The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-26
GENERAL PRESENTMENTS.
Grand Jury of Superior Court, Fall
Term, 1904.

Term, 1904.
To His Honor. George r. Cam, Judge
of Superior Court, Chatham County:
The grand jury for the fall term
of the Superior Court submits this, it's
general presentments: 1t has investi-
gated by committees the various de-
partments of the county government;
has examined the books of the county
treasurer tax collector and sheriff and
of the magistrates in the various dis
tricts; has inspected the public roads,
drainage and convict camps and the
county buildings and has visited a part
of the public schools. Owing to the
fact that it understands the books of
the County Commissioners are to be
examined by expert accountants at the
beginning of the coming year, there
was no attempt to go over the books
of that office. The books of the treas
urer were found correct and in order.
In the tax collectors books there were
some entries which the committee did
not understand. The grand jury is
of the opinion that the system of book
keeping in that office is to some extent
faulty. The records of the sheriffs
office show a condition of affairs diff
flcult to understand.
The grand jury believes there is en-
tirely too much laxity in the collection
of executions for overdue specific
taxes. Fl. fas. were found for a large
sum, probably thousands of dollars, a
large part of which the sheriff advises
will probably never be collected. part
ly on account of the imperfect laws
governing the collection of specific
taxes. The grand jury is informed that
&c For he CHI 20 off NJ
to satisfy executions in many instances
as the delinquents have no property on
which he may legally levy. In the
case of an execution for the collection
of liquor Dealers tax, the only prop
erty liable is the contents of the bar,
which in few instances is sufficient to
cover the amount of the tax. The
grand jury understands it to be Gus
tom to allow liquor dealers to do bust
ness before the tax is paid. and it is
Of the opinion that this practice should
cease, and that no authority to do
business shall be granted until the full
amount of the specific tax has actually
been paid. In view of the limited time
and opportunity afforded grand jury
committees for examining the books
and. records of the various county Of
fees, this grand jury recommends the
employment of experts to make stated
examinations.
The Committee on Magistrates found
the books of all the magistrates cor
rect, and kept in accordance with law.
The grand jury recommends legisla-
ton, increasing the fees of the magis-
trates in the districts beyond the cor
porate limits of the city to conform
to the fees allowed such officers with
in the city limits.
An examination of the county Jail
reveals condition of affairs that. in
the opinion of the grand jury calls for
immediate remedy. We find that lu-
natics, so adjudged by the Ordinarys
Court. and confined in the jail, are not
removed to the State Asylum as
promptly as they should be, the fault
being, not with the county, but with
the state authorities. There are now
in the jail Cor were on Nov. 22) two
negro women who were adjudged in
sane Sept. 13 and Oct. 4, respectively.
The condition Of one is most pitiable.
The woman is blind, is a complete ply