The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1904-03-24
GRAND JURY
PRESENTMENTS
Cobb Superior Court. A
Very Interesting
Report.

term, 1904, of Cobb Superior Court
make the following presentments.
BOOKS OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
In the limited time at command the
jury cannot go into rigid examination
of the books of the different county
officers. Such examination can only be
imperfect, at best, and we therefore
recommend that at least every two
Years an expert be employed to go over
these books and report as to their cor
rectnesS, to the next grand jury.
This recommendation is in no wise a
reflection on the present officers. but
merely to establish precedent. in or
der that the books may periodically
pass under the inspection of a skilled
bookkeeper. Below are appended the
reports from each office.
CLERK AND TREASURER.
The system inaugurated by the pres
ent clerk and treasurer, j. b. Glover.
is model for neatness and accuracy.
Every paper has its proper place and
can be found at moments notice, or
If out of the office a receipt is held for
1T. We lind that he has received since
the last report, Sl4, 1852 so. Balance on
hand, $583.74. Vouchers shown to bal
ance amount of expenditures.
TAX COLLECTOR.
We find that the county's taxes have
been faithfully collected by Tax Col
iector } II. Murray. The amount since
his last report is $3,1l9.86. The total
amount collected is about the same as
at this time last year. Balance uncol-
lected last year, 81, 592 81.
SHERIFF.
We find the books neatly and care
fully kept, and in such manner as to
give desired information pertaining to
the office, quickly and satisfactorily.
Sheriff Frey and Deputy Dewberry are
efficient officers.
ORDINARY.
We find the books neat and business
like, and that there are proper vouch-
ers for all warrants drawn. Elsewhere
we call attention to the magnificent
work which Judge John Awtrey has ac-
complished on certain sections of the
public roads. of the county, and we
commend him for his efficiency and for
the success of these much needed inn
proVements.
NEW ROAD LAW,
Under the new road law, which is a
great improvement over the old system,
the labor is nearly all hired at Is cts.
day, which makes it much more eff
cient and easily managed. With this
condition and the road machinery
owned by the county, the working of
our roads need not be the perfunctory
matter of former years. We would
strongly urge upon the proper authori-
ties TO put in their work after the crop
season is over, and then to devote their
attention to those places which in wet
weather become almost impossible.
Fill these places with rock and then
cover with u deep layer of sand or
gravel, and for years there will be very
little more work needed. Throwing
clay in the road only adds to the diff
ticulties during wet weather, and in
dry weather we have fair roads anyway.
Better to fix one mile CT road thor
oughly than to skim over dozen.
While the present system may be
more costly, the improvements are per-
manent and, in the end, profitable No
enc who sees the piece of road work on
the Canton and Roswell roads will
doubt for a moment it's immense value
to the people of those sections, and
when such splendid roads penetrate our
county in every direction not only will
the value of property increase, but
farmers will feel amply repaid for any
extra taxation they may have had to
pay
After examination Of the excellent
work done urder the supervision of the
ordinary on the public roads, we would
recommend that he DO authorized to
purchase four or six mules, Such ex-
penditure would in the end be war
ranted on the ground of economy and
a great saving to the county, the pres
ent system OF hiring proving to be too
expensive.
We urge upon the ordinary to exer-
else the most rigid economy in employ
ing men to do this work and the pur-
chase of supplies.
PUBLIC SCHOOL System.
Our people should value our public
school system and rally to it's support.
1t is the sacred duty Of parents to give
their children every advantage in their
power. Many q rough diamond has
been polished in this way, and it is con-
ceded that a sound, practical education
puts tools in the hands of man to make
him more skillful mechanic, farmer
aud allround business man.
We would call especial attention to
the spirit of lawlessness which prevails
among a certain class of our citizens
the young men and youths, white and
black. The utter disregard of the
rights and privileges of others, in some
of the cases which have been brought
to our attention indicates n moral con-
dition much to be deplored. Reforms
in this direction should begin around
the family hearthstones, and failing
there the schoolhouse and church are
looked to to correct these evils, other
wise the law steps in and we have let
of young criminals. The education of
the head alone without strong moral
foundation to build upon, is to be de-
plored, but combine the two and the
result is a citizenship of which any
country may be proud, and which may
be trusted to steer the ships of state
clear OF dangerous breakers. Laziness
and ignorance usually go hand in hand
The number Of children of school age
in the county is $3.50. white 446