Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-18
'RAL PREsENTMENrs

Them, ia consequence OF the fact that they
cannot perceive any effort has been made
In the past TO correct the evils presented
or apply the remedies suggested.
We nave examined and found in good Or
der the books Of the County Treasurer, the
hooks, records and valuable papers of the
Tax Collector, the books, records and
other valuable papers in he Court OF
Ordinary, the books. records and other
valuable papers in Office of Clerk of Supe-
rior Court, the books and papers in the
Sheriff's office, the books OF County Com
missioners, and highly commend the Ell
forts of the present Clerk in bringing them
TO their perfect condition.
JUSTICES. OF THE PEACE.
The books OF justices of the Peace and
Notaries Public eX-otiicio Justices of the
Peace that Ue have examined have been
found correct.
SPECIAL LIQUOR TAX.
The registry in the Office of the ordin-
airy has been compared with the Tax
Collectors books, and all taxes have been
paid.
JAIL,
The present building is clean and kept
in good order, and the prisoners are as
comfortable as the quarters admit. The
County Commissioners having made
contract for a new Jail, we refrain from
repeating the old complaints.
CONVICT CAMP.
The prisoners in the convict camp are
healthy, well fed and properly cared for.
The officers seem TO be efficient and trust
worthy. The cost of feeding the prison
ers is reported to be 8 cents per diem.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
We present the roads as being in very
bad order, and we present the Commits
siOners for neglect Of duty, and we AJAX
the Honorable Court to apply the law. In
consequence OF the neglect the matter
having been reported by the last grand
iury) we recommend that the County
Commissioners be requested to use pOr-
ton of the convict labor and get the roads
IN good order, and we trust that the grand
iuries to follow us will see that they are
kept so. Section COS of the code requires
the Road Commissioners to report on Dec.
l. annually, to the Ordinary, condition Of
roads, bridges, finances, etc. This duty
has been neglected aud the Ordinary has
not enforced the law.
COURT HOUSE.
The grand jury of the March term. 1885,
made an earnest recommendation that
new court house be built, and we cannot
LOO CUuucuu LulS uulluluEs
We believe that any patching up Of this
bouse would be unslghtly, not provide
what is necessary, and be only tenn
porary provision. The valuable records
of the officers of the Clerk Of the Superior
Court and the Court of Ordinary cannot
be too we'll guarded, and we should have
rooms completely fre-proof. No amount
of money expended on the present build
ing could make it commodio' light and
airy and dry, and all of these are necessi-
ties. 1t is crying evil, and demands the
immediate attention of the County Com
missioners.
Bonds could be issued, as provided by
the constitution, to run 30 years, and If
$1,000 were redeemed annually il would
scarcely be felt by the citizens of this
county. We believe that the citizens of
this county wish house that will be an
honor to them and in keeping with the
dignity of its courts, and we ask that the
County Commissioners order an election
and submit the question to the people.
SPECIAL FEE BILL.
We present the special fee bills OF this
county as being eXorbitant, and ask that
special legislation be had to revoke them,
placing this county on the same footing
as other counties of this State.
CHATHAM CIRCUIT.
w e IECOliuEnQ NUHb OudbUaui COuubg
be made circuit by itself. We believe
this can be accomplished by a conference
with the Judges Of the Circuits imme-
diately adjoining this. and if each Will
consent to take two of the counties of this
judicial circuit, the service can be per-
formed with no greater expense TO the
state, and will ommend itself to the Leg
islature. and we ask that such legislation
be had if possible.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
We recommend that where it is posi-
bic county officers be salaried. We be-
lieve that much Of the litigation, crimi-
nal and otherwise, would cease il it were
not for the fact that officials, for the sake
OF their fees, prompt the most ignorant
of our citizens to contentious.
The law provides that the grand jury
may recommend Notaries Public for ex-
OficiO Justices Of the Peace, and we
recommend to those grand juries that fol-
low us, TO make no such recommends
ton, as the law provides all that are
necessary.
PREsENTMENTs.
We recommend that the Clerk of this
Court provide a scrap book and paste
therein the presentments of the grand
iuries as they appear in the gazettes, and
hand the book to each grand jury rs a
ready reference and a guide as to what
has been done.,
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
We commend the County Commission
ers tor their conduct Of the affairs Of the
county, and we earnestly ask them TO take
notice OF the presentments OF the grand
turtles and where they approve to give
such aid as is in their power TO obtain
legislation 10 correct abuses.
FUND FOR THE DETECTION AND ARREST
or CRIMINALS.
We recommend that the County Com
missioners in their budget for this year.
provide funds which shall be subject 20
the drafts OF the Solicitor General 20 be
approved by the judge of this court, for
use in the detection Of criminals-said
fund 20 be called for only in emergencies
TO prevent the escape OF criminals or other
immediate necessities.
SPECIAL DETECTIVES.
We recommend The County Commiss-
toner's TO employ special detectives at
a reasonable salary, 70 prevent as much
as in their power the infringement OF the
laws. There have been several notorious
cases OF murder, and 10 seems 10 be no
oue's business 70 ferret out the criminals.
said detectives should be placed under
the control Of the officers OF the city
police and work IN harmony with that
body. Their duty should not be confined
to the city, and they should be required
to report all infractions OF the law. mis-
demeanors as well as murders and thefts.
TRUST FUNDS.