The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-01
TREATMENT OF coNv1oTs.
Commissioners Favor a jail for Their
Confinement.

SODu06menbs
The county COMMISSIONER weekly meet
ing yesterday afternoon was attended by
Chairman Walker and Commissioners Read,
Meinhsrd and Estill.
The Central railroad taxes were reported
unpaid, and the commissioners decided
TO let the matter go over until the return OF
County Attorney Saussy. The trouble
about the payment of these taxes is the in
terest which has accumulated. The Cen
trail offered The principal few days ago TO
Sheriff Roman, but as be has no authority
TO give rebates be offered only a receipt for
the amount on account. The road would
not accept this and now the matter is in the
hands of the commissioners.
The county rate of taxation was fixed for
this year at So 25 on $1,000 against 50 30
last year and IS so in 1890 The reduction
TO the taxpayers. including that Of state tax,
is % cents.
Simon Hesser WAS appointed chief OF con-
vice gang No. 2 in place OF William Allen.
Engineer Blandford submitted his weekly
report, showing the work at Casey aud
Dundee canals TO be progressing well. The
engineer reported a. regard 70 the en-
croachments on the Augusta road that he
completed the survey, but has not yet had
an opportunity to make his calculations.
The report relative TO convtcts shows lol
prisoners at both camps, l24 men, II boys
and 10 women. Camp No. l has lU9 pris-
oners, IA OF whom are sick. Camp No.
has 40 prisoners, Of whom are sick.
Engineer Blandford reported also that the
stockade and stables are in very bad condi-
ton, and totally inadequate for the uses for
which they were constructed on account Of
the steady increase of oonviots and the in
crease in sanitary work,
This report started discussion about the
treatment of the oonyicts. Commissioner
Estill said that the time lie fast approaching
when the county will have to provide an
outside Jail for its convicts-a place where
they can get little rest after their hard
days work instead of being com
PEELED to lie almost on boards
chained together as at present. He admit
ted that the convicts are given mattresses
to sleep upon, but they are little better than
the plain boards, and when the conviots arise
in the morning instead Of being refreshed
they are tired out from the rest accorded
them.
Commissioner Estill fnvors the construc-
ton OF Jail with regular cells, where the
convicts can be locked in at night without
the necessity of being chained. Then they
would have room to move around and one
or two guards could watch the entire place.
This jail, he said, should be constructed on
the poor farm proper, at the Montgomery
GROSS roads.
Commissioner Estill said be realizes that
suoh an improvement will cost considerable
money, but the oonvicts are due some con-
sideration. He suggested that Engineer
Blandford draw up plans and specifications
for such an institution, and let the county
commissioners present them to the grand
jury II the superior court.
Commissioners Read and Meinhard agreed
wish the views expressed by Commissioner
Estill and Engineer Blanford was instructed
to prepare the plans. He was also author
lied 90 draft plans for repairs to the present
building and present them at the meeting
next week