The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-31

about eighty-fve hundred $500. enrolled
in the schools
From recent report of the financial
committee of the Board of Education.
made upon a close estimate of the re-
sources and expenditures of the ensuing
year, it is shown that an appropriation by
the county of $1ISo51S will be only sum
ctent TO maintain the schools in the pres
ent condition, with no provision whatever
for the extra demands made by the in
creaslng population, as above set forth
and for certain much needed improve
ments, which are not included in the estl-
mate presented TO the County Commits
sioners.
Your committee has made a very thor
ouSh examination into the condition and
requirements of the public schools of
Chatham county and are unanimously Of
the opinion that they Will need am appro-
priation of $4,000 to meet the actual de-
mandS of an economical administration
for the coming year Your committee
would, therefore, recommend such an ap-
preparation.
Your committee has been very favorably
impressed with the general administration
of tlfe schools by the Board of Education
and they certainly have done well with
the means at their command The pro-
fciency of the scholars and thorough dis
cipline of the schools reflect great credit
present able superintendent and his assls-
tant.
DRAINAGE.
Your committee appointed to investigate
and report on drainage beg leave TO say
the drought we have experienced during
the past six months leaves very little for
us to report. Al no place we have visited
including the Telfair property. do we find
any water-the land is very dry, the
bitches being without moisture even. The
property of the Savannah, Florida and
Western Railway Company Is in the same
condition The improvements this com
pany is making viii soon put il beyond
cause for complaint.
CONNECTS.
The committee appointed to investigate
the convicts and camps beg to report that
they have made a careful inspection OF
the three camps, viz: County farm Buck
halter and Ogeechee No. ?, and found ev-
erything to be in strictly first class condi-
ton. We desire particularly to express
our approval at the high state of sani-
tation and order at the permanent camp
of the county farm, while the BVckhalter
and Ogeechee No. 2 are in eXcesent con-
dition; they cannot, by reason of being
temporary camps, compare with that of
the county farm
There are at present 1872 convicts on the
county works, divided as follows: County
farm, II Buckhater, 81; Ogeechee No. 2,
5S. Their general appearance would lndi-
cate that they are in good condition and
well taken care of as to food and clothing.
We found altogether ten on the sick list
five at the county farm, two at Buckhal-
ter, and three at the Ogeechee No. @ most
of them suffering from slight disorders
only, with the probability of being az
work in the next day or two.
MAGISTRATES.
Your committee appointed to examine
the books of the magistrates of this coun-
ty, beg to report that they have examined
the said books and find same in order.
COUNTY OFFICES.
Your committee on county books beg to
hand you this, our report. We have eX-
amined the books of the treasurer, tax
collector and receiver. and find them cor
rect as per vouchers exhibited, and neatly
kept. We went through the apartments
occupied by the clerk of the Superior
Court. probate Judge and sheriff of tho
county, and found everything nicely ar
ranged, In perfect order, and all books
written up to date, and papers systematl-
cally arranged.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Your committee on public roads and
bridges, having acted. respectfully sub
nit the following report:
The free public roads leading from the
CITY anu AiltlI COIlNiAlpI are dS lDltOW5I u
wit:
Anderson street extension, or Lovers
lane road, Is one mile long, free of bridges,
and in good condition.
Augusta road is a fraction over twelve
miles long, is paved to the four milestone,
and 1t is in good condition. the bridges
are also in good order. Iron bridges how
ever are needed over Augustine creek
and Dundee canal The estimated cost Of
the former is 81, 200, and the latter $500.
Bay street road is a fraction over one
mile long, Is paved to the Augusta road,
and in good condition.
Estul avenue is one mile long, paved,
and Is in good condition.
Louisville road is a fraction over thir-
teen miles long, is paved to the five mile
stone, is free of bridges, and in good con-
dition. The culveTts are also apparently
in good order.
Middle Ground road Is about five and a
half miles long, free of bridges, and
poor road for traffic or travel on account
of its being, In the main, of deep loose
sand.
Ogeechee road is a fraction over four
teen miles long, is paved to the seven mile
stone, and is In good order. The bridges
are also In good condition, except those
over Salt creek and Little Ogeechee riv-
er. At these points the wooden bridges
should be replaced with iron ones. The
estimated cost for such bridges Is $3.50
and $500 respectively.
Waters road Is a fraction over five miles
long Is paved its entire length and is
in good order.
The principal cross roads are eleven in
number Four Of them are either entire
ly or partially paved. As far as our ex-
animation could be possibly extended over
them In the short time allotted to US, we
find their general condition. as well as
the bridges on them, to be good. The
bridges on the Little Ogeechee Neck road
are being repaired. OF this class Of roads
the recently constructed and paved road,
known as Dale avenue, is notable and
splendid Improvement.
The mileage OF roads surfaced or paved
in 1897, and so far in 1898, Is a fraction
over eleven miles AS about the same
number Of miles of road were surfaced or
paved before 1897, this makes over twenty
two miles of well paved road in this coun-
ty to date.
We beg leave to recommend:
l. That the Skdaway and Vernon Shell
roads, commonly known as the Thunder
bolt and White Bluff roads, which are the
only toll roads in Chatham county be
converted into public roads by either pur-
chase or condemnation. Toll roads are
relic Of past age, are out of place In
these days of progress and population.