Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-16
ESTABLISHED 1850.

the services Of that valuable oficial--but It
seems that Emngham retoices In two Colec-
tors, one collecting the county taxes and the
other the State. This abnormal status OF
affairs was brought about In the following
manner, and is the cause of the existing
trouble, which the court Is now called upon
TO settle. Several years ago the Board of
Commissioners Of Roads and Revenues. and
committee Of the grand jury investigated the
books Of the Tax Collector of the county, A. G.
Morgan, and reported there was some def
cheney to be accounted for. It was not con-
tended that there was any defalcation, but it
appears the deficiency was occaSioned by fail
ure to collect up the taxes the collector being
behind in his work. A report was made on the
subject, and in 1879 q settlement was effected,
and Mr.. Morgan considered the differences
at an end, and continued on his work.
Last spring the Board of Commissioners,
three OF whom had been recently elected, the
other two holding over, made another examl-
nation OF the county taxes reported there was
difference in the accounts of 81, 800 and issued
executions against the property OF Morgan and
declined to receive his bond, which he rendered,
as security at the commencement of the year;
allowed him no hearing, and appointed Mr.. j. G.
Heidi as Collector for the county. The result
is that Mr.. Morgan is here collecting State
taxes, and Mr.. Heidi is taking in county taxes.
The authority Of the board to pursue this
action ia questioned, and the people
appear to be pretty equally divided
to recognize Heidi, the other refusing to &C.
knowledge Morgan as the proper of1cer to
whom to pay taxes The latter was elected by
the people. and has never been removed, white
Mr. Heidi is acting under an appointment from
q board, whose powers, it is stated, are not de-
fined to grant such authority. The case will
come up before Judge Tompkins tomorrow
on appeal, aud the issue Is awaited with intense
interest These briefly are the points of the
case as have been represented to me, but p 3Ssi-
bly, different phase may be given the matter
under a scathing legal investigation. IL IS Ger
tainly queer complication, and its satisfacto-
ry adjustment will AFFORD relief to the people
OF the county and restore their accustomed Sc
renity and equanimity.
MINOR TOPICS
It has been ascertained that one of our legal
friends does not believe In the substantial
efficacy Of ghosts" and is not to be affrighted
by those who can ''call spirits from the vastly
deep" and con1ure up ghastly visions OF hob
goblins.
convert the court house into = lunch
room, as It were, was nipped In the bud
by the Judge. The crunching of peanuts and
munching of sugar cane by vigorous jaws
occasioned a noise that nearly drowned the
roar of legal eloquence, and had to be stllled,
greatly to the disgust of the lovers OF the
fragrant goober and the juicy Sacchar1ne stalk.
A great need of Springfield is good country
hotel, and this want Is seriously felt on court
days and other occasions of public assemblies.
An Onterprising man, who possesses the facul-
ty OF combining farming with catering to the
inner man, could make money here, and by
proper effort could probably secure many
boarders from the city in the summer months,
as the inducements In the village for those in
search Of quiet and health are numerous.
There are several other subjec,s in conne--
ton with the affairs Of Ef1ngham which are of
interest, but which am unable to embody in
this letter and will defer to another time.
The prospects are that the important bust
ness OF the court will be finished up by
Wednesday noon, In time for the Savannah
delegation to reach the afternoon passenger on
the Central. The Superior Court OF Chatham
conVenes on Thursday and an important muir
of the Judge and Solicitor General to expedite
business here in time to get on Wednesday.
L TUESDAY, November 15.-At the opening of
court this morning the jury in the case OF
Gnann vs.. Metzger's executors rendered a
sealed verdict, which, upon being opened and
read was found to be in favor Of the defendant.
QUICK WORK.
It was the expectation of all that the session
would be prolonged until Wednesday noon at
least, but so admirably and expeditiously was
business conducted, and every moment Of time
economical, that by six O'Clock this evening the
heavy,,docket was cleared and greatly to the re-
lief of jurors witnesses, and may say, visiting
lawyers, court adjourned about half-past sig
o'clock for the term.
Judge TompkiDs and the Savannah delega-
ton st once made their preparations for a
return to WhitesviIle, in the hope Of intercept
ing the freight train which passes that point
about p. m, and, fortunately, by fast
driving over the star-lit road and favored
by the smiles of benefcent fortune the sta
tion was reached. and the freight
captured, and at half past ten O'Clock
to night we we're in Savannah. will have TO
reserve my review Of to-day's proceedings and
the length Of this letter. B. II. R.