Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-18
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

RoBT. NJ. BARTHELMEss.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The admirable and able presentment made by
the grand jury of the March (iSS4) term meet
our spP699Eal IN par paFSegiArsy upon n
spected the jan, and ind that nothing has
been done in accordance with the recon-
msndations Of that BODY. With eommends-
jail in a clean and healthy condition. and all
the inmates confented and non-complaining
Of the treatment they received from the taller
and his deputies. In the language Of many Of
our predecessors I'VE cannot agree that "the
jail Is a disgrace 10 humanity and ciylliza-
tl0n.n 1t is true that our jail in all its APP
polntments is not as refined and convenient
as lalls that are built AZ the present day, with
modern Improvements, sanitary adjustments.
air ventilators. etc. but 70 provide for one OF
these deficiencies We specially recommend
10 the County Commissioners the immediate
commencement OF such Improvements as viii
IN part give more pure sir and ventilation,
which Is so essential TO the health and CON-
fort Of our unf1 rtunate prisoners, particularly
during the suEamer months, and we likewise
recommend the heating OF the same IN winter.
We have been informed by Commissioner Is
till. who i the Chairman Of the Jau CON-
mltlee. that the board has authorized the
furnishing Of iron bedsteads, mattresses and
blankets to each cell Of the jail, II such
suggestion Is fully car led out BY the board,
it viii indeed be humane act-0ne that VIII
reflect credit on that body and b. appreciated
by every citizen Of the county,
and particularly by this grand
jury, who has been somewhat Instrument Il in
bring about such comfortable change In the
JAIL" We are also informed that larger
water supply has been Oriered, estimates for
more light and ventilation obtained, and also
rooms for the better accommodation of luna
ties are about to be fitted up.
NEW JAIL.
The County Commissioners convened spe-
eial meeting to confer with this committee
upon the building Of the jail The board Is
unanimous for a new jail, and so are we. We
found them with many ways, but with some
means to commence work, and. for the iu-
formation Of the court, we hereby give below
q statement OF the available funds in the
hands Of the Commissioners for the purpose OF
building new jail only:
IS shares Of Central Railroad stock, par
value Si00 ......--.--.4- .....-.-......S $500
9s shares Of Southwestern Railroad
stock, par value 500 -.-.....--.--- $500
50 shares Central Railroad debenture
scrip, par value 500 --...--,...- 5000
l bond city Of Savannah .......-..-. 1000
l9 bonds city of Savannah, $500 each ~, $500
) bonds city Of Savannah, $500 each -. 1880
4 bonds city Of Savannah, 500 each 400
Total par value ................. SIS, 900
The present market value of these securi-
ties will not be more than S27, O00, which. to-
gether with the present jail and lot. which
can readily be sold for SIS, 900, will make in
all $4,000. This amount, we think. should
justify them TO commence work, and we re-
commend ana W &c LUetn 10 90 lUliUeulAAtlNs
and for urging the same they have in addition
a bill passed by the last Legislature of GeOr-
gia. authorizing the County Comm IsslOners OF
Chatham county TO issue nOn-taXable bonds
to the amount of $4,000, said bonds 10 run
thirty years, at per cent. interest, exclusive
" for the building of a new jail: provided
twO-thirds of the votes cast at an election or
defed by them shall sanction the same. Our
Commissioners deem it inadvisable, and so do
we, to put said bill to the test of a successful
passage, at this period of our financial trou-
HNnw-
County Commissioners that, at a suitable
time, they order an election TO sanction or not
the ratification of the bill.
SITE FOR THE NEW JAIL.
We heartily indorse the sentiment expressed
in the appended extract:
Following in the footsteps of many pre-
cedIng grand juries we recommend
that no time be lost in building a new jail.
The site selected by the County Commission
ers. near the police barracks, in this city.
seems to Us pre-eminently the best that could
have been chosen for the purpose. An actual
examination Of the site mentioned in the
above extract fully confirms the opinion eX-
pressed by its suitableness, and without con-
trOyerting the right Of the City Council to de-
cline the equitable proposals of the County
Commissioners for the purchase of this emil
nently proper location, we believe that the
same or greater objections raised by property
owners and residents living near the police
barracks would be made by property holders
at any point in the city limits, and certainly
where the greatest improvements are
being made, and to locate the Jail
at a remote distance from constabulary
and military aid, without an adequate local
guard for its protection, would be imprudent.
With this view of the needs of the county,
whose interests are identical with those of the
city, we regret that the Commissioners have
been delayed in procuring a proper site for
the Jail, and earnestly hope they may vet sue
eeed in obtaining this, the most eligible site
for county Jail inside Of the city limits"
COURT HOUSE.
Your committee recognizing the many in
eonveniences to the officers and jurors and
others who render service. and have to spend
much time in and about the court house,
recommend that the County Commissioners
eXpend an amount not exceeding five thou
sand dollars to increase the comfort and
facilities for the discharge of their respective
duties, by enlarging or altering any of the
internal arrangements OF the present court
house: and further, that thew furnish annie
water conveniences in the yard and court
house. as in their judgment may be deemed
best. as it Is impossible for some years for
Chatham county to build a new court house,
and as your committee think the necessity
might be deferred without injury to the bust
ness Of the court by adopting the above recon-
mendatIOns.
We further recommend that the Superior
and the CitV COUrts be consolidated, and they
respectfully recommend that the matter be
called to the attention OF our Representatives
in the Legi stature, and that they be requested
to take such steps as to accomplish this end
and make Chatham county an Independent
circuit.
Your committee are of the opinion that
the saving to the county that would result
from this action would reach nearly ticeaty
thousand dollars per annum to the ta5 payers.
This change, or such a change, would be of
great convenience to our citizens. as they
would hard Y be called upon to do jury SER
vice more than once in tlCO years. lchiIe under
the present system they are often compelled to
serve tloice year.
All of which is respectfully submitted by
JOHN SCHwARZ,
Chairman,
J. B. RIPLEY.
q Tunnrpenr