 " faulty construction... 239 " " ordered abandoned.................... 20 Surface wells " " .................... 101 Dry " " " ...... ............. 11 Complaints against scavengers....................... 55 Notices to cut down weeds... ....................... 128 " " ventilate untenanted bouses............ 201 Leaks reported to Water Works Department Hydrants, private and public..................... 792 Supply pipes to water closets, bath tubs........... 700 Milk. The Board of Sanitary Commissioners have taken up this important subject for serious consideration, and it should receive the most careful attention, for, S60 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. if ever a city needed legislation on any subject, Savannah needs it on the milk question. The infant mortality is increased by the sale of impure milk. The diarrhoeal troubles of the spring and summer can be obviated to a considerable extent by protective legislation. The milk from cows kept in filthy yards and fed on slops and other waste matter cannot be wholesome food for either adults or infants. These cows are housed iu narrow, dirty yards, with offensive privy vaults in close proximity. With few exceptions, the persons milking these cows are dirty, the vessels in which the milk is placed are unclean, and if there is any redeeming feature to the milk business, so far as the milk from cows kept in the city is concerned, it has never been revealed during four years' inspection. There are a few isolated cases where the above conditions do not exist. mile Adulteration* and Impuritiefl. 1st. The cheapest method of adulterations, and, of course, the most popular, is the addition of water. If pure water is used there is but little harm done beyond defrauding consumers. If the water is impure, which is often the case, the milk will be impure. 2nd. After dilution milk becomes pale and bluish, and to overcome this and restore the yellow color, annotto, a common dye, is used. 3rd. Preservatives are sometimes added to milk to keep it from souring. Sodium bicarbonate, borax and boric acid and sometimes salicylic acid are used MAYOR'S, ANNUAL REPORT. tSt to prevent souring. Milk so treated is injurious as infant food. 4th. Milk, after dilution by water, is thickened by whiting, tragacanth, etc., and sugar is added to raise the specific gravity. Contaminated Milk or Milk Unfit for Ue. 1st. Cows fed on brewers' swill, or cabbages, turnips or onions will give unhealthy, bad tasting or deteriorated milk. 2nd. The milk of cows immediately after calving is turbid, viscid, and unfit for food. 3rd. Cows suffering from certain diseases may transmit them through their milk to the human family. Tuberculosis and diphtheria can be so transmitted. It is estimated that 6 per cent, of all cows are tubercular. Milk from such cows is of poor quality, being thinner and bluer than normal milk. The transmission of diphtheria through cow's milk is said to be rare, but some authorities uphold the possibility of such transmission. 4th. Other disease germs may find their way into milk from unclean hands, from filthy vessels used to hold the milk. Cow's milk is too often tainted with foul matter from the stable or cow yard. One author says that, in judging the quality of milk, one should consider " not so much what the cow fed on as rather what kind of cow dung the milk contains." Milk carelessly transported absorbs gerins from the air or from unclean receptacles, and it is an excellent medium for the rapid growth of such germs as those SSS MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. of tuberculosis, scarlet fever, diphtheria and typhoid fever. Epidemics of typhoid and scarlet fever have been traced to infected milk. At the Seventh International Medical Congress E, Hart reported a series of epidemics, the origin oi which he had traced to milk. Of these fifty were oi typhoid fever, fourteen of scarlet fever and seven oi diphtheria. 5th. Decomposing milk, or sour milk, is adanger- \ ous food for infants. In this climate, during many ; months of the year, it should be kept cool, but if placed in a refrigerator with food which is stale, it soon becomes unfit for food. It should never be left in a sick room, in a bathroom or near a water pipe. To Provide Against Milk Infection Laws should be enacted in this city touching on the following points: No cow should be allowed to remain in the city. An inspection of dairies should be often made, in order that the following conditions should prevail: 1st, That all cow barns or stables should be kept in a good sanitary condition. 2nd, That all milking cows should be healthy, and that they should be clean and well fed. 3rd, That all swill and fermented food be excluded from the food of the cows. 4th, That absolute cleanliness be observed from the removal of the milk from the cow until the product is sent to the consumers. 5th, That the cows obtain pure water. MAYOJt'S ANNUAL BEPOJiT. ess Registration of all milk dealers should be made compulsory. A law should be passed giving the health authorities the right to obtain samples of milk wherever it is found for inspection. A standard of foods for cows, vessels for delivering milk should be enforced. Some of these reforms will meet with opposition from certain direction. The removal of the cows from the city limits will certainly call forth a howl of indignation from those persons who keep cows in the city, but in order that the public can obtain good nutritious milk, free from the contamination of dirt and filth, the cow must go. There is no use to delay the inauguration of strict laws, which should be rigidly enforced, unless this city wishes to fall back in sanitary progress, and certainly no one can but see the good results to be obtained from this legislation on a most important food product. Your Health Officer has for j'ears watched this matter carefully, and he would earnestly recommend prompt action in this matter. House Drainage. What is written here on this subject does not touch upon a system of sewerage, nor on an outlet for said system, beyond the statement that the city is warned against using the present sewers of the city beyond making them carriers of surface water. They can never be used in connection with house drainage, except to increase an evil. What will be spoken of here is that house drainage which begins at the top of a house and ends at the public sewer. Kt MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. That Savannah will in due time have a proper system of sewerage, with a proper outlet for the same, is evident, and the apparent delay of confirming this or that plan by the Commission appointed for that purpose is but a proof to me of the wise and conservative action of the gentlemen composing said Commission. The reports of the Sanitary Inspectors and my personal observation have led me to believe that there are many instances of bad plumbing in this city. There is no way of comparing our deficiency in this matter with other cities, but it is a safe statement to make that no city can produce any worse plumbing than Savannah. The fault lies with the city authorities, for there is practically no laws which prevent incompetent men \ from doing business here, nor is there any law which \ compels the owner of a house to use standard matei rial. On the contrary, when a man builds a house i to rent, not to live in, all the material is obtained at | the cheapest figure, and the work is done by the i cheapest man. I In order for a man to do a plumber's business in f this city, it is necessary for him to get a license from I the Clerk of Council, for which he pays a certain i sum, and a small bond is given to protect the city | against his abuse of the water mains and street pave- : ment. His ability to do skillful work does not enter I at all into the matter. I Provided with this license he has the authority to I enter the plumbing business without giving any evi- [ dence of having, any knowledge of it. Such a man [ can be ignorant of the rudiments of a business that MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ess now has a direct influence on the health of a community. He can do work in dwelling houses which may endanger the' life of every occupant, and such work is often done. Certainly legislation is needed here. The following recommendation for such legislation is submitted: A Sanitary Code of Plumbing should be adopted, the salient points of which are as follows: No person should be allowed to engage in the business of plumbing unless such person has received a permit from the Board of Sanitary Commissioners, said permit to be issued by said Board on evidence that the applicant has learned the business by working for at least two years as an apprentice, and who has then worked for at least one year as a first-class journeyman plumber, or that he has employed to do plumbing work such a man or men. A penalty should be imposed for any person other than a registered or licensed plumber carrying on the plumbing business, or making any connection with any sewer, drain, soil or waste pipe, or any pipe connected therewith. No plumber shall construct any work within any building, or connected with it, until he has submitted to the Board of Sanitary Commissioners plans and specifications of said work, and such plans or specifications shall show the location of every fixture, pipe and trap, and the ventilation of the rooms in which plumbing fixtures are to be placed. This regulation should cover all repairs and alterations, as well as new work, for there is so much old work that should not be repaired, but it should not cover removal of stoppages, repairs of leaks and 256 MAYOR'S A XX UAL HEPOltT. repairs of broken fixtures, tanks, range boilers or faucets. An Inspector of Plumbing should be oppointed, said appointment to be made by that Board and eonfirmed by Council. He should be an officer of the Board, under the direction of the Executive Officer. His duties will be to examine all the work under course of construction, making daily reports of such work. He shall inspect all complaints of citizens against defective plumbing; he must, on the completion of any work, test the same and give certificate of approval before such work can be used. Rules should be laid down enforcing the use of standard material for sewers, soil waste and vent pipes, enforcing the proper caulking of joints; compelling diameter of supply, soil and waste pipes to be of standard measurement; designating sizes of traps and branch waste pipes. Above all a law should be passed against the use of pan closets, plunger closets and all others having any mechanism in connection with the bowl forming a mechanical seal. The enclosing water closets, with wooden casings, should be prohibited. No steam exhaust, blow-off or drip pipe from any steam boiler should connect with any sewer or with any drain, soil or waste pipe. Within one hundred yards of the City Exchange a waste pipe from the Pulaski House runs into the catch basin of a sewer. The recommendations submitted above are in line with the action of the Board of Sanitary Commissioners, who were waited on by a delegation of plumbers MA YOJt'S ANNUAL REPORT. 57 asking that an Inspector of Plumbing be appointed, and that a Code of Sanitary.Plumbing be instituted. It will be seen that the plumbers themselves ask that this practice be given the community. While no one will deny that a proper system of public sewers are essential for the public good, and such we have not, yet what is house drainage proper is more important and costs but little money. The writer does not pose as an exponent of sanitary plumbing, but he has a fair knowledge of it theoretically, and he has many practical evidences in the past nine years of the many instances of ancient and faulty works existing in this city. To further insure competent plumbing an act should be passed by legislature giving the city the right to call for an examination of all applicants desiring to do the work of a plumber. Upturning: the Soil of the Public Domain. Your Health Officer is in a quandary as to the evil effects arising from digging up the streets and lanes during the summer months, and he is unable to say, from his experience as a Health Officer (he was elected in .April, 1888), that it has ever been demonstrated that it has produced harm. During the month of August, 1892, he saw in New Orleans an excavation in one of the streets which must have been 2,500 feet long, 20 feet in width and as deep as they could dig it in that soil. The bottom of the trench was filled with water, which, according to the statement of the President of the State Board of Health, did no harm and was but a small part of some extensive digging done that summer. On the17 ess MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. other the outbreak of dengue in Charleston in 1895 was attributed to extensive upturning of the soil. While the public health should be the first thought and has always been with your Health Officer, it is recommended that the ordinance prohibiting it be enforced .on and after July 1st, instead of May 1st. It is not intended that no permits be issued until July 1st, but that the Health Officer be allowed to issue permits without the sanction of the Board of Sanitary Commissioners until July 1st. Hedical Charity. Four City Physicians have been employed during the year, whose duties have been to attend the indigent sick, and their medicines have been compounded at six contract drug stores. It cannot be said that these contract stores have given good service, nor is the system an economical one. It is open to grave abuses, and they have been steadily growing for the past two years. The situation has been carefully gone over by your Health Officer, who has presented the facts to the Board of Sanitary Commissioners, who, in turn, recommended to City Council that the system be abolished and the City Dispensary be again used to dispense medicines to the poor. City Council has acted favorably on that recommendation, and during the present year it is to be hoped that the city will profit by the change. The City Drug Store should be properly fitted up and equipped with all the officinal remedies and surgical appliances; there should be two competent pharmacists,, one of \vhom should be in local charge I MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPOR1. SS9 of the store, and one of them should sleep in the building, there being comfortable apartments above the store. All material should be bought from wholesale firms, thereby saving considerable money for the city. There is a room attached to the drug store which should be fitted up as an office for the different City Physicians, one of whom could always be present to attend to the demands made for free medical aid. Drs. Aikin and Hiers, two specialists on the diseases pertaining to eye, ear, nose and throat, have kindly offered their services to treat persons at this ofiice for diseases coming under their specialties. The hours of the physicians can be so arranged that the services of one of them can always be obtained. The high death rate of the negro race still continues, and still another step could be taken towards its reduction. Since the election of Dr. Lloyd it was evident that no mistake was made, as that physician has done much good work. It would appear to me if another equally competent and industrious negro physician could be obtained that he should be appointed. Over 80 per cent, of the applicants for free medical services are negroes. These City Physicians should be appointed by the Board of' Sanitary Commissioners, as the requirements for the office are better understood by this Board on account of there being several physicians serving, and because the rules and regulations laid down for the guidance of the City Physicians emanate the Board. 60 MA TOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. The pay of the City Physicians is by far too small, and both the Board of Sanitary Commissioners and your Health Officer have advocated that their salaries be increased. An increase of salary to cover their expenses will tend to improve the personnel of applicants for the positions, and, as a matter of fact, there is some room for improvement. Peat House. The building used for receiving cases of small pox is habitable, but it has been five years since it has been used. Your Health Officer has recommended that the position of Pest House Keeper be abolished, as it is a position without employment. A care-taker employed for a nominal sum, with permission to plant the small tract of land, would be a wise economy. In the past, whenever cases of small pox have been sent to the institution, the Pest House Keeper has been of but little or no help in the care of the sick, on account of physical infirmities or a lack of knowledge of nursing. Vital Statistics. It is to be regretted that but little attention is paid to vital statistics. For several years your Health Officer has attempted to obtain a record of all births occurring in the city, but he has not succeeded so well. There is a law to the effect that physicians, midwives, etc., shall report all births coming under their care, but this law is sometimes disregarded, and in some instances by the most intelligent and reputable men of the medical profession. The midwives, as a rule, make full and prompt reports of MAYOJK'S ANNUAL REPORT. 861 their cases. The following table will show the number of births reported to this office during the year 1896: MONTH January............ February........... TWatv*li April............... May................. / June................ July........... ...... August............. September......... October............ November.;....... December ,,;...... Total ......... WHITES 36 20 19 22 8 10 25 35 40 . 37 28 26 306 NEGROES 53 52 55 44 39 39 52 60 73 108 50 58 683 TOTAL 89 72 74 66 47 49 77 95 113 14/5 78 84 989 City Waste*. Another crematory is necessary in order that all wastes of the city can properly be disposed of. This crematory should be placed at some point east of the city limits. It might be well to mention here that the Engle Company, which built our crematory, has made some sanitary improvements in their crematories during the past year and many cities have adopted this furnace as the best means of destroying waste matters. The open wagons used for collecting garbage are still a source of many bad smells and they should be abandoned; but as it may be too great a tax on the S62 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. finances of the city to purchase an entire new outfit, it is suggested that whenever one of the present wagons becomes worn out that a new sanitary wagon be purchased in its place. Your Health Officer would earnestly recommend that the work of removing the contents of privy vaults be done by the city instead of by a con tractor, as it is evident to me from the reports of the sanitary inspectors and from my own .observation, that it could be more thoroughly accomplished if a good, competent official of the city had the matter in charge. laboratory. Again the recommendation is made that a laboratory be provided for this office. Savannah has attained a population which calls for this necessary adjunct to every properly organized board of health. Without a fairly well equipped laboratory the work of a health board cannot be intelligent. With the proper milk and other sanitary regulations added to our code the laboratory must come. Sbell Pavements. While it is not in the province of the Health Officer to deal with the pavements of the city, yet when any street becomes a nuisance prejudicial to the public health, it then becomes his duty to point out said nuisance. During the past year Drayton street has nearly all of the time been such a nuisance. It has been fully demonstrated that oyster shells are unfit for the paving of a street over which there is much traffic. MAYOR'S ANNUAL RKPORT. KS dsed as paving material in the southern portion of the city, where there is comparatively little wear on it, its best recommendation is the cheapness of construction. The shells remaining on top ot the cobble stones on Drayton street should be removed immediately. Your Health Officer would recommend that the city of Savannah investigate the asphalt pavements of Buffalo, N. Y. This city has about 200 miles of this pavement, and some of this pavement has been in use for fourteen years. It is evident that so far as its lasting qualities are concerned, Savannah has not had the same asphalt pavements as Buffalo. American Public Health Association. Your Health Officer, by the kind courtesy of the Board of Sanitary Commissioners and City Council, was allowed to attend the meeting of this association at Buffalo, N. Y., during the month of September. This association has its annual meetings, attended by members from every State in the Union, from every Province in Canada, as well as from every State in the Mexican Republic. Your Health Officer could not but obtain useful knowledge in meeting the best sanitarians of the three countries named above. * During the session many valuable papers were read on matters pertaining to State Medicine, the most valuable being the Report of the International Committee on the Prevention of the Spread of Yellow Fever; Report of Committee on Pollution of Water Supplies. The first named paper could not but be of interest to all the delegates from the Southern States and it SS4 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. as it called forth a resolution, passed by the association, for a fight against the disease in places where it is endemic. The most important subject for discussion was that on Formaldehyd, a new disinfectant. Formaldehyde or Formic Aldehyde is a volatile gas obtained by the combustion of Methyl Alcohol under conditions which remove 2 atoms of its hydrogen, and being about the same specific gravity of air, is -rapidly diffused in every direction when liberated. By practical experiments, it is an efficient and rapid germicide, and will within a year entirely supersede sulphur-dioxide as an atmospheric disinfectant. This discovery gives the Health Officer and the Quarantine Officer the first atmospheric germicide known to be efficient. This agent has been used in car sanitation and the different National Quarantine Stations are being equipped with the apparatus for generating Formaldehyd gas. Your Health Officer would advocate the use of the disinfectant, both in the disinfection of infected houses in the city, as well as the disinfection of vessels at the Quarantine Station. In addition to its superiority over sulphur as a germicide, it performs its work in less than one-fourth the time. Maritime Quarantine. The quarantine service has been faithfully conducted by Dr. W. J. Linley, Quarantine Officer of this port, and the employes under him have done their work satisfactorily. Complaints of ship masters MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. ess against our quarantine service were frequently made during the year, citing cases of unnecessary and injurious disinfection and long detentions, and harrowing tales of the filthy condition of the sleeping apartments for crews of vessels, and abusive treatment of masters of vessels by the Quarantine Officer were given to the public through the medium of the press. On the publication of these statements the Board of Sanitary Commissioners decided that the charges should be investigated. The complainants appeared before the Board and gave their testimony, which was in substance an arraignment of everything at the Quarantine Station. The Board then proceeded to the Quarantine Station and made an investigation of the charges. Their verdict is submitted in the following communication: SAVANNAH, GA., July 15th, 1896. To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah: G-ENTLEMENWe beg to inform you on account of certain charges appearing in the Morning News, reflecting upon the condition of the Savannah Quarantine Station, and also reflecting upon the official conduct of the Quarantine Officer, the Board ot Sanitary Commissioners deemed it necessary for the public good that a full investigation be made of said charges. The several masters of vessels who we^e quoted in the Morning News as complaining against the Quarantine Officer, the apparatus at Quarantine and the detention of vessels coming to the Savannah Quarantine Station, appeared before the Board on Thursday, July 9th, 1896, and gave their testimony, which was S66 MAYOR?& ANNUAL REPORT. in substance the same as that which appeared in the Morning News. On the following day the Board proceeded to the Quarantine Station, where they made a minute inspection of the wharves, ballast runs, accommodations for sailors, disinfecting plant and everything appertaining to the station. The Quarantine Officer was given a stenographic report of the statements of the several complaining masters of vessels and was called upon to give a written answer to the same. While the Board was there it had a practical illustration of the disinfection of textile fabrics, the steam cylinder being charged, clothing being placed therein, and the temperature put several degrees higher than is ordinarily done, and upon opening the cylinder it was found that no injury resulted to the textile fabrics whatever. We find that on account of the harbor regulations compelling us to carry ballast to the extent of between 400 and 500 feet, that there is a delay which is unavoidable. We find also that there are certain piling necessary to the wharves, and certain improvements that are necessary at the end of the runs, which are provided for in the following, report by the City Engineer, and in this connection we beg authority be given so that these repairs may be made at once. ###****** From statements made by the masters of vessels, and from the statement of the Quarantine Officer, as well as from our own personal observations, we do not find the charges sustained in any particular, ex- MAYOR'S ANMUAL REPORT. tfff eept in so far as is concerned the necessary improvements to the ballast runs and the piling for the wharves. We find the quarters for the sailors perfectly clean, and that there is ample room for the accommodation of sailors and officers, excepting for ships of extraordinary large size, but arrangements can be made for these vessels during the process of fumigation. In the matter of complaint as to oil skins being ruined by sulphur fumigation, the Board requested the master of a vessel then at the station to bring out his oil skins that had been exposed to the fumes of sulphur for forty-eight hours, and upon examination they found that the fabric had not been injured in the slightest by discoloration, or in any other way. Much has been said in the public print about the detention of vessels at the Savannah quarantine station. Quoting from the " Sanitary Abstract," a bulletin which is issued from the Bureau of the Marine Hospital Service at Washington, we find when comparing detentions of vessels at Savannah with those of Brunswick, Mobile and other Southern ports, that sailing vessels discharging ballast are detained from three to five days longer at any other port. To particularize, we will quote that the French brig, Georges Valentine arrived at the quarantine station at Brunswick on June 3d and was released on June 25th. The Spanish brig Alfredo arrived June 10th and was released June 27th. The Spanish brig Chanito, a very small vessel evidently from her rig, and with a very small amount of ballast on hand, came in on the 9th and was released on the 24th. t68 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. At the Mobile station the Norwegian bark Campbell arrived May 31st and was released June 15th. British bark Zebina Gxmdez was detained from June 1st to 20th. British ship George T. Hoy arrived June 2d and was released June 25th. Holland ship Highlander arrived June 4th and was not released up to June 27th. We would like to give statistics from Charleston, but as Charleston quarantine station reports no transactions for thirty days we can give no statistics on that point; but other Southern quarantine station?, as reported, show detentions of from 13 to 23 and 24 days. It is not on record that we have ever detained at the Savannah quarantine station, at least within the past year, any vessel longer than fourteen or fifteen days, the case of the British bark Varina, which remained 20 days, excepted; this vessel being allowed to take on 600 barrels of rosin at the station. The Board calls attention to the fact that while our quarantine here has been considered very onerous and a hamper to commerce, we wouM like to call the attention of City Council to something that we can prove: that we quarantine only against places, countries and ports known to be infected, or which cannot prove that they are not infected, but we go a great deal further than any other port, and do not quarantine against latitudes. * * * * The Board feels constrained to say that it has every confidence in the integrity and ability of Dr. Linley. We feel that he has in no way treated any one uncivilly or impolitely. On the contrary, we believe MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 69 that he is working for the best interests of the city, and treats everybody with due consideration, and facilitates the work at the station with dispatch compatible with the best interests" of the city, and we not only exonerate him from the charges made against him, but commend his work as being that of an intelligent official conducting the quarantine service as it should be. (Signed) HERMAN MYERS, Chairman Board of Sanitary Commissioners. No one can deny that our system of ballast discharge has been a delay to vessels, and your Health Officer advocated an automatic trolley discharge to shorten this work during the month of December. Aside from this, the city of Savannah, through the Board of Sanitary Commissioners, has removed every restriction possible. An apparatus for the generation of formaldehyd should be purchased, as this known germicide must soon supersede the doubtful sulphur at every wellequipped quarantine station. The tug Theckla has not been in good running order for several months, thereby causing some delay, but so far no serious one, in the rapid boarding and inspection of vessels. A new boiler is being constructed for her and she will be laid up four or five weeks in order that the same can be placed in her. The work of repairing the wharves and runs should be commenced at an early a date as possible in order that it can be finished before the close quarantine season sets in. The National quarantine station at Sapelo Island S70 MA YOS>S ANNUAL REPORT. has not sufficient wharf room for vessels sent there from the different ports, and the Marine Hospital service should be urged to provide the needed wharf room before next summer. The following Board of Sanitary Commissioners served during the past year: Hon. Herman Myers, Chairman; Aldermen Grarrard and Falligant, Hon. J. F. B. Beckwith, Dr. A. B. Simmons, Mr. J. M. Barnard, Jr., and W. F. Brunner, Secretary. The Board met thirty-five timesthere having been twenty-six regular and nine special meetings during the year. Your Health Officer would return his thanks for your uniform courtesy. Very respectfully, W. F. BRUNNER, Health Officer. Deaths from Violence, Still and Premature Births, and Deaths Without Physician in Attendance. CAUSES OP DEATH. ACUIDEN'iyBurus. .................................................... ... W Crushed by Electric Car... .. ...................I... Crushed by Falling House ...................... ... Crushed by Steam Cars........................... Drowning........... ..................................... Electrocuted............................................ Fracture of Bkull.... ........ ........................ Gunshot Wounds.......... ......................... Internal Injuries..... ......... ....................... Potash Poisoniiiif.................................... Compound Fracture of Leg...................... HOMICIDES - Gunshot Wounds........................ ........... Incised Wounds....................................... 8UICIDKS Arsenical Poisoning........... ..................... Gunshot Wounds....................... ............ Hanging..................................... ............ Opium Poisoning.................................... Total....... .................................... ......... Btill Births....... ....................................... Premature Births...... ...... . .................... Deaths Without Physician.. ................... Deaths Under 10 Years........... ................ 1 ... 2 3 2 2 . i c 1 1 2 10 2 15 10 ik W 1 1 2 2 1 C 9 4 20 15 1 W 5 C I W 1 ...i li - 2 ] ! 1 1 3 8 2 14 12 2 2 3 1 C 1 , 1 4 11 3 24 14 3 1 W 1 1 1 3 "2 r c i i 2 8 4 18 14 I W 1 C 1 1 !r 4 1 1 1 8 4 23 19 *3 W 1 c 1 i 1 1 3 'i 1 2 10 4 15 7 1 sr W i i 3 3 2 C 1 1 > 10 6 17 9 W 1 1 1 1 4 2 2 2 C 4 1 ... ... 5 14 3 10 8 0 W 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 C 1 1 2 16 9 19 12 i 1 ~ ] W : c 1 1 9, 1 .. 2 i : 4 1 1 2 8 2 14 8 Q W C ...I... 1 1 3 1 6 4 4 ... 2 1 3 11 2 14 11 W 1 ? 1 2 5 2 5 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 8 30 28 25 12 7l > C 1 4 4 2 1 1 1 4 6 3 a 124 46 203 139| 1 r 3.. 2 2 5 6 7 1 3 1 9 1 1 9 4 1 1 1 3 57 151 71 215 146 s I I s Annual Report of Deaths from Natural Causes In the City of Savannah, Ga., for the Year 1896. OA.USK3 OF DEATH, A Hsr*p$t nf TF*hlo*1i Abscess of Liver.. ........................... Adenitis. ...................................... Alcoholism ............................. ..... Anthrax........... .............................. Appendicitis........ .......... ... ............ Apoplexy............ ........................... Ascftlf)........ ... ... ........... ............... Asthma.......................................... Aortio Stenosis. .............................. A tAtAfllottifl Atherotua of Heart and Arterle.u.. .. Brain, Abscess of... ..................... Brain, Congestion of........ ............... Brain, Inflammation of.............. ... Brain, Thrombus of....,..,.,... ......... Brain, Concussion of.. .................... Rt.|nVtf a IDiQAattCk Bowels, Obstruction of.. ................. Bowels, Tuberculosis of... .............. Bowels, Congestion of.................... Bronchitis........... ........................... Bronchitis. Canlllarv ..................... i - w o 1 i? 1 1 V : i c i i i 1 1 1 . w 1 1 1 1 5? C V 1 w 1 1 1 C 1 1 1 2 1 w 1 1 1 r. 9 1 1 a i i 5 4 3 1 19 J: qJ 9 7 C 1 1 ?, 3 a i i 11 14i 1 14 1 1 3 13 Grind Tctal W*C 1 2 1 2 4 8 1 4 20 1 15 J a i 2 13 4 3 1 26 4 4 1 12 20 i =0 5 toIftj L Cancer.... ...... ...............,........'........ Cancer of Breast...................... ...... Cancer of Face................... ............ Cancer of Intestine............ ............ Cancer of Rectum..,. . ......'............ Cancer of Uterus................. ........... Childbirth.......................... ............ Congestion, General.,.. .................... Cholera Infanlum. ......................... Corditis... ....................................... Cirrhosis .................. ..................... Convulsions........................ ........... Convulsions, Puerperal ........... ...... Cord, Hemorrhage of ..................... Cystitis..... .................................... Collapse........... ........:............. r... ..... Dementia......................... ............. .. Diarrhoea...... ..................... ........... Diarrhoea, Cnronii',... ..................... Dropsy...... .................................... Dysentery.............................. ..... . Dropsy, Cardiac.... ....................... ... Enteralgia........ .......................... . Exposure........................................ Emphysema.................... .............. Endo-Carditis......... ...... .. ............ Enteritis......... ............................ ... Entero-Colitis.... .......................... ... Epilepsy......................................... Embolism ...................................... Embolism, Puerperal..................... Fever, Bilious................................. Fever, Malarial..... ........................ Fever, Malarial Congestive............ 1111 18171 1 1 1 9, 111 f)1 ... --.: 2 ?,1111 341 21 1 1 111 ... 114 2 oT?1 11411 "233 "s 811 4 82 5 1 13121 'i11 4 21 2 1 1 8 161 6 I 9, 1 43 11 ...11 1 22 12232 2 S4 11 1111 2 4 i 1 2 14114 ... 1 1111 1 I 6 2 1141131 fl1 6 3 1111 1 1 1 3 121 2 3 I I 1 l 1;... 1 nol! 1 1 ...,i ...lii ... 2 2 114 ...1 2 1 "ii ... "i 2 115115 4] t>1151 12 10 3112 2 5 2 ?. 5 12 10 1 811 11 9 2 1 3 3 112 42 5 1] 7 2 42 H 8 1 1 2 5 16 4 387 fi 2 2 1 1 S 3 1 23 2 2 52 8 1 1 1 i 9 2 44 11 10 1 1 2 7 17 26 5 8 1 1 49 16 S1 ANNVAL REPORT OF DEATHg-Continued. CAUSES OP DEATH, Fever, Malarial Continued.............. Fever, Malarial Heruorrhaglo. ........ Fever, Malarial Intermittent.......... Fever, Malarial Remittent.. ,..,.,,. Fever, Malarial Puerperal............... Fever, Malarial Typhoid.. ............... Fever, Brain.. . ............................ Gland SubmaTlllary.Inflam'tlon of. Gall Stones .................................... Gastritis................. ...................... Gastritis, Chronic.................. ........ O astro-Enteritis. ....... ..................... Gastric Catarrh ............................. Gangrene....................................... Heart Disease............... .................. Heart Disease, Valvular................. Heart, Fatty Degeneration of ......... Heart, Hypertrophy of................... Heart, Dilatation of......... ............ ... Hepatitis........................................ Hemorrhage....... ......... .................. Hernia, Umbilical.......................... Hernia, Strangulated..................... W ! c "I2 i i W 1 1 * C 1 i i w 1 11 1 c 1 1 1 1 ] w 1 1 1 : C 4 1 8 1 ! W 1 1 1 8 r c 5 1 1 1 1 W 1 1 1 1 2 i C 1 1 8 1 j W 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 i C 8 2 1 1 i w 1 1 1 2 [ C 1 1 1 1 3 1 : w 1 i i 1 c 1 1 1 j w 1 1 , 1 1 ... 1 . i i c 1 2 1 | W 2 i c 4 1 1 .! w 8 e* \ c 2 3 i) 2 1 _i W 2 1 1 2 1 5 1 4 6 1 17 3 1 1 1 C 10 1 oA* 2 6 1 1 2 0 22 I 1 1 2 2 1 Grand TeUl WC 21 1 2 4 3 11 1 1 1 6 2 12 2 1 39 4 1 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 s 8 S Intestines, Ulcer of.......... .......... ..... Ileo Colitis...................................... Jaundice.. ...... ................................ Lungs, Congestion of...... ............... Lungs, Hemorrhage of......... .......... . Lungs, Gangrene of......... ................ Lungs, Oedena of... .............'........... Locomotor Ataxia.. ........................ Marasmus......... .............................. Meningitis.......... .......................... Meningitis, Cerebro-Spinal..... ........ Myo-Carditis......................... .. ...... Morphine Habit .......................... ... Nephritis ................................. ...... Neglect..... ....................... .............. Nervous Prostration............ .......... Old Age........................... .............. Opthalmia Gonorrncel .................... Pregnancy Ectropic......... .............. "Pft.rfl.1 vain Pfti*ft.l vflia TTpTT*! FilpCMR. Pericarditis'..................... .............. Peritonitis.............. ...... .................. Phthisis Pulmonalis........ ............... Pneumonia.................................... Pysemlaphrosis .............................. Pachy-Meningitis ........................... Pyelc-Nephrltis. ...................... ...... Rheumatism ......................... .. ..... Stomach, Congestion of ................. Stomach, Ulcer of........................... Sclerosis......................................... 11111 6 2 114121 12 81 2111 1 21 1]3321 6 8 111 1 68 11 4 1 11 ... 16 101 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 11 y.i ?, 2 12 10 11 "?,41 1 7 111 31342 16 1 3111 2 11 11 114 ?, '""ii 16 21 121115 116116 ...88 4 1 912 10 3 11 1 4 18 ! 11211 1125 11o1 1 9 1 214 ... 1 9 2 1 11211 10 2 11413j 1421 1 213 1 8 81 1 ... 4 1 ...1 2 2 11 3 ... 1 2 2 2 2 8 14 9 1141 181 14 2 1 8 80 24 1 8 1 11 1 6 3 3 1 2 1 11 37 2 3 1 25 1 18 3 ""4 132 49 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 5 8 1 4 3 14 51 11 1 2 1 7 1 1 88 1 1 32 5 1 12 212 78 8 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 1Is AtfMFAL. REPORT OF DEATHSConcluded. CAUSES OF DEATH. Septiceemia . .................................. Syphilis................................. ........ Shrvrtlr Septicaemia, Puerperal.. ................. Sunstroke....................................... Teething......................................... Tetanus.......................................... Thrush............................ .............. Trismus Nascentlum. ...................... Saprasmla...... ................................. Scrofula............... .......................... Undefined.................... ..... ........... Uwemla...... ............. ....................... Urine, Retention of........................ Whooping Cough.......... .. .. ......... Worms........................ ........... ...... Tumor of Abdomen...... .................. Tumorof Rectum............... ......... Total.......................................... ] * W 1 2 27 * t C 1 1 12 1 74 .1 w 1 20 **i i C 1 1 16 64 ' l W ... 1 39 i C 1 1 ?: 11 70 3 w 1 31 \ C 1 1 1 11 75 .J W 1 ... 4 55 r C 3 12 1 W 1 WpZ 1 C 9, 5 2 16 1 1 j W 1 1 1 1 2 10238 * i 0 1 1 1 1 9 1 60 * W 1 4 40 1 C 1 1 1 11 ?, ... 79 i W ... 3 49 C 1 1 7 1 2 52 ] W 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 41 ! C 1 8 11 1 3 65 i w 1 1 ... 35 i ! C ... 4 2 j W 1 ... '2 6937i ( C 1 ... 9 1 1 1 70 J w 2 ] 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 7 18 465 C 5 10 2 1 1 12 3 ] 10 1:0 5 1 9 2 1 1 867 Grind Totil W*C 7 10 3 2 2 IS 5 1 14 1 1 186 5 1 27 2 1 1 1,332 169 S I 8 K) r NATIVITY. Havantiah. .......................................... Georgia, oilier than Savauuah. ........... South Carolina.... ................................ North Carolina................................... Florida............................................ ... Virginia................................. .......... "Vaiir Vnrtr Mississippi... ........................ .. .......... Iowa.................................................. Massachusetts.. ..... .... .. ..................... Alabama.................................... ........ fSffvvty Tp1*RA\T Maine.... .......................................... .. Maryland.............. ........................ ...... New Hampshire............ ..................... California......... .................. .............. District of Columbia .......................... Louisiana........... ........................... ...... Kentucky............. ......................... ..... Pennsylvania................... .................. Rhode Island.......................... ...... .... Ohio........................................ ......... Vermont......... .................................... Indian Territory....................... ......... Ireland.............. ................................ 1 I * 3 13 2 1 1 9, C 25 37 9 1 1 1 t i w 8 1 4 1 9, 1 1 1 C 26 24 11"i i i | w 10 13"a jjt i C 29 28 6 4 1 1 ...|i I i ,., i 11i i 7 I W 9 10 2 "i 1 1 4 C 28 34 12 1 I 1 >. W 28 6 "2 1 1 1 R mK a C'W 34 36 13 9 1 15 18 2 1 9, 1 1 5 C 33 47 14 1 9, 1 1 if a W 15 10 2 4 * 1 cw 24 22 13 1 16 7 4 1 7 C 35 29 g 1 91 1 1 t W 18 14 3 1 1 1 B C 21 24 5 1 1 W 12 8 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9, 1 3 i_ C 37 20 8 A. K w 13 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 9, C 31 22 12 1 1 w 18 6 5 1 1 1 5 C 33 2t 8 $ 1 1 1 1 i w 160 118 27 10 0 t C 8 1 4 1 9, 1 2 1 1 1 4 2 1 9: 1 1 fi4 C ,% S44 119 12 8 9 2 1 - 3 2 1 2 1 i Grind Total W4C 514 462 146 22 10 12 10 1 1 4 4 2 1 4 1 1 2 2 4 8 1 2 1 1 64 6- I S NA.TIVITir-Conclnded. Germany............................................. England ............................................ Norway & Sweden.............................. West Indies....... .... ........................... Austria................................. .. ......... Spain...... ......................... ................. France... ................................ ............ Russia............................ ................. Holland .................... ........................ Greece....... .......................................... Scotland..................................... ....... Denmark.......... ................................. Syria................................ ................. Africa................................................. Unknown........................................... Total.............. .............................. | *! 2 1 1 27 C 74 u. W 1 20 C ... 64 J W 1 1 89 C ... 70 | W 2 1 1 81 C ... 76 i W "3 1 1 o 1 55 C ... 1 1 87 ! w 4 I 1 1 1 8 C ... 8 102 JE> W 2 8 1 88 C 1 W 2 1 ?, 1 i C ... 1 1 6041 79 | W 3 i C ... 1 49 52 | W 2 ? 1 1 1 1 41 C ... 65 W 1 1 85 C ... ? 69 ] W 1 8 1 37 C ... 70 1 w 28 10 H 1 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 1 2 465 C ..... 2 1 6 887 Qrtnd T1l W*C K3 10 n 3 I 1 4 4 1 2 2 1 1 I 1 S 1,382 I69 s I AGE SUMMARY. MONTHS. January..................... ...... February........................... March................ ............ ... April...................... ......... .. May.................... .... .......... June.................................. July... .............................. August........ ..................... September........................ October........ ..................... November ........................ December.......... ............... Total................. ............ Year Under 1 W 3 2 3 4 16 7 6 7 g 6 6 6 74 C 15 18 15 16 28 24 16 20 17 17 17 21 224 c W "2 3 4 8 11 4 5 6 1 1 47 Years |and2n . 3 1 14 7 7 1 8 3 3 69 1 *2Between ' B Years and 0 1 2 2 1 "i 19 6 1 3 5 4 4 6 5 6 1 4 3 47 * B Between Years 10 ando ... 2 2 "2 2 1 1 4 2 3 4 1 4 3 1 9'23 * 10 'Between Years 20 and' "i 2 3 "l 1 2 "l 3 5 4 2 7 8 7 4 1 1 3 6 1448 20 Between 30 Years and W 3 2 4 3 5 10 3 4 4 3 8 5 C 13 12 5 12 9 0 10 12 6 6 12 14 54120 30 Between 40 Years and W 5 4 3"s 2 6 3 8 5 3 44 C 6 4 10 10 13 12 2 8 3 6 5 10 89 | 40 Between ||BO Years and W 2 1 6 6 3 8 5 3 5 6 7 A C 10 5 9 8 7 7 6 8 4 7 6 5 5681 sc W 4 1 8 2 3 4 3 3 9 2 5 47 o (8 C 3 10 g 4 5 g 5 5 3 5 8 5 69 Between 80 70 Years and W 5 2 1 6 6 6 5 7 6 3 4 3 54 C 7 6 1 7 3 5 1 6 5 5 2 3 60 Between 70 80 Years and W 5 4 2 2 4 1 2 2 7 3 "4 36 C 2 2 1 3 3 3 1 2 2 3 2 24 | 80 Between |SO Yearsand W 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 8 C 4 2 1 2 2 3 4 18 j Between 90 Yearsj andlOO W 1 2 3 C 2 2 1 6 Over 100Years W ... ... C ... ... 1 W 27 20 39 31 55 53 38 40 49 41 35 37 465 C 74 64 70 75 87 102 60 79 52 65 69 70 867 1 j 101 84 109 106 142 165 98 119 101 106 104 107 1,332 8 2 "o o 80 MA YOE'& ANNUAL BEPOlll. LONGEVITY. The following decedents, aged 70 years and upwards, are reported for the year 1896. WHITES. MALES. WHITES, FEMALES. O. T. Rogers ......................... 71 John T. Campagnac............... 75 I Joseph A. Brown .................. 73 John Rae Habersham............ 721 Jacob 'Simon........................... 76 , Peter McOarity..................... 80 A. 8. Vorse........................... 76 Thomas Flannigan................ 72 J. D. Johnston....................... 75 | Julius Gaudry....................... 71, Robert Sisaions...................... 75 ' Phillip A. Pollie..................... 70 Thomas Flaherty................... 92; Louis Vogel........................... 711 Michael Barrett..................... 77 John N. Lewis.......................'85; Stephen 8. Scanlon................ 75 \ A. Farnbarm......................... 77' Isaac H. Stroup..................... 70 \ John 5Teill........._.................. 74 Mrs. Cassandra Scott............. 1 74 Mrs. Susan Guilfoyle............ 73 Mrs Sophia Pape.................. 7R Emma Bourgoise....!............. 75 Mary Scott.................... ....... 70 Mary Woods......................... 75 Mrs. B. Clark................... ...> 76 Margaret H. Lenrd................89 Mrs. Ann T. Palmer.............. 70 Mrs. Julia Haverty............... 86 Mrs. Anna 8. Ruwel.............. 78 Mrs. Mary H. Elliott...... ..... 83 Mrs. Mary McGee.~ .. . ........ 74 Mrs. Bridget Donnelly........... 81 Mrs. Mary McNulty.... ......... 79 Mrs. 8. A- E. Dellannoy......... 74 Mrs. Marie A. Z. Boice.......... 77 Mrs. Leocadie Blois......... .... ! 79 Johanna Redmond.............. .70 Mrs. Ellen Seanlon............,..! 91 Mrs. Anna Frances Cunniug- | [ham 92 'Mrs. Dora Lowe....................' 76 ; Mrs. Ann Burns.................... 1 73 Mrs. Mary A. Prendegast...... 85 iMrs. Catherine D. FJvnn....... 72 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S81 LONGEVITYConcluded. NE1ROES, MALES. Nicholas Colbert........... ....... William Edwards......... ........ Alexander Grant.......... ........ David Andereon.................... Alex Murry ........................... Stephen Mabry...... ............... Samuel Robinson........... ...... Samuel Brodnlck .................. Robert Notice. ....................... George Green........................ Mack Murray................ ....... July Miller.................... .... .... Bid Ponder.................. ........... Abram Andereon ..... ............ J, as so 75 79 74 88 70 70 73 70 hO ftS 80 9rt ! i NI6ROES, FEMALES. Mary A. Bowles.... ...... ........... Rosa Bowen................. ........ Lala Stewart. ........ ............... Mary LiRhtburn.. ..... ............ Minda Stewart........ ............. . Harriet Thomas..................... Violet Mitchell...... ............... Sarah Hunter....... ................. QUA Clfiylaa Effle Windson.... .._............. . Jane Morris.......... .......... ....... Ann Gaston .. ...................... Linda Davis. ........ ................. Rebecca Butler........... ........... Nancy Collier.................. ..... Judy Doy.... .................... ...... Elizabeth Butledge ............... Eliza Bentban................. ...... Elizabeth Garey .................... Luclnda Brown. ................... Sarah Ellison............... ........ Laura Duncan. ....... ............... Mary Nobles...... ................... Lillie Bowles.... ..................... Missouri Telfair... .................. Rachel James.. ................ .... Lizzie Williams............. ........ Rosa Spring........ .................. Rachel Stiles.... .._...... ............ Daphne Jackson............ . ....... < 01 78 85 70 79 ft! 01 70 ?fi 7001 7 7S 8?> 80 9 74 80 81 80 7.1 80 75 7o 7-5 89 8fi 78 90 S81 MA FOJB'-S ANNUAL REPORT. REPORT OF QUARANTINE OFFICER. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ) QUARANTINE STATION, January 1st, 1897.j Dr. W. F. Brunner, Health Officer, Savannah, Ga.: SIRI respectfully submit the following, my annual report for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1896: During the year 358 vessels (50 of which were boarded in Tybee Roads), carrying 6,039 seamen and 33 passengers, have been boarded and inspected. Of these vessels 300 were passed and 58 detained for quarantine regulations. The average period of detention of vessels for the 3'ear was 85 days. On account of vessels no being held 5 days after disinfection between Nov. 1st and March 15th, the average period of detention is less for the winter than the summer season, as the following table will show: Vessels....................... Steamships................. Sailing Vessels............ Yeirty Average Sidavs o Winter Average 1J days */ 5 7 days Summer Average 3 days */ 9? days / The above averages of detention will compare favorably, I think, with those of any other Southern port, and with those of last year. A larger class of sailing vessels, carrying more ballast, and in many MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S8S instances requiring large quantities of stiffening have been handled. About 9,000 tons of ballast hare been discharged. During the year all of the buildings on the station have been whitewashed, the roofs painted, and the quarantine officer's quarters repainted by the employees. The damage done to the station by the storm of September 29th was very slight; a couple of dozen window panes were blown out and a few fender piles carried away. I would respectfully recommend that some mode of discharging ballast be adopted which will do away with the labor and detention involved by "runs" and a "harbor line" extending over 300 feet from the wharf. Below will be found a list of vessels for each month, with numbers of crew and passengers compared as to nationality and class. Very respectfully, WM. J. LINLEY, Quarantine Officer. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. LIST OP VESSELS, 1896. January. Steamships...... Ships............. Barques.......... Barquen tines... Schooners....... Total.......... i 6 1 6 & 7 1 C9 1 1 2 i 1 9, 3 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 22 vessels. Crews, 369. 2 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 18 vessels inspected and passed. February. Steamships............... Ships........... ............ Barques.................... Schooners................. Total..................... 3 1 6 1 1 8 | 7 p& 1 17 18 1 E& 1 i 54 3 3 S 3 3 a -i 1 1 2 35 vessels. Crews, 560. Passengers, 5. 4 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 31 vessels inspected and passed. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. march. S8S Steamships... .. "Ptd 1*J"1 ! 1 ACl Schooners....... Total.......... ja I 5 ft 7 a I ift 1? 9 i 1 2 3 M ^^ 1 ft 3 1 1 5 1 1 1 5| J 1 1 Q I 1 1 29 vessels. Crews, 464. Passengers, 8. 2 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 27 vessels inspected and passed. April. Steamships...... Barques.......... Barquen tines... Brigen tines..... Schooners....... Total.......... 1 3 3 1ft 1 13 i t 1 1 4 4 i I Q o o 1 1 1 2 2 | 1 ft 3 29 vessels. Crews, 402. Passengers, 4. 3 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 26 vessels inspected and passed. t86 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. May. Steamships............... Ships.......... ............ T* YVI n AQ Barquentines ............ Total.................... ! 4 1 5 f 10 10 j 1 3 j q 1 4 ^ 0 9, 1 1 1 23 vessels. Crews 392. 5 vessels detained for quarantine regulations; 18 vessels inspected and passed. June. & Steamships......... 2 Ships................ ...... Barques............ 1 Total............. 3 i 1 8 9 3 1 2 i 4 4 j 1 9, 3 ^ 1 1 I .1 1 23 vessels. Crews 370. Passengers 1. 5 vessels .detained for quarantine regulations; 18 vessels inspected and passed. MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. July. S87 Steamships........: ........... Barques........... ............... Barquentines ........ ......... Total.......................... a 1 3 1 5 i 8 8 1 1 | q 3 1 0 9, 19 vessels. Crews 252. Passengers 1. 8 vessels detained for quarantine regulations; 11 vessels inspected and passed. August. Steamships ..................... Ships.. .......................... Barques.......................... Barquentines .................. Brigentines..................... o Total................... ...... $ I 3 1 1 1 6 . 1 5 fi S3 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 15 vessels. Crews 229. Passengers 4. 3 vessels detained for quarantine regulations; 12 vessels inspected and passed. sss MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPOKJ. Kept ember. Steamships... Ships........ .. Barques........ Barquen tines. Tugs..... ...... .. Total......... 3 i 7 -3 1 11 3 f 14 14 S 1 1 9, 4 m B 1 4 5 | aa 3 3 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 a 2 1 1 i 1 g I 1 1 42 vessels. Crews, 674. 5 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 36 vessels inspected and passed. October. Steamships......... Ships................ Barques............ Barquentines...... Schooners......... Total............. i 21 9. 9. 25 i i 13 14 !e 9, 2 5 3 3 1 1 1 9 9. . 1 1 48 vessels. Crews, 972. Passengers, 2. 8 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 40 vessels inspected and passed. MA YO&'S ANNUAL REPORT. Korember. S89 Steamships...... Ships............. Barques.......... Total.......... 1 13 13 K 14 14 { 1 1 2 | 5 5 1 1 1 4 1 1 | 1 1 I 1 1 9, 39 vessels. Crews, 754. Passengers, 4. 9 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 30 vessels inspected and passed. December. Steamships......... Ships............... Barques............. Schooners.......... Total............. 1 8 1 1 10 3 13 16 1 9, 2 1 % 2 J 9, 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 34 vessels. Crews, 601. Passengers, 4. 4 vessels detained for quarantine regulations. 30 vessels inspected and passed. Steamships ......... Ships................. Barques.............. Barquen tines ...... Brigentines......... Schooners........... Tugs............ ...... Total............... i 78 1 15 6 1 1 109, & 3 4 133 1 141 I 3 r> 13 91 1 3 33 1 37 3 3 q 1 7 7 M 1 16 17 i 1 1 0 I 1 8 . o j 4 1 K | 1 1 8 1 11 1 1 1 j 9, 0 ** fe 09 y 11 226 J 9 Q g 3 b 9 fej i I 358 Total number of vessels for the year, compared as to nationality and class. MA YOS'S ANNUAL REPOR2. tl REPORTS OF CITY PHYSICIANS. First District. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor City Savannah, Ga.: SIRI have the honor to submit to you my report as City Physician of the First District for the year ending December 31st, 1896. I have attended as city patients 5,437 persons 1,933 white and 3,524 coloredmaking 3,026 house visits and 4,088 office calls. I have sent to the hospitals 351 persons, distributed as follows: Savannah Hospital 137, St. Joseph's Infirmary 139, Georgia Infirmary 75. Seventy-five (75) deaths have occurred, a list of which is given below. Of this number 15 were white and 60 colored, a ratio of 7.7 for white and 16.7 for colored per thousand persons attended, giving 13.9 deaths per thousand for total rate. CAUSES OF DEATH. Asthma.. .................................................. . 1 Bronchitis..................................................... 3 Carcinoma...................... ............................. 1 Cholera Infantum ........................................ 2 Convulsions.................................................. 6 Dentition ......................... ........................... 1 Diarrhoea, Chronic......................................... 2 Entero-Colitis................................................ 5 gas MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Epilepsy.................. .................................. 1 Fever, Rem. Malarial...................................... 5 Fever, Pernicious Mal.................................... 3 Gastritis, Acute ............................................. 1 Inanition .................................................... 3 Jaundice...................................................... 1 Marasmus..................................................... 2 Measles................................................ ....... 1 Nephretis, Acute............................................ 2 Nephretis, Chronic ......................................... 2 Peritonitis..................................................... 1 Phthisis, Intest.............................................. 1 Phthisis, Pul.................................................12 Pneumonia, Cat............................. ............... 1 Pneumonia, Labor.......................................... 2 Premature Births .................................... ..... 4 Senility................... .................................... 1 Septicaemia.................. ................. .............. 1 Shock......................................................... 1 Syphilis.................... ................................... 1 Typhoid Fever............................................ 1 Uraemia........................................................ 4 Hsemmorrhage, Umbilical...... ......................... 2 Whooping Cough .......................................... 1 The following table shows the work done in the district for the past year: MU.N JLri January.................... February................... / March...................... At~HM 1 May ........................ June............. ......... July.. ...................... August...... ............... September... . ............. October,. ................. November................. T^ &f* ATYI V\OT* Total.................. Treated w 164 190 191 161 185 158 158 166 130 128 1,59 143 1.933 Pitlenti Monthly. C 187 222 311 259 347 304 349 299 319 316 318 294 3.524 j. .| Total Num Attended 351 412 502 420 532 462 507 465 44.Q 443 477 437 5.437 E I 11.3 14.2 162 14. 17.1 15.4 16,3 15. 14.9 14.3 1.5.9 14,1 14.9 5* if * S > * 240 397 343 200 232 213 245 246 181 225 318 186 3.026 . i 7,7 1.3.3 11 6. 75 7, 79 79 6, 72 106 6. 8.2 1- of NumbirMo Call* 213 213 327 362 400 354 404 353 358 375 369 360 4.088 & f 6,9 n o 107 12,1 129 11 8 13 114 11.9 121 12,3 11 6 11.2 i 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 9 Dl V jf 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 iATH C i 1 2 1 3 2 1 4 2 2 6 27 t !_ & 0 1 2 1 3 0 6 4 4 1 5 2 33 f 6 6 2 7 5 8 10 6 0 10 75 S' I e 1 Very respectfully, LEONARD E. WELCH, M. D. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Second District. SAVANNAH, GA., December 31, 1896. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor of the Oity of Savannah: DEAR SIRI have the honor of submitting herewith my report as City Physician for five months ending December 31st, 1896. During this time I have prescribed for 2,268 patients. I have sent 15 patients to the St. Joseph's Infirmary, 9 to the Savannah Hospital, and 19 to the Georgia Infirmary. The following is a tabulated report of patients attended, including those of my predecessor, Dr. M. X. Corbin. Respectfully submitted by C. C. LAWRENCE, Oity Physician Second District. MONTH January ............ / February........... March................ April ............... May / ........ ......... June........... ..... Julv........ ......... August.............. September......... Optrtlvr November.......... December ......... Total............ w 62 118 159 123 110 98 106 119 85 133 104 129 1346 c 174 211 244 332 512 343 279 419 293 317 306 363 3793 Pally Average 7.8 10.9 13.4 15.1 20.7 11.1 12.8 19.9 12.6 15. 15. 16.4 14. Number of Vltile HMth pr 157 258 359 447 298 286 290 211 165 219 148 208 3046 Dally Average 5.2 8.6 11.9 14.9 9.3 9.5 9.5 7. 5.5 7.3 4.9 6.9 8.3 Numbtr of Office Call* 301 422 473 649 738 575 526 429 262 269 302 355 Dally Average 10. 14. 15.7 21.6 24.6 19.5 19.5 14.3 8.7 8.9 10.6 11.7 5304i 14.5 MAYOR'S AN AVAL REPORT. tSS Third District. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor of the City of Savannah: DEAR SIKI have the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the.treatment of indigent persons which the municipality humanely provides for those who are so unfortunate as to require medical aid of this character. I had the honor to be appointed by you Feb. 19th, 1896, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of W. J. Jennings, M. D. Subsequently the City Council elected me, and my report covers the period embraced between the date of my appointment and Jan. 1st, 1897. The city having been free from epidemic visitations last year, as it has been for many years, the fatalities in proportion to the number treated, and especially when the cases of a chronic nature are taken into account, have been comparatively few. There has been, however, a large and constant demand for medical service, and this is-due to many causes, the general depression in the country having naturally affected Savannah to a degree, those being unable to find employment, or being but irregularly employed, being compelled to avail themselves of the medical service and free medicines supplied by the city. The large reduction in the rice-producing area and depression in other towns and cities have tended to an influx to the city of a class who, from their condition of privation, are subject to disease, and have been continually dependent upon the city's care. The mortality is necessarily greater among this class, for their vitality has been encroached upon, 996 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. as it must be, where unwholesome food and quarters more or less unsanitary is common to them. There is, too, among the more ignorant class of the African race a dread of going to a hospital, and this operates not only to keep their illness concealed as long as possible, but to increase the moribund cases, and to compel the patients to be treated in quarters unfitted for the sick, ' and to be indifferently V looked after by inefficient nurses, who, in many eases, so unintelligibly administer the remedies prescribed as to lessen the chances for the patient's life. While I have found the hospital officials prompt to receive those whom I have directed to be sent thither, and painstaking in treatment and nursing, it is highly essential that additional facilities for treating the colored should be provided, as the Georgia Infirmary, provided for colored sick, is inadequate to the demands upon it, which have grown, and must continue to grow, with the city. The McKane Hospital for colored women and children, founded by Dr. Cornelius McKane and other colored physicians of this city, is a struggling institution that, if properly encouraged, must exert a beneficial influence, and in my judgment is worthy of substantial aid from the city. While there has been considerable malarial fever during the past year, it has not been of a malignant type, and the eastern portion of the city has been almost exempt from it, the greater number of cases treated by me being in the western and southwestern portion of the district. The minimum mortality cannot be reached until MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 19? some practical system of house drainage has been adopted, and it is fortunate that, with the imperfect and unsanitary drainage, the city has thus far escaped epidemic. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon those charged with the sanitation of the city that the more unsanitary quarters of the city, where the inhabitants are poorly fed, poorly housed, and live in disregard of the ordinary rules of health, are hotbeds '. for disease, and, like the sleeping volcano, is likely to be in eruption at any season when conditions are favorable, and involve all in the common sweep of , disease and death. No system of house-to-house in- ' spection can be too vigilant, nor should it be abated i after the removal of quarantine. The mildness of our j climate is favorable for the growth of disease germs i at all seasons, and sanitary enforcements are not as strict as the danger is imminent. ; In some portions of the city the garbage is not ; removed with sufficient frequency, nor is the city }j adequately supplied with the means to promptly I remove and incinerate it. The vaults are a constant ! menace to the health of the city, and every consider- i ation for the health and lives of the citizens and for ' the protection of the city from pestilential visitation . that would cripple every commercial and industrial ' enterprise, demands that preparations for a perfect system of house drainage be entered upon with promptitude and prosecuted without delay until completed, thus insuring to Savannah, with the proper enforcement of sanitary measures, practical immunity from the ravage of epidemic diseases. t&8 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. I earnestly recommend that if the municipality contemplates retaining the City Dispensary for supplying medicines prescribed for indigent patients, that either a more central location be secured, or that a second dispensary be located in the southern section. It is neither humane nor right that the only place where the sick can procure their medicine should be miles distant. Physicians know how urgent many cases.are that the treatment should begin at the earliest possible moment. If the poor and unfortunate sick are proper subjects for the city's help, it is just as essential and just as necessary that they should have it as promptly as possible. It is inhumane to deny them this essential because they are poor. While it is true that the city and its physicians are imposed upon at times, it is not always possible to detect the intended imposition in time to frustrate it. In this connection City Physicians have little protection where, in the city's interest, they decline to prescribe medicines at the city's expense for those whom they know, or have reason to believe, are able to purchase the medicines. The disappointed person will often circulate reports of a lack of efficiency on the part of the physician, unwillingness to perform the duties for which the city pays him, and even to report him for inattention to duty The pay of the City Physicians is wholly inadequate, and does not amount to ten cents per visit. While this has not detracted from the efficiency of those holding positions of City Physician, the salary is manifestly low beyond the reason of a doubt, and should be increased. If City Physicians had to pay MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. * car fare, and were not provided with their own vehicles, the compensation would hardly cover the cost. There is no profession so poorly paid as this branch of the medical fraternity, and if the salaries are not increased, it will be difficult to secure physicians iii good standing willing to accept or retain the office. If the street numbering system be not extended to the lanes it will fall short of the actual necessity of a proper system. They are thickly populated by the colored classes who are constantly demanding the services of a physician. The residences in the lanes are not numbered by any system, but according to the fancy of the occupant, and I have often had to drive from one end of a lane to the other to find a patient, probably calling at a half dozen or more places where the number corresponded with the number at which I was summoned to call. I would suggest that the residences in the lanes be numbered on the same plan as that recently adopted for the streets, but it might be done with a less expensive material upon which the figures could be placed. Ninety-seven patients were sent to the hospitals by my directions, as follows: To Savannah Hospital 25, to St. Joseph's Infirmary 27, and to the Georgia Infirmary 45. The deaths happening among those treated by me for the city during the period embraced in my report were from the following causes: Anaemia ...................................................... 1 Asthma......................................... .............. 1 Bright's Disease ............................................ 2 SOO MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Cholera Infantum.................................. .. .... 6 Congestive Fever.......................................... 1 Congestion of Lungs....................................... 1 Convulsions.................................................. 1 Dropsy ....................... ......... .... ................. 3 Dysentery ......................... ......................... 1 Enteritis...................................................... 2 General Debility............................................ 2 Heart Disease ....... ....................................... 1 Malarial Fever................. ............................. 3 Marasmus.............................................. ...... 1 Measles............"............................................ 1 Moribund..................................................... 2 Paralysis............................ ......................... 2 Phthisis Pulmonalis....................................... 8 Pneumonia...... ............................. . ............. 1 Premature Birth............................................ 1 Pyaemia........................................................ 1 Teething...................................................... 2 Tetanus................................ ....................... 1 Trismus Nascentium ...................................... 2 Typhoid Pneumonia....................................... 1 Undefined..................................................... 1 Total...................................................49 The following table will disclose the more active service of the office, by months, and for that portion of the year during which I have served as City Physician of the district: MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. sot MONTH February ........ ................. March................................ April................................. May................................... June ................................. July........ ...................... ..... August............................... September................... ......... October.............................. November............................ December.... .... .................. Totals.......................... Office Cillt 69 268 273 364 332 349 446 376 372 328 314 3.491 Houte Wilts 127 327 388 352 451 392 503 390 303 272 361 3.866 Patients Trailed 156 348 351 4.97 437 411 536 JKO 4] 2 325 318 4.174 In closing this report, I beg to convey my thorough appreciation of the courtesy you have extended me in my official relations, and to thank you for the interest you have manifested in the sanitation of the city, which has had material influence upon the general health of the community. I have the honor to remain yours and the city's obedient servant, BENJ. F. SHEFTALL, M. D., Oity Physician Third District. SOS MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. City Physician at Large. SAVANNAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor City of Savannah: SIRI herewith respectfully submit my report as City Physician at Large for the year ending December 31, 1896. I have treated during this period as city patients 7,816. I have made 5,332 house visits and recorded 5,624 office calls. I have issued 3 permits to Savannah Hospital, 2 to St. Joseph's Infirmary, 130 to Georgia Infirmary; total, 135. Total number of deaths is 89, five of whom were in a moribund condition when called. Death rate is 11.38 per thousand. I have made 12 calls at the Police Barracks, only 2 being day calls. I have made 37 night calls. I have dressed 6 gunshot wounds, 100 contused and lacerated wounds, 72 incised wounds, making a total of 178 wounds. 1 cannot but thank the druggists and nurses at Georgia Infirmary for their kind and courteous treatment. I would recommend that each City Physician be furnished with a key to police patrol box in order that emergency cases may be 'promptly attended. My experience in such cases warrants me in making the above recommendation. Respectfully submitted, S. PALMER LLOYD, M. D., City Physician at Large. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SOS MONTH January....... / February..... March ........ April ......... May........... */ June........... July........... August ...... September... October...... November. . . December ... Total f X 1 e ac 552 578 697 707 662 700 711 715 696 673 558 597 7816 | i 1 16.8 19.9 294 ti.^x 23.5 91 Lil.'J1 91 0.01 22.9 OO A 23.2 21.7 18.6 19.2 21.3 .e i f s 0 4no 407 4.79 Tt 4 j 467 482 489 447 428 429 368 392 5332 r i 1 159 14.3 Z 1^9"J. t 15.0 16.0 1 K 7 1O. I 14.4 14.2 13.8 12.2 12.6 14.3 f | O S 368 418 590 489 s:qx t>OO 552 606 648 656 587 472 473 5624 | 1 e> 11.8 14.4 16.7 16.3 172 j i .& 184 Jl *../ JC 19.5 20.9 218 190 15.7 15.2 17.2 1 1 8 2 oq 7 7 15 10 11 7 9 6 4 89 M X S i 14 10 16 10 8 12 12 13 8 9 10 13 135 304 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. REPORT OF CLERK OF MARKET. SAVAXXAH, GA., January 1st, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: DEAR SIRI have the honor to herewith submit my report as Clerk of the City Market for the year ending December 31st, 1896. From the effects of the storm in September the southern portion of the wall was blown in, and whereas it took some time to rebuild it. still 'tis in a stronger condition now than ever. While the contractor was at work rebuilding several of the butchers were forced to vacate their stalls, and others used them, at reduced rates, which accounts for the shortage in my collections for the. year. The repair work is all completed but some little outside iron work, which will be finished in about ten days, and then every department will be in its usual order. During the year I have carefully enforced Ordinance No. 374, regarding unwholesome meats, &c., with the result that a better class of all goods were sold. Below will be found a report of the moneys collected from each department, not including that which was collected by the City Marshal: MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SOS Butchers ........................... ........$ 5,701 00 Fish Dealers................................ 1,631 80 Poultry Dealers..... . ................... 1,065 45 Vegetable Stands........................... 1,453 25 Bakers........................................ 389 00 Schrimp Department..................... 107 30 Scale Fees.................................... 246 70 Miscellaneous Stands. ................. 304 10 Basement Vaults........................... 333 50 Country Carts Outside................... 1,318 50 Total...................;...................$12,550 60- Very respectfully, D. S. GAEDNEB, Clerk of Market. 20 AW MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT, REPORT OF HARBOR MASTER. SAVANNAH, GA., January 11, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: SIRI have the honor to hand you herewith a statement of the tonnage and nationality of vessels that arrived in the port of Savannah during the year 1896, and the fees received for harbor dues for same, and also a statement of the number of American and foreign vessels that arrived during said year. These statements do not include vessels that have arrived at Tybee or Quarantine, but only those that arrived at the wharves in Savannah. Nor do the statements include inland coasting vessels or vessels under 100 tons, except those trading foreign. Respectfully, JAMES J. GRAHAM, Harbor Master. HARBOR MASTER'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1896. 1896. January......... February....... March.. ........ April............. May......... ...... June.............. July ........... ... August.......... September ..... October......... November..... December...... Total.......... e < 72,425 67,979 75,659 61,575 60,756 63,809 63,426 63,657 50,947 63,050 67,194 73,835 774,212 im 7,418 9,865 8,300 6,172 6,163 5,167 4,869 6,079 14,276 32,306 23,767 17,234 139,616 e 4,419 13,098 7.418 7,506 7,919 8,157 2,772 5,203 8,121 8,287 8,190 13,039 94,129 | O. ........ ........ 4,402 2,802 7,204 e 1,267 1,447 2,903 479 1,152 2,514 768 4,571 1,930 2,544 2,845 22,420 (A "2,529 1,189 774 2,765 2,137 1,949 2,588 13,931 m l',993 560 ........ 436 2,989 e I 666 801 1,206 656 1,198 665 2,324 7,416 e 3,188 3,188 2,884 716 4,340 2,085 506 3,901 1,831 3,329 1,309 27,227 i Portuguese ........ 404 763 ........ 1,167 j 241 1,050 1,291 1 1 ...... 553 ...... 553 K 1,832 1,882 1,832 1,832 1,832 1,832 1,832 12324 1 1 91,065 86,911 100,661 80,011 80,209 89,782 75,289 77347 87,851 112,559 111,982 111,900 1,114,069 tt o $ 834 80 327 72 379 00 311 60 268 12 30400 243 50 26200 402 00 542 00 455 00 476 00 $4,305 74 6 1 se-I Statement of American and Foreign Vessels Arrived at the Port of Savannah During the Year 189B. American Steamships.......................................... 366 American Sailing Vessels ................. .................. 292658- Forelgn Steamships............................................. 96 Foreign Sailing Vessels....................................... 228323 981 JAMES J GRAHAM, Harbor Master. SOS MAYO&S ANNUAL REPORl. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Organization of the Board of Public Education. OFFICERS. GEORGE A. MERCER........................President J. B. READ, M. D....................... Vice-President J. R. F. TATTNALL.............. ............Treasurer OTI3 ASHMORE ...............................Secretary ROLL OF MEMBERS. GEORGE A. MERCER, LEE ROY MYEHS, J. B. READ, M. D., M. A. O'BYRNE, J. R. SAUSSY, B. A. DENMARK, HENRY BLUN, r HERMAN MYERS, "j Massie J. H. ESTILL, < P. A. STOVALL, > School J. R. F. TATTNALL, IT. J. CHARLTON, M. D., I Com'r.s STANDISTC} COMMITTEES. (The President is ex officio a member of each committee.) Finance. J. H. ESTILL, HENRY BLUN, B. A. DENMARK, T. J. CHARLTON, M. D. HERMAN MYERS. Examination of Teachers. GEORGE A. MERCER, J. B. READ, M. D., HENRY BLUN, J. R. SAUSSY, SUPERINTENDENT. MAYOR'3 ANNUAL REPORT. S09 School Hoiiies. LEE ROY MYERS, M. A. O'BYBNE, B. A. DENMABK, J. R. F. TATTNALL, T. J. CHABLTON, M. D. Text Boolu. GEOBGE A. MERCEB, LEE ROY MYEBS, J. R. SAUSSY, M. A. O'BYBNE, J. B. READ, M. D., SUPEBINTENDENT. Account*. HENBY BLUN, J. H. ESTILL, P. A. STOVALL. Supplies. J. R. F. TATTNALL, J. R. SAUSSY, LEE ROY MYEBS. Sanitation. GEOBGE A. MERCEB, J. B. READ, M. D., T. J. CHABLTON, M. D. Visiting. October, December, February, April, June: J. B. READ, M. D., P. A. STOVALL, J. H. ESTILL, LEE ROY MYEBS, B. A. DENMARK, M. A. O'BYBNE. November, January, March, May: J. R. SAUSSY, HEBMAN MYEBS, HENBY BLUN, T. J. CHABLTON, M. D., J. R. F. TATTNALL. 310 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. STATISTICS. I. POPULATION. (U. S. Census, 1890.) City ......................................................43,189 Country..................................................14,551 Total..... .........................................57,740 II. SCHOOL POPULATION. City (census 1893}....................................11,169 County (census 1893)................................. 4,261 Total................................... ...........15,430 III. SCHOOLS. High School. Number of teachersmale, 6; female, 4............ 10 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 113; girls, 253..366 Average number belongingboys, 93; girls, 218..311 Average daily attendanceboys, 87; girls, 200....287 Per cent, of daily attendance .......... ............... 92 Number of deaths.............. .......................... Barnard Street School. Number of teachersfemale................. ......... 10 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 210; girls, 219..429 Average number belongingboys, 180; girls, 196..376 Average daily attendanceboys, 161; girls, 174..335 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 89 Number of deathsboys................................ 1 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 311 Cathedral School. Number of teachersmale, 1; female, 8............ 9 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 203; girls, 176..379 Average number belongingboys, 184; girls, 162..346 Average daily attendanceboys, 162; girls, 142..308 Per cent.of daily attendance... ....................... 89 Number of deaths............................... ......... i Chatham School (No. 1.) Number of teachersmale, 1; female, 9............ 10 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 191; girls, 227..418 Average number belongingboys, 160; girls, 186. .346 Average daily attendanceboys, 140; girls; 164...304 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 88 Number of deathsbovs, 1............................. 1 w * Chatham School (No. 2.) Number of teachersmale, 1; female, 8............ 9 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 211; girls, 229..440 Average number belongingboys, 172; girls, 183..355 Average daily attendanceboys, 150; girls, 158...308 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 87 Number of deaths-boys, 1; girls, 1.................. 2 Henry Street School. Number of teachersfemale, 14....................... 14 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 331; girls, 347..67S Average number belongingboys, 269; girls, 297-566 Average daily attendanceboys, 234; girls. 259...493 Per cent, of daily attendance............).............. 87 Number of deathsgirls; 1............................. 1 Sit MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Massie School. If umber of teachersmale, 1; female, 9............ 10 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 185; girls, 230..415 Average number belongingboys, 148; girls, 198..346 Average daily attendanceboys, 133; girls, 175... 308 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 89 Number of deathsgirls, 1.............................. 1 St. Patrick's School. Number of teachersmale, 1; female, 11........... 12 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 247; girls, 229..476 Average number belongingboys, 218; girls, 210..428 Average daily attendanceboys, 194; girls, 184...378 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 88 Number of deathsboys, 1............................. 1 Night School. Number of teachersmale ............................. 3 Number of pupils enrolledboys...................... 178 Average number belonging............................. 98 Average nightly attendance ........................... 63 Per cent, of nightly attendance......................... 64 Number of deaths...................'...................... Anderson Street (Colored) School. Number of teachersmale, 3; female, 5............ 8 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 296; girls, 386..6S2 Average number belongingboys, 195; girls, 262. .457 Average daily attendanceboys, 165; girls, 177...342 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 75 Number of.deaths......................................... MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SIS East Broad Street (Colored) School. Number of teachersmale, 2; female, 13........... 15 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 367; girls, 495..862 Average number belongingboys, 296; girls, 442..738 Average daily attendanceboys, 289; girls, 376...665 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 90 Number of deaths.......................:..... ........... West Broad Street (Colored) School. Number of teachersmale, 1; female, 14........... 15 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 345; girls, 448-793 Average number belongingboys, 308; girls, 394..702 Average daily attendanceboys, 272; girls, 348...620 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 89 Number of deaths......................................... 1 Country SchoolsWhite. Number of teachersmale, 5; female, 11........... 16 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 368; girls, 268-636 Average number belongingboys, 298; girls, 216..514 Average daily attendanceboys, 232; girls, 150...382 Per cent, of daily attendance........................... 75 Number of deathsboys, 2; girls, 1.................. 3 Country SchoolsColored. Number of teachersmale, 6; female, 18.......... 24 Number of pupils enrolledboys, 781; girls, 783-1,564 Average number belongingboys,663;girls,677..1,340 Average daily attendanceboys, 457; girls, 474. 931 Per cent, of daily attendance........................ 70 Number of deathsboys, 3; girls, 1................ 4 SU MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SUMMARY. Schools. Number of schools in citywhite, 9; colored, 3 12 Number of schools in countrywhite, 12; colored, 24............................................. 36 Total....!........................................ 48 School Officers. Superintendent........ ................................... 1 Assistant to Superintendent .......................... 1 Treasurer.................. .................. ............. 1 Total ............................................ 3 Teachers. Number of teachers in city (white)male, 11; female, 75 .......................................... 86 Number of teachers in city (colored)male, 6; female, 32 .......................................... 38 Total............................................. 124 Number of teachers in country (white)male, 5; female, 11....................................... 16 Number of teachers in country (colored)male, 6; female, 18....................................... 24 Total............................................. 40 Grand total of officers and teachersmale, 3J; female. 136 ......................................... 167 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 815 Pupils. Number of pupils enrolled in city schools (white) boys, 1,869; girls, 1,912.......................3,781 Number of pupils enrolled in city schools (colored)boys, 1,008; girls, 1,329 ...............2,337 Total enrolled in city schoolsboys, 2,877; girls, 3,241......................................6,118 Number of pupils enrolled in country schools (white)boys, 368; girls, 268................. 636 Number of pupils enrolled in country schools (colored)boys, 781; girls, 783...............1,564 Total enrolled in country schoolsboys, boys, 1,149; girls, 1,051........ ........"...2,200 Grand total enrolledwhite, 4,417; colored, 3,901...................................8,318 FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF TREASURER BOARD PUBLIC EDUCATION. School Year from October 1st, 1895, to October 1st, 1896. All appropriations from State and from county run from 1st January to 1st succeeding January. Received Cash. Cash in bank from last school year........$ 20,716 49 Cash from county, balance from 1895....................f 5,000 00 Cash from county, appropriation, 1896.............. 75,000 00 80,000 00 Cash from State, account 1895..................'.......... 16,608 02 Cash from State, 1895...... 14,831 50 31,439 52 S16 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Cash from return premiums insurance .................... 31 20 Cash, S. W. Railway dividends.......................... 216 00 Cash, loan from Germania Bank.......................... - 6,000 00 Expended Cash. Account Supplies Stationer's .....................$ 1,024 31 Fuel.............................. 899 85 ' Household ..................... 897 78 School furniture .............. 1,485 30 Printing........................ 431 40 Miscellaneous ................. 526 38 $5,265 02 Account School Houses Sites...............$ 4,486 65 Building......... 14,503 50 Repairs............ 3,298 33 Improvements.... 38 00 Insurance ........ 347 21 Rentals............ 731 75-23,405 44 Payrolls........................ 99,084 90 Paid loan Germania Bank.. 6,000 00 Paid interest Germania Bk. 87 45 Balance carried to school year 1896 to 1897 ......... 4,560 40 $138,403 21 $138,403 21 Respectfully submitted, JOHN R. F. TATTNAIX, Treasurer. I MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORI. Sir PRESIDENT'S REPORT. Mr. Otis Ashmore, the new Superintendent of the Public Schools, was established in his present office only at the beginning of the current school year, and for that reason it is difficult, if not embarrassing, for him to comment upon and describe the condition and progress of the schools during the preceding year. It is, therefore, deemed proper that the Board of Public Education, through its President, should present to the patrons of the schools and the public by way of introduction to the Superintendent's report such facts as are considered important, and offer such suggestions and criticisms as may be called for, leaving it to the Superintendent to report such statistics as will best exhibit the condition of the system for the last scholastic year. Perhaps the most pregnant fact which should now be brought before the public attention is the very rapid growth in the school population of this city and county, and the pressing necessity for larger school facilities and accommodation. The Superintendent has prepared a chart which exhibits at a glance the rapid growth in school population and enrollment from the first organization of the public schools to the present date. The chart shows cleaily the increase, not only in the population entitled to public instruction, but in the respective growth in city and county of the number of enrolled children, both white and colored, for each year. The entire details would prove extremely interesting, but would too greatly enlarge a report of this character. SIS MAYOR'S ANNUAL J3EPORT. Suffice it to say that at the date of the organization of our public schools, in 1865 and 1866, the number of enrolled children was only 520. At the end of the first decade, in 1875, the number had increased to 4,572, made up of 2,391 white in the city and 91 in the county, and 1,186 colored in the city and 904 in the county. Owing to the presence of and loss caused by the yellow fever in 1876, the total enrolled number in 1877 fell to 4,081, and the number of 1,875 was not restored until after 1883, in which year the number' was 4,504. In the second period of ten years the total number had increased to 4,898 in 1885; of these, 2,287 were white children in the city and 310 in the county, and 923 were colored children in the city and 1,378 in the county. In 1895 the number was 8,127, composed of 3,727 white in the city; 594 white in the county; 2,141 colored in the city; 1,665 colored in the county. In the present year the total number reaches 8,318, showing an increase in one year of 191. At this rate of increase it is obvious that the present school accommodations and facilities will soon become, and are in fact at present, totally insufficient. From the best information obtainable, at least fifty white children, in the first and second grades, have been unable thus far to obtain accommodation, and at least one thousand colored children. The Chatham Academy, which the Trustees very kindly allowed the Board of Public Education to use free of rent, contains MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. 319 t 1,096 pupils, of which number 398 belong to the High School. Many of the classes, particularly those of the first and second grades, in all the schools are largely overcrowded, and have multiplied beyond the effective instruction of any one teacher, however capable. It was not uncommon some years since for certain skeptics to question the utility and necessity of public education; but it is now safe to say that no enlightened modern community entertains doubts upon this vital question, and that such an assertion by any thoughtful individual would seem as remarkable as a denial of the earth's rotary motion. The Constitution of Georgia, expressing the deliberate judgment of the people of this State, provides that there shall be a thorough system of common schools for the education of the children in the elementary branches of an English education only, as nearly uniform as practicable, the expenses of which shall be provided for by taxation, or otherwise. The schools shall be free to all the children of the State, but separate schools shall be provided for the white and colored races. The language of this supreme law is mandatory and. not permissive. So long as it exists, it, is the manifest duty of every county in this State to provide for the public education of all children, within the school age, of all races. It is, therefore, clearly incumbent upon this Board, if the county authorities will provide the requisite means, which it is their manifest duty to furnish, to supply to all children seeking a public education, sufficient school houses, accommodations and facilities, and a present pressing obligation rests upon both bodies to afford, SSO MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. not only to every white child, but to the large number of colored children now unprovided for, adequate school advantages. The additional expense required must necessarily fall upon the property owners and the tax payers of this city and county. To many this may appear a grievous burden, but it must be recognized as one of the penalties of progress, and yielded to with the best grace possible as the inevitable exigency of a high modern civilization. The former Superintendent, in his report for the year ending June 30th, 1895, gives a succinct history of the schools in this city erected and existing at that date, including the Henry Street School. During the last school year, the Board of Education, through the liberality of the Board of County Commissioners, added the new school building on Anderson street. The Henry and Anderson Street Schools are the only ones erected by the Board of Education, and are the only modern and complete school edifices in this county. They possess almost every modern advantage, and are as nearly perfect as the present means of the Board would allow. Some criticism has been made, even in an intelligent quarter, that they are defective because they lack basements for play grounds, and scientific ventilation. But both these questions were carefully investigated by the intelligent School House Committee, of which Mr. Lee Roy Myers is the efficient Chairman, and by the Board of Education. There are few days when the children cannot enjoy their recess in the open air, and it was deemed unwise to apply the limited means at the use of the Board, sadly needed for new school MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Stl rooms, to the construction of basement play rooms, which are costly and inadequate. The medical members of the Board expi'essed strong opposition to the use of basements in this damp climate. The scientific ventilation of jchool houses is, of course, wholesome; but it is very expensive, and there are few days in this clin ate when the rooms cannot be thoroughly ventilated through the windows, even during the school hours, and always after the schools are dismissed. The new schools enjoy the great climatic advantage of having a southern front for every room. In the new Anderson Street school house "there are twelve large, well ventilated rooms, each twenty-four by thirty-si-x feet, the light falling so as to best preserve the eyesight of the pupils. All the sanitary adjuncts of the school and the modes of ingress and egress have been carefully considered with a view to safety, health and comfort; and the school proper, not including the fencing and the best sanitary closets, has been constructed at a cost slightly exceeding $19,000. The Board can justly claim that there are no other school buildings in this State superior to, if as complete, as the two new school houses erected under its direction. Upon the whole, the course of the schools during the last school year was very satisfactory. Several unfortunate incidents occurred, but, as a general rule, the teachers were active and efficient, and the progress of the pupils commendable. The abolition of the fees in the High School has caused a marked in21 *ti MA YOB'S ANNUAL kJSPOXl. 189S--04 1 5 110,045 239,08? 180,002 159,929 RH.2S8 S9.17P 84.BOB 2U.83I MUSi 15,873 7,220 4,065 1)17,146 bland Sea 1,893 13,81 10,354 11.580 B,OIO 3,550 1,023 217 3 23 3 10 54,259 NET RECEIPTS. 1895-'96 1 e. U 83,437 188,847 90,168 102,172 52,065 60.009 45,578 27,422 17,967 I,10O 2,314 28,453 705,597 a I 2,161 10,034 25,1190 15,200 8,02ft 4,347 1,814 848 2,831 76 140 229 77,399 1894-'95 1 1 111,803 237,925 155,134 120,171 79,714 51,008 56,112 33,310 13,778 11,073 0% 2,851 880,105 I 1 5,125 12.158 19,097 18,477 5,588 2,754 673 247 119 5 61 04,305 1893--94 Upland 109,990 288,747 180,002 159,929 83,223 39,140 34,567 20,534 15,54 15,873 7,217 4,289 918,171 Island Sea 1,893 13,381 16,364 11,580 6,016 3,550 1,023 217 203 1 16 54,259 ElPOMTS GREAT BBITAIV 1895--W ts! 12,934 8,971 3,008 |........ 24,913 bland Sea US8 5,8fiO 975 10,473 1894--95 1 16,074 ir,86 11,107 45,047 I I 4,348 8,478 5,259 18,085 1898-94 I 1)1,352 30.238 18.120 17.fi<8 3,501 88,859 bland Sea 4,608 6,801 4,29 5,631 1,601 22,932 Detailed Statement of Cotton Movements at Savannah, Etc.-Continued. SEASONS. September October.... November . December , January . , . March...... April ...... May ....... July ......... August ...... Total...... KXPORTB FRANCE. 1 (1,501 5,450 0,305 6,174 24,433 Sea Island 507 800 602 97 1.9SO 1894-'95 e 1 8,350 6,650 8,059 4,760 2,784 25,043 Sea Island 287 1,510 255 109 !!,117 1893-'94. a 6,300 11,H50 4,200 4,460 5,601 81,101 Sea Island 633 404 253 256 1&40 KXP'TS CONTINENT. 1895->98 | 18,400 ro,ii5 89,089 49,245 20.860 80,810 40.467 15,118 20,508 6,022 304,331 1894-'95 | ' 129,749 81,184 01,398 47,200 4r,693 35,817 35,144 5,226 8,776 8,250 466,335 1893- '94 I 23,300 68,732 02,860 65,249 64,868 16,818 26,790 22,351 26,309 0,162 371,884 HXPOBTB CHANNEL. 1896-'98 Upland 1894--95 O U93-'94 | KXPOHTS COASTWISE. 1896--06 1 .28,942 64,445 42,972 43,720 40,878 84,645 39,246 14,240 18,724 6,662 4,188 13,328 330,440 3 1 914 T.8IS 121623 5,583 7,683 7,127 8,878 4,907 452 192 290 02,742 1894--95 1 U 37.06G 52,789 72,642 44,805 3!459 24,06(1 28,609 23,780 19,848 13,274 3,685 1,878 856,032 Island Sea 1.011 7,994 8,750 6,710 5,803 7,557 3,160 1,812 781 173 49 9 44,139 mv I is 76,420 87,870 42,767 ,686 28,766 19,056 11,792 19,440 9,402 3,583 424,490 I 1,817 8,821 4,(M4 4,206 4423 3,640 4.421 2,491 825 65! 149 103 29,518 SPOT SALES. 1896- '98 Upland 19,852 21,82? 0,978 8,861 17,819 9.009 7,886 6,204 2290 342 650 6,626 108,918 18W-'95 I 35,182 41,627 17,789 15,338 19,817 9,959 8,883 6,884 6,907 1,083 449 2,621 168,864 1893- '94 Q, a 86,093 61,421 32,453 36,416 14,808 8.SI9 10,887 6,0*4 7,249 2,709 1,880 3,078 198,344 (fit which 410 Sea Island, isns-oi J Manufactured, 1788 Upland. IBUO-WI ( jjeitfojred by tt9i 5 upland. I IteBblpped to Interior, 218 Upland. f Of which, 824 bales Sea Island. J Manufactured, 2,199 Upland. < Degirayga by Flrei Ks Upland, 2 Bea Island. IKeshtpped to Interior, 1,807 Upland. f'Of which, 780 bales Sea Island. J Manufactured, 1,623 Upland. < Dggtjoyga b, Br6i 755 inland, 68 Bea Island. Interior, 830 Upland, 2 Bea Island. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Exports in Detail. SS5 SEASON. Halmo ...................................... Oporto .................................. Warberg .................................... Hangb...... ................................. 8t. Petersburg...... ....................... GelHe. ....................................... Riga 1895-'96. T> 48 59,028 162,643 110,966 3,548 195 12 836,440 213 1,738 24,913 24,433 24,433 Sea Illand 6,714 46,595 9,318 115 62, 742 . _ 10,473 1,9H6 1,986 3,650 ........ 16,175 * 119,924 10 46,215 85.564 3,990 450 8.400 1,000 1,000 14,500 ........ 4,103 ... 2,600 500 250 600 303,931 691,658 410 75,591 18M-'95 c 1 244 n 110,42i 160,806 76,881 T'H 356,036 MOT 2,475 45,047 25,043 11 Sea Illnnd 3,465 30,r72 9,962 44,199 2 18,085 2,117 25,043 8,100 51.675 187,904 2,750 66,947 93,590 7 175 2,117 '""324 ........ 4,450........ 4,125........ 3.500 16.507 8,013 3,050 1,100 1,075 ........ 50 455,011 884,919 324 64,727 1893-'94. 0 c M"a U> 67,088 92,079 10,510 im 424,496 830 2,378 88,858 81,101 81,101 1,700 50,909 131,389 65,767 82,632 3,150 1:300 1,000 27,210 2,750 371,104 913,268 Sea Inland 3,016 21,006 5,496 29,518 2 68 22,932 1,546 1,546 """280 ........ 500 780 54,846 S36 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Foreign Exports, via Direct and Coastwise Steamships, from Savannah, Ga., for the Years !895-'96, !894-'95 and !893-'94. Liverpool....... ................................. Havre.................... .......................... Bremen ........................................ Hamburg. ..................................... .. Amsterdam .................... ................. Antwerp.............. ........................... Ghent.............................................. TrlaatA Barcelona........ ................................. Lisbon............................................. Oporto ............................................. Genoa................................... ........... Beval... ......... .................................. St. Petersburg.......................... ........ Hiogo............................................... BJga .......................... ..................... Leghorn .......... . .............................. Christian ia......................................... Bergen.......... .................................. Hango .......................................... ... Gothenburg..... ................................. Malmo ........................................... .. Norrkoping.... ............ ...................... Nykoping. . .............. ........................ Glasgow .......................................... Manchester.................... .................. Geffle .............................................. . Naples............. ............................. Libau ............ ................................. Bantanda. ........ ................................ Coruna................................... ......... Warberg .......................................... T-*H(^H!A. Vera Cruz. ....................................... Panzecola.............................. .. ....... .. Orizaba ^............... ... ........................ Leou..... ...................... ..................... City of Mexico.................... .......... . Guadalajara..................................... Uddevalla........................................ /^SlTf-tltf^TFftki Total......-..........-....-.........-......... VjdMd. Stt^3is4. isutitr 8llil. 1896-'M. 129,659 44,765 183,255 5,753 4,303 9,625 700 6,000 85,564 1,800 1,000 55,765 38,450 23,600 1,4UO 1,395 1,050 1,000 11,654 3,650 1,400 6UO 2,685 4,300 3,600 200 200 300 3,400 627,463 Uplud. CNrUud. Outfit; Bain. 1884-'96. 125,633 46,241 243,960 24,702 15,954 16,710 . 300 2,700 95,690 2.745 6,525 73,544 85,152 27,362 1 400 200 2,000 1,100 3,500 13,700 4.450 4 dnn 1,100 878 i son 3,650 8,600 1,200 200 . 500 3,050 50 813,696 IpUad. BM Uui. Sawtity BMN. 1883- '91. 159,499 orv oQo 171* fiHQ Q QOn |0 QQfi Oe Aftn 3,250 (Ttfl 87,170 O ftcn O fUZf* 79 riftQ 70,535 34,725 I QJlA o 7ftn 1,200 I ooe i*? *\fiy5 700 *> 7AA 1,010 3,484 150 100 I UAfl 100 3,165 200 200 9f\n 500 50 800 OAfk 732,405 Receipts of Upland and Sea Island Cotton at the Port of Savannah, 6a., and Weight and Value for the Years !895-'96, !894-'95 and !893-'94. Upland........ Wea Island... Total........ QUANTITY, BALES. 1895-'96. 707,564 77,419 784,983 1894-'5. 881,967 64,305 946,272 1893-'94. 917,146 64,259 971,405 WEIGHT, POUNDS 1895-'96 344,831,316 30,146,410 374,976,725 1894-'95. 437,049,927 25,176,050 462,225,977 1893-'94. 448,952,138 20378,320 469,830,458 VALUE, DOLLABS. 1895-'96 28,429,921 5,313,265 33,743,186 1894-'96. 24,439305 4,279,497 28,718,802 1893-'94. 34,814,862 15 4,114,769 g 60 38,929,631 th. Exports of Upland and Sea Island Cotton from the Port of Savannah, Ga., and Weight and Value for the Years !895-'96, !894-'95 and 1893-94. Upland. ...... Sea Island.... Total........ QUANTITY, BALES. 1895-'96. 691,658 75,591 767,249 1894-'95. 884,919 64,727 949,646 1893-'94. 918,268 54,846 978,114 WEIGHT, POUNDS. 1895- '96. 387,079,526 29,433,623 366,613,14? 1894-'95. 438,512,761 25,841,267 463,854,028 1893-'94. 449,501,868 21,104,192 470,605,660 VALUE, DOLLARS. 1895-'96. 27,790,818 5,187,810 32,978,628 1894-'95. 24,621,105 4,307,581 28,828,686 1893-'94. 34,857,453 4,169,392 39,026,845 s Prices of Spot Cotton at Savannah, Ga., !893-'94. Showing Highest and Lowest Price Each Week. WEEK W.VJHNII. ISM 9i. September,........ a September.,,...... 15 September,........ W September,..,,....29 October,,,,.,.,,,., 6 October,,,.........18 October............80 October............ 27 November......... H November.........10 November .........17 November.......... 21 December.......... 1 8 Decent ber.,........ 15 December.......... 23 December,.........2t) January............ 6 January............!; January ...........19 January...........! February.......... " February.......... February........... 16 23 March............. 2 March..,,..,,..... 9 March.......,....,16 March.............23 March.............80 April............. April....,....,....,* April.,,............27 May................ May ...............i: May................18 June............. June........ ... June............. June............. June............. July.............. .1 illy.............. JuVy................2 AUKUMt............. V'AIB. Mmm.iNii KAIH. Ilgheat Lowest Highest Lowest i-16 l-,6 O. MlDllI.INO. Highest Lowest 8MB 77-16 -16 7Mfl 71&-1H 7 11-18 7 H-lfl 7 15-16 8 MlDlll.l.Vll. Highest Lowest 7 15-18 7-16 MB BM B 13-16 Prices of Spot Cotton at Savannah, Ga., !894-'95, Showing Highest and Lowest Price Each Week. WEEK ENDING. 1884-'M. October.. ........ ..18 November ......... 9 Noyember.........l6 November......... 23 December..'........ 7 January ...........11 January. ...... ....18 February........... 1 8 February..........!! February ...... ....28 March............. 1 March............. f March.,...........16 March... ...... ....2! April............... 6 April......... ......11 April............ . May................ i May................ll May........ ...... ..17 May................!!. May.......... ......3 July................ July................i: July................! July........,.......* AuKult... ...... ....H i'AIK. Highest Lowest MIDDLING FAIK. . Highest Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Lowest Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal Nominal G. MIDDLING | Highest. Lowest CH m69-16 6 li-16 6 6 6 11-16 6 57-16 6 7-16 63-16 11-16 6 8 EI-,6 67-18 67-16 6 5K 5X 67-16 57-16 515-16 63-16 6M 68-16 6K 8M8 69-16 6 16-16 7 1-16 7 7 7 816-16 6M 6 16-16 615-16 8 16-16 615-16 7 78-16 7 11-16 69-16 69-16 ' T 6 11-16 69-16 67-16 5 7-16 lj-16 56-16 57-16 69-16 k 61-16 6 3-16 8 9-16 6 9-16 69-16 6 9-16 f 7 6 16-16 H as8 16-16 16-18 8 16-16 6 16-16 7 1-18 T 6-16 17 7-16 . MIDDLING. Highest 6* KM 6 6-16 5 15-16 m F16 53-16 63-16 415-16 % 63-16 6M 6H 6 1-18 5 1-16 6 1-16 5H 11-16 6 1-16 6 6 1-16 6 1-16 5 3-10 S* 616-16 3"" 66-16 6 5-16 6 11-16 6 13-16 -8*1-16 Hl-16 6 11-16 8 11-16 6 11-16 6M ff-,6 'K Lowest 65-16 65-16 6 8 57-16 56-18 5 Mi; 68-16 47* 4 13-16 1 51-16 61-16 5 6 6H 5 1-16 6 1-16 6 5 6 6 5 6U-I6 fls-ir, 513-16 5 16-16 6 5-16 65-16 86-18 66-16 1 611-16 6 III 6 11-16 8 11-18 8 11-16 6 11-16 7* r L. Mil) Highest 61-16 6 1-16 6 5*7-l 5 7-16 6^ 4 15-16 4 1MB 4 11-16 6 4 15-16 4M 4 13-16 4 18-16 413-16 ;L i 56-16 5 11-16 ftia tfw. 6 1-18 6 1-16 6 6 6 6M 6M6 67-18 67-11 6W6 67-16 69-16 flu DLINO. Lowest 6 6 6 11-16 5 3-16 P* 4 15-16 415-16 4 *i 4 9-16 4 4 JW 413-16 ffl-M 4 11-16 4 1S-16 4H 4 11-16 4 11-16 4 11-18 4 11-16 4 11-16 415-18 5*S 69-16 8 F>, is B 61-16 87-16 6 7-16 67-16 <9 86-16 6 6-16 65-16 W 6>16 6 11-18 6 13-16 G. ORDINARY. Highest 511-16 6 6-16 6Hi 5*4 4 13-16 4 11-16 L J 4 11-16 4Hit 8JW 11-16 4 7-16 4 4 7-18 47-16 49-16 6 5 6-16 5M6 lilB 5 11-16 5 11-16 H 6 1-lfi 6 1-16 6 1-16 B 6 16-16 8 6 11 IS 61-1 6 Hi 611-16 Lowest 6 11-18 5 11-16 61-16 m418-18 4 11-16 4 . k 41-16 4 7-16 4^-16 4 7-16 4K 4 4 6 1-16 6 3-16 S m : 6 11-16 61-16 6 1-16 6 1-16 515-16 6 16-16 5 16-16 1! 6 6 5 1 11-16 ORDINARY. Highest 4 4 4Hi 49-16 4 13-16 ?u ft 1-16 5 846 5 M6 6 " 11-16 59-16 16M8 8% 67-16 57-16 67-16 6K* Lowest 4 4 4 4 3-1 4M 4 11-16 6M m6H 6M 6H 8 1-16 iH 11-16 5 7-16 6 7-16 67-18 5* 6K Prices of Spot Cotton at Savannah, Ga., !895-'96. Showing Highest and Lowest Price Each Week. WEKK KNIIIMI. FAIU MIDIILINQ FAIB u. MIWJLINQ , i80&-'iM. Hoptombor. ........18 Houtembor. ....... .20 September. ........ 27 October. ........... 4 October..., ........11 October............ 18 November.......... 1 November,,,,,.,,.. It November ....... ..2S November.. . ...... .29 December.......... 6 December.......... IS December.......... 20 December.......... 21 January ........... 5 January ........... 1C January ...........11 January ...........24 January. ........... 31 February .....,..,, ' February ........ ..! FebruarT...........2S March.............. tl March... ...... ....,13 March..... .........20 Mareh..,..........,27 April...... .........11 April............ ..17 April ...... .........24 May................ 1 8 May.. ....... .......15 May........ .......22 May....... .........28 June,..............,i: June ......... ......V June,.... ........ .,28 July................ 8 July...... ....... ...li July....... ....... ..17 July. ............ ..2- July...... ....... ...3 AuKUSt. ............ August........... ..28 August.. ....... ....81 llKhoat Lowest Highest Nominal Nominal Nominal ""' 7 7 7 lowest Nominal Nominal Nominal 7 7M Highest 815-16 8 18-16 88-16 85-16 8 5-16 ftis 7 15-16 8M !* 8 8 8 ki6 7tl6 IS 7lll6 7 11-18 7 11-16 i 718-16 li 18-16 6 18-16 75-M 77-16 7 % Loweit PL 718-16 atie 88-16 a 8M 8 1-18 81-16 8 715-16 % 1 8 % 11-16 ?l* 7 11-16 PL' 7 11-16 fu 7 18-16 8 18-16 6 13-16 6 18-16 6 18-18 7 8-16 71-16 MIDDLING Hlgheit f sli-ie H-16 8 MB 85-16 8 83-16 88-16 81-16 8 ?K 7 15-16 7 U-18 79-16 7 7-16 7^.16 \ 79-16 79-18 7ll-16 7 7 il,6 7 11-16 7 Lowest ?M 71,8 7 0-18 P-16 F* 715-16 7 15-16 7 18-16 7 11-16 7 11-16 7 11-18 7 11-16 PL 11-18 79-16 79-16 PL ?1i.i ?1l-16 ?Kr 7 k 6M ? 71-18 7 6 18-16 L, MIDDL1NO Iltgheit 1. m 8S-16 8 8-16 83-16 8 1-16 7 13-18 7 W-16 79-18 ?1l-l, 79-16 7 >18 77-16 75-18 PL 77-16 in 7 7-18 7 7-18 79-16 79-16 79-16 7 M6 78-18 815-16 6 15-16 8 18-16 fi 18-16 S1-i6 6 7-16 |K 77-18 7 7-16 6M Lowest 7 615-16 7 3-16 11-16 83-16 713-16 713-16 m lll 7 13-18 77-16 7>16 % n.16 75-16 11-16 Tt-18 7M 75-16 7 3-16 8 18-18 8 13-16 6 18-16 818-18 a,8 67-16 8 MS 87-16 81W6 ?il6 U. OHU1NAKY Hiiinest 7 11-16 11-18 ,1-16 75-16 7 W8 T8-16 7 li 1MB 7 7 3-16 r.M6 % nu 73-18 75-18 75-18 75-18 H-16 8 15-16 6 11-16 6 11-16 69-18 6 9-16 68-18 68-16 8M 6K 7W 7 8-16 Ix)wet 7 W6 8 15-16 6 15-16 6 15-18 7M 7H 71-16 7 1-16 ?*-,. 11-16 n*6 15-16 89-16 6M8 69-16 89-16 ill. 68-16 68-16 63-16 ft- 6M OHDINAKY. HlKheit Ix>we>t. Dates of First Light and First Killing Frosts at Savannah, Ga. YEAR fQirO 1873........................ IflTj. 1875....................... 1876........................ 1ft*77 1(17(1 1879.......... .............. tooA ififti 1882................ ....... 1883........... ............ Iftftd TQQ= IfifiA 1887........................ 1QOQ f QCQ 1890........................ 1RO1 1892........................ 1(|OQ 1894.......... .............. 18Q5 1896........................ LIGHT November 16........ ............... November 14. ..................... October 15........................... October 17............ ....... ....... November 21....... ........ ....... October 20.... ...................... . November 10........... ............ October 24............. ........ ...... November 26....................... November 16........'.. ....... .... November 3........... . ............ October 17............... ...... .... November 15...... ....... .......... October28................. ......... October 81. ..................... .... November 11....................... November 19.......... ............. November 1...... .................. October 24........ .................. October 26.. . .................. ...... October 81........................ ... November 6........................ November 13.............. ......... November 14....................... W/\\rpmlv*i* 4 KILLING November 22 (?). November 20. "January 30 (1875). December 10. December 20. November 30. November 2. November 22. November 16. January 4 (1882). November 22. December 18. December 3. November 23. November 27. November 20. November 27. November 29. December 10. November 18. November 16. November 11. November 21. December 3. November 27. *Not included in average. Tonnage at Port of Savannah, 1895-96 and 1894-95. Coastwise Entries......... Coastwise Clearances.... Total Coastwise.... ........ Foreign Entries...... ...... Foreign Clearances....... Total Foreign............... Grand Total.................. Sept. 1,1895, to HE. 31, 1896 Vessels 480 877 807 239 290 529 1,386 Tonnage 716,013 635,000 1,350,013 211,089 288,954 500,043 1,850,056 Sojt.U89UOAlt.31, 1895 Vessels 487 420 907 268 318 586 1,493 Tonnage 737,833 649,303 1,886,636 243,710 8 J 5,497 659,207 1,945,848 Prices of Spot Cotton at Savannah, Ga., !895-'96. Showing Highest and Lowest Price Each Week. WKKK KNIHNR. 1895-'(M, October...... ......18 November.......... 1 November ......... November......... 25 Deoemlier.......... ( January........... .3: February ..........1 March....... .......18 March......... .....IS April............... April....... ........10 April............ ..17 April ........ .......24 May................ May....... ......... 8 My................l May........ .......38 1>r atf n June.,.......,,...., June................!' Jane...............! July................ July................l July. ...... .,,.,,.,-U July. ......... ......3 August... ...... ....28 AuKUlt....... ......3 k'AIU lilRhet l.DWUKt Mll>l,IN(l KA11I Highest Nominal Nominal Nominal .. ....... 7 7 7 li , MlUDLlNQ ( HlghOit 816-16 813-16 fi-is 86-16 86-18 8U 8W8 7 16-16 8M ? 8 8 8 ki6 7^16 ?S 7lll8 7 11-16 7 11-16 7^8-16 IK 6 13-16 I! 13-11! 7 wr> 77-16 i Loweit a?>ie 7 13-16 l>18 83-16 11-18 8 1-18 8 % 7 16-16 ! 8 ? ?ll6 ft. 7 11-16 7 11-16 ft. ?U ?U 6M 8 13-16 G 13-16 ii is-in H 13-16 73-18 PL Miuuiatio' j Illgheit t 85* Of? 8 11-18 H-16 8 Me 86-16 83-16 83-16 81-16 8 7-16 7 1M8 79-16 W PI,. 79-16 79-16 711-16 P 7 R-16 7 11-16 Low 0 t a 71-16 ; v-ie 11-16 8 r* 716-18 7 1W6 7 13-16 7 11-18 7 11-16 7 11-16 7M6 ?L !f-16 7 9-16 79-16 iL WM. lfl-16 r 7 7M6 7 818-16 L. MlUDLlNO " Illgheit 83-16 8Mnie 83-18 83-18 8 1-16 7 1S-16 8 kw 79-16 ?\16 79-18 il 7 7-18 76-16 ii. 77-16 7 7-16 7 7-18 7 9-16 79-18 79-16 7 &! 7 3-18 616-16 816-16 6 13-18 li 13-16 6M M 67-16 M 77-16 77-18 B* Lowest 7 7 816-16 7 3-18 If-,6 8S-18 7 13-18 71S-16 IU 718-18 77-18 7 3-16 ?i 7 M6 76-ltt 7H 7 7-18 79-16 n 7 3-16 8 18-16 8 13-16 613-16 6 13-16 SI-16 6 7-16 a r-16 67-16 OS-IB * " O. OBU1NAHY lllghot 7 11-16 lf-,6 11-16 7 6-16 7 6-18 78-16 li 16-16 7 3-16 73-16 J MB 73-18 76-16 76-18 76-16 11-16 16-16 6 11-16 6 11-18 69-16 89-16 83-16 88-16 *KRio 73-16 Ix>wet ' 7 3-16 6 16-16 6 16-16 6 16-16 7 7M ?1-16 7 1-16 111. 11,8 Pi6 16-16 69-16 69-16 6 9-18 69-16 6M6 6 3-16 8 8-18 63-18 69-16 6M OllBlNAKY. lllgbent ijowett. ......... . " Dates of First Light and First Killing Frosts at Savannah, Ga. YEAR lR7-> 1S7Q 1874........................ 1875........... ............ 1876....... ................. IB'77 1878............ ... ......... 1879........................ IQQA Iflftl 1fi&9 1883........................ 1AA1 1885.......... ........... ... 1880.......... .............. 1887........................ Ififtfi IftftQ 1890....................... tOQl 1892......... ............... 1893........................ IftQj 1895....... ............ ..... 1896........................ A vfitffvirA llfltiA LIGHT November 16...................... November 14. ..................... October 16................ ....... .... October 17....... ................. .. November 21......... .............. November 10......... ............. . October 20..... .................... .. November 10..................... .. October 24............ ............... November 26....................... November 15-......1.. ....... .... November 3............ ......... ... October 17...... ............... .... November 15............ ........... October28........ ......... ......... October 81............... ....... .... November 11,......, ............... November 19....................... November 1...... .................. October 24........ .................. October 26.. ........................ . October 31......................... .. November 6.......... . ............. November 13..... .................. November 14....................... November 4.................. ...... KILLING November 22 (?). November 20. January 30 (1875). December 10. December 20. November 30. November 2. November 22. November 16. January 4 (1882). November 22. December 18. December 3. November 25. November 27. November 20. November 27. November 29. December 10. November 18. November 12. November 16. November 11. November 21. December 3. November 27. *Not included in average. Tonnage at Port of Savannah, 1895-96 and 1894-95. Coastwise Entries... ...... Coastwise Clearances.... TVifal rVtffltuHaA Foreign Entries............ Foreign Clearances....... Total Foreign............... Grand Total.................. Stpt. 1,1895, 18 ill.31, 1896 Vessels 480 877 807 239 290 529 1,886 Tonnage 715,013 635,000 1,850,013 211,089 288,954 500,043 1,850,0,56 Swt. 1,1894, to All 51,1895 Vessels 487 420 907 268 318 586 1,493 Tonnage 737,333 649,803 1,386,636 243,710 315,47 559,207 1,946,843 S4S MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Record of Cotton Receipts, Exports and Value at Savannah' Ga., Years Named, Ending August 31st, 1875-76 to 1895-96, 21 Years. YEAR. 1876......... 1877... ..... 1S78......... 1879......... 1880.. ...... 188!. .. ...... 1882......... 1883. ...... .. 1884......... 1885......... 1886......... 1887......... 1888.......... 1889......... 1890......... 1891......... 1892......... 1893......... 1894......... 1895......... 1896 ........ Total..... Receipt* Bates. Upland 538,825 482,371 611,982 691,446 737,431 881,161 728,148 814,047 655,784 710,459 786,051 781,089 875,017 798,628 924.282 1,093.978 985,732 758,119 917,146 881.769 707,664 16,359,207 Stt Is'M. 7,172' 5.7361 11,311 8,280 11,577 15,520 17,229 12,004 9,331 19,543 23,388 27,365 23,518 29,991: 32.235 45,630 42,084 35,779 54,259 64,305 77,41! Value. Dollar*. 32,945,558 25,557,282 32,062,191 32,446,294 38,701,243 48,151,769 40.038,020 41,715,575 33,026,168 36,310,299 38,805,449 36,051,016 41,709,123 40,537,041 49,162,900 6,168,413 42,815,047 34,598,595 38,929,631 28,718,802 33,743,186 573,676 .1 802 343,602 Exports Bale*. Upland. 536,826 484,434 610,496 693,122 728,231 879,201 733,656 815,143 658,836 708.344 785,045 778,555 874,669 797,146 921,467 1,095,296 988,088 756,388 918.2:68 884,919 691,658 Sea Is'ld. 7,033 5,871 11,396 8,286 11,526 15,201 17,541 12,055 9,255 19,083 22.790 27,939 24,033 29.382 32.8S1 43,782 42,160 36,162 54,846 64,727 75,591 16,339,7881571,540 Value. Dollars. 32,817,572 25,691,547 31,993,123 32,525,777 38,233,425 48,019,799 40,495,221 41,773,265 33,221,875 36,191,441 38,8(17,726 36,159,996 41,678,008 40,413,541 49,087,006 56,081.501 42,915,719 34,559,941 39,026,845 28,828,686 32,978,628 801,600,642 Cotton for Twenty-One Years. Aggregate receiptsbales.................. 16,932,883 Aggregate value receipts.................... $802,343,602 Aggregate exportsbales.................. 16,911,328 Aggregate value exports.................... $801,500,642 Very respectfully, - J. P. MERRIHEW, Secretary and Superintendent. MA YOB'S ANNUAL REPORT. 34S REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE. SAVANNAH, GA., January 25th, 1897. Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor: SIRAs requested by you, I beg to hand you herewith some statistics showing amount of naval stores handled at this port for the year ending December 31st, 1896. It will be seen by comparison of amount of naval stores received here during the past nine months, and the same time in 1895, that there is an increase of 12 per cent, over last season's receipt?, which were the largest ever received here. Turpentine has ranged in price from 22c., the lowest price paid, to 261 e., the highest. Rosin has ranged as follows: Good stained, $1.30 to $1.65; low pales, $1.55 to $1.85, and water white, $2.00 to $2.85. ; Respectfully, EDW. G. TRENHOLM, Superintendent. S44 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Comparative Statement of Naval stores at Savannah, Ka., December Siflt. 1896 Receted this season. ................... SHIPMJENTS-FORKIGN Cork. f.o... ............................... Hull. ..................................... MODteTUeo,t.o.... ...................... SHIPJiBNTS-COASTWlSE Philadelphia............................. r*t/Uat~.. .............................. . Total................................. Stock remaining. .................... SPIRITS 5,319 307,906 313,224 ROSIN 134.878 946.164 1,081,142 THIS 8IA8O.V Spirits 200 39,186 "^S 100 2,422 roii 7,850 35,892 6,873 16,354 58,587 200 200 32,018 131 "S see 3.769 11.011 6,881 27,444 2,721 278,59 34.621 Rosin. 4,160 12,525 15,428 2,975 18,265 15,827 2.966 j 4,250 63,849 22,737 35352 4,400 3,408 W32 46,116 M.988 2,400 4,060 4,968 84,131 13,485 10,521 1.638 9,645 12JOO 450 8,032 6373 4,300 69,408 12,300 2.000 8,800 m 15,609 S2,40g 5,883 47.769 6,903 27,754 97,964 25,453 I 828.333 t 252310 Jame Time Last Season SPIRITS ROSIN 2,421 285,798 288,219 88,280 931, 72 1 1,021,007 8AKX TIME LAST 8XA80K Spirits 150 28,216 6,714 400 900 84*0 28,374 18,720 15,590 73,312 18,038 2,430 TOO 5,799 11358 B.803 47.006 8,606 269J07 18.31 Rosin * 8,875 9,757 17,239 9.733 26,521 1,800 11,598 400 10.325 12,896 8.829 8.006 8,573 21,162 70,652 80,388 13,470 6,700 18,635 7,300 8,140 2,858 10.579 7,502 6,594 62,860 700 2,909 5,671 1,000 907 6,306 21,755 2,455 91,295 48,630 23490 148.7*7 41,654 816J26 203.781 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S45 I m t I 9 8 s RIVER 33- ROSIN. s ot E82S SB "2 SgSgggggl S2 i I 3 movement of Naval Stores at Savannah, 1896-97. Htook on hanil April tot, 1MB. . . . . . ................................................................................................. Total supply. . .................................................................................... .,..,.....,...,,..,,.,...... 8H1PMKNT8. April...................................... Mftjr................... .................... July..,, .................................... Stock on band December 31, 1886. ....... FORKIGN. 8PIKIT8. 7,050 33,320 84,871 28,21? 86,600 18,365 27,159 27,708 18,471 226,761 ROSIN. 61,950 54,820 52.T18 88,018 51.805 85,770 77,780 92,073 711,538 683,B89 NKW YORK. , SPIRITS. 7,736 8,713 H.214 2.9T6 87 1,270 2.ti80 2,088 Oil ItoSl.N. 12,424 18.585 13,276 12,17 " 9,779 6,800 111,632 5.B54 4,149 27,444 | 97,064 8UNJHHKS. Sl'lHlTS. 8,948 4,045 2,755 2,240 2,350 2,668 2,720 2,1118 1,474 24,393 ROBIN, 15,872 23.1W 20,722 18,181 1U,(B2 10,624 13,(ll 10,328 n.oro 136,979 Sl'IHITS, 6,319 H07.W5 813,224 278,506 84,626 HOfilN. 184,9(8 04H.1U4 1,081,142 828,832 252,810 s MA YOS'S ANNUAL REPORT. S47 Entrance* and Clearance* In and from this Port January i, x89<, to December 31,1896. Coast entry....................... / Coast clearance .................. Foreign entry............... ..... O J Foreign clearance. ............... Total.............................. Ho. 421 366 fl7fi 317 1,280 Tonnage. 698,577 623,966 258,638 318,378 1,899,559 Crew. 17,502 16,293 4,417 5,367 43,579 Exports Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1896...........$22,710,012 00 J. F. B. BECKWITH, Collector. 848 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT, BANK CLEARANCES. SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 5th, 1897. A. N. Manucy, Esq., Clerk of Council, Savannah, Ga.: DEAR SIRIn reply to yours of this date, I beg to inform you that the bank clearings for the year 1896 amounted to $124,756,337.08by months as follows: January.................. ......$ 12,368,716 17 February........................ 10,852,586 17 March........................... 8,403,368 42 April........... ................. 7,367,729 82 May.............................. 7,991,395 38 June.............................. 6,339,421 67 July.............................. 6,231,868 02 August........................... 6,810,973 90 September........................ 14,006,350 13 October.......................... 16,338,453 21 November....................... 14,603,548 45 December....................... 13,441,925 74 Total...... ...................$124,756,337 08 Yours truly, JNO. M. HOGAN, Sec'y and Treas. Savannah Clearing Assn. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 849 Bank Clearances, Showing increase for Years 1895189*. Clearances for 1894... ................... .$108,566,174 79 " 1895....................... 124,302,142 27 " 1896....................... 124,756,337 08 Increase for 1895 over 1894..... ...... ...$15,735,967 48 " 1896 " 1895.............. 454,194 81 ORDINANCES OR THE CITY OF SAVANNAH PASSED IN 1896, COMPILED BY A. N. MANUCY, Clerk of Council. SSt MArOS'S ANNUAL REPORT. BONDED DEBT. An ordinance to amend section three (3) of that certain ordinance adopted by the Council of the city of Savannah July 4,1883, and entitled "An ordinance to compromise that portion of the bonded debt of the city of Savannah known as the bonds of the Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad Company, guaranteed by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah and hamlets thereof, to provide for the issue of new bonds with which to redeem the bonds so guaranteed now outstanding, to provide for the establishment of a sinking fund for the redemption of such bonds, and for other purposes." Whereas, by reason of the high and unreasonable prices at which the bonds issued under the terms of the above entitled ordinance are held by the owners thereof, it is sometimes impracticable for the sinking fund commissioners to purchase said bonds to the face value of six thousand dollars, as directed by said section three of the ordinance, and it is, nevertheless, the purpose of the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah to observe the contract made by the said ordinance in its spirit and intent. Section 1. For remedy whereof, it is hereby ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That said section three (3) of the said ordinance, which said section is embodied in section 1386 of MacDonell's Code of Savannah, be and the same is hereby so amended that the sinking fund commissioners, mentioned in the said section, are authorized, when they find it impracticable, on account of the high and unreasonable prices at which they are held, to obtain the bonds of MA YOJR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S6S 1883, issued under said ordinance to the face value of six thousand dollars, to purchase bonds of the city of Savannah, issued in 1879, in lieu thereof, and, in this event, it is made the duty of the said commissioners to have the said bonds of 1879 registered in their names as commissioners, and to hold the same as a trust investment for the benefit of the bonds of 1883, so that at any proper time the said bonds of 1879 so held may, by them, be converted into cash for the purpose of purchasing the bonds of 1883 and facilitating the complete redemption of the said bonds of 1883 as contemplated by the said ordinance of July 4, 1883. As the coupons on the bonds of 1879, held under this ordinance, mature, the said commissioners shall detach the same and turn them over to the treasurer of the city of Savannah for cancellation. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed January 1st, 1896. An ordinance to amend that certain ordinance passed Jan. 1, 1896, and entitled "An ordinance to amend section threeof that certain ordinance adopted by the Council of the city of Savannah July 4, 1883, and entitled ' An ordinance to compromise that portion of the bonded debt of the city of Savannah known as the bonds of the Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad Company, guaranteed by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah and hamlets thereof, to provide for the issue of new bonds with which to redeem the bonds so guaranteed, now out23 36f MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. standing, to provide for the establishment of a sinking fund for the redemption of such bonds, and for other purposes.'" Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That section one of the above entitled ordinance, passed Jan. 1, 1896, be so amended that hereafter it shall not be necessary for the sinking fund commissioners to have the bonds of ^879 which they may purchase, because they find it impracticable on account of the high and unreasonable prices to obtain the bonds of 1883, registered in their names as commissioners, and to hold the same as a trust investment for the benefit of the bonds of 1883, but the said commissioners, when they purchase the bonds of 1879, may treat the same exactly as they would treat the bonds of 1883, that is to say, may cancel the same, provided that the commissioners shall keep an account of the bonds of 1879 so purchased and cancelled, so that when the bonds of 1883 become purchasable they can then devote any part of the sinking fund for the purchase of the said bonds of 1883 to the extent required by the bond contract. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed June 17, 1896. FIRE DEPARTMENT. An ordinance to permit the Planters' Rice Mill Company to improve front wharf lot Number three (3), Yamacraw, in the city of Savannah, as herein provided, and upon the conditions herein expressed: MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S6S Section 1. Be it ordained by the mayor and aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, that permission be and it is hereby given to the Planters' Rice Mill Company to improve front wharf lot Number three (3), Yaniacraw, in the city of Savannah, in the manner and to the extent asked for in its petition to council dated Aug. 19, 1896; that is to say, by erecting thereon one mill building of wood three stories high and about fifty by seventy (50x70) feet in dimension, and one granary of wood, about forty-five feet high and about one hundred by seventy (100x70) feet in dimension, provided both of said buildings are covered with corrugated iron and the plans therefor are approved by the fire committee of council and the chief fireman, and also by erecting thereon one shed, two stories high, to be built of brick and wood and enclosed with corrugated iron, and one unenclosed shed. Provided, however, the roofs of all four (4) of the structures above described are covered with tin or gravel, and provided, further, that such open spaces be left between the said structures and between said structures and the buildings on the adjacent lots, and such means of ingress and egress be made in said buildings as shall be satisfactory to the fire committee of council and the chief fireman. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance be and they are hereby repealed, in so far as they apply to this special case. Ordinance passed August 26, 1896. SB6 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. RENTS. An ordinance to amend section 1156 of MacDonell's Code of Savannah. Section 1. Be it ordained by the mayor and aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the above mentioned section, to be found on page 306 of MacDonelPs Code of Savannah, be and the same is so amended that hereafter it shall be lawful for the council of the city of Savannah, by resolution, to authorize, in its discretion, a division of land held in the city of Savannah under deeds commonly known as ground rent titles, notwithstanding the fact that the division asked for may cause a part or portion of land to have a frontage of less than twenty (20) feet on a public street or square. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed Nov. 4, 1896. HACKS. An ordinance to amend that certain ordinance of the city of Savannah, passed Oct. 11, 1893, entitled "An ordinance to regulate passenger vehicles for hire in the city of Savannah," as amended by ordinance passed March 27, 1895. Section 1. Be it ordained by the mayor and aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That hereafter it shall be the duty of the drivers of passenger vehicles for hire in the city of Savannah, when waiting to be hired, to stand at the place, MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. SS7 or places, designated by the committee on streets and lanes under the above entitled ordinance, and it shall not be lawful for the said drivers to keep their vehicles in motion around and about the hotels in the city of Savannah when waiting for custom, the purpose of this prohibition being to prevent the said drivers from moving their vehicles up and down in front of and around the hotels, and thus obstructing the use and passage of the streets when the said drivers are on the lookout for customers. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That any person violating this ordinance shall be subject, on conviction before the police court of the city of Savannah, to a fine not to exceed twenty-five dollars, and to imprisonment not to exceed ten days, either or both, in the discretion of the court. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed April 22, 1896. * HARBOR. An ordinance to regulate the mooring of dredges and scows in the Savannah river and the port of Savannah, and for other purposes connected therewith. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That all dredges and scows in the Savannah river and the port of Savannah shall be so operated that in the day time there shall not be less than one hundred (100) feet of clear channel way when vessels are passing on the channel side of the plant. At night S68 MA YOX>S ANNUAL REPORT. time the dredge or scow shall he hauled out of the channel so as to leave a clear channel of not less than one hundred (100) feet from the center range of the channel side. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That, in mooring scows at the anchorages, extra care must be taken so that the moorings are put as far from the channel as safety will allow, and one light placed on forward part of scow and one on the aft part. In daylight a black and white flag shall be displayed on the channel side of the dredges. At night all lights must be extinguished as far as possible, except that three white lights shall be placed vertically on the channel side. At signals given by approaching steamers, all lines obstructing the channel must be slackened until such steamers pass. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, The above and foregoing sections are not applied to the dredge "Frolic," as she is being continuallv towed by a tug, and it is not intended that her maneuvering shall be controlled by this ordinance. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That any person operating any dredge or scow on the Savannah river and in the port of Savannah, who shall violate any provision of this ordinance shall be subject, upon conviction before the police court of the city of Savannah, to a fine not exceeding one hundred (100) dollars and imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days, either or both in the discretion of the court. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed May 6, 1896. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S59 HOUSE NUMBERIMC}. An ordinance to provide for house numbering in the city of Savannah: Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of Ijie city of Savannah, in council assembled, that Bay street be and it is hereby made the northern initial point for house numbering, and Bull street the dividing line, numbers to run east and west from said Bull street, in the city of Savannah. The decimal or block system shall be used; that is one hundred numbers to the block, the first block from one to one hundred, and the next block commencing with one hundred and one, and so on. Odd numbers shall be placed on south and west sides of the street, and even numbers on north and east sides. Streets running east and west shall be designated as Bay street east, Bay street west, etc., and in cases where a street extends north of Bay street, like Farm street, it shall be designated as Farm street north, but the part running south of Bay street shall be designated as Farm street. The division of one hundred for streets running north and south, north of Gaston street, shall be as follows: From Bay to Broughton street, Broughton to South Broad street, South Broad to Liberty street, Liberty to Jones street, and Jones to Gastou street, and said divisions south of Gaston street to be applied to every block. Any street having its beginning separate from Bay street shall be numbered so as to correspond with numbers on parallel streets, and streets running east S60 MA YOS'S ANNUAL REPORT. ' and west beyond East Broad and West Broad streets, although with another name, shall be numbered as if they were a continuation of the streets ending at those points. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah, under the guidance and direction of the special committee in charge of the house numbering, shall see to the carrying out of the above and foregoing plan for house numbering in accordance with the said plan, and shall have plats prepared of every street, showing number of.houses and vacant lots, and shall see to it that a number is designated to every thirty feet of space, and further, that any points not covered in this ordinance which may arise during the progress of the work shall be submitted to Council for consideration. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That, after the completion of the work hereinbefore provided for, when numbers shall thereafter be made necessary on account of fire, or rebuilding, or new buildings, then the owners of the property shall be required, at their expense, to furnish their own numbers, and they shall be of same style and material as other numbers on the said street. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That the Commissioner of Public Works, in connection with the said special committee, is hereby directed to renumber the city of Savannah as herein provided for, and, further, that the preliminary work as to cost of materials, preparation of plats, and other details shall begin at once, and the placing of numbers on houses, as here- MAYOR'S ANNUAL ItEPbRT. 361 inbefore provided for, shall be commenced not later than Oct. 1, 1896, and be completed by Dec. 31, 1896. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed July 15, 1896. MARKET. An ordinance to amend that certain ordinance passed April 30, 1890, entitled "An ordinance to prescribe the market hours for the public market of the city of Savannah. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the above entitled ordinance be and the same is hereby so amended that the following shall be the hours of opening and closing the public market of the city of Savannah, to-wit: Prom April 1 to October 1, of each year, to open at 4 a. m., and close at 10:30 a. m., daily, Saturdays and Sundays excepted. From October 1 to April 1, of each year, to open at 4 a. m., and close at 11:30 a. m., daily, Saturdays and Sundays excepted. On all Saturdays the market will open at 4 a. m., and close at 10 p. m. The time herein referred to is that now observed by the city of Savannah, known as the eastern or fast time. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed May 6, 1896. See MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPOJtl. PARKS. An ordinance, touching Estill park, and amending an ordinance relating to the same, passed May 10, 1893, by annulling that portion providing for commissioners for said park, and in lieu thereof, putting said park under control of the Park and Tree Commission for the city of Savannah. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That so much of said.ordinance passed May 10, 1893, as provides for commissioners of said Estill park is annulled, and hereafter the Park and Tree Commission for the city of Savannah shall have the exclusive management of said park, and shall be charged with the care, preservation, improvement, adornment, good order and regulation thereof. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all money which has been, or may hereafter be appropriated for said park, shall be used and expended thereon by said Park and Tree Commission, and whatever unexpended balance may be in the hands of the late commissioners, will be turned over to said Park and Tree Commission. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed January 29, 1896. An ordinance to add the city pound lot, lying immediately south of Colonial park and between the said park and Perry lane, to the said Colonial park, as part of the same, and to dedicate the said lot for park purposes. A/AYOM'S ANNUAL REPORT. 863 Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That that certain tract or parcel of land in the city of Savannah, known as the city pound lot, now adjoining Colonial park on the south, and fronting on Abercorn street, sixty-seven and nine-tenths (67.9) feet, running back from said Abercorn street eastwardly, along Perry lane, four hundred and ninety-two and five-tenths (492.5) feet, said tract of land being fifty-seven and four-tenths (57.4) feet wide where it adjoins the county jail lot, and being bounded north by Colonial park, south by Perry lane, east by the county jail lot, and west by Abercorn street, be and the same is hereby added to Colonial park, as a part of the same, and is hereby dedicated to park purposes, under the conditions and limitations in this ordinance contained. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That this dedication of the city pound lot, to be hereafter a portion of Colonial park, shall in nowise put the said lot so dedicated under the terms and conditions of the decree made in Chatham Superior Court in 1895, in the cases of John Williamson et al., complainants, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, defendants, and the church wardens and vestrymen of the Episcopal church in Savannah, called Christ church, complainant, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, defendant, the said decree being limited by its terms to the land described therein; it being expressly reserved hereby, as a right to the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, to erect upon said addition to Colonial park such S64 MA yOJR'S ANNUAL REPORT. ] structures and improvements as it may deem best, in its judgment, and to manage and control the said tract of land and improvements absolutely. See. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed October 9, 1896. PAVING STREETS. An ordinance for the improvement of Bay street extension, from the west side of Wadley street to the corporate limits of the city of Savannah, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887, that the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to build and construct a roadway thirty (30) feet in width from the west side of Wadley street, in the city of Savannah, to the western corporate limits of the said city, on that certain street in the said city known as Bay street extension, and to pave the said roadway on said Bay street extension with a crushed granite stone foundation six (6) inches deep and with a wearing surface of chert three (3) inches deep, and also to enclose the said roadway with stone curbing, and to do all the work in the way of grading, the placing of catch basins, the construction of drains and crossings, and all other things incident to the MAYOR'S ANNVAL REPORT. S65 construction and completion of thelsaid roadway on the said Bay street extension. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That after the total cost of the said work shall have been ascertained (there being no street railroad company having tracks running through the said portion of Bay street extension), one-third of such cost shall be paid out of the city treasury, and the other two-thirds from the persons owning, at the date of the adoption of this ordinance, real estate fronting on said portion of Bay street extension and on either side thereof according to frontage; and the pro rata amount of the cost of the said work is hereby assessed against the said abutting real estate and its owners as aforesaid. The frontage of intersecting streets and lanes shall be assessed as real estate abutting upon the portion of said street improved, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah shall be, for all the intents and purposes of this ordinance, the owner of the real estate so abutting, and shall pay from the city treasury its just pro rata, as such owner, of the cost of said work, according to frontage, in addition to its one-third of the entire cost. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That, after the said improvement has been completed, the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah shall prepare and submit to Council a statement showing the cost of the improvement herein provided for, and also an assessment roll showing, as to two-thirds of the cost, how it is apportioned amongst the several abutting parcels, including the street intersection, and give the sum chargeable to each par- S66 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. eel, with the name of the owner. After the consideration and adoption of said statement and assessment roll by the Council of the city of Savannah, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to send to the abutting property owners their proper bill for the same, as it may be ascertained by the City Council, and if such bill so sent be not paid within thirty (30) days after the presentation or sending of the same, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution for the amount, together with costs, against the persons and property aforesaid, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed March 11, 1896. An ordinance for the improvement of South Broad street, in the city of Savannah, from the west side of East Broad street to the east side of West Broad street, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia approved Oct. 1, 1887. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia approved Oct. 1, 1887, That the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah be and he is hereby authorized and directed to build and construct, on South Broad street in the city of Savannah from the west side of East Broad street to the east side of West Broad MA YOU'& ANNUAL REPORT. S67 street, two (2) roadways of vitrified brick, each twenty-five (25) feet in width, one of the said roadways of twenty-five (25) feet to be on the north side of the said street, and the other on the south side of the said street. The said commissioner is also authorized and directed to enclose the said two roadways with stone curbings, to construct grass plats at the sidewalk pavements on either side of said street, also to do all the work in the way of grading, the placing of catch basins, drains, crossings, and all other things incident to the construction and completion of the said two roadways of vitrified brick and the said improvement on the said South Broad street. The intersecting streets and lanes shall be paved to the property line with the said vitrified brick. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That a street railroad company having tracks running through the said South Broad street to be improved under this ordinance is hereby required to pave the width of its track and two (2) feet on each side of every line of track of the said company with vitrified brick, as the said work progresses, and, in the event this is not done by the said street railroad company, the said commissioner shall see to its being done at the expense of the said railroad company. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That after the total cost of the said work, exclusive of that done by or for a railroad compan}', shall have been ascertained, one-third of such total cost shall be paid out of the city treasury, and the other two-thirds from the persons owning, at the date of the adoption of this 368 MAYOR1 S ANNUAL REPORT. ordinance, the real estate abutting on each side of the said South Broad street between East Broad and West Broad streets according to frontage; and the pro rata amount of the cost of said work is hereby assessed against the said abutting real estate, and its owners as aforesaid. The frontage of intersecting streets and lanes are assessed as real estate abutting upon the portion of the said South Broad street to be improved, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah shall be, for all the intents and purposes of this ordinance, the owner of the real estate so abutting, and shall pay from the city treasury its just pro rata as such owner for the cost of said work according to frontage in addition to its one-third of the entire cost as hereinbefore provided. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That after the improvement hereinbefore provided for has been completed, the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah shall prepare and submit to Council a statement showing the cost of the improvement herein provided for, and also an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost to be apportioned, how it is apportioned amongst the several abutting parcels, including the street and lane intersections, and giving the sum chargeable to each parcel, with the name of the owner. Upon the consideration and adoption of said statement and assessment roll by the Council of the city of Savannah it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to send to the abutting property owners their proper bill for the same as it may be ascertained by the City Council, and if such bill so MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S69 sent be not paid within thirty (30) days after the presentation or sending of the same, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution for the amount, together with costs, against the persons and property aforesaid, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein as are executions for city taxes. The said statement and assessment roll shall also show the amount payable by a street railroad company, and should such company fail or refuse to pay a bill for the same thirty days after its presentation, it shall be the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution against the said company and its property, together with costs, which shall be made and levied as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed March 19, 1896. An ordinance for the improvement of Habersham street, in the city of Savannah, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887, That the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to build and construct on Habersham street, in the city 24 370 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. of Savannah, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, a roadway of vitrified brick forty (40) feet in width. The said Commissioner is also authorized and directed to enclose the said roadway with a stone curbing, to construct grass plats at the sidewalk pavements on either side of said street, also to do all the work in the way of grading, the placing of catch basins, drains, crossings and all other things incident to the construction and completion of the said roadway of vitrified brick, and the said improvement on the said Habersham street. The intersecting streets and lanes shall be paved to the property line with the said vitrified brick. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That a street railroad company having tracks running through, the said Habershara street to be improved, under this ordinance, is hereby required to pave the width of its track and two (2) feet on each side of every line of track of the said company with vitrified brick, as the work progresses, and, in the event this is not done by the said street railroad company, the said Commissioner shall see to its being done at the expense of the said railroad company. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That, after the total cost of the said work, exclusive of that done by or for a railroad company, shall have been ascertained, one-third of such total cost shall be paid out of the city treasury, and the other two-thirds from the persons owning, at the date of the adoption of this ordinance, the real estate abutting on each side of the said Habersham street, between South Broad and MAYOR'S ANNUAL 11EPORT. S71 Liberty streets, according to frontage; and the pro rata amount of the cost of said work is hereby assessed against the said abutting real estate and its owners as aforesaid. The frontage of intersecting streets and ]anes are assessed as real estate abutting upon the portion of the said Habersham street to be improved, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah shall be, for all the intents and purposes of this ordinance, the owner of the real estate so abutting, and shall pay from the city treasury its just pro rata as such owner for'the cost of said work, according to frontage, in addition to its one-third of the entire cost as hereinbefore provided. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That, after the improvement hereinbefore provided for has been completed, the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah shall prepare and submit to Council a statement, showing the cost of the improvement herein provided for, and also an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost to be apportioned, how it is apportioned amongst the several abutting parcels, including the street and lane intersections, and giving the sum chargeable to each parcel, with the name of the owner. Upon the consideration and adoption of said statement and assessment roll by the Council of the city of Savannah, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to send to the abutting property owners their proper bill for the same, as it may be ascertained by the City Council, and if such bill so sent be not paid within thirty (30) days after the presentation or sending of the same, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue S72 MAYOS'S ANNUAL REPORT. an execution for the* amount, together with costs, against the persons and property aforesaid, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein, as are executions for city taxes. The said statement and assessment roll shall also show the amount payable by a street railroad company, and should such company fail or refuse to pay a bill for the same thirty days after its presentation, it shall be the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution against the said company and its property, together with costs, which shall be made and levied as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed March 19, 1896. An ordinance for the improvement of Abercorn street, in the city of Savannah, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia approved Oct. 1,1887. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia approved Oct 1,1887, That the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah be and he is hereby authorized and directed to build and construct, on Abercorn street in the city of Savannah, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, a roadway of vitrified brick forty (40) feet in width. The said JUA YOJi'S ANJUVAL REPORT. S73 Commissioner is also authorized and directed to enclose the said roadway with a stone curbing, to construct grass plats at the sidewalk pavements on either side of said street, also to do all the work in the way of grading, the 'placing of catch basins, drains, crossings and all other things incident to the construction and completion- of said roadway of vitrified brick and the said improvement on the said Abercorn street. The intersecting streets and lanes shall be paved to the property line with the said vitrified brick. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That a street railroad company having tracks running through the said Abercorn street to be improved under this ordinance is hereby required to pave the width of its track and two (2) feet on each side of every line of track of the said company with vitrified brick as the said work progresses, and in the event this is not done by the said street railroad company, the said Commissioner shall see to its being done at the expense of the said railroad company. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained. That-after the total cost of the said work, exclusive of that done by or for a railroad company, shall have been ascertained, one-third of such total cost shall be paid out of the city treasury, and the other two-thirds from the persons owning, at the date of the adoption of this ordinance, the real estate abutting on each side of the said Abercorn street, between South Broad and Liberty streets, according to frontage; and the pro rata amount of the cost of said work is hereby assessed against the said abutting real estate and its S74 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. owners as aforesaid. The frontage of intersecting streets and lanes are assessed as real estate abutting upon the portion of the said Abercorn street to be improved, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah shall be, for all the intents and purposes of this ordinance, the owner of the real estate so abutting, and shall pay from the city treasury its just pro rata as such owner for the cost of said work, according to the frontage, in addition to its one-third of the entire cost as hereinbefore provided. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That after the improvement hereinbefore provided for has been completed, the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah shall prepare and submit to Council a statement showing the cost of the improvement herein provided for, and also an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost to be apportioned, how it is apportioned amongst the several abutting parcels, including the street and lane intersections and giving the sum chargeable to each parcel with the name of the owner. Upon the consideration and adoption of said statement and assessment roll by the Council of the city of Savannah it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to send to the abutting property owners their proper bill for the same as it may be ascertained by the City Council, and if such bill so sent be not paid within thirty (30) days after the presentation or sending of the same, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution for the amount, together with costs, against the persons and property aforesaid, which execution shall be made and levied MA YOM'S ANNUAL BEPOBI. S75 out of the property described therein as are executions for city taxes. The said statement and assessment roll shall also show the amount payable by a street railroad company, and should such company fail or refuse to pay a bill for the same thirty days after its presentation, it shall then be the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution against the said company and its property, together with costs, which shall be made and levied as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed March 19, 1896. An ordinance for the improvement of a part of Wadley street, in the city of Savannah, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1,1887. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887, That the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah" be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to build and construct on Wadley street, in the city of Savannah, from the southern line of River street to the northern line of the present pavement of granite blocks now laid in Wadley street, just south of the Central railroad tracks, a roadway forty (40) feet in width of granite blocks. The said Commissioner is also authorized and directed to enclose the said roadway with a stone curbing, and construct all neces- S76 MA TOR'S ANNUAL BJEPOST. sary catch basins, drains and crossings, and to do all the work incident to the said improvement. See. 2. Be it further ordained, That the Central of Georgia Railway Company, a railroad company which has two of its tracks crossing the said portion of Wadley street, is hereby required to plank between its tracks and two (2) feet on each side, and to keep the said planking in repair. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That, after the total cost of said work, exclusive of that done by or for the railway company, shall have been ascertained, one third of such total cost shall be paid out of the city treasury and the other two-thirds from the persons owning, at the date of the adoption of this ordinance, the real estate abutting on each side of the said portion of Wadley street, according to frontage, and the pro rata amount of the cost of the said work is hereby assessed against the said abutting real estate and its owners as aforesaid. There being no streets or lanes intersecting the said portion of Wadley street, no provision is made therefor. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That, after the improvement hereinbefore provided for has been completed, the Commissioner of Public Works forxthe city of Savannah shall prepare and submit to Council a statement showing the cost of the improvement herein provided for, and also an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost to be apportioned, how it is apportioned amongst the several abutting parcels, giving the sum chargeable to each parcel, with the name of the owner, and also the amount chargeable to the said railway company. Upon the MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 377 consideration and adoption of said statement and assessment roll by the Council of the city of Savannah, it shall then become the duty .of the City Treasurer to send to the abutting property owners and the said railway company their proper bill for the same as it may be ascertained by the City Council, and if such bills so sent be not paid within thirty (30) days after the presentation or sending of the same, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution for the amount, together with costs, against the persons and property aforesaid, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed April 8, 1896. An ordinance for the improvement of the Louisville road, in the city of Savannah, from the western end of the bridge over the Savannah and Ogeechee canal to the bifurcation of the Louisville and Augusta roads, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, under the terms and provisions of an act of the leglature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887, that the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to build and construct a roadway twenty-five (25) feet 378 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. in width, from the western end of the bridge over the Savannah and Ogeechee canal, in the city of Savannah, to the bifurcation of the Louisville and Augusta roads, in said city, on that certain road known as the Louisville road, and to pave the said roadway on said Louisville road with a crushed granite stone foundation six ((>) inches deep, and with a wearing surface of chert to be three (3) inches deep after being compressed, and also to enclose the said roadway with stone curbing, and to do all the work in the way of grading, the placing of catch basins, the construction of drains and crossings, and all other things incident to the construction and completion of the said roadway on the said Louisville road. The intersecting streets and roadways shall be paved to the property lines, with the said crushed granite stone foundation and wearing surface of chert, as above prescribed. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That a street railroad company having tracks running through and along the said Louisville road, to be improved under this ordinance, is hereby required to pave the width of its track and two (2) feet on each side of every line of track of the said company with the said crushed granite stone foundation, and with wearing surface of chert, as above prescribed, as the said work progresses, and in the event this is not done by the said street railroad company, the said Commissioner shall see to its being done, at the expense of the said railroad company. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That, after the total cost of the said work, exclusive of that done by or for a railroad company, shall have been ascertained, one- MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S79 third (4) of such total cost shall be paid out of the city treasury and the other two-thirds ($) from the persons owning, at the date of the adoption of this ordinance, the real estate abutting on each side of said Louisville road, between the western end of the bridge over the Savannah and Qgeeehee canal and the said bifurcation of the Louisville and Augusta roads, according to frontage; and the pro rata amount of the cost of said work is hereby assessed againstthe said abutting real estate and its owners, as aforesaid. The frontage of intersecting streets and roadways is assessed as real estate abutting upon the portion of the said Louisville road to be improved, and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah shall be, for all the intents and purposes of this ordinance, the owner of the real estate so abutting, and shall pay from the city treasury its just pro rata as such owner of the cost of said work, according to frontage, in addition to its one-third () of the entire cost, as hereinbefore provided. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That, after the improvement hereinbefore provided for has been completed, the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah shall prepare and submit to Council a statement showing the cost of the improvement hereinbefore provided for, and also an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds (?) of the cost to be apportioned, how it is apportioned amongst the several abutting parcels, including the street and roadway intersections, and giving the sum chargeable to each parcel, with the name of the owner. Upon the consideration and adoption of the said statement and S80 MA YOJi'S ANNUAL REPORT. assessment roll by the Council of the city of Savannah, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to send to the abutting property owners their proper bill for the same, as it may be ascertained by the said City Council, and if such bill so sent be not paid within thirty (30) days after the presentation or sending of the same, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution for the amount, together with costs, against the persons and property aforesaid, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein, as are executions for city taxes. The said statement and assessment roll shall also show the amount payable by a street railroad company, and should such company fail or refuse to pay a bill for the same thirty (30) days after its presentation, it shall be the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution against the said company and its property for the amount, together with costs, which shall be made and levied as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed August 26,1896. An ordinance to establish the official statement and assessment roll, touching the improvement of that certain street in the city of Savannah, known as Habersham street, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, made under an ordinance passed by council on the 19th day of March, 1896. MA YOX'S ANNUAL REPORT. S8l Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the citv of Savannah, in council assembled, V ' ' that the statement and assessment roll, made under direction of council, for the improvement of that certain street, in the city of Savannah, known as Habersham street, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, under the above mentioned ordinance, filed by the clerk of council on the 24th day of October, 1896, be and they are hereby declared to be the official statement and assessment roll for the said improvement, under the said ordinance. The said statement and assessment roll being that entitled, "Statement showing the cost of the improvement of Habersham street, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, as made under an ordinance of the city of Savannah, passed March 19, 1896, and an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost, how it is apportioned among the several abutting parcels, including street intersections, and giving the sum chargeable to each parcel, with the name of the owner." And the Clerk of Council of the city of Savannah is hereby directed to enter the same on the minutes of council for due authentication and preservation. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That the treasurer of the city of Savannah is hereby authorized and directed to send bills to the owners of the property assessed, as they appear upon said assessment roll, and who are indebted thereunder, as provided for by said ordinance of March 19, 1896, and also a bill to the railway company mentioned in said assessment SSS MAJORS ANNUAL REPORT. roll, and as provided therein. Should this assessment be not paid by the property-owner or the said railway company within thirty (30) days after the presentation of the said bill, it shall then become the duty of the city treasurer to issue an execution for the amount that may be due by the propertyowner or railway company, together with the costs, against the property assessed and the person owning the same, according to such assessment, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed October 24, 1896. An ordinance to establish the official statement and assessment roll touching the improvement of that certain street or roadway in the city of Savannah known as Bay street extension, from the west side of Wadley street to the corporate limits of the city of Savannah, made under an ordinance passed by council on the llth day of March, 1896. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, in council assembled, That the statement and assessment roll made under direction of council for the improvement of that certain street or roadway in the city of Savannah known as Bay street extension, from the west side of Wadley street to the corporate limits of the city of Savannah, under the above mentioned ordinance, filed by the clerk of council on the 26th day of September, 1896, be and they are hereby declared to be the official MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S83 statement and assessment roll for the said improvement under the said ordinance. The said statement and assessment roll being that entitled, "Statement showing the cost of the improvement of Bay street extension from the west side of Wadley street to the corporate limits of the city- of Savannah in the city of Savannah under an ordinance of the city of Savannah passed March 11, 1896, and an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost, how it is apportioned among the several abutting parcels," and the Clerk of Council of the city of Savannah is hereby directed to enter the same on the minutes of council for due authentication and preservation. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That the Treasurer of the city of Savannah is hereby authorized and directed to send bills to the owners of the property assessed, as they appear upon said assessment roll, and who are indebted thereunder, as provided for by said ordinance of March 11, 1896. Should this assessment be not paid by the property owner within thirty (30) days after the presentation of the said bill, it shall become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an execution for the amount that may be due by the property owner, together with the costs, against the property assessed, and the person owning the same, according to such assessment, which execution shall be made and levied out of the property described therein as are executions for city taxes. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordiare hereby repealed. Ordinance passed October 24,1896. 384 MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT, An ordinance to amend that certain ordinance adopted by Council March 19, 1896, entitled, "An ordinance for the improvement of South Broad street, in the city of Savannah, from the west side of East Broad street to the east side of West Broad street, under the terms and provisions of an act of the legis- } lature of Georgia, approved Oct. 1, 1887, by substi- ! tuting sheet asphalt for vitrified brick, i Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Alder- ' men of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That sections one and two of the above entitied ordinance be, and the same are hereby amended by substituting for "vitrified brick" wherever they occur, the words "sheet asphalt," so that the same ordinance as amended shall provide for roadways of sheet asphalt instead of vitrified brick. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict wifh this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed November 11, 1896. An ordinance to establish the official statement and assessment roll touching the improvement of that certain street in the city of Savannah, known as Abercorn street, from the south side of South Broad street, to the north side of Liberty street, made under an ordinance passed by Council on the 19th of March, 1896. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the statement and assessment roll made under the direction of the Council for the improvement of that certain street in the city of Savannah, known as MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 385 Abercorn street, from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, under the above-mentioned ordinance, filed by the Clerk of Council on the 2d of December, 1896, be, and they are hereby declared to be the official statement and assessment roll for the said improvement under the said ordinance. The said statement and assessment roll being that entitled, "Statement showing the cost of the improvement of Abercorn street from the south side of South Broad street to the north side of Liberty street, as made under an ordinance of the city of Savannah, passed March 19, 1896; and an assessment roll showing as to two-thirds of the cost, and how it is apportioned among the several abutting parcels, including street intersections, and giving the sum chargeable to each parcel with the name of the owner." And the Clerk of Council is hereby directed to enter the same on the minutes of the Council for due authentication and preservation. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That the Treasurer of the city of Savannah is hereby authorized and directed to send bills to the owners of the property assessed, as they appear upon said assessment roll, and who are indebted thereunder, as provided for by said ordinance of March 19, 1896, and the said Treasurer is also directed to send to the railway company mentioned in said statement, its bill for paving between its tracks and two feet on each side of its tracks. Should this assessment be not paid by the property owners, or railway company, within thirty days after presentation of said bill, it shall then become the duty of the City Treasurer to issue an 25 386 .MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. execution for the amount that may be due according to the said statement and assessment roll, together with the costs, against the property assessed and the persons owning the same, and also against the said railway company, which execution shall be made and levied as are executions for city taxes. See. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed December 2, 1896. POWDER MAGAZINES. An ordinance to permit Charles A. Conklin & Co., to keep a powder magazine, as herein provided, in the city of Savannah. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aidermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That permission is hereby given Charles A. Conklin & Co., of Savannah, Ga., to keep a portable powder magazine within the city of Savannah, on Bay and Barnard streets, near their warehouse, No. 8 Williamson street, as asked for in their petition, as to which a report was adopted by Council at its meeting of Sept. 9, 1896. The said magazine is to be made of heavy sheet iron, 'with overlapping and projecting cover, and is to have a capacity of holding cot exceeding four hundred (400) pounds of powder. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, Thai; the right is reserved by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah to cause the removal of the said powder magazine at any time it is determined by the said Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah that the same is dangerous. MA YOU'S ANNUAL REPORT. S87 Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed September 23,1896. An ordinance to permit S. Guckenheimer & Sons of Savannah, Ga., to keep a powder magazine in the city of Savannah as herein provided. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, That permission is hereby given S. Guckenheimer & Sons of Savannah, Ga., to keep a portable powder magazine within the city of Savannah in front of their place of business on the corner of Bay and Jefferson streets, to be located by the Committee on Streets and Lanes, near the walk on the north side of Bay street, as asked for in their petition, which was referred to the Committee on Streets and Lanes by Council at its meeting of Oct. 21, 1896. The said magazine is to be made of heavy sheet iron, with overlapping and projecting cover, is to be safe and secure, and is to have a capacity of holding not exceeding four hundred (400) pounds of powder. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That the right is reserved by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah to cause the removal of the said powder magazine at any time it may be determined by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah that .the same is dangerous. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed November 18, 1896. S88 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. PrBUC HEALTH. An ordinance for the preservation of the public health of the city of Savannah. Whereas, Impure milk is a constant and prolific source of disease, and is injurious to the public health of the city of Savannah, and Whereas, The drinking of polluted water by milch cows makes the milk of such cows impure, and Whereas, The waters of Bilbo canal are polluted by sewage: Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, that from and after the passage of this ordinance it shall be unlawful for the owners or tenants of lands adjacent to said Bilbo canal to use such lands as pastures for milch cows, unless access to said canal by such cows is prevented by the erection of a good, substantial fence between such lands and said canal, or by some other effective means. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, that any person or persons guilty of a violation of the provisions of the first section of this ordinance, shall, upon conviction thereof before the police court of Savannah, be subject to a fine not to exceed fifty dollars, or imprisonment not to exceed ten days, either or both, in the discretion of the court; and each day that such lands are so used in violation of the terms of the first section of this ordinance shall be deemed and held to be a separate offense. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed September 23, 1896. MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S89 RAILWAYS. An ordinance to extend the time within which the Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company may become the owner absolutely of certain lands, rights of way, privileges and facilities at Savannah, and to amend the ordinances heretofore passed on this subject. Section 1. Whereas, by an ordinance passed March 2, 1892, under certain conditions therein expressed, certain lands, rights of way, privileges and facilities at Savannah were granted to the Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company, and under a resolution of Council passed Aug.. 17, 1892, certain other lands and rights of way, privileges and facilities were granted to said railroad company, subject to the conditions therein expressed; and by an ordinance passed Feb. 14, 1894, the time within which the conditions were performed for the acquisition of certain rights and privileges before granted was extended to March 1, 1895, except those relating to Olive, West Broad, West Boundary and Bay streets, and by an ordinance passed Feb. 27, 1895, a further extension was granted to May 1, 1895; and by an .ordinance passed April 30,1895, a further extension was gran ted to May 1, 1896, under certain restrictions and conditions therein expressed. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, and it is hereby ordained by authority of the same, that a further extension of time of two years from May 1, 1896, be and the same is hereby granted to the said Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad 390 MATCH'S ANNUAL REPORT. Company, within which it may comply with the requisite conditions in order to become the owner of said rights of way, privileges and facilities set forth in all the ordinances and resolutions above mentioned, except those rights and privileges relating to Olive, West Broad, West Boundary and Bay streets, subject to the following additional conditions: First. The said Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company shall complete its entire line between Macon and Savannah and have the same in opera- tion by May 1, 1898, and shall pay into the treasury of the city of Savannah within four months from the ( date of the adoption of this ordinance the sum of j1 twenty-five hundred dollars ($2,500), which said payj ment of twenty-five hundred dollars is in considera- ! tion of the extension of time herein mentioned, and ; in no event shall the said railroad company have a right to demand that it be refunded. Second. Should the said Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company complete its entire line between Macon and Savannah, and have the same in operation by May 1,1898, and should the said Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company comply with all and every condition imposed upon it by the ordinances and resolutions heretofore mentioned, then and in that event it shall be entitled to a deed to the property more particularly described in said ordinance, and to such rights-of-way, privileges and facilities as are set forth in said ordinances and resolutions above mentioned. Third. Should any railroad company complete fifty miles of an independent line of railroad, with Savant MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S91 nah as its initial or terminal point, before the said Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company shall complete its entire line between Macon and Savannah, under the terms and conditions of this ordinance, and should the city of Savannah desire to encourage such railroad by a grant of the privileges, rights-of-way and facilities aforementioned, then and in that event it is expressly understood and agreed that the city shall have the right to repeal this ordinance, and in that event it is expressly understood and agreed that the Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad Company shall have no right whatever to said lands, rights-of-way, privileges and facilities aforementioned, or any claim whatever against the city of Savannah in any way, by reason of any of the rights granted by this or by any other ordinance, or any payments it may have made by reason of this or any other ordinance. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the same be and they are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed June 3, 1896. An ordinance to extend to the purchasers of the property of the Electric Railway Company of Savannah the market privileges conferred by the ordinance of the city of Savannah, adopted June 8, 1892, and entitled "An ordinance to permit the Electric Railway Company of Savannah to extend its line of railway track through the public market, in the city of Savannah, east and west, upon the terms and conditions herein mentioned." 39i MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the persons or company who may purchase the property, rights and franchise of the Electric Railway Company of Savannah, at the public sale now advertised under the decree of the United States Circuit Court, are hereby, as the successors of the said Electric Railway Company, authorized to maintain the railway built under the said ordinance, and to enjoy, in reference to the market, the privileges conferred by the said ordinance, subject, however, to all the terms, conditions and restrictions of the said ordinance, and subject also to the terms, conditions and restrictions of that other ordinance passed July 9, 1890, and entitled "An ordinance to authorize the Savannah Street and Rural Resort Railroad Com- " pany, the City and Suburban Railway Company, and the Coast Line Railroad Company, corporations located in the city of Savannah, to use electricity as motive power for their cars in the city of Savannah, upon the terms and conditions herein expressed, and for other purposes/' and subject to all other ordinances heretofore passed regulating or controlling electric railways in the city of Savannah. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed December 30, 1896. STREETS AMD LAKES. An ordinance to make it unlawful for trucks, drays and wagons to use that certain asphalted street, MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. S9S in the city of Savannah, known as Bull street, from the south side of Broughton street to the north side of Gaston street. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That, for the purpose of preserving that portion of Bull street, hereinafter described, from damage as far as possible, and of maintaining the same as a boulevard or pleasure drive for the people of Savannah, it shall, hereafter, not be lawful for the driver of any truck, dray or wagon to use that certain street in the city of Savannah, known as Bull street, from the south side of Broughton street to the north side of Gaston street, except in crossing said street; provided, however, that drivers of such trucks, drays or wagons shall have the right to use such portion of said street as may be necessary, and no more, in making deliveries of articles to or from any point or points along the line of said street, and any driver violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject, upon conviction before the police, court of Savannah, to a fine not to exceed ten ($10) dollars, and imprisonment not to exceed ten (10) days, either or both, in the discretion of the said court. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed March 11, 1896. An ordinance to suspend all ordinances heretofore passed prohibiting the stretching of signs or awnings across the streets of Savannah during May Week. S94 MA TOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the ordinances referred to in the title to this ordinance be, and they are hereby suspended during May Week, that is to say, during the week beginning May 11, 1896. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed May 6, 1896. An ordinance to amend section 1126 of MacDonell's Code of Savannah. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That section 1126 of MacDonell's Code of Savannah, to be found on page 299 thereof, is hereby amended, so that the same shall hereafter read as follows: "Bull street, in said city of Savannah, shall be extended south to the southern limits of the city of Savannah as defined in the act of the general assembly, approved Sept.'21,1883, as follows: That is to say, the central line of Bull street, between Andersen street and Fourth street, shall be a line drawn from the central point of intersection of Anderson and Bull streets, as prolonged from the north to the central point of intersection of Bull and Fourth streets, and from the central point of intersection of Bull and Fourth streets to the center of Bull street at the southern limits of the city, that is to say, thirty-seven feet and six inches east of the western line of the White Bluff road, and the eastern and western lines of Bull street shall be parallel to MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. i9& and thirty-seven feet and six inches at all points east and west of said central line of Bull street, as herein laid out, between Anderson street and the southern limits of the city. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed May 6, 1896. An ordinance to prevent the throwing, dropping or otherwise placing in or on the roadways and sidewalks of any of the streets and lanes of the city of Savannah, or in or on any of the parks, squares and grass plats therein, and in or on any of the public roads within the jurisdictional limits of the city of Savannah of any glassware, crockery, earthenware, broken glass, broken crockery, broken earthenware, nails, tacks or any other substances calculated to injure the feet of pedestrians or animals, and the wheels of bicycles or other vehicles. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That hereafter it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to throw, drop or otherwise place in or on the roadways and sidewalks of any of the streets and lanes of the city of Savannah, or in or on any of the parks, squares and grass plats therein, or in or on any of the public roads within the jurisdictional limits of the city of Savannah any glassware, crockery, earthenware, broken glass, broken crockery, broken earthenware, nails, tacks or any other substances calculated to injure the feet of pedestrians or animals, and the wheels of bicycles or. other vehicles, excepting 396 MA YOK>S ANNUAL REPORT. such material as is used by the city or permitted to be used by other corporations or persons in the construction or repair of roadways, driveways, etc. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That any person or persons violating this ordinance shall, upon conviction before the police court of the city of Savannah, be fined in a sum not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisoned not to exceed thirty days, either or both, in the discretion of the court. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed August 26, 1896. An ordinance to change the name of that portion of Perry lane, which extends from Abercorn street to Habersham street, to "Colonial Place." Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the name of that portion of Perry lane, which extends from Abercorn street to Habersham. street, in the city of Savannah, is hereby changed, so that the said portion shall hereafter be known as "Colonial Place." Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance be, and the same are hereby, repealed. Ordinance passed October 9, 1896. An ordinance to grant to the trustees of Wesley Monumental Church for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Savannah, ten (10) feet to be taken from the west side of Abercorn street, between Gor- MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. iff? don and Wayne streets, opposite Calhoun square, thereby increasing the depth of Trust lot number twenty-seven (27), Calhoun ward, ten (10) feet. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the eastern boundary of Trust lot number twenty-seven (27), Calhoun ward, in said city, be extended ten (10) feet, to be taken from the west side of Abercorn street, between Gordon street and Wayue street, opposite Calhoun square, and the said 10 feet are hereby added to and made a part of said lot, provided, however, that an act of the Legislature of the State of Georgia, confirming this ordinance, be obtained. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed October 21, 1896. SALARY. An ordinance fixing the compensation or salary of the Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah and of his clerk. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the^Commissioner of Public Works for the city of Savannah shall receive for his compensation or salary the sum of twenty-five hundred ($2,500) dollars per annum, payable in equal monthly installments, out of the treasury of the city of Savannah, during his term of office, beginning on the first Monday in January, 1896. S9S MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That the clerk of said Commissioner shall receive, as his compensation or salary, the sum of twelve hundred ($1,200) dollars per annum, payable in equal monthly installments, out of the treasury of the city of Savannah, beginning on the first Monday in January, 1896. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance be, and the same are hereby, repealed. Ordinance passed January 1, 1896. SINKS. An ordinance to fix the charge to owners of property for cleaning and removing the contents of tubs, barrels and similar movable receptacles. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That hereafter the charge to owners of property in the city of Savannah for the cleansing and removal of the contents of a tub or barrel, or similar movable receptacle used by them in place of a privy vault, shall be three dollars in each case, and this charge is hereby assessed against said owners. Sec. 2. That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance, and particularly section 2 of the ordinance of January 8, 1879, entitled "An ordinance for the better promotion of the public health and to provide for the cleansing and cementing of privy vaults at the expense of the owners, and to equitably distribute the burden of such expense," be, and the same are hereby, repealed. Ordinance passed January 1, 1896. MAYOR13 ANNUAL REPORT. SURFACE WELLS. S99 An ordinance to amend that certain ordinance passed August 28, 1895, entitled "An ordinance to prevent the use of surface wells in the city of Savannah." Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the above entitled ordinance be, and the same is, so amended that it shall hereafter be within the discretion of the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, upon petition, to permit the use of a surface well in any case which presents, in the judgment of the said Mayor and Aldermen, by its special facts and circumstances, a proper case for an exception to the policy manifested by the said ordinance. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed March 25, 1896. TAX: ASSESSORS AND RECEIVERS. An ordinance touching the Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers for the city of Savannah, the compensation or salary of the members thereof, and of their Clerk, their bonds, duties and powers, requiring tax returns to be made, and the manner, and prescribing penalties for failure to comply with the requirements hereof, and for other purposes connected herewith. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That the Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers for 400 MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. the city of Savannah, provided for by an act of the legislature of Georgia, approved on the 10th day of December, 1895, and entitled "An act to create and organize a Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers for the city of Savannah, ,to define its powers and duties, to provide a Clerk tor said Board, to provide for the compensation of said Tax Assessors and Receivers, and said Clerk, and for other purposes,'' shall immediately upon their qualification organize, and shall at once proceed to carry out the duties imposed upon them by the said act, and the ordinance of the city of Savannah in pursuance thereof. They shall take and subscribe before the Mayor of the city the oath provided for in section two of the said act, and shall each of them give a bond in the penal sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000), payable to the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, conditioned for the faithful performance and discharge of all his duties as said Tax Assessor and Receiver, and, in addition to this, the bond of the Clerk of said Board shall be conditioned for the faithful performance and discharge of all of his duties, not only as s'aid Tax Assessor and Receiver, but also as the said Clerk. Sec. 2. Be it further ordained, That each of said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall receive as his compensation the sum of twelve hundred dollars per annum, payable in equal monthly instalments out of the treasuiy of the city of Savannah, and, in addition to this compensation, the Tax Assessor and Receiver serving as the Clerk of said Board, shall receive, as such Clerk, the sum of six hundred dollars per annum, payable in equal monthly instalments out of MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 401 the treasury of the said city of Savannah, in addition to his said compensation or salary as such Tax Assessor and Receiver. Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That the said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall have an office in the City Exchange, or at such other place as the Mayor of the city of Savannah shall designate, of which notice shall be given to the tax payers and citizens of the city of Savannah, and it shall be the duty of the said Tax Assessors and Receivers, other than the Clerk of the Board, to be and remain at their said office every day, Sundays and holidays excepted, between the hours of 4 p. m. and 6 p. m., except when their official d-uties as said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall require their presence elsewhere, but the Clerk of the said Board is hereby required to be at the said office every day, Sundays and holidays excepted, from nine a. m. to two p. m., and from four p. m. to six p. m., except when his absence from the said office is required by his official duties. Sec. 4. Be it further ordained, That the Clerk of said Board shall keep a true and correct record of the proceedings of the said Board, which shall always be subject to the inspection of the Mayor, orany Alderman of the said city, and shall perform such other duties as may hereafter be imposed upon him by ordinance, or by the rules and regulations of the said Board not inconsistent with the act of the legislature creating the said Board, or with any ordinance of the city of Savannah. Sec. 5. Be it further ordained, That in addition to the powers and duties conferred upon them by seeas 40* MAYORS ANNUAL REPORT. tion three of the said act of the legislature of Georgia, the said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall also have the following powers, and exercise the following duties, to-wit: (a) They shall require all returns of personal property subject to taxation, and held or owned on the first day of January of each year, to be made before them at their office, in the city of Savannah, upon such form or forms as they may prescribe or approve of, by the first day of February of each year, and the following oath or affirmation shall be administered to each and every person making returns for taxation of personal property to said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers, to-wit: "You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that the returns which you are about to make shall be a just and true statement of all personal property of every kind, which you held or owned on the first day of January (inserting here the year), or were interested in, either in your own right, or the right of any person or persons whomsoever, either as a parent, guardian, executor, administrator, agent or trustee, or in any other manner whatsoever, to the best of your knowledge, information and belief. You do further swear that you will truly, correctly and fully answer all questions asked you by the Tax Assessors ami Receivers in reference to said return, and that you have not conveyed or assigned to others, or removed out of the city of Savannah any property whatsoever to avoid returning the same for taxation." The said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers shall keep the tax books open and ready for returns MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 40.1 until the time specified above, and of which full notice shall be given to the tax payers, by publication in the official organ of said city, and by such other means as the said Board may adopt. It shall be the duty of said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers to have prepared suitable books for the purpose of receiving returns as provided herein. (b) If any person fails, neglects or refuses to make a return of his or her personal property within the time appointed, or to truly answer such questions as may be asked, or to submit his personal property for the inspection and valuation of said Tax Assessors and Receivers, or to furnish such data and information as may be called for by them, then it shall be the duty of the said Tax Assessors and Receivers, jo.intly, from the best information they can get in reference to the amount and value of the personal property owned and possessed by such person, 'to arrive at the true value of the same and place it upon their books. They shall also enter upon their books the name of any person, firm, company or corporation who shall either fail or refuse to give in their property, and of all they are unable to find, and whom they may believe to be subject to a tax on personal property, and of the amount of the tax assessable against them. (c) In the discharge of their duties, the said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall be authorized to enter the store or place of business of any person, but shall not enter any private residence against the consent of the occupant. (d) In case of false, fradulent or unfair returns, 404 MA YOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. the said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall cite the person making the same to appear before them on some day to be fixed by them, and show cause why the return should not be corrected. Upon any such person so cited appearing before them, they may, and shall, if requested, hear evidence as to the real value of the property in dispute and determine the same. If such person so cited refuses or neglects to appear, his return shall be corrected by the said Tax Assessors and Receivers, according to the best information they can obtain. (e) After the returns are in and corrected (where corrections are necessary), the said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall enter the same upon two identical tax digests, alphabetically arranged, one of which tax digests shall be retained for use in their office and the other for the City Treasurer (f) They shall have power, in all cases, to swear a person making a return that he will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in answer to their questions, and to interrogate him or her closely for the purpose of having a just, full, true and correct return made. Sec. 6. Be it further ordained, That in case of the failure of the owner or agent, trustee, guardian or person in charge of any property, which ought to appear on the tax books, to come to the office of the Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers, and take the oath and make the returns required by law, the said Tax Assessors and Receivers shall keep a digest, to be known as the "Defaulters' Digest," in which all such names and the amounts returned by them or MAYOR'S ANN VAL REPORT. 405 assessed against them, shall be recorded, and it shall be the duty of the marshal, before settling with them, to require all defaulting taxpayers to go to the office of the said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers and take the oath and make the returns required by law; and any defaulter failing to comply with this section, when thus required by the marshal, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $50.00 or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or both, upon conviction in the police court of the city of Savannah. Sec. 7. Be it further ordained, That any pel-son who shall knowingly make any incomplete or unfaithful return for taxation, or who shall refuse to make a return, shall, on conviction before the police ccurt of the city of Savannah, be subject to a fine not exceeding f50 or imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, either or both, in the discretion of the court, * for each offense. Sec 8. Be it further ordained, That in case any person, firm or corporation liable under the tax ordinances of the city of Savannah shall fail or refuse to make returns of personal property as required in this- ordinance, it shall be in the power of said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers to assess such persons, firm or corporation at double the amount of the immediately preceding tax return, and if no return shall have been made, then the said Board shall have the power to assess such person, firm or corporation, in its discretion; provided, however, that upon petition made to said Board by any such person, firm or corporation, within thirty days after such assessment, or double assessment, and not thereafter, the 4W MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. said Board may hear the said petitioner, and such evidence as may be adduced before it, and if proper excuse be shown, in the judgment of said Board, it shall have the power to reduce such assessment or double assessment and upon such terms as it may deem just and equitable. Sec. 9. Be it further ordained, That it shall be the duty of every male resident of Savannah, who shall have attained the age of twenty-one (21) years, to report in person at the office of said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers, between the first day of January of each year and the first day of March of each year, and give in his full name, age, occupation and residence by street and number, and make his return as required by this ordinance, if he has any personal property whatsoever, or show to the satisfaction of said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers that he held or owned no personal property on the first day of January of that year, and answer all questions put to him by said Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers, relating to personal property, and non-compliance by any such male resident with the terms of this section, or with any of them, shall subject him, on conviction before the Police Court of the city of Savannah, to punishment by a fine not exceeding fifty (f50) dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days, either or both, in the discretion of the Court, for each offense; the meaning and intent of this section being to require returns to be made by every male resident of Savannah of twenty-one years of age and upward; those holding or owning personal property on the first day of Jan- MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. 407 uary of each year to make their returns by the first day of February of each year, and those alleging that they held or owned no personal property on the first day of January of each year to make their returns on showing, as the case may be, by the first day of March of each year. Sec. 10. Be it further ordained, That the assessment of the said Tax Assessors and Receivers as finally made by them shall be final, and there shall be no appeal therefrom. Sec. 11. Be it further ordained, That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed in council January 4, 1896. An ordinance to amend that certain ordinance adopted January 4, 1896, entitled "An ordinance touching the Board of Tax Assessors and Receivers for the city of Savannah, the compensation or salary of the members thereof, and of their clerk, their bonds, duties and powers, requiring tax returns to be made and the manner, and prescribing penalties for failure to comply with the requirements hereof, and for other purposes connected herewith," by repealing section nine thereof. Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Savannah, in council assembled, That section nine of the above-recited ordinance be, and the same is hereby, repealed. Sec. 2. That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. Ordinance passed January 29,1896. REPORTS. PAGE CITY ATTORNEY ...................... 61- 63 CITY ENGINEER ..... ................ 185-207 CITY PHYSICIANS ..................... 291-303 FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH (SUPERINTENDENT) ...... 132-134 FIRE CHIEF ........................ 97-130 FIRE COMMISSIONERS ................... 88- 96 FIRE DEPARTMENT CLERK ................ 131 HARBOR MASTER ..................... S06-307 HEALTH OFFICER ..................... 241-281 MARKET .......................... 804-305 MARSHAL ......................... 69- 60 MAYOB'S ANNUAL ..................... 5-20 PABK AND TREE COMMISSIONERS ............. 230-240 POLICE CHIEF ....................... 70-81 POLICE COMMISSIONERS .................. 64-69 POLICE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM .............. .82-85 POLICE (RECORDER'S) COURT ............"... 86- 87 PCBUC WORKS COMMISSIONER .............. 147-184 QUARANTINE ........................ 282-290 SAVANNAH HOSPITAL ................'... 324-325 SAVANNAH FEMALE ASYLUM ............... 327 SAVANNAH WIDOWS' SOCIETY ............... 326 SEWERS (E. J. THOMAS, CIVIL ENGINEER) ........ 208-229 SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS ........;.. . . 21- 24 ST. JOSEPH INFIRMARY .................. 325-326 TAX ASSESSORS AND RECEIVERS .............. 28-30 TREASURER ........................ 31- 55 WATER COMMISSIONERS .................. 135-136 WATER WORKS (SUPERINTENDENT) ............ 137-146 MISCELLANEOUS. BANK CLEARANCES .................... 348-349 BOARD OF TRADE ..................... 343 BONDED DEBT ...... ........ . . . 2-5 BUDGET FOR 1896 ....... ............ 56 CITY OFFICERS1896 ....... ......... 3 COTTON EXCHANGE .................... aW-342 COTTON STATISTICS .................... 333-342 INDEXContinued. PAGE MAYOR AND ALDERMEN .................. 2 NAVAL STORES STATISTICS ................ 344-346 ORDINANCES PASSED IN 1896 ............... 851-407 PUBLIC SCHOOLS ............... ...... 808-323 STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL, 1896 ......... 4 STATEMENT OF CITY OF SAVANNAH BONDS . ...... 26- 27 TRIAL BALANCE, 1896 ................... 57- 58 VESSELS ENTERED AT AND CLEARED FROM CUSTOM HOUSE, 1896 ...................... 847 1