Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-20
GRAND JUR1Es A CENTURY AGO.


some Grievances Presented by Chath-
am County Jury in 1882.
Some tune ago the NEWS published a
Dresentment made by a Chatham county
grand jury back some time in the zoos.
4 gentleman who has a number of old
records in his library the other day came
across presentment made in 1882, l0I
years ago. Inc perspicuity OF the langu-
age aud the plain, matter Of tact style in
which the prominent evils were discuss
ed, command for the document much
interest and an attentive perusal. The
presentment is as follows:
GEoRGIA,-The prescntments OF the Grand
Jurors for the County OF Chatham, IN the
state Aforesaid, at a Superior Court begun
and holden, at Savannah, on Tuesday the LIST,
Wednesday the 2ad. and Thursday the 81
days of October, 1882, before the Hon. Richard
HOWley, Esquire, Chief justice, and hc Hon
orabe Joseph Clay, and William O'Bryen,
Esqures 4 ssistant Judges.
We the Grand Jurors for the County of
Chatham aforesaid, upon our Oaths present.
LIST. As grievance, the Want OF Divine Ser
vice m the Town az savannah.
I'd. We present as a notorious Grievance,
the rumous STATE, ami condition, of the Pub
lick Buildings, in the Town of savannah.
81. We present as a Grievance, the want of
a work house IN the Town OF savannah, Tor
lhe reception, and correction, of disorderly
Negroes &c.
4th We present as a Grievance, the Publick
Wells in savannah, being out of repair.
5th. We present as a Grievance, the want of
Commissioners, to keep the streets, and Com
mon, Of savannah in repair.
18th. We present As a Grievance, the ruinous
State of the Bridges of the Southern, and
Western roads.
1th. We present rs a Grievance. the want of
C0nstabes to do the Duties OF the Town OF
Savannah, and County of Chatham.
Sth. We present as Grievance, that Strict
= # m al n "A md
situations OF the present Inhabitants of this
County, and that a number of Loose and ldle
persons are allowed to remain openly and
without examination IN the Pown of Savan-
nah, thereby endangering the peace and good
order OF the County.
9Th. We present as a Grievance, the River
and Port OF savannah being infested with
Armed Vessels, and Boats. having private
Commissions aud Manned not only with Sea
men but with Idle, and prOfligate Persons
from on Shore who instead of cruising on che
High seas agreeable to the tenor of their Com
missions and as Mcn Of Honor ought to do, re-
main in the SAID River and Port obstruCGng
the Trade and Navigation Of the same and as
Stunning TO themselves all the powers that the
Dthcers Of the Customs are by law invested
with Impede the SAID Officers in the EXecu-
tion of their Duty and thereby as well as by
disrespectfu dGmeaAor aud language Insult
The clvll Government, and Internal Police of
the State.
l0th. We present az a great and lntolera-
Bile Grievance, that parties OF Infamous Ban
ditt are permitted to prOwle through the
country " til impupity committing the most
h0rrld Murders and RoO0eries with every
other species of Violence and Rapine dis
graceful 10 Human Nature in carving or the
public and private property of the State into
the Interior parts of the Continent, and we
earnestly recommend TO the Legislature to
take the most Immediate and Vigorous meas
ures for the remedy OF these enormous Evils.
Lastly the Grand Jury return their Thanks
to his Honor, the Chief Justice, for his Excel
lent charge Delivered them at the opening of
the Court, and recommend that the same to-
gethcr with the Presentments be published in
the next Gazette"
The presentment is signed by David Mon
taigut Foreman, Edmund Adams, Powell
Griggs, James Galache, James Parker.
William Horribly, Anthony w. White,
John Milton, Raymond DemeTe. John Nc
Lean, Nehemiah Wade, Charles Odding-
sells, William Maxwell, John Morel,
Joseph Gibbons, Josiah Mclean, Nathan
lei Adams, Seth John Cuthoert. After
each signature is affixed a seal. The doc
ument at the present day possesses con-
siderable historical interest.