The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-29
"a cANTANKERoUs EcoNoMsT.0
But Chairman Dale Says That's the
Wrong View of Him.


Chairman Dale does not like the view
some people take of the position assumed
by him several times in reference to what
he considered unlawful expenditures Of
county funds, expenditures which the pub
lilo generally, doubtless, considers eminent
ly. proper, but which the law does not
seem 10 sanction.
Il heard a man say this morning that
was 'cantankerous economist said Mr..
Dale yesterday afternoon. HE had a
wrong idea of my position entirely.
did not object to grand jurors having car
riages provided for them simply because
] wanted to save a little money and sub
ject them TO much inconvenience or per-
sonal expense. The law simply does not
allow such an expenditure, and 1 believed
in following the law. So, in this mat
ter of publishing presentments, so that
the public may read them, IL it sees fit.
but If the law does not, then
1t should not go on. 1t IS
true that the expenses of the grand jury
seem TO be heavy, but I suppose it is
largely the fault of the law, which makes
committees waste time chasing all over
the county TO inspect dirt roads which no
one travels. ] really dc believe that
there IS MUCH tlIue spent anu much WOlh
done by a grand jury which is just so
much time and labor thrown away for any
practical good they accomplish. There is
a good deal of stuff in pFesentments which
is a waste of money to print, A certain
road, for instance, was reported in the
presentments as being heavy. I asked
one of the committee; is it any heavier
than ii was ten years ago, or has been
since No said he, just about the same,
1 guess What is the use in telling the
people every time the court meets that the
road is heavy
Then we get a variety of opinions,
some times. One grand jury tells us the
completion of the paving of the Louisville
road to Pooler should wait until next year.
Its successor believes it should be done
right away. 1t reminds me Of
the story of the man and
his jackass, which he and his little boy
were taking to town to sell. Desiring 1t
to look fresh, the old map and the boy
walked with the animal AS they went
along the road they met a party, who
laughed at the old fellow as a simpleton
for not riding the jackass So the man
got on the animal. A little further on
they met another man, who upbraided the
father for riding and letting his child
walk So the old man got down and let
the boy ride. Before long a third traveller
met him and scoffed at the man for a
fool for not riding with the boy. Then
the man got up behind his son. But before
they had gone far an officer met them and
threatened him with arrest for cruelty to
the jackass in putting such a weight on
its back
Il shall await with interest what the
next grand jury has to say on this Louis
vile road question. A couple more opln-
ions, and, like the old fellow with the
jackass, we will know just exactly where
we stand, and what we should do.
But coming back to the matter of
expense, 1 am not desiring to pose as
a man unwilling to let the county's money
be spent. l don't want it paid out
though, IL the law says no / take my
law from the lawyers, just as most peo-
pie take their religion from the preachers
If the county attorney does not believe
the law approves a bill then don't want
1t paid. even though 1t may seem a proper
item of expense.
Il do not think grand Jurors are over
paid. They are not the class of men who
would desire such a place of trust and re-
sponsibility for the money consideration
But do think the system which requires
so much OF their time piodding over dirt
roads is at fault"
Mr.. j. A. G.. Carson, foreman of the last
grand jury, was averse to entering any
controversy. AS TO the extra expense in
volved by the investigation of Mr.. Kehoe's
general accusations of mismanagement.
he believed 1t was money well spent. The
public would hardly have been satisfied
to allow such comments as Mr.. Kehoe
was making pass without looking into.