The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-04
THEIR LAST MEETING.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AD-
JOURN SINE DIE.

The New Board to Be Sworn In at u
O'clock To-Dsy-The Closing Acts Of
the Retiring Boerd-Mst Blsndford's
Report on the County WOrks-Ihe
Condition of the Drainage.
For the last time the present board Of
county commissioners met yesterday al the
court house in their official capacity. The
special meeting was called at o'clock Col
r. }. Walker, chairman and, Commission
ers Reid, Meinhsrdt and Smart we're present.
Col. Walker occupied his seat as county
commissioner for the last time in term OF
Office extending over twenty years.
There was not a great deal of business be-
fore the board. The financial statement and
the report Of Clerk Dillon were read.
Extracts from the minutes Of the city
council. containing the resolution accepting
the tract Of land offered by the commission
ers as park, were read and incorporated
in the minutes.
The report in regard 70 the park was &C
cepted and County Attorney Saussy was
appointed committee to act with the city
Ia drawing up the necessary papers for the
transfer Of the property. Maj. K. A. Bland
ford was also appointed trustee 70 convey
the title.
a letter was received through Chairman
Bourquin Of the road commissioners from
Charles II. ArmsteRd requesting that the
distractions on the Augusta road be re-
moved and that the road be put in good
condition. Chairman Bourquin stated that
5000 had been appropriated for improve
ments on these roads, but that the road
commissioners had been unable 70 make use
Of any of it, as 1t had been expended for
mules and wagons. The letter, with Chair
man BourQuins statements, were referred
20 the new board.
MAI. BLANDFoRD's REPORT.
Mai. R. A. BlaudfCrd, county engineer
submitted his report, which included the
work of his department aud showed the
progress on the drainage system and road
improvements.
PREDATORY 60 his report proper Maj.
Blandford stated that on taking charge Of
the department. his first effort had been to
obtain knowledge In regard to the policy OF
his predecessor. In regard to the convict
camps, however. he said he could make no
comparative statements as no books had
been kept at the camp before he took
charge.
All the canals we're cleaned last June,
and the Bethesda ditch, nearly one mile in
length, requiring the excavation of 2 300
cubic yards Of dirt had been dug. The
Waters road was repaired beyond Estill
avenue, and on the Skidsway road across
the marsh to Isle OK Hope, an underdrain
was laid. Tue large ditch was filed
up and pipe culverts constructed TO carry
off the water.
In reference to the Bay street road Mai.
Blandford said: "Some work was done on
the construction of this road, but owing to
the reduction Of the force its completion
was deferred until such time as a suitable
force could be detailed for it.n
THE DUNDEE CANAL.
That this work might be better under
stood, Maj. Blandford referred to some
former proceedings Of the commissioners.
Three years ago he had been instructed
to make q survey Of the Savannah and
Ogeechee canal, and the country contiguous
thereto, with view Of obtaining the canal
as a conduit for the drainage of the county
The plan reported by the committee ap-
pointed to look into the matter contem-
plated that the canal should discharge its
surplus waters into the various swamps
through which it passed. The Dundee
swamp was one OF these. The work of lay
ing out canal through IL to drain its
watershed, as it was nearest the city, was
commenced and of tue $4,000
thing over 36, 900 have been taken out. Since
December, up to which time there was a
force OF only thirty men on this canal the
force has been increased to forty-dve, and
the work Is progressing more rapidly.
THE CASEY CANAL WORK.
The work on the new Casey canal was
begun last spring, and has been carried for
ward as rapidly as possible. The reservoir
for over half a mile has been com leted and
the main body OF the canal has been ex-
cavated. The total excavation will amount
20 10000 cubic yards, Of which 81, 900
have been removed, and the dredge is aver
aging from $50 to 500 cubic yards per day
The work will probably be completed be-
fore the close of the year, and an ample con-
duit for the draining of the entire water shed
thus provided.
The Meridian road has been built through
the county lands for distance of ten miles.
The earth work amounts to over 81 900
cubic yards, and the work is being pushed
forward as rapidly as possible.
In the nine months eight bridges have
been built; the pile trunk bridge for the
Dundee canal, the large pile Trunk bridge at
tha head Of the Vernon river, a bridge on
the Montgomery cross road, and five other
small bridges OF minor Importance
THE RECLAIMED LAND.
The construction OF the nav Casey canal
enabled the commissioners to clear up and
put in cultivation thirty-five acres OF
swamp land. The acreage planted will be
much larger than that of last year.
The number Of convicts in the camp June
been received, making a total Of $50.
There were Deaths 6 escapes, and 1856 dis
charges, Three Of the escaped oonvicts
were recaptured, killed, aud are still
at large.
Engineer Blandford's report was referred
to the new board.
DR.. Chisholm was recommended to the new
board as a faithful and efficient official in
bis capacity as Jail physician, and it was
recommended that he be reelected.
The several officers then rendered their
thanks to the commissioners for the pleasant
term they had served under them, and after
sine die adjournment there was a general
Handwriting, as it was their last official
meeting.
The new board will be indicted into
office to-day at II o'clock N. The members
OF the old board will be present by courtesy
when they are sworn in.
TO GO BEFORE THE GRAND JURY.