The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-09
THE RECORDERS POWERS.
Bill TO Provide for the Trial of Mis-
demeanor Convicts by Him.

dem nor &OnNlCNs DN HIN.
The most recently proposed measure
to be discussed and prepared Tor introduc-
ton in the legislature at its coming ses-
sion is one 20 extend the powers and in
crease the authority of the recorders
court Of Savannah, so as TO empower it
to deal with certain classes OF misde-
meanor convicts.
II is true this measure has been dis
cussed 70 some extent, but heretofore
nothing has ever come Of it. It was ex-
tensively talked Of before the present leg
islators were elected. Now. however. the
matter is to be brought up in tangible
form and notice of a bill making the de-
sired changes will be published at once.
The object Of such a measure IS to re-
leve the city court of the strain upon
it, arising from the multitude OF misde-
meanor convicts collected at the Jail dur
ing the week. These convicts are now.
as a rule, turned over 10 the city court
from the recorders court, and have 10
remain in Jail from one day 10 a week.
and sometimes longer, before their cases
can be disposed Of. Thus this class OF
prisoners, in the course of time becomes
a heavy expense on the county, whereas
cases, the defendants could be either sent
to the chain-gaug at once or released, as
the evidence might warrant.
The idea is TO provide a law under
which the recorder will be given jursdic.
ton Of all misdemeanor cases in which
the defendants do not demand a trial by
jury. In all of the cases now tried in
the city court from one week to another,
the defendants enter their pleas before
the judge. and are tried directly by him.
Under the proposed measure it is con-
templated that these cases shall be heard
and disposed of directly by the recorder.
There is another class Of cases in which
the defendants demand trial by jury. but
it is designed, OF course, that all OF this
class Of cases shall be dealt with as is
done at present.
1t is believed that the members Of the
legislature from Chatham favor The pro-
posed bill. One OF them has so expressed
himself, though the others have not had
much 10 say on the subject.
So far there has been very little local
legislation suggested except that which
was before the legislature last year. OF
these measures those that attract most
attention are the bills for the repeal of
the commissions. Bills for the repeal of
the acts creating the police. water and fire
commissions are already before the gener-
al assembly, having gone over from the
last session. Notices have already been
given Of the intention to introduce bills for
the repeal of the acts creating commits
sloner of public works and that creating a
park and tree commission. This will put
measures for the repeal of all the COM
mis-
and it is upon these that the fight Will
come
1t Is claimed that the lines are drawn
now altogether differently and that the
fight VIII assume a different aspect from
that presented at the last session. The
party that wanted the bills repealed has
since gained control of the CITY, while on
the other hand the party in whose interest
they were passed claims IL has as much
influence as ever to prevent their repeal
One of the Interesting questions is the
stand Senator Geiger will take in the
matter and il is one which win probably
not develop until the measures come up
for action. Members of the party in power
believe they viii have Senator Geiger with
them in the matter, while others say they
feel that they will secure the favorable ac-
ton Of the legislature whatever stand Sen
ator Geiger may take.
The only other local legislation suggest
"a so far are two bills which are in no
wise political In their nature. One of these
contemplates an increase of power for the
county commissioners in order to give
them the right to compel parties owning
land in the county to make connection
with the public bitches and drains con-
stTucted by the county commissioners.
The other is a bill to provide a means of
getting the right of way along River street
for the purpose of constructing a belt line
railroad