The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-04
Frnm OnicinI nntn.

There is a shreWd and systematic ef-
fort being made to create a sentiment in
favor of wasting the public funds This
is a plain way of stating the case, but it
is the correct way. 1t is frequently as
serted that the arraignment of the county
commissioners is the work of ex-County
Engineer R. A. Blandford, and one or two
parties who are interested in having the
county purchase the toll roads, or who
are opposed to draining Buckhalter
swamp because it will improve the prop
erty of Mr.. Dale chairman of the board of
county commissioners. 1t is further stat
ed that there are petitions of great length
before the county commissioners urging
the building of the new Thunderbolt road,
and it is to be assumed, per contra, that
the same petitioners are opposed to max
ing the toll roads free. and to relieving
those who reside thereon from paying two
taxes.
The references in the articles in the
Morning News, to surveys. distances and
other typographical details are procured
from the same source as that from which
the county commissioners secure their in
they are still using in carrying on the
drainage and road building work, namely,
those prepared by the eX-county engineer
In spite of all the prejudices of those most
interested in the reclamation of Buck
halter swamp against the ex-county engi-
neer, they are stil using his data in the
work they are doing, though the work IS
not being done as a skillful engineer
would do it, We're one in charge
with regard to the insinuations that the
Morning News advocates the purchase of
the toll roads by the county in the inter-
ests of the owners of those properties, the
assertion hardly requires an answer. The
chairman Of the county commissioners
more than two years ago
recommended the purchase of
the White Bluff shell road for
$1,000; the people living along the road
have petitoned the county TO buy it and
make It a free road. If this road was
worth $1,000 TO the county two years ago,
it is surely worth 5000 to-day.
In matter Of the Thunderbolt shell road,
which was offered to the county commits
sioners at their last meeting for $4,000 It
is no secret that it would be bought We're
il not that the commissioners want to be
consistent; and as the chairman viii not
let the board buy the White Blum shell
road. it cannot very well buy the Thun-
derbolt shell road
The questions for the public TO consider
are simple and distinct. Should the tax
payers be compelled TO pay $4,000. possibly
$4,000. for building a new road to Thun-
derbolt two and quarter miles in length,
when the Thunderbolt and White Blum
shell roads. thirteen to fourteen miles in
length, can be bought for $4,000? Il
may be well to call attention just here to
the fact that in order TO reach Bouaventure
or the Cathedra, cemetery by the proposed
new road TO Thunderbolt two or three
miles Of lateral roads viii have TO be built.
This work. the commissioners say. win
also be done when the time comes
In the second place. should the Buck
halter swamp canal. seven miles from the
city, be built while the Dundee canal. Mus.
grove creek and other drainage works near
the city remain unfinished?
These are the questions for the grand
jury TO consider.