The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-24

which renders them incapable of drainage
purposes for which they We're intended.
Thls condition is likely to affect the health
Of the city II the evil mentioned is not
abated. Long dry spells, incident to this
section In the spring, should be taken ad-
vantage Of to prepare against such condi-
tions as now exist.
We disapprove Of the employment OF the
convict force on semi private enterprises.
such as the AVondale rifle range, when
public interest demand its services in 1ne
vitality importan work Of drainage.
The town Of Pooler should receive more
consideration at the hands of the county
commissioners. Dilligent search failed to
discover any signs Of drainage. A few
low and rapidly disappearing banks indi-
cate the location Of some small bitches dug
under direction of the county engineer two
or three years ago. This town is growing
and is the home of number of our citi-
zens and tax payers VINO are entitled to
modern conditions for health and comfort.
We ask that this matter be promptly at
tended to.
Tybee Island being our chief place OF re-
creation is Of interest to all citizens. The
completion of a railroad places Tybee
within easy reach of thousands OF stran-
gers during the warm season. The drains
opened up last summer served well their
purpose but have naturally filled in course
of time. Any sickness prevailing at Tybee
at this season would reflect seriously on
Savannah and be very detrimental finan-
cially, directly and indirectly, TO nearly
every citizen We, therefore, earnestly
recommend prompt action on the part OF
the commissioners.
White Bluff should also be looked after
in the interest of summer residents and
the public school there.
We favor the deepening OF the Hemp
stead, Minis, Harmon and DeRenne ca
nails, as they appear inadequate for the
work assigned them. The construction OF
the easel canal has shown the vast inferi-
ority Of the former, and a gradual appli-
cation of these modern principles to the
old canals would greatly promote public
we congratulate the people on the bene-
fit of the mo fence" law, and If there be
any not yet convinced we believe that one
more year Will clearly manifest the adj
Yantages of the new system over the old.
The grand jury of this court two years
ago made recommendations as TO the use
of the Ogeechee canal for drainage pur-
poses, which this jury now endorse.
In view Of the large swamp area in
Chatham county We regret that no drain
age operations of importa nee are In pro-
gress, although many Of great merit are
projected Doubtless this delay Is due in
a great measure to small convict force,
whose powers are probably exhausted in
the maintenance OF existing works. We
believe that the early completion Of a
thorough system Of drainage is of the
greatest Importance to the health and in
terest Of the people in every way and be-
lieve that II would be best to use free labor
to this end. At the present rate Of pro-
gress Chatham county viii never be thor
oughly drained for some years TO come.
COUNTY MAP.
This much discussed question has been
CdItIullN
tees on roads and bridges" and drain
age" and a very exhaustive report made
to this Jury has been filed with the county
commissioners touching all matters con-
nected herewith. To continue road and
drainage improvements intelligently a
tOpogra phical map is an absolute neces-
sity. We recognize and believe that a
great deal of money has been spent upon
this work unnecessarily and we have at
tempted to ascertain If it could not be COM
pleted at a cost less than estimates here
tofore made. From reports made US by
the engineer in charge we believe that a
survey of all Of that part of the county
that it is not necessary to drain can be
made under the plan now in force, some
what reduced as to detail That part of
the county chat does not need draining
can be surveyed to furnish all necessary
information for roads, etc, and the map
finished at q cost considerably less than
estimates heretofore made. We are iusti-
fed in this conclusion from a detailed re-
port made to this jury by the engineer in
charge and the finding Of the committee
in investigation, all Of which are filed with
the county commissioners.
We recommend the continuation and
completion Of the typographical map I'M
der the modified plan set out in the report
of the engineer in charge to us, and that
81 900 be appropriated for this purpose.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
We find the records and books Of the va
rious officers correctly and neatly kept
and cared fol-. The balance Of public funds
IN hand of county treasurer March ! was
sl3s 923.0s.