The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-20
GENERAL PREsENrMENTs

OF the Grand Jury of the Superior
Court, Chatham COutny, e. j. c.,
Georgia, for the June Term, 1898.
To His Honor Robert FaEligant, Judge
Superior Court Chatham County, E. ]. c.,
Georgia:
We, the grand jury of the Superior
Court, A. D. 1898, respectfully submit the
following general presentments:
In accordance with the prevailing Gus
tom, the duties of the grand jury as set
forth to them by your honor in your
charge at the opening of this term of
court, were divided and apportioned
among the members of the grand jury, act
ing as committees for this body. In each
Instance the report of the committee has
been adopted by this body, and is made a
part of these general presentments.
COUNTY OFFICES.
Your committee appointed to inspect the
offices, papers and records of the clerk of
the Superior Court, ordinary, county treas
urer and County Commissioners, beg leave
to make the following report:
Clerk of the Superior Court
We have examined the office, books and
papers of this officer and find the same
in good order, and all records neatly and
properly kept and as far as your commit
tee could ascertain, they consider the office
In first class order.
Ordinary
Your committee makes the same report
on this Office as above
County Treasurer
Your committee, upon examination, found
aH books, papers and vouchers in order,
but we desire to can your attention to the
fact that the county treasurer states he
pays all orders drawn on him by the clerk
OF the County Commissioners, when in
funds. Under the law, your committee
does not consider this the proper course,
and would suggest that the county treas
urer be furnished with a list of bills passed
for payment by the County Commission
ers, properly signed, and that no bills or
orders be paid except those shown on that
list For instance, your committee finds
that the June list of passed bills was sent
in to the treasurer's office on the 18th of
July, while the May list was not sent in
until the 18th of July. In. the meantime,
orders had been drawn on the treasurer.
and had been paid without any list This
your committee does not think a correct
way, under the law, of carrying on the
work of the office. We wish to say, how
ever, that these lists are checked up. and
that there are no irregularities as far as
your committee can ascertain. Still we are
OF the opinion that the correct method
VIII NC W nave properly signed list of all
olhs furnished by the County Commission
ers to the treasurer before any orders are,
cashed, except in one or two cases, such
as salary of the judge of the City Court
ana gas and electric lighting bills, which,
for economy in the latter case, should be
paid before the 10th of the month
County Commissioners
In this office your committee finds that
there are quite number of matters that
needed more careful attention. We find
that the clerk has been in the habit of
signing several orders ahead in blank
which, wh!Re We do not find has led to any
loss to the county, still your committee do
not think it advisable TO have blank orders
signed. which, as we understand If flied
up, could be cashed at the treasurers
office.
We also find that book used for keep
ing record of all bills passed by the
County Commissioners and should he so
kept that, if a bill is passed and paid II
could be seen at once, is not properly kept.
and your committee finds that bills have
been paid that there is no account of on
TINS book We would say, in-explanation
of this, however, that we We're Informed
that this book was gotten up by the clerk
OF the. commissioners for his own benefit
10 assist him in keeping the bills passed by
the county Commissioners in a more con-
Venlent way. If this was the Intention.
we do not think il a success We also IN
uefstahd that the clerk draws an order on
the treasurer for salaries before the same
has been passed by the Board of County
Commissioners, which, as before stated. we
do not think correct. We also find that
Inc messengers salaries are not usually
paid before about the 18th of the month
ana at times when they need money they
are in the habit of having 1t advanced 10
mem, for which advance an amount is
deducted in the form of interest. We do
not think this creditable in public office
and consider that if the fact is brought 10
the attention of the County Commissioners
they would so arrange their meeting as 10
be able to pass all bills, salaries and other
wise, so that they could be paid by the
9Th of the month.
Your committee is aware of the fact that
a special committee has been appointed to
look into the matter of the County Com
mlssloners, ana do not care to interfere
with any work they may be engaged upon.
we simply present these suggestions. feel
ing sure that the whole matter is simply
one that may be called lax in matters of
detail which we do not think has result
ed in any loss whatever to the county. but
II persisted in, could at any time do so
Respectfully submitted
c. S. Connerat, Chairman.
Peter Reilly.
Adolph Berg,
T.. G. Cabiniss.
Edward 8 A brarns