The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1910-01-28
GRAND JURY pREsENTmENTs.

The general presentenmts of the
average grand Jury have become to be
matters of so little interest, though
-ather expensive, that it is rather a
waste of time to comment on them
Grand jury after grand jury meet and
make their recommendations, but If
they receive the slightest attention
from official or other sources we know
not of such condition. Seriously
speaking. however, people ought TO
pay some attention 10 the Suggestions
made by these bodies. representing ar
ter all, the sentiment of the people
and made with a certain degree of
authority. They are, IS we stated.
decidedly expensive branches Of the
county government and surely, If
their recommendations and findings
are not to be needed or noticed then
it strikes us that their usefulness is
about at an end. The presentments
published in The News yesterday
morning indicate active work, ener-
getic research and a desire upon the
part of the members of the grand
jury to render some service for their
per diem and we submit that their
observations should receive careful
consideration at the hands of those
officials charged with listening to the
public voce-our senator and cur rep
resentatiyes in the lawmaking body
of the state.
Two vital recommendations were
made and we are convinced that bot1
of them are wise ones-the abolition
of the city court and the doing away
with the Office Ct county treasurer.
The latter measure is growing in pop
ular favor all over the state and a
general bill is now pending in the
legislature to abolish these Offices all
over the state. providing, as suggest
ed that the county commissioners ar
range with banking houses to serve
in the capacity in question. Such reg
islation would mean saving OF
vast sum of money to the people of
the counties of the state and seems
to be in line with economy and re-
form. The abolition of the city court
is a broad subject and needs some
careful consideration.
There can be no question but what
the court, as it is administered now,
is a very costly item to the county,
but it is dangerous to abolish COM
pletely such a court without making
provisions for some sort of a tribunal
to take it's place. 1t would also be
unfair TO the officers of the court
all of tdem--to abolish it, until they
have served out the terms for which
thew have been named. Some change
is needed and we think the people
should get together and arrive at
some conclusion in the matter, CAL
culated to meet the views of the pub
lie mind. We also note in the report
of the grand jury reference to an
item of some $500 of the county's
money, which seems to have been paid
to two county treasurers, both of them
drawing the fee. This is absolutely
wrong and it's unfair ror the county
to he without this amount, pending
any difference of opinion that may
exist between the two gentlemen in
question. The county commissioners
should look to the matter at once
and have the fund returned to the
county treasury, for as business ncl
they perhaps would not RELISH the idea
of advancing two men one salary of
$500 remaining without the entire
double amount indefinitely.
1t is such things as these that the
grand jury very properly handle and
they should receive attention.