The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-07
MADE ROGERS A BAILIFF.
JUDGE MAC DONELL GIVES OUT AN
OTHER SURPRISE.

The ex-Chief Deputy Made n BaiIfn
Under the Special Law Allowing
the Judge to Appoint Three Bat
Iins-It Was Done at the Request OF
Judge n. VI. Norwood, Who VIII
Succeed Judge MacDOneII-HOw
sheriff SheftaII Views the Matter.
lie - Not Talking Much, However.
Judge A. II. MacDonell Of the city court
had another little surprise in for the
new officers of the city court yesterday
morning. when he announced the appoint
ment as a bailin OF the court of Mr.. John
=. Rogers. who served as chief deputy
sheriff under Sheriff W. F. Blois
The first OF these surprises came. IL will
be remembered, on New Years Day, when
he appointed Charles b. Hendricks a bail
if Of the court, under section 1850 of the
code. authorizing the Judge to appoint
three bailiffs to serve in attendance on the
court, and more If IL is found necessary.
II appears that Judge Thomas NJ Nor
wood recently elected to succeed Judge
MacDonell. has had some conference with
the latter upon the matter. The follow
ing was the order entered on the minutes:
I'm the matter Of the appointment of
John p. Rogers as a bailiff of this court.
Under and by virtue of section 1880 Of
the code Of Georgia, and at the request
Of the Hon. Thomas M.sNorwood, who is
TO succeed me as judge Of this court on
Jan. 20, 1896 John +. Rogers Is hereby APP
pointed as a bailiff of the city court of
Savannah, TO attend upon all sittings of
said court, subject to the orders of the
judge thereof In open court Jan. 6, 1895.
A. n. MacDonell, judge c. G. 5"
This appears to be little more than
the newly elected officers Of the court
bargained for The section of the code
referred to permits the appointment Of
three bailiffs by the judge Of the court,
and others are allowed If their services are
needed. The appointment of Mr.. Rogers
pointed under this section, and one other
still is allowed. Judge Norwood, II rs
said, has already intimated that he viii
make the other appointment which VIII
give the three bailiffs allowed. though
nothing has been said with regard TO
whom he is likely to appoint.
Sheriff T. j. Sheftall is evidently a little
perplexed over these appointments, though
he has little to say for publication; When
the court opened on New Years day Tor
the installment of the new officials he
recommended the appointment of only
two deputy sheriffs, Messrs. John II. Will
link and Val Dohn. He desired also 10
recommend the appointment as deputy
sheriff of Mr.. StOckett, but did not DO so
on account of the fact that MIR. Hendricks
was appointed a bailiff under the section
of the code mentioned, as he said he
pense on the city.
Sheriff Sheftall says he always under
stood that the sheriff had the right or
recommending the officers of the court, ana
that the Judge gave his assent If he was
satisfied with the recommendations. Inc
law giving the judge the power TO ap-
poin three bailiffs however, he says does
not interfere with his right to appoint
one or any number of deputies he needs
to attend to the work Of serving subpoe-
mas and other papers which go out of his
office. He referred to section 1872 of the
CODE which is in the special act govern
ing the city court of savannah which
gives the sheriff the right to appoint
one or more deputies to attend TO the
business of chat end of the court
Sheriff SheftaH did not say at in as
many words, but he minated as mucn,
that he would not allow the bailfs 10
serve papers from his Office on account
of the fact that they are not under bona.
The deputy sheriffs which he appoints
have to give a bond of $500 to him, and
he gives a bond of 5000 to the city for
the faithful performance of his duties.
This is all he would say with regard to
the matter, putting it especially on the
ground Of extra expense to the city;
The bailiffs appointed by the judge of
the court receive only 81 a day for at
tendance, on each day that the court is
in session. 1t may be said on an average
that the city court is actually in session
about go days in the year. so 1t viii be
seen there is only a bare living in the
position, or about $500 a year
The duty Of the hailiffs is to attend
of the juries when they retire TO the
jury room or elsewhere. 1t has frequently
been the case that two juries were out in
the court at the same time and another
jury was trying a case, so it viii be seen
there are times when these officers are
eally needed. These duties can be done
by deputy sheriffs as well as by bailiffs Of
course, but it is also true that bailiffs
have the right to serve warrants or other
papers should their services for this pur-
pose be required.
According to Judge Norwood's idea 1t
is said this appointment of bailiffs will
not entail any extra expense on the city
1t is understood that he is opposed 10 tile
government of the court being altogether
with the sheriff, as to the under officials
and their duties, and it is said that the
law with regard to the appointment cf
deputy sheriffs has been Interpreted to
the effect that the sheriff has only the
power Of recommendation while the power
as TO appointment and swearing i'm is
With the court. 1t remains, however, to
be seen how this law will be viewed hy
Judge Norwood and the officials of Ills
court when he takes the judges chair on
Jan 20.