The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-04

county engineer, we earnestly suggest
that some action be taken looking to-
ward its completion. The road in It's
present condition represents SO much
money thrown away.
CONvICTs.
This subject within the past few years
has been reDlete with sensations, scan
dals, charges of inhumanity, and brutal
ity- While We know. that criminals, es-
[ pecially such as ufNaiiy compose Abe coun-
ty chain gang, should pot dwell in -luXu-
rious abodes and be fed on table hOte''
dinners, still humanity and justice demand
that they should receive sproDer. care.
its viOlators and Sften prescribes hard
labor as the penalty It docs not cpIh en-
plate or intend that they shall be liable
to sucn exposure aHd treatment as to rem
der them useless to themselves after hav-
ing served their sentence. We viii be
candid and say that, in. our opinion and
belief, the management OF the convicts
has not been and is not now what it should
be. We do not believe that the county en-
gineer is the proper person to control
them, the duties of his position will not
permit him to be conversant with the de-
tails of management
We believe that this matter, which has
given so much trouble in the past and re-
Elected so seriously on those in charge, can
be satisfactorily adjusted by the appoint
ment of a superintendent who shall have
entire control of all camps, shall visit
them daily and oftener when practicable;
shall disburse supplies of every character;
shall prescribe the mode and character of
punishment in each instance, and when
necessary to apply the lash il shall be
done only by his direction and in his pres
ence, a record to be kept in each instance
| for future reference. The superintendent
should be a man of recognized ability for
affnsa
engaged, and should have a high moral
character and possess the confidence Of
| the community.
1t seems TO US that the adoption of such
a system would enable the authorities to
| locate responsibility and get at the truth
in Investigations, which has not been the
case in the past We also recommend that
the county commissioners give careful and
prompt consideration to the plans now I'M
der discussion for the erection of suita-
bic sleeping quarters, etc, at the perma-
nent camp. We also recommend the con-
sideration of the adoption of a portable
camp equipment to be used when extended
work is to be done some distance from
the permanent camp. This will obviate the
great loss of time incident to the march
to and from the permanent camp.
THE POOR FARM
We are informed that plans are being
| considered by the commissioners for the
erection of buildings suitable for the pro-
lection of the convicts engaged on farm
work and for the storage of corn and
| other products. We recommend that the
/ contemplated structures be erected as
| soon as practicable In this connection we
recommend the careful consideration of
| the advisability of utilizing the poor farm
| or some portion of it for the care and sup
| port of the poor and INDECENT who are UNI
able to perform such manual labor in the
city as would yield a living. Such farms
are in successful operation in many states
and large number of them are self-sus-
tanning. In connection with such an insti-
tuition there should be house of correc-
ton or reformatory for the proper disci-
| pline of youthful criminals. Their being
thrown at present with hardened and
reckless convicts tends to produce results
directly the reverse of the intention of the
law.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. <Ft
We feel it to be our duty, though it is
| with extreme reluctance that we touch
upon the unfortunate dissension and diff
ferences existing between the commission
ers. We entertain for each of them the
highest personal respect, but as body
we condemn the policy that has and still
dominates their action. AS we are respon-
sible to the people for a careful considera-
ton of all matters affecting the public
welfare, we feel that we would be dere-
lict in our duty did we fail to say TO the
honorable board of county commissioners
that their services can be of but little
value to the people when dissension and
opposition dwarfs the practical and in
| telligent discussion of nearly every sub
ject.
They were elected by the people for the
benefit of the people and the people have
the right to expect that their interests
shall be carefully guarded and their mon
ey disbursed to the very best advantage.
This is impossible under existing condi-
tons; hence we say, in all candor, but
with perfect respect, that if differences
are too great to be reconciled. if personal
feeling is too strong and deep to be chang
| ed, then these gentlemen surely do not
| desire to remain in Office when their USE
fulness is a matter of grave doubt.
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGESHIP.
! We ask again to call the attention of
| our senators and representatives to the
| very onerous duties imposed on the judge
/ of this circuit. The work in this county
alone is sufficient to occupy his entire
| time, If this very necessary and desirable
| change should be made it will be found
that criminal cases would be more prompt
/ ly disposed of. AS il is now, prisoners
awaiting trial are kept in Jail a consider
| able length of time at the expense of the
| people awaiting the return of the judge
| and solicitor-general from other parts of
the circuit. We trust to see a bill to this
| end passed at the approaching session OF
| the general assembly.
TURNPIKE COMMISSIONERS.
Our attention having been called to the
| condition of some of the toll roads an in
| quiry into the law develops the fact that
an act passed in - provides for the cleo
ton by the grand jury of three persons
! for the term of two years, or until the
! election of their successors. An examina-
ton into the records for some years back
| fails to show the election of any such
commissioners, hence in compliance with
the law we have elected for the next two
! years Messrs. T. J. Davis. w. 1. O'Brien,
! and d. Y. Dancy. The law provides that
unless such roads are kept in good repair
they are not entitled to charge toll; that
excessive. rates shall not be charged, and
that the ordinary of the county is au-
thorized to name the rates.
CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS.
We desire to call especial attention to
the growing evil of carrying concealed
weapons. Time and again the painful fact
has been brought to our notice with ia
tai emphasis that this barbarous and
cowardly habit is responsible for turbu-
lence and bloodshed. We would suggest
that the law provide more severe meas
ures of punishment of parties violating
f1,fc lon