The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-03
GRAND JURY WANTS LIGHT.
WILL MAKE CLOSE STUDY OF THE
COUNTY DRAINAGE.


j. II. Saussy, Jr. Selected as Justice
of the Peikce in Place of Justice
Observation-Disclosures Session of the
Jury Booked For TO-morrOw-A
Special Committee VIII Look Into
Drainage and County Roads.
The gram jury had a special meeting
yesterday Afternoon and reported a recon-
mendation for the appointment of Mr. J.
r. Saussj, Jr., as justice Of the peace for
the Fourth Georgia militia district in
place Of Justice John Fitzgerald, resign
ed.
There were four or five candidates for
the pace, and Mr. Saussy had not been
generally known as among the applicants
1t Was In the nature OF a surprise when
the grand jury reported his nomination.
Mt. Saussy, who is one of the most prom
.sing young lawyers In the city, but who
has been in failing health recently, is
said to have stated to some friends that
he would accept the position if it should
be offered him. He has never been con
sidered, however. in the light of a candi-
date.
The vacancy caused by the resignation
of Justice Fitzgerald has been felt for
more than a month. Fitzgerald was
among the magistrates reported in special
presentments of a former grand jury, on
a charge of malpractice in office. His
trial was brought up in the superior court
and resulted in failure on the part of
the jury to agree. Pending another trial
Justice Fitzgerald sent his resignation to
the governor and this settled the matter
Members of the grand jury bringing the
charges against him of malpractice in Of
flee, were consulted by Solicitor General
Osborne and they declared that they
would have no objection to his taking this
course as their chief purpose had been TO
rid the Office of irregular practice, which
was charged against him rather than
prosecuting any criminal case against
him.
Mr.. Saussy the newly appointed justice,
is thorough student of law. He is a son
of the county attorney, and is a young
man of bright prospects in the legal pro-
fession.
The grand jury's session was held not
alone for the election of a justice of the
peace. 1t was called at the request of
the chairman. 1t seems that some of the
members had brought up the question of
drainage as an important line of work re-
curing immediate attention on the part
Of the members of the jury. 1t is under
stood that these Jurors have in mind par
tlcularly the work that is now being done
at the direction of the county commission
ers on Buckhalter swamp
AS is well known. there has been wide
spread opposition to the work on Buck
halter swamp, owing particularly to the
complaints of the sanitary board of the
city, that in order to carry on the work
at Buckhalter the county commissioners
had practically abandoned the drainage
close TO the city, where it is so much need
ed for the health of the community, and
also the work on the countys highways
1t is understood that the members Of
the grand jury behind this movement have
made up their minds to have the work on
county roads and drainage investigated
without delay, and special report made
on it if necessary.
1t is also pretty generally understood
that the decision of the grand jury was to
undertake a systematic investigation of
the work of the county commissioners
having special committee look into the
road work and the county drainage and
report back at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
The grand jury will hold another session
tomorrow. 1t is said that the Judgment
of some of the grand jurors in the matter
or road work and drainage is so much at
variance with the directions given to this
work by the county commissioners. They
Will be deprived of the assistance of So
licitor General Osborne. owing to the fact
that he is by family relations disqualified
in the eyes OF the law from guiding them
as special counsel in the Investigation
that is thought to be necessary of the
work, Mr. Osborne being by marriage re-
lated in the sense of family ties to the
chairman of the commissioners.
The work of the grand jury will be
watched with unabating interest by the
public.
TO ANsN-I,n IcnEl .rur.In -, u.....