The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-01
GENERAL PREsENTMENTs.
Grand Jury Superior Court, Chatham


Grand Jury Superior Court, Chatham
County.
To his honor. Robert Falligant, judge
eastern judicial circuit.
The grand jury for the spring term of
1897. respectfully submit the following as
their presentments:
COUNTY OFFICERS.
The accounts and books of the county
have had careful attention.
Tax Collectors Office-The books of this
office are neatly and correctly kept. For
inc year 1896 the state tax collections
were:
Poll tax ..'.''..'.'..'''.'.'.'...s o'9OI.S6
Property tax ,.-.........,............1l 4,773.24
Total S12l $50. go
The county taxes collected We're:
Total paid on digest .$16l. 726. 6S
Add county tax r, R............... 1l2S0.6 IS
The uncollected taxes for the year 1896
as per the execution book amount to
SAG. 449.H: of that amount $50, So belongs
10 the state, and $2s, 1906 is due the coun-
ty, of which the sheriff and tax collector
estimate 70 per cent. as good and collect
able.
we call attention to the fact that there
are outstanding taxes.
For 1893 amounting to..........,...$ 4,243. IS
For 1884, amounting to .............. 6,254.7o
For 1885, amounting to ............. 7,6S7.75
Total SIS, 1860
OF this amount we find listed on the
execution receipt book many amounts
which appear to be errors" caused eth
er through transfers of property, removal
of owners from the county, insolvency, or
clerical Some of these amounts are class
H. null hon ~ h
are worthless and win be referred to later.
County Treasurer's Ofice-We have
checked up all the vouchers of this office
and find them correct and in order, The
books are neatly kept and readily accessi-
ble. The total cash on hand from Feb q,
1897, when the books were last palahced'
is as follows:
In the Germania Bank..............$ $50 1867
In the Chatham Bank."........... 19646.30
in National Bank of Savannah. S647.3S
ON hand $3.50
ONCE Clerk Superior Court--Books and
naners in this office are in good order and
well kept. Officers are diligent and oblig-
Ing in their work.
6rdinary's Oh1ce-This Office is well
managed, and all papers and files correct
" kept We note nothing to call your
special attention TO.
Tax Receiver OIuCe-1u DOOh9 anu
files in this office are neatly and well kept.
We note difference between the warrant
hook and the county treasurer'S account
Of 81 10 which is represented by two war
rants outstanding for that amount.
Sheriff's Ohice-The books and records
in this office are well kept We have eX>
auined the statements of executions
and If. fa's'' in his hands which agree
with the county treasurer's execution re-
CENT book" With regard to this list, we
have noted many accounts which are I'M
collected, and listed as errors las re-
ferred to above). These errors, we think,
arise principally between the different Of
fees of the county, and are, in many cases,
clerical differences We think they should
he charged off We note also a number
of accounts which are classed as 'nulla
bona" These accounts may be realized
on from time to time. We note again
large amount of collectable accounts for
property and professional taxes, which
we think ought to be pressed for imme-
date settlement, and should have been
collected before this date.
FINANCIAL.
A special report of our committee on the
finances of the county say that II We es-
innate. the receipts from the digest, and
from 'uncollected taxes due" as the same
as last year, and deduct therefrom the
unusual collections on account of railroad
amounts due ''the board of education"
and the account of roads and bridges
that there will be a balance of cash on
hand approximatng $1S,000OO Although
this margin ordinarily IS not excessive,
with more close and vigorous collection
of taxes we believe $4,000 can be added
without necessarily increasing the tax
rate, and recommend the following bud
get for 1897, which is as estimated by the
county commissioners except that by
very close vote we have allowed public
schools for operating expenses $7OOO0.00,
and for reducing Indebtedness $l5,OO00.
CHATHAM COUNTY BUDGET FOR 1897
County treasurer ...............$ 5000 90
Ordinary ........................... $50 90
Insolvent costs ..................... 1900 90
Stationary and records ......... 1000 90
Georgia infirmary .....,............ 1000 90
ST. Joseph's infrmary ....... 1000 90
Savannah hospital ................. 1000 90
Tax collectors commission ...... 300 90
Tax receivers commission 49,. 1850 20