The Savannah morning news., 1900-10-21
WILL NOT AFFECT CHATHAM.
SOLICITOR GENERAL osBoRNE's
IDEA OF THE GOVERNORS PLAN.

ADAsh VT WV AHaAaNVaN = A@sA+fe
Understands the Governor 90 Desire
stoppaEe OF the Practice. Pursued
an the Country Counties. Of Hiring
ConVicts 90 Private Parties-In
These Counties the Hire of Con-
viets Forms Greater Part of the
Revenue of Court Officers, for
Criminal Business-Chatham Does
Not Pursue This Plan, Nor Are
Omcers Here Paid I'm This Way.
II my understanding OF the Governors
recommend and rs purpose IL cor
rect" said Solicitor General Osborne yes
terday. the officers OF the courts OF this
county need feel no apprehension OF the
depletion OF their incomes by IT'S enact.
ment into law. Il wia not AFFECT them IN
any way"
Mr.. Osborne had been asked by a Morn
ing News reporter for an expression OF
opinion upon the probable effect OF the
recommendation which. 8, IS said Gov
Gambler viii make to the Legislature. ad-
vising the enactment OF legislation. which
shall place all the mlsdemeanar con
victs OF the state under the direct charge
Of the Prison Commission.
As ! say" continued Mr. Osborne, Il
am not sure that understand correctly
The Governors position. but my impress
sion IS that what he wishes to stop is the
practice which prevails in a large number
OF country counties. where the misde-
meanor convtcts. upon conviction. are
leased by che solicitor general to private
parties. Able-bodied convicts are worth
IA fhe market about s. per month and
the money thus received Is paid into the
registry OF the court and used in paying
the insolvent costs bills OF the court on
GERS As the fines and forfeitures paid
INTO court amount 90 very little the court
officers must depend almost entirely for
remuneration for their services in criml-
nal cases upon the money received for the
hire OF convicts.
In Chatham county this is not the
case. Formerly the county c5mmisstot.-
ers. IN exchange for the use Of tn con-
victs on the public works. paid the ln.ol-
vent costs bills Of the court officers In fun
In 1876 this had bedpme very burdensome
10 the court officers and IN lieu Of full
payment the county since that time has
paid lump sum 10 each court cftieCr
This sum IS $500 for each court n the case
OF the solicitor general
The county does rot lease any of the
convlcts. all OF them being employed unon
the public works. nor do the court officers
receive any pecuniary benefit from thei-
labors. The insovent costs bills OF the
officers are paid in part BY tho county AMI
in part from the fund arising from fines
and forfeitures.
This being the case there Is no reason
either for myself or any other OF the
court officers being alarmed about the sit
ustion. Even II the Legislature should see
~ to adopt the Governors suggestion.
and enact u into law, our incomes will
not be al all affected
However" said tho solicitor general.
there are many counties in the state
where the court officers VIII be very se-
riously affected by the enactment of such
a law. their cmoluments. as I have said.
depending almost exclusively upon the
hire Of convicts 10 private parties These
officers are not likely 20 witness an at
tempt 10 cut down their incomes. by the
enactment OF such a law. in supine indif-
ference. But rs nothing 10 US IN this
neck OF the woods "
Mr.. Osborne Is probably altogether right
when he saws that the solicitors general
clerks and sherirs In the counties where
they will he affected by the enactment
- the proposed legislation viii not endure
IL calmly 4 well-known politician said
Yesterday that in the attempt to secure
such legislation the Governor was oppos-
ing the men who are probably the mos
active ana indefstiEable politicians In the
whole state ~ Georgia. the solicitors gen
eral. clerks ard sherirs
1T will be harder for tho Governor n
secure the enactment Of this law" said
the politician. when 70 Is opposed By this
strong political element than 81 + for q
camel 10 pass through the eve Of needle
or rich man 20 enter the kingdom Of
heaven II won't get enough votes to Gre
ate a perccptible stir"
II Mr. Osborne is right IN his under
standing OF the recommendation 20 be
made by tho Governor. the county author-
flies will have as little reason 10 BE- an
prchensive Of being deprived OF the labor
OF the convicts on the public works as
have the court officers Of suffering n loss
OF income. The system OF managing con
victs In Chatham county has frequently
excited the admiration OF the members
OF the state Prison Commission and they
have never suggested any material change
A. the county does not lease its conviets
but works them all. no interference IS
| likely