The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-10
GRAND JURY PREsENTMENTs.
snring Term of Superior Court, Chat
ham County, 1890.

ham county, 1891
tn His Honor Robert Fdlligant, Judge of
he Superior Court, Chatham county:
DEAR SIR-We, the grand jury for the
snring term of 1890, having examined and
;pvssfigated the different departments and
ofices by appropriate committees, beg
leave TO submit the following general pre-
sentiments:
The county records, books of the court of
ordinary and clerk of court, have been ex-
amiued and found in good order and well
Kent. 1t has been suggested that some i'm
movement could be made In the method of
keeping wills, deeds, etc.
The books of the magistrates Of the First,
Second. Third, Fourth. Fifth, Sixth,
Seventh and Eighth districts have been ex-
amiued and found correct.
The sheriff's books were found carefully
indexed and well kept. All departments of
the Jail were in perfect order and models of
cleanliness, with a good supply of water,
The Office needs a carpet or mating.
The county treasurer's books were found
in excellent order. the vouchers and cash
checking with the ledger and balances.
When the Office is moved into the new court
house the county treasurer should be pro-
vided with a safe suitable to the require
ments of his Office.
The public school rooms were found in
GOOD order, but there is a lack of ventilation
in some of them which must be injurious in
their present crowded condition. st.
Patrick's school especially needs attention,
and the stairway needs protecting rail.
II is a singular fact that the sick
ness among the scholars, both white
and black, is greater among those on the
west side than among those on the east side
of the city.
A new school house that will accommo-
date 600 pupils is demanded by the present
overcrowded condition and the inadequate
accommodations at the command of the
board of education. This grand jury sug-
gests provision therefor further on.
The high school should be made self-sup-
porting. This suggestion has been repeat
edIy made The law reads that the tax
shall be collected for ''instructing children
education onty.n We think the county
does its duty when it provides good COM
mon school English education.
It seems as If some arrangement could
be made by which school books could be
handed down the classes, and in some way
avoid the present heavy outlay by a system
of rewards.
The convict camps have been duly in
spected. Camp No. has sixty-four pris-
oners--fifty-nine colored and five white.
Yard in perfect order. Guards quarters in
fine condition. Prisoners healthy. Cook
ing and washing arrangements good.
Hospital quarters not good and should be
greatly improved.
Camp No. 2 has seventy-two prisoners, all
colored. Yard and guards quarters in
good order. Cooking facilities not good and
should be improved. Washroom clean and
tidy Food good. Offices and books well
kept and officers courteous. Prisoners
healthy. But we regret to say we find here
the disastrous result of the contact of the
young convicts with old and hardened GRIM
inals, and we recommend the establishment
of reformatory for the youthful delin-
quents, and some attention should be paid
to these repeated recommendations.
Much time and labor has been spent on
the roads, While on account of the
dry spell they seemed in fair con-
ditfon. there are some painfully con-
spicuous examples-so bad as almost
to obstruct travel. The Central railroad
side track crossing at the Telfair sand hill
should be promptly put in order, as it is
difficult to cross with loaded wagon. The
Central railroad crossing on the extension
of Bay street and the Charleston and
Savannah railroad crossing at the Ogeechee
road need better protection against ap-
preaching trains
The Louisville road Augusta road and Ogee-
chez road, the most important commercial
in good order and steps taken gradually to
make good hard road bed. Nine-tenths
of the wagon trade comes that way and
better roads are demanded. The condition
of the Louisville road is one of those pain
fully conspicuous examples of a bad road
and should be repaired. The committee Of
the grand jury have repeatedly waited
upon the members of the city council and
the mayor in reference to that road, SO far
without apparent effect. 1t is understood,
however, that his honor, the mayor. had
determined to take some prompt action in
the matter.
Bay street extension should be continued
to the Louisville road by what is known as
the Woodville road. The Woodville road
should be opened and declared a public
road, giving short line to the city.
We recommend that 25 per cent. of the
chain gang annually, for the term of three
commissioners. The outlet to the Dundee
swamp needs attention. The bridge at
Pipe-Makers creek is cut of repairs. The
Bourquin road from Gwinnett street to
the Telfalr road should be put IN good
order, thereby saving to the truck farmers
heavy haul Of over three miles to the
Ocean Steamship Company's wharves.
The bridge to Skidaway Island was
originally built by the residents of the
legislature, by an act Oct. II, 1870, declared
"Skidaway bridge" a part of the public
road, and by an act Dec. ID, 1871, gave
jurisdiction to the county authorities over
said road. That bridge should be rebuilt.
The county population is rapidly increasing
and all sections should have easy access to
the city and all the recognized avenues of
travel should be opened and kept open.
Further on we suggest a provision to carry
out this object.
1t is most gratifying to raise a hope for
the settlement of the vexed question of the
Bay street extension. The committee who
had the charge of this department of our
work think the differences between the city
and county are in a fair way Of adjustment,
and that the work of the extension will be
carried out in manner satisfactory TO the
public and to all interested.
We herewith submit the budget of the
county commissioners for the ensuing year,
1890:
superior court. .,...,,...,..........S 1900
1nSolvent costs. 300
City court ........... ............ $500
Jail accounts. ...................,.... $500
Chain-gang Observation-Disclosures. 1850
Education ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $4,000
County poor Observation-Disclosures. $3.50
Lunacy ............ ................ $50
Court house, current expenses. ........ 1900
.NeW court houSe-new furnishing 500. 5000
commissioners, offica 10D