The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-14

as bad condition. The smaller bridges
along the road are all in much need Of re-
pairs. The end of the road. from Salt
creek to the Ogeechee river. we find in a
better condition, and indicates having had
some recent attention.
The River road. which was gone over
with US by the county engineer, we find in
a bad condition, and shows no signs of
having been worked for a very long time
The Pine Barren road, we lind portions
IN fairly good condition. This, however,
is not from any attention the road has
had, but from its natural situa-
ton. The bridges on this road,
particularly the one over Harden swamp,
are very rotten and dangerous
The battle-ground road does not appear
to have been worked, except in the vicin-
lty OF Iatemville, which portion was
worked by the chain-gang. The balance
shows no attention whatever
The Waters road is at present in a de-
plorable condition.
The Montgomery crossroads at each end
IS IN bad condition. The remainder, which
was worked by the changing, is in fair
order.
The Buckhalter road our committee
found impossible, and, therefore, they
were unable to inspect same
We would respectfully call the atten-
ton of the county commissioners to the
recommendation of the previous grand
jury in regard TO the Meridian road,
which recommendation we fully CON
cur in.
In view of the condition of the various
roads, as shown in the above detailed re-
port, we cannot but conclude tina [ the
present road laws in this county, and the
means at hand for repairing and main
tanning decent roads, are entirely made
quate, and we can see only one remedy
for the existing evil, which is as follows:
There are now in this county 200, 900
acres of land, only 10000 of which are I'M
der cultivation, leaving a balance Of lS0,-
600 acres uncultivated and unremunera-
tive, but which, by a proper system of
drainage and good and suthcient roads,
could be made available, and which would
then invite investment, and largely in
crease the taxable property of the county
Under the present conditions, with only
the force OF Convicts at the disposal of the
county commissioners, for the pur-
poses of drainage and road making,
the object, ''most devoutly TO be wished
for" cannot be attained within the next
twenty years
We therefore most earnestly recommend
that our worthy senator and repre-
sentatives be instructed to procure such
legislation at the coming session of the
legislature as will enable this county to
issue bonds, not to exceed $500, 900 in
amount, and bearing interest not exceed
ing per cent per annum, and to run
thirty years; said bond issue to be voted
on at the January election for county
officers. This would place portion of
the burden upon those who in the future
will reap the benefits. not only of good
roads and available lands, but in the in
crease of the value of all the reclaimed
lands
1t is the opinion of this grand jury,
based upon careful Investigation of the
subject, that the increased value of the
lands and placing them upon the taxable
list, Will more than pay the interest on
the bOud issue. II will also afford en-
ployment to large number of men now
out Of employment in this county 1t will
also enable the system of drainage now
in progress to be completed at an early
day, and thus increase the healthfulness
of the city.
See addenda.
In view of the large amount of legal
business transacted IN this county, which
Is yearly increasing, and the eXactng
duties placed upon the court, we would
recommend that Chatham county be made
separate circuit, aud that our legisla-
tors be instructed to obtain the necessary
legislation for this purpose
We concur in the accommodation of
1NA
tinuance of the various committees for
purposes of consultation and Information.
We beg to tender our thanks To
your honor for your able charge
at the beginning of our service and the
many cour.e estes extended during the
term: to the able solicitor general for
his advice and assistance; to County En-
gineer Blandford. for his attention and
valuable information; to MIR. c. +. Prem
dergast, foreman of the preceding gran d
Jury, for much valuabl information. and
to G. b. WestcoUt, for his efficient serv-
we recoiilnenG UnaG Unls General Pre-
SGnvLleh !, DC puDtlSnea IN the MORNING
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