The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1908-03-25
COMMUNICATED.

netting the county handsome sum
each year. Since the report made
to the grand jury in June we find
that $1,068.S3 has been paid into the
county treasury in cash. In addition
/ . convicts have been sentenced to
work on the public roads of the
county, each for IL months, or a
total of $50 months. These convicts
are now worth $50 net per month
to the county, or a total of $4,000.
The court has been in session since
the last report to the grand jury 10
days. The cost of running the court,
jury fees, bailiffs and witnesses fess
is approximately $4,000 per day, or
$4,000 for the ten days. The salary
of the solicitor has been 100000 and
that of the judge $4,000. From
, this we see that the total expense of
the court for the last six months has
been approximately $1,600.00, and a
total revenue to the county Of So
566.S3, balance in favor of the
court of $3,966.S3. This amount is
net to the county in work and money
after all the expenses have been
paid. We find that it is the custom
of the solicitor to examine thorough
ly into the merits of all the cases
, made returnable to the city court,
and with the approval of the judge
dismiss such as are found to be
frivolous. In this way the county
is saved the needless expense of a
worthless trial and the people the
worry and trouble We heartily rec
ommend this course"
This report was made by the follow
ing grand jurors of November term,
1906: J. z. Turner, H. F. Melton,
Jno. c. Whaley, F. E. Clark, F. c.
Cocker, T. l.. Zimmerman, G. M.
Roberts, D. F. McLain, ]. A. Sears,
w. F. Mathis, P w. Bridges, j. d.
| Newman, F. T. Jennings, d. A. Gam
mage, H. A. Mcneil, Isaac Hay, j.
R. Strickland, L. D. Gay, S. M. Nc
Gill
These reports upon the merits Of
the city court were made by the
grand jury after thorough investi-
cation of its workings.
This report was unanimous, and
made by grand jurors who are hon
est, faithful and reliable, and would
not make false statement. They,
too, had no political axe to grind,
and were only looking to the interest
of Terrell county and it's citizens.
We also find from the minutes OF
that court that during the year 1906
the city court was in session IA days
as follows: January 18th, April
10th, 18th, July 10th, 18th, 18th,
10Th, October 18th, 18th, 18th, 2Oth'
23rd, gath, December 10th.
We learn that the bonded cases
! that had accumulated by October
were tried by Judge Raines, contra
nv to the usual custom, that he might
clear the docket before he retired
from office We also find that the
court has been in session this year
eight days, as follows; January
21st. 22nd, 23rd, April 18th, 18TH
July 18th, 18th, 18th.
|
lalso show that in December, 1906,
four Jail cases were tried. These
! would no doubt have stayed in jail
until the superior court in May, II
) there had been no city court, at
IA cost of $12 per month each, or
s24O 90. In January, 1907, nine jail
cases were tried. AS these were
Ioafng. unknown negroes they, too,
would have stayed in Jail until the
superior court met in May, and II so
would have cost the county $4,000
In Anril 10 Jail cases were tried.
These likewise would have probably
STAYED in Jail for about two months
until the superior court could Try
them, at cost of something over
$4,000. Seven of these were con-
victed and given sentences aggregat-
ing 70 months, and are now max
ing good roads for the people OF Ter
rell county.
Our Jail fees are now heavy
enough, and should not be made
more burdensome by keeping loahng
negroes in jail when they can be
tried by our city court whenever nee
essary.
Now, as to the superior court, we
find that in 1905 it was in session
liz DAYS, and we are Informed that
it cost about $25O.OO per day, or
something like 100000 for that
time. 1t does not pay one dollar into
the county treasury, and furnishes
very few convicts to work our pub
lie roads. In 1906 the superior court