The morning news., 1897-08-31

which he says that the map shows that il
VIII require canal about four miles. that
can easily he drained, which Will develop
large area of splendid truck farmine
lands.
IN recommending the continuation of the
work on this canal We are satisfied that
the commissioners are fully alive to the
Iact that the drainage already established.
VIII need their usual attention, and as an
eNluence of our confidence that this atten-
tloh viii continue TO be given in the future
we refer to their letter and report of their
work done this spring, which are attached
to this report.
We think it proper 10 call attention to
the TACT, that the county furnishes canals
ana bitches TO carry off the water and
lhe Individual property owners are eN-
pected TO drain their respective properties
INTO these water ways. We take occasion
also TO suggest to the public that all com
plants concerning bad drainage should.
IN the first instance be carried directly
before the commissioners. They are the
ofnclals elected by the citizens of the coun-
u to discharge this responsible duty.
and are vested by law with
wide discretion in the exercise of their
powers and duties. 1t is their duty TO
consider what is the greatest good for the
greatest numbep keeping in view the most
~~SiiO iAAAOSA use VI tltt means uIlNtI lI1GH
control. It is to be expected that in the
discharge of their duties, they viii at
times fail 20 satisfy some whose interests
are purely private, but from their com
potency and standing in the community,
they are entitled to the confidence and
cooperation of the pubic in their efforts
to improve the county. Purely private
grievances should not be brought before
the grand jury, nor should individuals
mistake their private interests and grieV-
ances for public evils
ROADS.
We travelled over the twenty-one miles
of roads built by the commissioners since
June 1895, and found them all to be in
excellent condition, excepting about a
quarter OF mile on the Ogeechee road,
which had been cut in few places by the
city wagons and which can be repaired
with few loads of gravel
We beg to differ with the commissioners
on the question of the propriety of pur-
chasing the shell roads. IL is our opinion
that these roads should he bought at rea-
sonabe prices, and we, therefore, recon-
mend their purchase, and if there are no
funds on hand available at present. we
recommend that in the next budget such
appropriation he made. We are convinced
that the people want good roads and com
mend the commissioners for what they
have already done; at the same time, the
people of Chatham county desire, and the
time is oppOrtune for, the sbolishment of
toll roads.
We see no objection to the new road to
Thunderbot being built, as the facilities
at hand for carrying on the work will save
a large expense. If, however the building
Of this road will prevent the purchasing
of the shell roads we recommend the
abandonment of this scheme and that the
funds for this purpose be applied to the
purchase of the two toll roads.
II gives us pleasure to announce to the
people of this county, that our investisa-
tlons have led US to the conclusion that
the gentlemen now in office as commits
sioners, are discharging their duty faith
fully, and are governed by what they
conscientiously believe to be best for the
whole.
We Travelled through the county over
sixty miles going and coming, within a
radius of three and one-half miles from
the city, through all sorts of places and
did not find cup of water outside of the
bitches. We are gratified to have found
the county in this condition, notwith-
standing the fact that the official report
of the weather bureau shows that more
rain fell in July 1897. than in any year
since 1895. Puddles of water are to be
expected after a heavy rain in such
large area as Chatham county, but stag
nant ponds or pools, we are glad to say
could not be found and none were point
ed out to us by those interested. This
indicates splendid drainage, and this con
dition of affairs should suggest to our
people to bury their private differences,
and thus stop the cry about the health
of Savannah and Cha than county. II is
a known fact that we live in as healthy
a city as any in the state of Georgia, or
any other state; then why lead the out
side world into false ideas of the place
where we live? Respectfully submitted,
A. c. Harmon Chairman.
c. b. Malone.
Joseph Phillips.
c. d. Baldwin.