Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-17
Proposed Consolidation of sheriff
and JaiIer.

Editor Morning Mems: Since "Reform's"
last article appeared In your paper, have
given some consideration to the jail matter,
and have tried to look at 1t from an impair
tial standpoint. have been informed that
"Reform" states but the truth when he says
that he has other "facts" in reserve with
which to supply me in case they should be
called for. Indeed, have been shown a
whole pamphlet of these so-called facts
a pamphlet entitled 'tFacts and Figures,
In connection with Chatham County JAIL
etc.," ffty-two pages In length, gotten up
with view, It Is said, of presenting an ar
gument before the legislative committee
having the matter Of the jail bill In charge,
to show the wonderful advantages to accrue
to the county of Chatham from the con-
templated change. What pains touching a
matter OF only few thousand dollars
But the question arises, who is to be bene-
fitted by this wonderful change? While all
of US are citizens OF Chatham county, 1t so
happens that, for the most part, we are also
citizens of Savannah. How are we to be bene-
flied by taking money out OF one pocket
and putting It into anotherg Perhaps "Re-
forms" ingenious mind may be able to en-
tighten US, and, II so, we would be extreme
the bag" But is It not possible,
nay, probable that the citizens
of Chatham county, who happen
to have their "little all" within the circum-
scribed limits Of this town, may suffer by
this patriotic measured II property be re-
turned to the county for taxation at one
price, and assessed by the City Assessors at
higher price, it will be seen that what we
put into our county pocket from the profits
Of the jail would not enable US to meet the
increased draft upon our city pocket; and,
as It must be remembered that all our Rep
reSentatiVes In the Legislature, as well as
those who are advocating this measure here,
so far as have been able to learn, are resi-
dents of the city of Savannah, the fact an
nOunced by "Reform" that sit cost less
Ehan twelve cents per day to feed the jail
prisoners, when the city charged the cOun-
ty fifty CENTS" cannot very materially affect
them.
The quotation furnished by "Reform"
from the Mayors report for 1880 needs but
& passing notice. The expenses for 'sala-
ries, guards, fuel, etc." have remained
unchanged, he says, Notwithstanding the
prisoners at the Jail have been reduced to
about forty on an average, In consequence
OF the county having maintained the con
victs at Cuyler Swamp. l ask, is 1t possible
that this should affect the expenses of
"a k0AIub, iuCii W. WAhh al AhSbA-
tuition that must be kept organized for the
accommodation Of an uncertain number of
occupantsI
As to the title to the Jail property, caA
only say that that is question in dispute
between the county and city. | have no
opinion to express on that subject; but how
it is to be settled by bill in the Legisla-
ture consolidating the offices Of Sheriff and
Jailer, "Reform" does not say, nor can l
imagine.
need only trouble the readers OF the
News with one more suggestion, and that is
this: In all that has been written by the
projectors of this consolidation measure
not one word has been said as to the incom-
potency, Encouragement or dishonesty Of
Waring Russell as Jailer. 1t is advocated as
a great patriotic measure. to lessen the load Of
over blsrdened tar payers, and yet what is the
argument, so full of significance, you hear
upon the street "Turn him out, kick bin
out" We ask, in Heavens name, DhyS
"a LOCKER ON IN VENICE"