Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-04

The General Presentments OF the
Grand Jury-PKacttcal ana Inter
estfng Document.

the December term yesterday AFTERNOON
completed their labors and made their gene
raj presentments, which we publish in full
below. In dischsrging them Judge Tomp-
kins thanked them for the Jealous and
efficient manner in which they had per-
formed their duties, and stated that though
there might have been q more intelligent
and competent body Of grand jurors, he
had never met them, here or elsewhere.
THE PREsENTMENTs.
We, the grand jury of this term, beg
leave TO submit the following report OF the
various matters to which our attention has
been called:
COUNTY oFFIcERs-CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR
COURT, ORDINARY AND SHERIFF.
We find the books In the several offices
exceedingly we'll kept, aud we commend
those having them in charge tor the neat
and methodical manner in which their work
has been executed.
In the office OF the Ordinary there is an
index book entitled General Index Book Of
Estates, from 1742 to date. This book is
old, dilapidsted, and unfit for the preserva-
ton Of the valuable matter contained there
in. We respectfully recommend that the
records contained in this book be trans
ferred TO a new and substantial one specially
designed for thear safe keeping.
TAX COLLECTOR.
As far as we have been able to examine
the books and work of this officer. we find
them correct, and the Office faithfully ad-
ministered.
RECEIVER OF TAX RETURNS.
The digest submitted to US, upon casual
examination, reveals q number of errors and
omissions. The Collector submitted sheets
containing additions and consultations,
which after partial examination we believe
to be correct. The Receivers footings show
aggregate property SIT ,0S7,277. Collectors
tabulated statement shows ST.. 5S4 500, max
ing difference of s497 3l6; the Collectors
aggregate being $4,000 less than previous
years digest. The Collectors list of prop
ertY 10 default for 1880 was S23S, $50; his
list for 1881, not vet complete. already ex-
ceeds $500, 900, 900, showing conclusively the
advantage of an experienced and efficient Re-
ceiver. We would advise that the Com
missioners arrange for and require the safe
keeping Of at least two years. tax returns
at the court house.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
We find the numerous books in this Office
have been kept in very confused and I'M
intelligent manner. The present clerk Is
opening new books. neatly and more syste
matically. We would advise the next grand
jury to give the subject early attention. We
cannot approve the amount appropriated for
or the manner Of expanding the poor funds.
Lists showing age, residence, occupation
and circumstances of families Of all bene-
ficiaries, should be kept and revised quar-
terly.
The bonds Of county officers are insecure
~ kept in a wooden case. We would re-
commend that they be re-examiDed, snd no
person, however responsible, be accepted on
exceeding two bonds, that the bonds be
copied in county records and deposited in a
box in one OF the safety deposit vaults.
COUNTY TREASURER.
A casual examination of the books Of this
Office has been made; the Treasurer sub
mitted vouchers for all his payments, and
so far as we could see the record of receipts
snd the balance in the treasury are correct.
The committee appointed to examine the
books Of this office procured a stamp
"audited by the grand jury" and cancelled
all the vouchers submitted. We recommend
that similar committees Of future grand
juries use this stamp in csncelling vouchers.
We respectfully submit that so hasty an
examination of the accounts of county Of
fcers as committees of the grand jury can
make are worth little or nothing, and that
q
competent persons must be employed for
that purpose.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The books of the several Justices OF the
Peace in the county have been examined
and found to be correct.
PUBLIC ROADS.
The several public roads in the county
have been examined and are all found to be
in pretty good condition, except the road
leading from Haynau's bridge to Sand Fly
station. The road through the swamp, near
Pritchard's field, is very boggv, and It is
dangerous to attempt to cross it. Also the
causeway leading to Isle Of Hope has been
washed, and many holes and gullies are on
same, and unless the Commissioners attend
to the repairing Of same at a very early date
this causeway willbecome impossible.
CONVICT CAMP.
We have visited and inspected
the camp, which we find kept
clean and in good order. There are at pres
ent twenty eight men and five women In the
chain-gang, the women being employed to
do the cooking and light work around the
camp. The clothing of the prisoners is
sufficient. They are also furnished with
shoes, and their general appearance is
clearly, and. with the exception of three
cases Of indisposition, they are all in good
health. We have also examined the books,
and find them correctly and neatly kept,
giving the name of each prisoner, date of
his or her entrance into the camp, length of
sentence to be served out, date OF expira-
ton of sentence, and by what court he or
she was sentenced. The work being &C
by them is Of a substantial and
lasting kind.
JAIL AND COURT HOUSE.
AS to the condition and fitness of the jail
for the purposes for which It is used we
cannot do more than reiterate what has al
ready been said by a number of grand juries
that have preceded US. 1t is unfafe and
badly constructed, particularly In its sani-
tary arrangements. 1t has no accommoda-
tioIs for lunatics, some Of whom are almost
constantly confined there, nor for persons
detained as witnesses and for minor offenses,
other than is provided for the worst felons
Besides having an insufficient number some
OF the cells are almost entirely destitute of
light and are very poorly ventilated. We
found the jail In all it's parts as clean and in
as good condition as possible.
The County Commissioners inform us
they have on hand in available assets Jail
fund OF about twenty-five thousand dollars
There seems to be some uncertainty wheth.
er the jail is now owned by the county or
by the city, and It is, therefore, not known
it with the lots upon which it
stands can be applied to the erection of q
new one. We do know, however,
that the necessity is an ur-
gent one, aud we suggest that
the proper county and city officials ap-
point board Of arbitration to settle the
matter, and also to agree upon terms by
which the county can build a new jail on
part of the police barracks lot, which ap-
pears the most suitable and also the most
available location.
The County Commissioners think that any
excess new jail may cost over and above
what can be made available from the
sources referred to, can be raised by an issue
Of ten or twenty years 8 per cent. bonds,
which they seem confident can be nego-
tiated at par. This plan, we think, If
promptly acted upon, and we think the
matter demands prompt action, will soon
give us jail that will meet the necessities
Of the county.
The court house is not such as we would
like to have, but in the present condition OF
our finances, and In view of our already
high rate of taxation, We think its incon-
veniences can be borne few years longer,
when it is hoped we will be In a condition
10 either enlarge and improve the old or
build new one, as may then appear best.
In closing their duties the grand jury
the people of Savannah and |
Chatham county on the return of Judge
Henry b. Tompkins to the bench, and the |
he has displayed in enforcing |
he laws. They thank His Honor and the |
General, Mr.. w. G. Charlton, for |
he uniform courtesies shown to them during |
he term.
J. H. Estill, Foreman.
Isaac M. Frank. William B. Nell.
D. r. Thomas Walter s. King.
NJ