The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-01

contemplated Thunderbolt or Isle of Hope
road, if 1t can be done with the appropri-
alton provided for by this jury.
1t is the sense of the jury that all toll
roads be made public as soon as it can
| be done at reasonable cost.
DRAINAGE.
Savannah and Ogeechee Canal.-It is
| our duty to call attention to the Savannah
and Ogeechee canal. In its now neglected
condition. this canal is an obstruction TO
! travel and TO drainage, and is a menace
| to public health Originally constructed
to connect the Ogeechee and Savannah
| rivers, mainly for the transportation of
| timber, it is susceptible 10 be made the
waterway for transportation of farm pro-
ducts and wood to the city, and as main
| canal in a system of drainage for the
many swamps lying between Savannah
and the Ogeechee rivers. Unless, how
ever, this canal is repaired so as to sub
serve these purposes, il should be entirely
| discontinued, the franchise of the COM
pany revoked. and the present nuisance
abated; and We recommend to the next
grand jury to call the attention of the
| solicitor general TO the matter with
view of filing an information to annul
the charter of this company, if no steps
are taken to abate the present nuisance
and put the canal to some public use.
General-The benefits already derived
| from the comparatively small portion of
the county drained is so apparent TO the
casual observer and important for SAM
tary and pecuniary considerations as to
demonstrate that more rapid and extern
sive work for relief of the immense area
| of swamp land of Chatham county is
greatly desired, and inasmuch as the con-
vict force is largely needed for mainten-
ance of the present system, we believe 1t
would be well to supplement their work
| nj ira1 1a1A INN Of
roads and drainage should accompany
each other.
CONVICTS.
Our committee appointed to inspect the
| convict camps and the condition of the
| convicts, have reported that they found
| three camps established, at which there
| were a total of PA convicts A close in
spection shows the camps to be in a clean
and healthy condition. the water sufi-
GENTLY good for drinking and cooking pur-
poses; the food clean and properly pre-
pared, and the clothing kept in a clean
condition. All of the convicts appear to
! be strong and healthy excepting eight
men and four women, who were sick and
who were constantly kept in quarters, re-
ceiving proper medical attention. Those
that were sick were suffering mostly
from cold or fever.
We found two of the men afflicted with
syphilis, and whilst we were assured by
y
care was used to prevent this disease be-
ing communicated to the other prisoners
believe 1t to be proper, and we recon
mend, that all syphilitic convcts should
sleep in entirely separate quarters from
the others. With this exception, we found
everything In such good condition as to
need no criticism.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Our committee appointed to examine
la V,tr1,If 1,a.4ITl
leave to report that they have examined
the court house, and find that the plas-
tering of the different rooms and pas
sageways on the first floor need repair
ing, and that nearly the whole building
needs kalsomining. We would recon-
mend that awnings be put over the two
windows on Bull street side of the tax
collectors Office. and also one over win
dow on Bull street side of superintendent
of county works office. Otherwise the
court house is in good condition.
We have also examined the county Jail
and found same in very good condition
excepting the tower, which is under con-
sideration of the commissioners at the
present time.
MAGISTRATES.
The committee appointed to investigate
the books, 'dockets, etc, of the justices
report that they have undertaken this
work as rigidly as circumstances would
permit.
In some instances we have discovered
that the justices went personally and So
licited accounts for collection from the
merchants, and Immediately issued war
rants against all the parties who were
indebted to them, the amounts ranging
from 80 cents upwards. We find that par
ties upon being arrested, were carried be-
fore the justices and made to give bond
and pay the justice a bond fee of s. the
| ltty hat -ic
hanger-on of the court Cat the suggestion
of the JUSTICE. The justice having col
lected his bond fee of 49, the cases were
never called up, or prosecuted further. In
some instances the parties owing the ac-
counts have paid the amount of their ac-
count under this criminal prosecution and
the case was then dismissed.
The evidence which was brought before
us tends to show that there was frequent
| ~ trade made between the justices and
the merchants, whereby the justice was
to receive one-half of any amount that
was collected.
We find the books, dockets and papers
Of the following justices correct and neat
ly kept and we have entered upon their
books examined and found correct"
w. Russell, Jr., G. e. Bevans, Van r.
Winkler, NJ. Naughtin, w II. Nelson, r.
Nathans, r. Wickham, S. L. Parker,
Samuel Reynolds. w. II. Mende
A. J. j. Blois show some irregularity, but
they were in the main explained satisfac-
torily to the committee.
The investigation OF the accounts and
dockets of Justice b. j. Mcintyre were
particularly directed toward investigating
the complaint made by the authorities of
the Savannah, Florida and Western rail-
way. In this instance the justice solicited
the accounts from a merchant, making
the agreement with the merchant that he
was to have half of the amount collected
Without authority from the merchant
Justice Mcintyre issued warrants against
the parties owing them. and proceeded 20
arrest certain hands at the Savannah
FLORIDA and Western railway. Pursuing
the plan outlined above. he had them ar
rested for cheating and swindling. He
then drew up the bonds for them, for
which he made the usual charge OF SO, the
bonds being signed generally by persons
who have absolutely no responsibility, and
the cases have never been called up since.
We characterize such proceedings as a
disgrace upon justice. and an outrage up
on society.