Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-04

y.
compared with 1881, shows a very large de-
crease, and speaks well for the proper en-
Iorcement of the law, and a better moral con-
ditiOn.
ARREST OF CRIMINALS,
There are criminsl cases of urgent moment.
that require proper rewards to insure the ends
OF justice, and the arrest and return of crimi-
nals, who have escaped to other States, at
times necessitates some public expenditure
The last Legislature omitted to make any an
preparation for these purposes. I have had To
use portion of the contingent fund i'm sucb
cases, bgt u would have proven entirely in
adequate had manyof the rewards been called
for. 1t is due to the cause Of iustoe that an
appropriation for this purpose be made. In
tllis coIheetion, u Is proper to state, that
criminals from counties having no jails, are
frequently ordered by the Circuit Judges for
safe keeping, to be delivered oye,. 70 tho
Sherlffs OF counties having iails The Sheriars
nave no power 10 refuse the prisoners. bnt
sney nave no power to collect their proper
ices toF 1ceding and keeping them 1t should
;c made obligatory upon the counties furnish
ing the criminals to provide the means of paw
ing for their support, before the Sheriffs of
other counties are compelled to receive them.
SETTLERS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
A former Board of Trustees sold to certain
settlers in the county of st. Johns, for cash.
lands which said trustees supposed they held
valid titles to. The settlers In many instances
improved and cultivated said lands at consid-
erDale expense. After the sale and improve
longed to the st: Johns Railway Company, in
conformity 70 land grant made by the State
to said company
The last Legislature passed an act fchanter
1921 directing the trustees to make a settle
meDt with the railroad company in order To
protect the settlers in their improvements At
that time the entire fund was deeply involved
in debt, and the United States Court had a.
sumed practical control of the fund to nroteet
the creditors. Every dollar received ffom the
sale OF land Dy the trustees had TO be reported
10 the court, and all the surplus, after paying
certain specified expenses in the manaeemenf
Of the fuhd, had to be turned over monthly Ia
the receiver of the court. 1t was thus rem
dered impracticable to carry out the intention
OF the Legislature In It's praiseW0fthy act. AS
soon, however, as the Di5ston sale was made
and money sufheient TO practically relieve the
fund had been received the Board of Tlrr1staes
opened negotiations with said railroad com
pany to secure the settlers in their claims and
carry out the intention OF the Legislature
am happy. to state that it is confidently ex-
pected that these negotiations will be closed
at an early day. The trustees have agreed to
pay over TO the railroad company the same
amount OF money they received for the lands
in confederation of which the oonpanv has
agreed to relinquish all claiIps to the lands i'm
forebodinga 14h ~ aS.dsg, PEegnant with evil
citizens viii be equttably and satisfactorily
settled,
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Ihe last Legislature passed a reeoIution
looking to the calling of a Constitutional Con-
vention for an entire revision of tho organic
law Of the State, That the Constitution 5eads
reYlslon IN many important particulars ia I
believe, conceded by all. Indeed. in ali ito de-
Partments, legislative, executive and iudfeial.
important changes are required Ia the Interest
of economy, and to more praperly conform II to
tne requirements eT the people and the true
principals efrepublican government.
a. shis Is suDJect which, under the consti-
tuition, appertains largely to Jour department
OF the government, the people. whose Interests
you have the tteepest solicitude for Ioak to
you 70 give II the most serious consideration.
in thus referring tois, and expressine, The hone
that moderation, sound Judgment. a. ,,eft "a n
due regard for differences OF opinion. NAV
characterize your action,
pleEsF OF TIE LAWS.
q uhaef the laws Of Florida, chapter 924o. the
seoure, on just and reasonable terms. the linho
llcation OF the digest prepared hSl the Hon
: ames y. Mcclellan, after the said Mcclellan
T;o IN ehe sane 81 laws Of general or
puDllc nature passed by the eleventh session
OF the Legislature, and after its revision ST
the HON, =. Z. 1onge. In accordance with
sala act tne Comptroller received bids from
Boston, Philadelphia, ChieagO. Charleston
Atlanta, Savannah and Tallahassee The hid
from Tallahassee being the lowest and heat
nltta the contract was awarded to O. u Dvke
fhree thousand five. hundred copies were
printed, and 'sffteen hundred copies bound in
good law Sheep as the statute required. The
Secretary Of St8te has distributed To the vari-
ops counties, 70 accordance with law. a sum-
cient number for the county officers. and paid
over TO the Treasurer $798 for volumes sold,
CAPITOL FURNITURE, RTC.
The last Assembly passed q geselutsna d.
rectlng the AdJutant General to f1urehase
suitable desks for the Assemble Tan In mr.
suanee ef said resolution. seventy-six desks
ieE members apd one secretaFy's desk have
Deea purchased, with chairs suitable for the
same. As the last Legislature made no ap-
preparation TO carry out the resolution Of the
Assembly, II is proper that the amount be
placed in the appropriation bill.
The capitol is IN need of repairs. The roof