Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-26
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A Synopsis
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emit term and submitted their general pa
sentiments, with the recommendation that
they be published in the MORNING NEWS,
which were read In open court. The pre-
sentiments were made up of the reports OF
the several sub committees. and as the mat
tiers discussed and recommendations made
are Of general public interest we give here
with synopsis of the same:
THE CHAIN GANG.
The committee who inspected the camp
OF the chain gang Of Chatham county erect
ed near the southern outlet. OF the Cuyler
swamp, and the work being done by that
gang on the canal, intended to drain said
swamp, report that the camp is well man
aged In every respect; the prisoners are well
clothed; receive a sufficient quantity of
good, wholesome food; they are Kept during
the night in clean, well ventilated dormi-
tories, the sexes being separated, and the
premises in general show good order and
system In every department. The work
being done on the canal is progressing as
wen as can be expected, and though prob
ably 1t might be done cheaper and quicker
by letting 1t out on contract, still, no funds
being on hand for that purpose, and the
county being at daily expense for every
prisoner, whether he works or not, 1t
seems to be for the best interests of the
county to continue the work, as it
has been commenced, under the control
OF the Commissioners of Drainage. The
committee express the opinion that the good
effects OF the work viii be felt in the more
effective drainage of lands near the city, as
soon as this canal will have reduced the
channel proper of the swamp, so that water
can be turned in, and 1t is only to be hoped
hat =.
be enabled, through assistance from the city
or from landholders Immediately proiting
by the work, to push 1t towards completion
at an earlier date than this can be effected
by the chain gang alone.
THE MAGIsTERIAL SYSTEM.
The committee appointed to examine the
books Of the several Magistrates reported
that they had performed that duty
to the extent Of their ability, and
that they found the books of Magistrate
Warning Russell, Jr., and NJ Naughtiu in
good condition, neatly and well kept, and
the books of Magistrate Isaac Russell very
carefully kept. The books of Magistrate
Frank NJ. Molina were found to be carefully
docketed, plainly and neatly kept and in
excellent condition, and the committee take
pleasure In complimenting him upon the
excellent and systematic manner in which
his official business is presented for public
inspection.
The books of Magistrate W. H. Woodhouse
were found to be in a very bad condition
improperly docketed and, in some instances,
costs collected before final conviction.
Magistrate s. Elsinger's books were in
good order and properly kept, and Msgis-
trate Henry Bieber's books were also found
to be In good condition. No information
could be obtained from the books of Magis-
trate w. FL. Matthews, which were in such
condition that the committee, after arduous
effort, failed to acquire any definite knowl-
edge OF the business of his office.
The committee state that though appre-
hensive they may be exceeding their duty,
they feel constrained under the circum-
stances to give expression of some opinion
crested by their careful examination Of the
inner workings of the magisterial system.
In some of the Offices the manner In which
the business is conducted is a farcical
travesty upon justice, and gives rise to the
suspicion that costs and not the ends of
justice constitute the objectof the presiding
officers. There are, we are pleased to say,
EXCEPTIONS and due credit should be award
ed those officials, but the committee regard
the system as Ubiquitous, and respectfully
suggest that the Representatives and SeDa-
tor of the county be memoraliZed on the
subject, and urged to introduce and secure
the passage of some bill which will provide
for more equitable, satisfactory and Just
administration of the laws.
COUNTY OFFICES.
The several committees appointed to
examine the books of the various county
officers submitted reports, stating they had
found the books in good condition,
systematically kept, and In good order.
Special commentator is awarded Major
Charles s. Hardee, Clerk of the Superior
Court. his efficient deputy, James K. P.
Carr, Esq, his clerk, Major VIM. T. Law,
for their systematic arrangement of the
large accumulated county records, ard In
view of their rapid increase, suggest that
additional room might be appropriately set
apart for this business, as the present rooms
appear wholly inadequate for the purpose
desired. The officials of the 0rdinary's and
Tax Collectors offices are also compli-
mented.
THE JAIL.
The committee appointed to inspect the
public buildings have the following In refer
ence to the jail:
The jail is insecure and in decaying con-
dition, unfit for the abode of human beings
and unworthy the cultivated commu-
nifty in the midst Of which it stands,
besides, its location adjoining the
public park and in the centre of a
pdTG VI tue City up
with handsome and costly residences is
Objectionable and forms bar to future
Improvement Of that locality. The Com
missioners of Chatham county have
kindly explained to the grand jury
the difficulties which prevent the erection
of new and better constructed Jail in a
more appropriate locality without resorting
to additional or special taxation. Neverthe-
less the committee would impress upon
hou ho INN nf M haf
efforts; and since 1T has been shown that If
the value of the land upon which the jail
now stands were added to the ex-
isting jail fund, a sufficient sum
for the purchase Of land and the cree
ton of a new Jail would be obtained, the
grand jury think it incumbent on the Mayor
and Board of Aldermen to assist the Com
missioners in their laudable efforts to the
extent of granting them the said land or
the proceeds OF the sale of the same.
THE COURT HOUSE.
The present court house is evidently not
of sufficient capacity for the business to be
transacted therein. The offices on the ground
floor, particularly those Of the Clerk of the
Superior Court, of the Ordinary and of the
Tax Receiver are too small, badly lighted
and uncomfortable, and do not allow such
a systematic arrangement of the records
and books used therein as to make them
easily accessible for the clerical force and
those wishing to obtain information; no ar
rangement is made for the private offices
for any of the Judges; too little space is al
lowed for the court rooms and the jury
rooms are far from comfortable many i'm
portant public documents have to be accom-
modated in the loft under the
roof, where they are hardly accessible
and are liable to be destroyed. The Jury
think that any attempt at remedying these
defects by increasing the present building,
either by an extension to Drayton street or
by putting on another story, will be expen-
sive and fail to give satisfaction, and that
only thorough reconstruction, or better
still, a new building, put In more modern
style, will be adequate to the demands of
an enlightened public.
It has been stated to the grand jury that
considerable yearly savings have been
effected during the last few years in the ex-
penses Of Chatham county, aud If the Com
missioners of the county will continue
practising their wise economy few years
longer, and it becomes possible thereby to
create special fund for the erection of a
new court house, It would be best to submit
to the ineonveniences described a little
longer rather than to spend money on the
present old and unsightly structure.
THE JAIL UNFIT FOR LUNATICs.
The jury further state that they do not
consider the jail proper place for the con-
fuement of lunatics, and recommend that
a. Copov,,4Se {oparc aaoapf thu Y1roYn-