The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-28
COMMISSIONERS TALK DRAINAGE

Engineer Blandford Reports on Mat
ters That Require Early Attention.
The county commissioners held their
weekly meeting yesterday afternoon.
Chairman Walker and Commissioners
Bsttll, Meinhard and Smart were present.
The first business considered was the re-
port OF Engineer Biandford. He reported
that the trunk at the outlet Of Dundee canal
is completed, with the exception of some
little bottom work on the gates. which can
only be done at low water. This will be
looked after as soon as the freshe. subsidies
Engineer blandford again recommended
the building of a pile trunk bridge at YER
non river in place OF Haner's bridge on
the Montgomery cross roads. The engineer
reported as follows on the subject: "How-
ever we'll the trunks above may be con-
structed, there will always be some trouble
with them unless they are constantly
watched and kept cleaned, but this large
trunk being located In the narrowest neck
Of the swamp and virtually at the head Of
the river, will keep out the tides and In
sure the perfect drainage of the lands above
when the canal is completed. 1t will also
reclaim some sixty or eighty acres OF
marsh lands
After my survey of Vernon river l be-
came satisfied that it can be made na yiga-
bic for small craft as far up as Haines'
bridge by strengthening slightly the bends
1t has greater depth of water at low tide
than Skidaway narrows. | induced Mr.:
Sherman, from whom l ordered O bill Of
lumber for the county, to bring it by
boat up to the bridge. He made it with an
SO-foot fiat with very little i1conven-
fence. IL the commissioners deem it of suf-
fcient Importance, the general government
might be induced to straighten the bends
and do some little work TO make the river
navigable"
Action on the bridge question was post
poned until the commissioners make a per-
sonal investigation, which they will do this
afternoon, as they are going on q general
tour over the county's drainage works
County Attorney Saussy reported that
he had looked up the law in regard to pre-
pairing bill for the legislature, in COM
pliAnce with Commissioner Reads su9ges-
ton, asking for the use for drainage pur-
poses OF ali convicts sentenced by the state
courts in Chatham county for Eve
years and under. Tbs present law,
he said, provides for the leasing
OF the convicts to companies and he
will have to write TO the attorney general
TO find out whether a special law of the kind
wanted would interfere with the lease.
In regard to the other proposed bill al
lowing the county to condemn land for
drainage purposes County Attorney Saussy
thinks a general law will have to be passed.
Commissioner Estill said law Of that
character would have to be very carefully
framed to save the county from suits.
Sheriff Roman was called before the com
missioners to tell why executions had not
been issued and property advertised for
sale for delinquent taxes. He stated that
considerable had been done In that direction
already, but the rush Of work in the court
had prevented all being attended to. He
was instructed to advertise all property
liable ct once, in order 70 bring the county
the funds due it.