The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-23


more sadly neglected than these are.
THE brick culverts on Bay street ex'
tension, built some twelve or thirteen
| years ago. as well as several on the
| Louisville road, which were construct
ed perhaps about the middle of the last
century, are in excellent condition. Ol
the remainder built in the last sew
eral years but two or three are in a
passable condition.
They are, nearly every one of them
too small Their cracked and broken
appearance indicates their founda'
tons are insecure, their parapet walls
are not properly proportional and are
/ all bullying out, showing that soon
they will fall if not taken down and
rebuilt Such culvert building is very
! expensive to the county and should
have the attention of the honorable
! commissioners in changing the method
| of their construction"
Public Schools Praised.
The grand jury commends the system
| of public education pursued in the
! schools of the city and county. The
! sanitary arrangements, the discipline
! ard the general condition of the build
| ngs. as we'll as the work of the ad-
ministrative and teaching forces, are
| all approved.
Some recommendations are made as
! to changes in the arrangement of the
rooms and exits in the Massie and Bar
nard street schools, which the grand
| jury regards as necessary for the
health and safety of the pupils. The
new buildings are all specially COM
| mended. The manner in which the
rooms have been arranged" says the
committee, shows that much study
/ and personal supervision has been CIV
en- this matter by the superintendent,
Mr.. AShmore, and we congratulate the
people of Chatham county on having
such an able corps of teachers and a
superintendent so eminently fitted for
his position.
The grand jury commends and ap-
proves the manner of the administra-
ton of the offices of ordinary, clerks
of the Superior and City Courts. coun-
ty treasurer, tax receiver, and tax COL
lector. The manner in which their
offices are managed by the justices of
the peace is also praised, the grand
jury saying a remarkable improvement
has taken place in this respect, since
the infusion of new blood a few years
since.
The grand jury recommends the en-
ployment of an expert accountant to
examine the mass of papers represent
ing back taxes which has accumulated
III tic OllCC VI the SIlSIln. IL Is luIlI-
er recommended that a more SyS-
tematic method of keeping these ac-
counts be devised.
Court House Needs Repairs.
Repairs and improvements to the in
terror of the Court House are earn
estly recommended as is the enlarge
ment of the present Office of the receiv-
er of tax returns.
1t is recommended that the plumb
ing at the county Jail be removed in
toto and replaced with new and mod
ern apparatus. I'VE consider the con-
tinuation of the present fixtures men
ace to the health of the prisoners and
to the neighborhood."
The county farm is highly commend
ed and the County Commissioners and
the superintendent of public works
praised for the manner in which it is
conducted. The conduct of the chain
gang and the manner in which. the
prisoners are worked, fed and cared
for are also praised.
1T is with much regret" say the
presentments, that this grand jury
note the high rate of taxation that
is now prevailing in Chatham county.
When added to the city rate, the citi-
zens of Savannah are paying about
the highest rate of any city or county
in the state. We are not prepared to
submit any remedy, but suggest the
practice of rigid economy in all de-
partments."
No reduction in the public school
fund is recommended, the grand jury
saying the schools are conducted most
economically and any amount taken
from their appropriation would pre-
vent the carrying out of the excellent
designs now pursued so successfully
H. - -
requests to recommend the abolition OF
tuition fees in the High School.
No Action on Hitch Bill.
I'VE have not had an opportunity OF
time to investigate the Hitch bill
which is now before the Legislature,
say the grand jury. lin regard to sep
arating the City Court, and making
two distinct courts and for making the
position of solicitor general a salaried
one, but if the provisions of this bill
will bring into the county a sum sui.
| ficient TO assist in reducing taxes, why
| it should certainly meet the support
| and assistance of all the citizens oi
| this county.
The question of illegal voting and
the buying and selling of votes has no
| been brought before us, because THU
| question was thoroughly investigated
by the last grand jury and there hal
been only one election since this CRANE
jury commenced it's session. Whit
there are a good many rumors in re
gard to the purchasing of votes in thu
primary election for ordinary, there be
ing no law against this evil in a prim
airy of course the investigation of tina
election by this grand jury would no
have been appropriate and in order.
I'VE are glad to know bill has beef
introduced in the Legislature which
will cover primary, as well as othe
elections. The buying and selling o
votes in this county we do most earn
estly condemn and we trust the strict
est enforcement of the law will be OBJ
served in all future elections"
Georgia Industrial Home.
The grand jury lends the weight o
its approval and Endorsement to tn
Georgia Industrial Home for destitut
white children, founded by w. E
Mumford and recommends a contri
button of 800 per annum from tn
county TO the support of the institu
ton. There are several waits fror
this county now in the home, and a
there is no reformatory in the stat
the grand jury feels ii should be fos
tered and encouraged by every county
Thanks are returned to Judge Falli
giant. to Solicitor General Osborne, t
H. f. Wilson. ESQ, counsel for tn
Good Government League, and to tn
special bailiff of the grand jury, Mr.
E. F. O'Connor, who has Away
proven energetic, faithful and efficien
in the discharge of his duties"
~s
At TILE TuEhTEp