The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-24
GRAND JURY FAvoRS ECONOMY
SAYS COUNTY EXPENDITURES
SHOULD BE CAREFULLY MAN
AGED.


It's Appropriation on New school
BuiIdingS--Courts to De Asked to
Get Along on Less MOney-Other
ExpeuditureS Provided for by Law
which the Grand Jury Would
Like TO Outlay he the beginning
of an Era of Economy, Foreman
Mills Says.
The grand jury of the Superior Court
for the March term. which makes its W
port tomorrow afternoon, will have some
thing to say upon the subject of economy
in the conduct Of county affairs. The
grand jury has gone very thoroughly into
the various details of county expendi-
lures, and its members are convinced that
the time has come when the effort should
be made to reduce expenses and to man
age the county's business on the same
economical plan that a private business is
usually conducted.
THE present grand jury" said the fore
man, Mr. George J. Mills. yesterday, has
set a pace which will doubtless be followed
by those who will come after it. We
have gone thoroughly into the question of
county expenditures, and we are satisfied
that there are many expenses which are
unnecessarily large and some leaks which
might well be stopped. The cry of high
taxes is not only heard on all sides, but
it is justified by the facts, as any one
can see who examines the figures for him
self"
Mr. Mills exhibited a table of figures
which had been submitted to the grand
Jury. showing the gradual increase in the
state and county tax rate from $50 in
1883 to 1870 in 1898. 1t is desired 10 put
beyond possibility the need of any fur
Their Increase this year.
While the grand jury made an appar-
ent Increase in the school appropriation
of 5000 there was in fact an actual re-
duction in that amount and special
appropriation of $4,000 FOR additional
school facilities
I'VE found from Supt. Ashmore's
statement" said Mr.. Mills, that the
schools could be conducted on the
came basis as at present for an amount
slightly in excess of $4,000. We con-
cluded that such being the case, $4,000
would be sufficient for the running eX-
penses of the schools during the coming
year. The slight difference of something
over a hundred dollars can easily be made
up by some addition to the High School
fees or by cutting in some quarter where
the expenditure is not absolutely neces-
sary. The appropriation of $4,000 is es-
pecally for the purpose of providing adj
ditonal school facilities, either by begin
ming the erection of a new school build
ing or by adding TO the accommodation
of the present school houses. Personally
/ think the more economical plan for the
Board of Education to pursue would be
TO begin the erection of a new school
building for which it already owns the
site. The building would be well under
way by Jan. l when another appropria-
ton from the county could be secured or
money could be borrowed by the board to
carry the building to completion. How
ever. this matter is optional with the
board
While increasing the school. appropria-
ton $500 the grand jury made cuts in
other appropriations amounting to Sll 900
The two courts, City and Superior, are
cut 5000 each, the chain-gang $1,000 and
the appropriation to roads and bridges
$780, This makes a net reduction of &C.
CO.,
Speaking of these reductions. Mr. Mills
said that there was good reason to believe
that these departments could be run with
less money than at present. 1T is very
easy 70 spend certain amount of money
when you know you have that much to
spend" said he, ''but IL necessary to make
out on less it is not difficult to find means
OF doing so. There are men in Savannah
to-day living respectfully upon incomes
which five years ago they would have con-
sidered out of the question Had the grand
jury and the County Commissioners a free
hand there are several expenditures which
could be materially reduced, if not done
away with altogether, but these expendit-
ures are provided for by law. Members
OF the grand jury remarked upon the al
lowance for insolvent costs as unreason
ably large but they found that it was
not in their power to regulate fhis appro-
prlation."
The members of this grand jury" said
Mr. Mills, have labored faithfully and con-
sclentlously to discharge their duties. and
our work has been harmoniously done. If
we succeed in inaugurating an era or
economy in public expenditures our la
pofs VIII not have been in vain"
Col George A. Mercer, president OF Tho
boaro OF Education, when asked about the
grand jury's action on the school appropri-
auon, said that the schools could be CON
quoted on the same basis as at present on
the amount allowed
The fact that a larger number of chill
dren must be accommodated in the schools
next year and that these children will re-
quire additional teachers" said Col Ner
INTO consideration. The appropriation of
$4,000 would have just about sufficed for
the running of the schools, including the
increase" N'
1t is out of the question 10 talk Of
building a new school house with $40 Ooo !"
said Col. Mercer. THAT amount womb
suffice 70 add one and perhaps two WINS
10 the Henry Street school,"
The communication from Mr.. Mills 70
Col, Mercer, announcing the action OF the
grand jury upon the educational appronrI-
alton simply stated that at meeting Of
the grand jury IL was resolved that we
recommend an appropriation for education
OF $4,000 conditionally that $4,000 be used
ON account Of the erection of a new school
building"
1t is learned that there was quite a live
ly debate in the grand jury room on he
subject of the school appropriation. some
o. the members being very decidedly in
favor OF giving the Board Of Edu-ation
the fun amount asked for. The more eco
nomieaily disposed prevailed however
ana the compromise oS $4,000 was agreed
upon.