Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-15
-n,xD JURY PREsENTMENrs'
Form, Chatham superior Court
1886.

Tho Grand jury OF Chatnah super ioi
r.+rr June term, 1886, submit the
1uowipg general presentments:
r..orjng upon our term of service win
1arnssf desire to discharge our full
51,, we have to express regret that the
'.,-rsssiye charge of your Honor, that was
,-to At once our guide and prompter,
-rosn not presented in writing, we Emo"
.,no nrocedent for the suggestion, but
~ oorttul,v submit that if the court
l.ofr.,as to grand jurors were put before
C-a. i in mat shape, or into print, as OF
nc ID.araI nublic interest, jurors would not
s.TtaIy 10 overlook important facts con
ED with the service which might
nlnsrwtse escape their memory.
'Tmbndied in our presenCments are sun
s.l recommendation which, If adopted,
Tril pecessitate the preparation oI OllIs
.,r consideration by the General Assem-
W., irvolyjng changes in existing laws;
orosantation and advocacy OF suGh Dllls
Xii deyolve upon our Representatives
:, the next Legislature, and to them, IN
EMO interest of our people, we commend
the changes suggested.
Tsa offices of Clerk of the Superior
conrt Receiver OF Tax Returns, Tax
Coilertor and County Sheriff have been
insracted and examined IN superficial
manner. SO far as such an examination
oDplies, and from what has 0eeh ueFel-
mod in this way, we feel warranted IN
ranorting that we regard the AFFAIRS OF the
seyeral offices named as being conducted
in a regular aud proper manner, ana
while we recognize the zeal and eihclency
NJ the officers in charge, we deplOre Ihe
u. T1.,lN n a n a
IF Office room. official stationery and
Sooks- and means of properly tiling and
protecting the same.
CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT.
We find the books, papers and affairs Of
mis- office in an orderly condition. AL
though cramped for space, the books and
napers are filed in convenient form, and
gD the data of the office appears to be
readily accessible. Most of the books are
IN GOOD order; some. however, require re-
binding, particularly the 1ndices to the
Judgment dockets, which are in bad con-
drion: as these books are so frequently
handled they should be repaired at once,
in most substantial manner. We recon-
mend that the work be ordered done, as
well as any other rebinding which may APP
near necessary. The Clerk suggests the re-
moyal of the gas fixtures from the record
room. giving as his reason therefor that
the Office is not open at night, therefore
being OF no use, the removal possibly
syerting a loss or damage TO valuable
archives from the dan ger of fire or eXplO-
sion from leaking gas. The suggestion
appears to be a good one, and, concurrIng
IN the same, we recommend the removal
Of said fixtures. We find that the dOcu-
menls of nearly 1900 judgment eases are
missing. These papers date back to a re-
mote period and extend up to and within
recentdates. The absence Ofthese original
papers from the proper file in the CLERKS
office is calculated, in all possibility and
probability, at some period in the future
TO entail hardships upon those not respOn-
sbe tor their removal. We urgently
recommend that the Honorable Judge of
this court pass an order. absolutely pro-
hlbiting the removal of any OF these docu-
ments from the custody of the court. The
papers being accessible at all times dur
Ing reasonable business hours, all per-
sons, including members OF the bar,
wnOse business would necessitate the use
Of them, should be required either to
make or procure a copy of same, but
under no preteXt should the original
papers be allowed to pass beyond the
custody Of the court.
RECEIVER OF TAX RETURNS.
We find the books, papers and affairs of
this office in an orderly condition. We
think it due the officer in charge that we
should call attention to the TACT that the
property returned in 1885 was near two
million dollars go, 900, 000) value in ex-
cess of the previous year, which year
ll>i was the largest On record up to that
hnr. I,
need Tor County Assessors, whose duty it
snail he to make fair and equitable valua-
tlon Of property in rbe country as well as
IN the city. An effort should be made by
The proper authority TO secure the passage
Malaw creating county asses sors, and we
SfecommeOd. This demand seems to be a
just one on behalf of a fair and proper dis
ln0uJ'on and equalization OF the burden
OIL taxation. some of the important pa
le'S OF this office are filed in an insecure
eaonet, which Is slowed in the lobby of
llt court house. These records should be
preserved with care. and we recommend
lat proper shelving be erected within the
Ohc'oi the Tax Receiver sufficiently large
ana conveniently arranged SO as to enable
lle ollrer in charge to care for and prop
ef! distribute the public documents ac-
v1Au!alng from year to year.
TAX COLLECTOR.
we md the books, papers and affairs OF
lli' olAce IN an orderly condition. some
teIails IN the way OF books and blanks not
PVNdsd by the State or county, but ne
,F'Seiy Tor the proper eystematizing o!
we business OF the Office, have been fur
u'Avd and paid for by the collector. This
aoy makes the articles thus paid for the
l'a'e property OF the officer furnishing
,Ie same. 4 recent law passed provides
wi 'Ne keeping of general cash bOOk-a
necessity heretofore existing, but not pro-
'uel Tor by law. The want OF a cash book
s1I Ol proper blanks has not been over
y'Neu Oy the collector, who has furnished
wy Saue from has private purse. 1t occurs
+" u' last all books, blanks or other matter
sree''tfy 10 the proper conducting and
oglull9ellIng OF the public business
,S Sou,g oe tne property Of the people, and
i ,v'U'u De cared for and preserved as such
ny, r'e proper authority, and the cost Of
W"Iulng the same should be borne by
Pubhc treasury. We therefore re-
eou"end that the county provide its Off
ssr, with all books and blanks not al
n'ni provided for by law that the Off
l5 may deem necessary for the proper
,SI"ue'ihg OF the affairs Of the county, in
r,r5. 'ud' ine complete and detailed re-
mar q" lhe business of all the Offices
guy 0ecome the property of the county.
SHERIFF.
e' We ma the books. papers and affairs OF
~'' 0u'e In an orderly condition.
MAGISTRATES.
,n'. '1n only a few unimportant errors and
b.h,,''ons-not in any way affecting the
n' ,",o W any one-the books OF the vari-
tsy'" ISslslrales Of the county appear to
G,s. 0eeu Kept as required by law as to
| IA ana business autarpd tbnraunon