Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1868-1887, December 15, 1868, Image 3

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4 sfcgS J..II. ESTILL, PROPRIETOR. SAVANNAH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1868. ESTABLISHED 1850. SUPPLEMENT. [official] Proceedings of Council. Savannah, Dec. 9,1868. Conncil met Present—the Mavor, Alder men Villalonga, Sims, Hunter, A. N MUler, VTyUy, Burroughs, Waring, Meyer and C. C. The minutes of the last regular meeting ■vrere read.and confirmed. -’.>££•' 3 ' “ APPEAL CASE. . .n„ Information Docket, November 27,1868. The City of Savannah vs. Jackson Smick, charge, violation City Ordinance, relative to keeping hogs within the city limits 12 o’clock M., November 25, 1868. Fined thirty dol lars and costs,and appeal entered without ob jection. The following witnesses were duly a,worn and examined: on the part of the city, S. Walls, City Police and James Stewart,Clerk ■of Cptmcfl. On the part of the defense, Win. Sadler, M. Wahltman and H. Hatfield. "Whereupon, on motion, the fine was confirmed. On motion of Alderman Wylly, the city portion of the fine imposed in the case of Jackson Smick was remitted on condition that the defendant apologize - to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for certain opprobri ous and abusive language used by him to wards the city authorities and forwarded through a police officer in the discharge of his duty. Mr. Smick tendered his apology, which was accepted by the Board. The Information and Fine Docket were then confirmed. The Mayor called attention of Conncil to the Tecent murder of Frederick Broadbacker : and Frederick Brickman while in discharge of their duty as duly appointed and qualified iSpecial Policemen of the City of Savannah, and ask Council to empower him to lake the necessary steps to bring the murderer or murderers to justice either by proclamation pr offering a suitable reward. fcEPORTS BEAT) AND ADOPTED. By jiennission of Council, Henry Williams, Esq., a member of the Board of Education for the city of Savannah aud t he county of Chatham, (to whom was referred a petition from the clergy and laity of-the Roman Ca tholic Church in Savannah, asking Council to appropriate an educational fuud for the sup port of the Catholic free schools of Savan nah), presented the following report from said Board of Education, which was on motion, received and adopted: To the \Honprab1e, the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah: The following petition, numerously and respectably signed, and addressed to your Honorable Body, has been referred by you to the Board of Public Education for the city of Savannah and the county of Chatham. (copy.) To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Savannah We, undersigned Catholics, residing in the city Of Savannah, lay before your honorable body an humble and respectful petition, which we trust will not be set aside. Form ing a large portion of the population of the city, as appears from the report of interments in Laurel Grove-and Cathedral Cemetery, we have organized schools, which are in the highest sense, poor schools and free schools, and the scholars are so numerous that the public schools supported by the city could not physically accommodate them. We have done so because we believe it is far the better plan to teach children the elements of litera ture and science under the influence and shelter of the religion which they profess, as has always been done in time past, and we would consider it an infringement of the true liberty of conscience, if we were obliged to subject our children to the influence of a re ligion which they do not profess, or of no re ligion at all We, therefore, submit to your honorable body to consider whether it is proper to make ns pay taxes for schools which we do not patronize, and whether it would not be better in accordance with equity and genuine liberality to divide the fund allotted for free schools, in the proportion of the free scholars found in each school.” (Signed by Bishop Yerot, Eev. C. C. Pren- dergast, and also by a large number of others of the clergy and laity of the Boman Catho lic Church in Savannah.) Upon this petition the Board of Education respectfuDy make to your honorable body the following return and report: In the month of November, 1867, a corres pondence was held upon this subject between this Board and certain gentlemen represent ing the Roman Catholics of Savannah, in the following terms: To the Board of Education, Savannah, Ga.: Gentlemen—We desire respectfully to ask your attention to a plan which we propose for uniting the Catholic schools of our city with the public schools now under your charge. We have felt that there was some injustice in our being taxed for the support of schools, to which, with our views of religion and edu cation, we could not consistently send our Catholic children, whilst at the same time we were paying another tax for the support of our own schools. We. wish to be relieved of this double burden; but, instead of asking for a separate poni > i of the educational fund, which we think we might justly claim, we propose that you receive our schools under your management and supervision, on the following conditions: 1st. The Catholic schools shall be under the control and subject to the rules aud regu lations of the Board of Education. 2d. The Catholic schools shall have a rep- rese-t-tion iu tire Board of Education, con sisting of three members, one of whom shall be a Catholic Priest 3d- The teachers of the Catholic schools shall be nominated by the representatives of these schools in tho Board of Education, sub ject to the approval of the Board. 4th. The catechism of the Catholic church may be taught in these schools, and the selec tion of histories, reading books, and such other text hooks as may touch on religion, shall be left to the Catholic representatives in the Board. - During the past year we have educated about seven hundred scholars, male and female, at an an expense of about $7,000, all of winch amount has been paid by the Catholics of Savannah. We have only one school bnild- ing, which is on Abercom street, all the other buildings that we used were rented for the purpose. We propose to leave all questions relating to the extent of authority of the Board of Education over the Catholic schools, and the details of the plan to a joint com mittee of reference, in case you are disposed to regard with iavor this application. We now lay the matter before you, and ask your favorable consideration. We appeal to you with confidence, as liberal and enlightened men, believing not only that you will ac knowledge the justice of our claim, but that you will see that it will be a wise policy to enter into the arrangements proposed. Under such a just and liberal union, we can all work together harmoniously, and unitedly sup port a system of public schools which will be an object of pride to our entire commu nity. We are. very respectfully, Savannah, November 1st, 1807. themselves of the opportunities of education thu3 offered, and^so will be all other schools that may hereafter be organized by the Board under the same authority. There is nothing exclusive, denominational' or sectarian in the constitution of the Board, or in the school system which it has adopted. On the contrary, it i3 the sincere desire of the members of the Board to extend the bene fits of the institutions under their control, over all white children in the city of Savan nah and county of Chatham, without regard to differences or distinctions in religion, whether they concern doctrine, discipline, faith or creed. But the Board does not desire, and does not feel authorized to mingle, in the practical arrangements of the public school system, the doctrines or tenetsof any particular faith or creed, with the general topics of school education in this country, Teachings upon subjects of religion concern, according to the Constitution of the United States,. the con sciences of individuals, rather than the arrange ments of public corporations or institutions. They would seem to be more appropriately left to the privates control of household, or spiritual, advisers. The Board regrets that any persons in the community should decline to accept the opportunities of education offered by their public school system. They do not, however, acknowledge any blame or fault in themselves, or their school system upon that subject, or on that account. Nor can they recognize any right in individuals or associations to claim any proportionate part of the public educational fund, on ac count of a voluntary refusal from peculiar religions motives, to partake of its benefits. As well might the Board acknowledge a simi lar right in all who, from personal reasons, should prefer to send their children to private schools, or not to send them to school at all ! The edncational fund is certainly produced directly or indirectly horn general taxation, but the liability of a tax-payer is not to be apportioned according to the direct benefit be may derive from the expenditure of the fund thus raised, nor has he any right to de mand on any such account, the re-payment to him of his supposed share of such a pub lic fund. You propose, “also, in your application, to introduce three additional members of the Board, who shall be representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, and of whom one must be a Catholic Priest. No member of this Board holds his seat in any similar ca pacity, nor is ailj sect or faith specially rep resented in it. Tne Board does not approve the policy you suggest upon this subject, be lieving it to be unpractical, and calculated to produce discord rather than harmony in their operations. Besides, the Board has power under the acts of the Legislature, to Jill vacan cies only, and not to increase the number of its members. Your application acknowledges that yon have beta compelled, under your separate system, apart from the aid of the Board of Education, to rent school-honses and employ teachers for the instruction of a large num ber of children, at a great expense. Should we -assent to your proposals, we would be obliged to assume these additional burdens. It would become necessary for us to rent more school-houses aud employ more teach ers. The funds at our command do not war rant our entering into any engagements for increased expenditure. The Board has been compelled to abandon a cherished scheme for enlarging their system of public instruction in this city and county, from the want of means. There are now more than one hun dred applicants for seats in the public schools, who have been rejected for want of room. To grant your application would be to es tablish a precedent, which, if followed, would result in destroying the unity of the public school system in Savannah and Chatham county, as established by the Board, by creating an inner jurisdiction, independent in many respects of the general authority of the Board, and by producing an indefinite num ber of separate denominational schools, un der the nominal but powerless control of a body, intended to be general, comprehen sive, conservative and practical in its opera tion. To grant it at the present time would involve the Board in contracts and pecuniary obligations which they have no right to" as sume. For these reasons the Board finds it im practicable to comply with your requests in the shape and upon the terms expressed in your present application. The attention of the Board being invited anew by your honorable body to the consid eration of this question, they find after ma ture and careful deliberation, that there is nothing in the principles of the above reply which they desire to alter or retract. At some risk of repetition, they proceed, however, in deference to your wishes and request, to re-examine the matter, and to state again then- views. This Board derives its powers and exercises its authority under and by virtue of the fol lowing acts*of the Legislature of Georgia: AN ACT 2o establish a permanent Board of Education for the Cily of Savannah, and to incorporate the same, andforotherpurposes. Savannah, November 19, 18G7. Gentlemen: Your communication of the 1st instant, addressed to the Board of Education, has been received and respectfully consid ered. This Board has been intrusted by special acts of the Legislature of Georgia, with the management aud distribution of a portion of the public educational fund, for the purpose of instructing white children in the city of Savannah, and the county of Chatham at large, between the ages of six aud eighteen years. The schools which have been estab lished by the Board under that authority are, and have been, and will continue to be, open to all the contemplated recipients of that fund, whose protectors may choose to avail Section L Be it enacted by the Senate and House of. Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this Act, there shall be established, in and for the city of Savannah, a permanent Board of Education, to be styled “The Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah,” whose design and purpose shall be the direction, management and superintendence of the public education of white children, in the said city, between the ages of six and eighteen years. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, Thatthefollowingnamed citizens' of Savannah, Richard D. Arnold, John Stoddard, Solomon Cohen, Henry "Wil liams, Edward J. Harden, John Villalonga, John Williamson, Edward C. Anderson, and John C. Ferrill, together with the Com missioners of the Massie School, who may from time to time be appointed under the ordinances of said city? shall constitute the said Board, and, under the name and style aforesaid, shall be, and they are hereby created, a body politic and corporate, with perpetual succession of members, for the purpose aforesaid, and as such shall have full power and authority io devise, establish and modify, from time to time, apian and system of education for white children be tween tho ages of six and eighteen years, in the city of Savannah, and to superintend the same; to appoint, suspend and remove teach ers of such children, and provide school- houses; to make by-laws, rules and regulations for their own government and for the govern ment of the teachers and schools under their superintendence; to designate and elect offi cers of the said Board, and to fill vacancies (ex cept vacancies among the Commissioners of the Massie School), in any manner whatever caused, either among officers, or mem bers of the said Board; and to take, acquire, receive, hold and enjoy, for the purposes aforesaid, moneys and real and personal estate, by bargain and sale, gift, grant, contract, devise or bequest; and that they, as such body corporate and by tbe name and style aforesaid, may sue and be sued, and have a common seal, and other wise, generally, shall be clothed with all the rights, powers and privileges incident to cor porations, and necessary or convenient for carrying out the purposes of their creation. Sec. 3. Aud be it further enacted by tbe authority aforesaid, That the said Board and Corporation shall, for the purposes aforesaid, have possession and control .of the building known in Savannah as the “Public School,” ■with the grounds appertaining thereto; of the building known as the Massie School, with the grounds appertaining thereto, and of all and any other buildings aud grounds that may be placed iu then- possession or under their management, control and superintendence for the purposes aforesaid, without divesting or changing, nevertheless, the title to any o'!" the said buildings or grounds, unless the same shall be distinctly conveyed to the said Board. Sec. 4. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said Board and Corporation shall be entitled to demand and receive, for the purposes aforesaid, from the Treasurer of the Board of Education of Chat ham county, and from every other State or county officer or person, who may he in pos session of or authorized to distribute the edu cation d fund for thefsaid county, so much of the said fund as shall be in proportion to the number of white children of said county re siding in the city of Savannah, and also to demand and receive such sums as maybe ap propriated by the City Council of Savannah for the purposes aforesaid, and to expend the same for the purposes aforesaid accord ing to their discretion. Sec. 5. And be It farther enacted by the authority aforesaid, That nothing in this Act contained shall be held or construed to divest or diminish the rights and powers of the Board of Education for the county of Chat ham, as to so much of the said county as is not embraced within the extended limits of the City of Savannah. Sec. 6. And be it farther enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all laws andparts of laws, militating against this Act, be and the same are hereby repealed, so far as relates to the city of Savannah and county of Chat ham. Wit Gibson, President of the Senate. Jno. B. Weems, Secretary of the Senate. Thos. Hardeman, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives. J. D. Waddell, Clerk of the House of "Representatives. Approved 21st March. 1866. Charles J. Jenkins, Governor. AN ACT To amend an Act, entitled an Act to establish a Permanent Board of Education for the City of Savannah, and to incorporate the same and for other purposes,” approved March 21st, 1366, and lo change the name and extend the authori ty and poicers of the said Board; and for other purposes. " Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That from and after the passing of this Act, the name and style of the said Board of Educa tion shall be “The Board of Public Educa tion for the city of Savannah and the county of Chatham. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That all the powers, rights, privileges and authority con ferred upon the said Board by the Act of which this Act is amendatory or which may hereafter be conferred upon it by any other Act, shall be and the same are hereby extend ed over the whole county of Chatham, and that the said Board shall be exclusively en titled to receive from every public officer or person who may be in possession of, or au thorized to distribute the State and county edncational fands, the whole proportion of the said fands to which the said county erf Chatham may be entitled, and to appropriate and distribute the same at their discretion for the education of all the white children in the said county, between the ages of six and eighteen years, whether residing within, or without the limits of the city of Savannah; Provided, That all such sums of money as may be received by the said Board from the City Council of Savannah for educational pur poses shall be exclusively appropriated to the education of the white children between the ages aforesaid residing in the said city. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said Board shall be and is hereby declared to be a substitute for the Board of Public Edu cation established for the said county by ex isting laws. Sec. A Be it further enacted, That no gen eral law upon tbe subject of Public Educa tion, now in force or hereafter to be enacted, shall be held, deemed or construed to inter fere with, diminish, or supersede the rights, powers and authority conferred upon the said “Board of Public Education for the city of Savannah and the county of Chatham” by this Act or the Act of which it is amendatory, nnless it shaft be so expressly enacted. Sec. 5. Be it farther enacted, That all laws and parts of laws whether general or local, militating against the provisions of this Act, be and the same are hereby repealed. * Wm. Gibson, President of the Senate. •John B. Weems, Secretary of Senate. Thomas Hardeman, Jr., Speaker House Representatives. J. D. Waddell. Clerk House Representatives. Assented to 18th December, 1866. Charles J. Jenkins, Governor. AN ORDINANCE To Regulate the Appointment of Commissioners of the Massie School. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, in Council assem bled, and it is hereby ordained by the au thority of the same, That immediately after the passing of this ordinance, and at the first regular meeting of Council in January of each succeeding year, the Mayor shall appoint three commissioners of the Massie School; one of whom shall be the Mayor, when he is not at a regular member of the “Board of Public Education for the city of Savannah,” and the said commissioners may be selected from the Aldermen, or citizens, or both, as the Mayor may elect And be it further ordained, That said com missioners shall hold their offices nntil their successors are appointed, and shall unite with and become part and parcel of the “JBoard of Public Education for the city of Savannah,” as created by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, approved March 21st, 1866, and be governed by said act and sncli by-laws, rules and regulations as said Board of Public Education for the city of Savannah may from time to time ordain for its govern ment And be it farther ordained by the authority aforesaid, That all ordinances, and parts of ordinances, militating against this ordinance, be, and the same are hereby repealed. Passed in Council May 16th, 1866. Edward C. Anderson, Mayor. Attest: Jas. Stewart, Clerk of Council. These acts the Board is advised are con firmed by the provisions of the Constitution of Georgia, recently established. Under these acts’the powers of "this Board are obviously limited and distinctly defined. The Board is authorized to receive possession of all public educational funds for Chatham county, whether from the State, county or city, and to appropriate them to the educa tion of “all the white children in the city of Sa vannah and county of Chatham between the ages of six and eighteen years.” The obligation of the Board is e vidently, therefore, to open the schools under their control to all the white children of the county whose protectors shall choose to avail them selves of the advantages offered them, to the extent which the school-room accommoda tions at the command of the Board may per mit. The Board has no right to make discrimi nations or distinctions among pupils, or to classify them according to the religious tenets in which their guardians may desire them to be instructed. Any exclusiveness upon such subjects must be chargeable to those who assert and practice it and not to any conduct, rule or principle of the Board of Education, or to any act of the Legislative or municipal author«\\ A classification of pupils according to re ligious faith once inaugurated, must, in prin ciple, be extended to all denominations—and Hebrew, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Unitarian, Lutheran, Sweden- borgien, and whatsoever denomination else may exist, will each have the right to demand separate edncational establishments under the nominal supervision of the Board of Pub lic Education, but managed according to their several peculiar views as to intellectual or spiritual instruction. Such a scheme would be a virtual destruction of the active vitality of the Board of Education, and a resolution of the whole grand plan of public education into the primary elements of sep arate, private, or denominational and strictly Sectarian schools There is no complete pow er without concentration. There can be no well directed or efficient energy without i unity of purpose and of action. The Board in considering the petition re ferred to them, has not regarded it, with re ference to the questions involved, as the ap plication of the Roman Catholics specially, but as that of any given religions denomina tion or class of persons, asking identical re lief and assistance under the circumstances. The members of this Board respect pro foundly the feelings and opinions of the con stituents of each and every religious sect, but they do not consider themselves authorized to break the integrity of their organization, or.to violate the rules which the law has es tablished for their guidance from any senti ment in favor of Any denomination or class of individuals. They are actuated by the sincere and unsel fish purpose of extending the benefits of free education to all persons within the scope of their authority and powers without any pref erence founded- either upon social or reli gions discrimination. They propose to con tinue their course as heretofore in accordance with the organic law which created them a public corporation by distributing justly and equitably all the funds which they may re ceive for the educational benefit of ail the white children of Chatham county without any distinction. They are also willing, whenever the Legis lature shall clothe them with sufficient "au thority, to undertake the burden of instruct ing the negro children who are growing up among us, and who must evidently for a long period continue to form a part of our popu lation. But whatever dnties they may as sume they intend to be gnided by law, and. to act within the limits of their prescribed powers and authority. This Board has no right to dictate or even to suggest to your honorable body what dis position it may.please you to make of the public funds, or whether or not yon may give gratuities tor the purposes of education to denominational or sectarian school estab lishments, or to any other classes in this com munity. This report refers solely to the management and distribution of the money widen may come to the possession of this Board as a public corporation^. with defined and limited powers. It may be proper to notice in this connec tion an erroneous, statement in the-petition under consideration. The Public Schools are not “ supported by the city." The city has contributed to tbefr support, from time to time, by generous gratuities, but the- Board of Education is an independent body corpo rate, created by the- Legislature of Georgia, made a substitute for the Board previously ex isting in Chatham eonnty, and authorized to receive and distribute the whole educational fund to which the county is entitled. This Board is ready and willing to* receive under its care and superintendence, and sub ject to its rules and regulations, all schools now or hereafter to be established^. and all school houses now or hereafter to be built in Chatham county, and to accept all teachers found officiating in snch schools, provided they shall be found after examination to come up to the standard of qualification required by the roles of the Board. They annex hereto, as a part of tins report, a copy of the rules and regulations for the management of the Public Schools, which they have adopted and which are now of force. The Board has no wish to interfere with the conscientious views of individuals or of sects with reference to the question of reli gions instruction, and should any schools be placed under their charge composed of pupils whose protectors desire them to be educated in any particular religions faith, the Board sees no objection to allowing the respective school houses to be used for the purpose of such religious instruction, at a proper time of the day, without interference, neverthe less, with the usual school dnties and arrange ments, or the established school hours. In case any arrangement should be made by which the Board shall receive under their superintendence any schools of the character above indicated, it is manifest that a greatly increased expenditure of money will therefore be one of the consequences, and the Board re spectfully suggests to your honorable body, that in the event of snch arrangement they will be compelled to ask from the City Conncil an appropriation of at least twenty thousand dollars for the ensuing year. At a meeting of the Board of Public Educa tion for the City of Savannah, and the Coun ty of Chatham held in Savannah, on Tuesday evening, the 8th day of December, inst, (1868), there were present the following mem bers of the Board, viz: President, R. D. Arnold; "Vice-President, John Stoddard; Solo mon" Cohen, James B. Read, JohnC. Ferrill, Bernard MaUon, Henry "Williams. The above report presented by a committee composed of Henry Williams, Solomon Cohen, and Bernard Mallon, to whom the subject under consideration had been referred by the Board was read to the Board, and on motion of Mr. John Stoddard, seconded by Dr. Jas. B. Bead, was unanimously adopted and or dered to be submitted to the Mayor and Al dermen of the City of Savannah, at their next regular meeting. R. D. Arnold, President. Savannah, Dec. 8th, 1868. Alderman Hunter offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted. Besolved, That the thanks of this Conncil be returned to the Board of Public Educa tion for their able and elaborate report apon the subject referred to them, and that the report be published. The Fire Committee to whom were referred the applications of Wm Sine, Margaret Fitz gerald, H. J. Thomasson, Agent, Thomas J. Walsh and F. M. Myrell, respectfully report favorably to the same, in the case of Mr. Myrell, the ordinances relative to the erec tion and use of steam engines to be strictly observed. A N. Miller, Chairman. The Committee on Gas, to whom was re ferred (with power to act) the application of sundry freeholders in Crawford Ward, asking that gas lamps be placed in certain localities in said ward, Report: That after consulta tion with the Gas Company, find that there are no mains in either McDonough or Hous ton streets, and therefore the lamps cannot be placed as required, except one lamp on the comer of McDonough and East Broad street, which has been placed on the south west corner of those streets. Wm. Hunter, Chairman. Savannah, December 9, 1868. The Chairman of the Gas Committee begs leave to report, ns a matter of record, that fourteen (14) new lamps have been erected in various sections of the city, the localities of which are particularly designated in ac companying report from the Gas Company, making in all up to the present date, 518 lamps that the city is paying^ for, there hav ing been 504 originally standing. The Gas Company have, in conformity with permission granted at last meeting of Coun cil, been requested to order 25 new lamps and 500 feet of service-pipe—the "city supply of the latter having beeu exhausted some time since and there being but two or three new lamps on band. If the "finances of the city would permit, I would earnestly recommend that sufficient new lamps be ordered to supply the places of a great many deficient and worn out ones, the greater "portion of those now standing being in bad condition, and as I am informed probably unworthy of repair, and from which cause, I am inclined to think, the Gas Com pany are under very considerable extra and unlooked for by them, expense. It would be well, perhaps, for this to be corrected, except that it may be best before making any further extensive outlay to see what is likely to be done concerning the lighting of the city- in future, say after the present contract expires. The contract under which the city is now being lighted expires one year from next Au gust, and it is none two early to be looking either to preparations for a renewal of the contract, or to some other provision whereby the city can be effectually lighted. All of us have been more or less dissatisfied, aud many strictures made and objections raised to tbe working of the present contract, and there are some objections to tbe contract itself: but these objections, I fear, cannot be removed, except at additional C03t to the city. We must all bear in mind that a company under whatever management it may be that is de pendent on machinery is liable to unavoidable and often uncontrollable derangements, and also that the effect of slightest neglect or ac cident is known to the whole city immediate ly, for the reason that the whole public is more or less inconvenienced by it. It is not in the opinion of yonr chairman any too soon to be moving for the future lighting of the city. If other means than by preparation of re newal of contract with the Gas company are to be adopted it will take some months to consummate them; and if measures tending to a renewal of contract are to be made, ii; should not be too long delayed; for if satis factory terms for a new contract should not be probable, time would be required to pro vide such other means as may be necessary to prevent the City being left without light. It is for Council to determine what action should be taken in the matter, and what recommendations, suggestions and instruc tions shall he famished your Committee. All of winch is respectfully submitted. William Hunter, * Chairman Committee- on Gas. LIST OF PUBLIC LAMPS ERECTED SINCE THE GEN ERAL RE-LIGHTING OF THE CITS. June, 1866. Lit5041amps; originally stand ing. February, 1867. 1 lamp east side Court House Square, north side of President street. February, 1867. 1 lamp west side- Court House Square, south side of President street December, 1867. 1 lamp sontheast comer Macon and! Drayton streets. December, 1867. 1 lamp east side Madison Square, north side of Macon street. March, 1868. 1 lamp southwest comer La mar’s Wharf. April, 1868. 1 lamp northeast comer of St John’s Episcopal Church. September, 1868. 1 lamp southwest comer of Abercom and Perry streets. October, 1868 1lamp northeast comer Gas ton and Abercom street. October, 1868 1 lamp northwest comerGas- ton and Lincoln streets. December, 1868 1 lamp southwest comer Charlton and Price streets. December, 1868 1 lamp southeast comer Charlton and Habersham streets. December, 1868 1 lamp northwest.comer Jones and Price streets. December, 1868 1 lamp northwest comer Taylor and Price streets. December, 1868. 1 lamp southeast comer East Broad and McDonough streets. Total, 518 lamps. The petition of George Grant asking: com pensation for damages to crop caused by the divergence of the proper drains while brnlS- ing the Bolton street drain, after a careful ex amination of the same, yonr Committee are satisfied that the sum of seventy-five dollars would be a fair and just compensation, and recommend the same be paid to petitioner. A N. ATtt.t.vh; Chairman Dry Culture Committee. The Corporation Attorney made the usual report in relation to matters committed to his charge, and presented a memorial drawn as directed by resolution of Conncil to' be pre sented to the General Assembly of Georgia, asking that the City Council be allowed to dispose of certain unoccupied lands on Bay street, (with plan of same accompanying.) PETITIONS REFERRED TO APPROPRIATE: COMMIT- Petition of Messrs. Usina and Jones, ask ing Council to lease for a term of years, with privilege'of purchase a strip of land on Hut chinson Island, commencing at the point where the piling extending from the west end of Fig Island touches, running thence at low water mark west six hundred feet, thence north to the rice dam, thence east along said dam six hundred feet, thence south to the point of beginning. To Committee on Docks and Wharves. Application of Wm. B. Hodgson, praying Conncil to re-embnrse him for the construc tion of a drain on River street. To Commit tee on Streets and Lanes. Application of Mrs. Jane Bryan, calling at tention of the City Council to the impassable condition of Drayton and Abercom streets, petitioner having donated to the city land sufficient to extend said streets sonth, upon condition that said streets would be opened by the city, also praying that the drainage in that section be remedied. To Committee on Streets and Lanes to report. Application of Wm. H.- Watberger, Presi dent Evergreen Cemetery,' at Bonaventure, proposing to turn over said cemetery to the city upon certain conditions, and stating that by resolution of tho lot holders. Dr. R. V. Arnold and John StoddaTd in conjunction with the President were appointed to meet the committee designated by Conncil to ar range preliminaries. To Committee on Fi nance. Application of Wm. H. Bordley, praying Council to allow him to pay the interest due onlot number eighteen (18) Chatham Ward, he alleging that only two years ground rent is dne. To Committee on Finance. Petition of Mrs. A G. Fink, asking permis sion to re-shingle premises on north half lots numbers 39 and 40, Elbert Ward. Referred to Fire Committee. Petition of William Law, trustee, asking permission to moke certain repairs and to re-shingle three (3) small one story houses on York street. Referred to Fire Committee. ELECTIONS. The resignation of Alderman Martin J. Ford, tendered to Council at its last regular meeting, and, on motion, “laid on the table for the present,” was called up by special re quest of Alderman Ford, and, on motion, his resignation was accepted by the Board. James W. Lathrop was duly elected by bal lot an Alderman of the city of Savannah, to fill the vacancy caused by*the resignation of Alderman Martin J. Ford. The Mayor announced to Council that F. A Canuet had tendered his resignation as a Measurer and Inspector of Lumber and Tim ber, and that he had temporarily appointed John T. Lineberger to fill said vacancy. On motion, the resignation of F. A. Can- net. was accepted, and action of the Mayor confirmed. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. By Alderman Meyer : Besolved, That His Honor the Mayor be authorized to offer a reward of five hundred dollars for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Frederick Broadbacker and of Frederick Brickmann, or two hundred and fifty dollars in each case, these men being murdered in the discharge of their duty as Special Policemen. By Alderman A N. Miller: Whereas, Before the war, responsible par ties proposed to establish gas houses for*the purpose of affording light to the citizens of Savannah, upon fair and reasonable compen sation, provided they could be guaranteed the lighting of the city lamps upon a fair equiva lent for the same : Besolved, That the Committee upon Gas be authorized and requested to advertise for pro posals for lighting the city lamps with coal gas, after the expiration of the present con tract with the Gas Company, in the city pa pers, and also in the papers in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. MISCELLANEOUS MATTER. A communication was received from John Stoddard, Esq., Chairman Commissioners of Pilotage, stating that said board have ex hausted their resources for dredging the river by the sale of certain stocks in their posses sion, and asking tbe City Council to reim burse them for the same, and also stating that the interests of the city demand continuing operations, and suggesting that the State Le gislature be petitioned to reimburse the city of Savannah for her heavy outlay in opening the principal seaport'of the State. The condi° tion of the Government jetty at the “cross tides ” was also alluded to as in a bad condi tion and application to tbe general govern ment advised. On motion, -the communication was re ferred to tbe Mayor. Amount of accounts passed $2,254 97 Council adjourned. Jas. Stewart, Clerk of Council. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE EOA'ID OF EDUCATION. -Afr’ig 1. Stated monthly meetings of the Board shall be held on the second Monday of each month. 2. Five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 3. The officers of the Board shall be a Pre sident, "Vice President, Secretary and Treas urer. The Secretary and Treasurer may be persons not members of the Board. 4. At the first meeting of the: Board, in each vear, the President shall appoint four Stand ing Committees, viz: On School Houses, on Finance, on Text Books, on Examination of Teachers, and also a Yisiting Committee for each month of the school year. It shall be the duty of the "Visiting Committees to- visit each of the Schools, and also the Normal Class, and report at the next regular meeting of the Board. (1ENT.RAT. RULES* 1. The school year shall begin on- the first Monday in October, and c ontinue until the Fri day nearest the middle of July; and shall be divided into two terms of equal length. 2. There shall be one session daily; (Sat urdays and Sundays excepted), commencing at 9 o’clock A MX, and closing at 2 o’clock El., from October until May; and from May, until the closing of the year in July, commencing at 8j A M., and closing at 11 P. M. 3. The school rooms of all the schools shall he opened and the teachers required to be present at least fifteen minutes before the- time prescribed for commencing school. 4. The schools shall be opened and closed with the reading of the Scripture and the Lord’s Prayer. а. There shall be- one recess of a half hour each day. б. The regular promotion of scholars shall he made at the close of each term; but occa sional promotions maybe made at thediscre- tion of the Superintendent. 7. The foUowingholidays shall be allowed: one week, including Christmas day; one week including the first day of May; and such other days as are commonly observed in this city as general holidays. 8. No one shall be admitted a pupil into the Public Schools under six years of age, nor any who cannot read readily in words of one syllable, provided the seats are all filled with scholars thus qualified. 9. There shall be a weekly review of les sons every Friday; and at the end of each term an examination of the school on all the studies pursued daring the term. 10. All applications for admission into any of the schools must be made on Monday of each week to the Superintendent, who may admit pupils in the- order of their applica*- tion. 11. In order to prevent the interrnption of teachers during school hours, parents and others desiring to- transact any school busi ness, must call on. the Superintendent at the time specially appropriated to general school business. 12. In the relation existing among the teachers of the Public Schools, the directions of the Snperintendent must be followed by the other teachers, and the directions of the Principals by the assistant teachers, in the business of the school. 13. The text-books used mnst be such as are approved by the Board. SUPERINTENDENT. 1. He shall devote himself to the study of the Public School System, and to an examination into the condition of the schools, and shall keep himself acquainted with the progress of instruction and discipline in other places in order to suggest appropriate means for the advancement of Public Schools in this city and county. 2. He shaU be Principal of the Normal Class, and also of one of the Grammar Schools; and, as for as practicable, exercise a personal supervision over all the schools, and visit and examine them as often as his other- duties may permit. 3. He shall keep a Register, in which he shall record the name and age of each scholar, the parent’s or guardian's name and residence, date of admission, and school and class of each scholar. 4. He shall transfer scholars from one school or class to another, and require each teacher to have a programme of exercises, and a Record-Book containing the class- standing of each scholar in scholarship, deport ment and attendance. 5. He shall have power to "dismiss any scholar for the habitual violation of any school regulation, for violent opposition, or other gross misconduct, or whenever, by continued absence, tardiness, or otherwise the example of snch scholar is injurious to the school- In snch cases he shall notify the parent or guardian, and also the Board, to Whom an appeal may be made. G. He shall make a monthly report to the President of the Board of the absence or tardiness of any of the teachers, either from their school dnties or from attendance on the Normal Class. 7. He shall provide some suitable person to keep the school houses and grounds in proper order, the expense of which services shall be paid from tho school fund. 8. He shall make an annual report on the condition of the schools at the meeting of the Board in July of each year, and shall make such suggestions as may, in his judg ment, tend to promote their greater efficiency. 9. In addition to the foregoing, he shall perform such duties, appropriate to his po sition as Superintendent, as the Board shall prescribe. TEACHERS. 1. AH teachers shoU be in attendance at then- respective schools at least fifteen min utes before the time prescribed for com mencing the exercises of the school, and shaU require their scholars to be in their seats pnuctuaUy at the appointed hour. -■ The teachers of each department shaH, in turn, be present on the grounds with the scholars at recess. 3. The principal teacher of each school shall keep a Register, in which shall be re corded the scholar’s name and residence, and each teacher shaU also keep a classs-book, in which shaU be recorded the standing of every scholar in recitation, deportment and punctu ality. 4. The principal teacher of each school shall keep a ticket-roU, in which shaU be en tered the weekly summary from the daUy class-books of tbe teachers, showing each scholar’s standing for the week, from which roU a weekly report shaU be sent home to the parent or guardian of the pupil. o. The principal teacher of each school shall send to the Superintendent, every Mon day* the ticket-roU for examination; also, the names of such scholars as may have faUen in grade below the required standard. 6. The principal teacher of each school shaU prescribe such rules and regulations for the use of the grounds as shall eusure their being kept in a proper condition, and shall report any disorder promptly to the Super intendent. 7. Any teacher unable to attend, either from sickness or other cause, must, before tbe school hour, notify the Superintendent, who shall provide a substitute", and a propor tionate amount shall be deducted from tbe salary of such absent teacher. 8. AU the teachers shall exercise a vigilant care over the general conduct of their scholars in the school room, on the play ground, and, as for as possible, on their going to and return ing from school. 9. Teachers who are absent from school or the Normal Class, or tardy in attendance, shall be required to present a written excuse to the Superintendent on the foUowinsr Mon day. 10. Teachers shall be careful that no part of the school building, furniture, or apparatus be defaced or injnred. They shall also keep their rooms well ventilated and at a uniform temperature. 11. They shaU maintain strict order and discipUne in their classes, and aim at the greatest thoroughness and accuracy in giving instruction, and in case of failure in lessons* disobedience, or disorder, may exercise the mUder means of discipline;, but in case of continued disobedience; of insubordination, shaU report the facts to the superintendent 12. The principal teaehe- only, of each school shaU have power to inflict corporal punishment, which mnst mot be done ex cept at the close of the school, and af ter consultation with, and hr the presence of ! the Superintendent; but in no case shaU such punishment be inflicted upon female pupils. 13. No person shall be elected a teacher in the Public Schools who sliaSI" no; have firs: passed a satisfactory examination in the pres ence of a Committee of the Bosrd,. on au the studies usually pursuedin Graswuevr Schools, except Latin and Algebra. NORMAL CLASS. . 1. There shall be a Normal Grass for in struction of the teachers of fee 1 PoMic Schools, and of#uch other persons in this city and county as may desire to- prepare themselves to be teachers. 2. Ail the teachers of the Public Schools in the city shaU be required to attend upon this class regularly and punctually, and to-prepare such exercises ns shall be prescribed in the “Course of Study." 4. This elass shaU he under the charge of the Superintendent, and shaU be subject to such rules and regulations of the Public Schools as the Board shaU prescribe. 5. Tbig class sbaU meet every Saturday morning during the school year from 9'toll o’clock A M. G. The “ Course of Study,” as prescribed by the Board for this class, shall be taught with special reference to the practical work of teaching, and the members of the class wUl be expected to- prepare themselves tho roughly, and with a view to their daUy duties. 7. Members of this class shall always have preference in case of appointment to fiU any vacancy that may occur among the teachers of the Public School*. S. Members, of this class who complete the prescribed course, shall receive a certificate from the President of the Board and the. Su perintend stating that they are weU qualified to instruct in afi the branches usually taught in Grammar Sctools and Female Seminaries. SCHOLARS. 1. Scholars-are prohibited from assembling about tbe school houses or grounds before the ringing of the first beU. 2. They are required tobe neat and cleanly at aUltimes, in. their dress and appearance. 3. They are required to be faithful and punctual in the performance of their school duties.;, to attend to the lessons assigned to he prepared at home ; and in school to give exclusive, constant and quiet attention to' their own proper business. 4. Any Scholar receiving thirty-five (35) demerits in studies, ia one month, shall be placotLin a lower class, and should the num ber of" demerits exceed forty-five (45) in any one moQth, shaU forfeit the privileges of the School.. 5. Scholars who shall be absent or tardy, mustbring to the Principal of the School s written excuse, signed by the parent or - guardian ; and should such excuse not be satisfactory, must make up aU lessons lost by snch. absence or tardiness. a G. Scholars absent from school four days in four successive weeks, except for Providential cause, shaU forfeit their seats. Two cases of tardiness shaU be considered equivalent to one-case of absence. “ 77 Scholars absent from school for more than a week on account of sickness, shaU be required to bring a Physician’s certificate. 8 Scholars absent from school for more than three weeks on account of sickness, shall forfeit their seats, but may be placed first or the list of appUcants. 9. Scholars shaU not leave school for the purpose of attending to any ether dnties, nor leave the giounds of the school at recess i without permission. 10. Scholars may write their names upon the title page of their books, but not other wise mark or deface them. 1L Scholars who shaU he absent from any of the Reviews or Examinations, shaU forfeit their seats, unless satisfactory reasons be given the Superintendent. 12. Scholars who enter upon the last term of the school year wiU he required to remain .until the expiration of the same, or render themselves liable to a forfeiture of the privi leges of the Public Schools, unless a satis factory reason he rendered to the Board. 13. Scholars who shaU leave any of the PubUc Schools frithout first notifying the Su perintend wiU have their names stricken from the registry, nnless a satisfactory reasoa be given. 14. Scholars will render themselves liable to expulsion by repeated and obstinate diso bedience, quarreling, disorderly conduct, using prefane or unchaste language, smoking or chewing tobacco, defacing property, tru ancy, or persistent violations of any of the Rules and Regulations. 15. Scholars are subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Public Schools whUe go ing to and returning from the same. ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION FOE THE CITY OF SAVANNAH AND COUNTY OF CHATHAM. MEMBERS. R. D. Arnold, M. D., Jno. L. Villalonga. John Stoddard. -John "Williamson, Edw’d C. Anderson, Rev. D. H. Porter, Henry "Williams. Jas. B. Read, M. D-. Solomon Coheu, Rev. S. Landrum. Jno. C. FerriU, Bernard Mallon. OFFICERS. President—B. D, Arnold, M. D. Vice-President—John Sioddasi. Secretary—"W. H. Baker. Treasurer—Jno. L. YiUalonga. STANDING COMMITTEES. On School Houses—John "Williamson, John Stoddard, John L. "Villalonga, Solomon Cohen. On Finance—John Stoddard, John C Fer riU, E. C. Anderson, John "Williamson. On Text Books—Heniy "Williams, Bev. D. H. Porter, B. Mallon, Superintendent - _ On Examination or Teachers—B. MflHoa,- Jas. B. Read, Rev. S. Landrum. Super 111 * ten-lent, Rev. D. H. Porter. MONTHLY VISITING COMMITTims. October—Rev. S. Landrum, John Stoddard. Xovember—Rev. D. H. Porter, E. C. An derson. December—Henry Williams, Jas. B. Read, January—St Mallon, Jno. C. Ferrill. February—Solomon Cchen, John "William- dUm» — March—John Stoddard, John L. Vina- longa. April—E. C. Anderson, Rev. S. Landrum- May—John L. Villalonga, Rev. D. H. Por ter. ■June—Jas. B. Read, B. MaUon. Superintendent—W. H. Baker. Boys' Hi-fi School, corner of Barnard and Taylor streets.—IV. H. Baker, Principal; B. It Zettler, Miss Virginia Miller, Assistants. Girls’ High School, corner of Abercom Gordon streets.—B. MaUon, Principal: “ Fannie A. Dorsett, Miss Selina -J. Jones, As sistants. , Boys’ Grammar School, comer of B-amaro ami Taylor streets—H. E. Train, Principal. Miss R Frew, Assistant. Girls' Grammar School, corner of Abercom ami Gordon streets—Miss M. A McCarte-- Principal; Miss Lizzie MiUer, Miss -I- t» Harris, Assistants. „. Intermediate School, _in,wry Hall, Wn-j * Sgueire—Joseph E. Way, Principal; _Mis •*- M. Gould, Miss E. F. Bourquin, Assistant Primary School, Armory Hall, Wright Sp- 1 - - Miss M. E. Davenport, Prineipal: Aims A - • Harden, M. W. Mallard, Assistants. ] , Boys’ lidenneelieste Schcol. Cht-hu .- - emy—Miss Eunice MaUerv, Principal. Girls’ Grammar School, Chatham Academy Miss E. W. Carter, Principal: Prof. H. ~*lb -*• Teacher of French: Prof -J. H Sewm- Teacher of Music,