Newspaper Page Text
f
The Weekly Deiftoorat.
Bek E. Rumkll, - • • R M. Johhotok,
EDITOBR.
RaIKBRIPOB, yKBittiart 1?, 187<L
GRAND MASS MEETING.
, In pursuance of the duty assigned us
nt the meeting on the 12th in«tarft
which was called in the interest ofthe
proposed Agricultural Society and Fair
Tor this county, we hereby issue a call
for
A GRAND MASS MEETING
of the people of the comity, to be held
on Saturday the 2Gih February, at the
Conrt House in Bainbridge, at 11
o'clock. Tue object of the meeting
will be to organize an
agricultural SOCIETY AND
FAIR ASSOCIATION
for Decatur County, elect of officers
and directors, and other business which
may oome before the meeting. It is earn*
estly requested that every citizen of the
county, from one confine to the other,
who has the material prosperity of his
county at heart, will bo in attendance.
I<et every man come to the rescue 1
Duncan Curry, J. A. Butts,
H. S. Jones, W. B. Smith,
J. D. Taibert, J. M. Griffin,
J. T. Wimberly,
Special Committee
JEFF DAVIS’UTTEE TO JUDGE
‘ Sbkstbm Souther* Dfmocbatb” akd thb
High*borsness o* the Refmlliojc.
A Washington Dispatch to .the New York _ ,
Herald, treatingof Mr. DaTB recent lrtte i few fi(jal wor j 3 this week in answer to
l ° “The letter, people say, is simply calcula, j diatribe, in the' Standard of the
“ted to revive animosities which ought to gth j ngt>) a{ra i ns * the editors of this
THE TALBOTTON 8TANDABD
We have already givefl to’this jour
nal, and its selfinrportsnt editor, more
prominence in fhese columns than sec
ond thought would have suggested, but
we shall offer no apology for penning a
GEN. GORDON
The gallant and glorious Gordon spoke
lb Atlanta on Monday night. An immense
crowd of ladies and gentlemen were pres
ent, and the great Georgian was the re
clpient of every ovation from the vast
throng, and, indeed, when he appeared
upon the stage, in company with Gen. A.
R Lawton, who introduced him, the en
thusiasm and applause were simply indis
cribable
He made an eloquent speech, and the
telegrams from Atlanta say every word of
it commanded the unhesitating endorse
ment of all who listened to him. He
'•poke of the fearful dangers impending
on account of the corruption and usurpa
tlon of J,bo Radical party and pointed out
the best means of removing it from power
In November. He had no candidate for
President yet, hut should support the
most available man. Toomb’s remarks
•bout a constitution in which the negro
if a constitutional convention is lobe held
w-*nd he would not commit himself on
the subject—it should bo held at once, in
order to remove this apprehension about
/Injustice to the negro race. Toomb’s dec
laration?—whose speech Morton fead in
•'the Senate ns delivered to and approved
by the Georgia Legislature—Gordon says
-is the greatest misfortune that has fallen
upon the South since* the surrender.
The speaker warmly endorsed Mr. Hill’s
great speech in Congress, and say3 it was
an unusually grand effort.
In conclusion the General said that if
the South quiets the apprehensions at the
North, which are more to be feared than
the passions of the people, he predicts a
Democratic victory in November, ai.d
this alone can save the country from
aiiarchy and ruin.
. We have been placed upon the exchange
list of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Sun, a neat.,
intelligent Tri-Weekly paper. We are
glad to get the Sun, for since ouracquain-
tance with Mr. Sawder, its able and cour
teous editor, it has been an unfeigned
pleasure to us to read after his pen. The
paper, we doubt not, is very popular in
Jacksonville, for its merits and the good
qualities of its editors and managers,
should pave for it a way deep into the af
fections of the peop.e of the section
wherein it is published. Success to you,
Messrs. Sawyers, and mjty it not require a
very distant future to pronounce your
new enterprise a success.
Hyexa Blatse.—Ex-Speaker Blaine, it
Is Stated, has prepared auother speech,
which he will deliver in the House when
opportunity offers, in which he will dis
sect the speeches of . Messrs. Hill, Tucker
apt! other Democratic members of the
House on the amnesty question, and will
. again criticise Jefferson Divis and his late
open letter.
The Fort ValievMirror proposes that
the Georgia Press gang arrange an excur
sion to attend the Centennial at Phila
delphia about the 15th of June as a body.
And 1 further that the party consist only
'of bona fide newspaper editorsj and pro
prietors, excluding bummers and h ingers-
‘ou. *
“rest and shows that Mr. Davis is still a
“soared and impracticable peraon who*"
“not even the tact to remain silent. It is
“thought that the letter will arouse a good
“deal 8 of bitter feeling in the North for men
“sav Mr. Davis writes as though the rebet-
“lioV was right ai d the defenders of the
“Union were in the wrong and ought to
•‘humble themselves and asi pardon, ^en
“sible Democrats, Southern men as well as
“Northern men, say they regret the letter,
“and think it was entirely uncalled for
We have heard something too much of
this sort The damnable iteration of “polt-
has become as disgusting as it is stu-
We would like to know the names of
some of these same “sensible Southern Dem
ocrats,” who “regret Mr. Davis
and think “it was entirely uncalled for.
We ventqie the prediction that they will mot
be in a hurry to reveal their identity to their
constituents. The leader of the Republican
party rises in his place in Congress and
charges Mr. Davis with outrageous cruelty
and inhumanity to defenseless prisoners of
If Mr. Davis were guilty of such a
crime he would be justly considered infa
mous so long as his name could be remem
bered. Yet because lie does not remain
quiet under this accusation and allow his
silence to be construed as admitting its
truth he is censured in the harshest terms.
Aud when he answers his accuser and pro
nounces his statements false, Southern Dem
ocrats say his letter is entirely uncalled for.
Out upon such “Southern Democrats,
they are too politic to be entirely honest,
Augusta Chv</n-, and Sen.
We endorse every wofd of the above
from our Augusta cotemporary. We
are heartily t : red of this hue and cry
against Hon. Jefferson Davis, and are
totally disgusted with these so-called
“sensible Democrats” who have so
promptly “regretted” every word spo
ken by our ex-President since the
downfall of the Confederacy. “Demo
crats who thus pander to the monstrous
sentiments of the Blaines and Mortons
should be kicked out of the party which
they disgrace, without notice. The de
cent people of all classes in the country
have been sick of their servile insipidi
ty for a long, long period, and it is now
time they were spewed out.
The telegram to the New York Her
ald. quoted above, says : “It is thought
that the letter will arouse a good deal
of hitter feeling in the North, for men
say Mr. Davis writes as though the re
bellion was right,” etc. Does any sen
sible man suppose for one moment that
Mr. Davis could believe the rebellion
edge thtUiMrsenir wmwnia'imimitiius
' The State Agricultural Society held its
~ annual meeting at Brunswick on the 8lh
iwst. Gen Colquitt presided, and deliver
ed tin able and exhaustive address. There
**»a large attendance ami much impor
tant business relative to agricultural inter
eats was transacted.
journal. It falls to the lot of the Ju
nior to write this article, and we desire
to preface what may follow with the as
sertion that, in all we have said hereto
fore, or may say now, we have been
prompted by no ill feeling toward Mr.
Muntford, and especially have we re
frained from the least personal dispar
agement of him. On the other hand,
we have always cherished sentiments of
high esteem for the gentleman
and pur little tid~bits were prompted
merely ^v his ridiculous and senseless
arraignment of the State Government,
and were written in a humorous man
ner and intended in a humorous spirit.
Nor are we any exception to the rule in
this particular, for the press generally
throughout the State have treated his
empty headed attacks with the utmost
levity—some, with ill-concealed con
tempt.
Now it is not our purpose to ihrow
ourself against Mr. Mumford in argu
ment. He has offered no argument
worth answering, nbr has he advanced
a single iota of tangible proof to sus
tain his vain theories in regard to the
Government of Georgia. He has sim
ply adopted a fallacious rule, and en
deavors to force forward assurance and
tact to supply thejtlacc of truth and mer
it, in order that he might for a season
ride upon the wave of cheap notoriety,
though purchased at the expense of his
reputation for veracity and good breed
ing. To the extent of our control of
these columns, he shall nut he as
sisted in his silly and vain-glorious at
tempts in that direction. • To tell the
truth, we are sorry we touched him at
all, if our little bits of humor are to be
tortured into “dirty flings.”
Now, Mr. Mutnford has the unblush
hardihood to charge that “any member
of the Legislature can be bribed by t
drink of brandy rr a plate of oysters t
vote for or against any measure,” or
words to that effect, and tms is but a
fair specimen of other assertions equally
n« iinilist, false and contemptible W
THE GUBERNATORIAL CANVASS
PREMATURELY OPENED-
Last week we entered our 8 °| e ™ n
protest againa^he spirit hr ^ IC e
Gubernatorial canvass is being con uc
ted by certain parties. The Savanna
News, speaking on the subject, says .
It looks very much as it the Gu er
natorial canvass had been already com
menced in the interior of the tate.
Certain presses seem to have taken t e
matter in their *wn hands, and, wit
ouf waiting for a convention ?f the par
ty or for any reliable indications of the
people, have pitted their respective
candidates against each other and are
waging a war a routrance a gains- each
other.
We regard this precipitancy and in
temperate zeal as unfortunate, if n°t f^ r
the Democratic party, at least for the
gentlemen .in wka^e behalf it is mani
fested It is to be hoped that the De
mocracy-of Georgia is sufficiently in
telligent and patriotic to withstand
these minor dissensions, and to preserve
its unity in spite of them. I he triends
of honest government have too much, at
stake to allow themselves to be distrac
ted and divided at this time by such
trivial causes. But it is not so certain
that the gentlemen who, with or with
out their consent, are made to cham
pion the Montagues and Capulets in
these personal feuds may not come to
harm through the indiscretion of their
friends
Unanimity and concord will be an
essential, if not an indispensable ele
ment of success in the coming Guber
natorial election. r lhe Democratic par
ty contains many eminent and worthy
citizens from among whom to select a
candidate. In due time and in accor
dance with time-honored usage, the peo-
nle will designate the citizen who,
their juigment.not only possesses
qualifications for the office
GRAND JURY
?m
November Adjourned Tetua^ 1875.
GEORGIA—DECATUR COUNTY.
>V e the Grand Jury empanelled and sworn
for the'November Term of the Superior Court
of Decatur County beg leave to submit the
following General Presentments:
We have, through oar Committee, exam
ined into tit. atfairs oT the county, as mi
nutely as the time would allow, with the view
of giving to the public *s correct a statement
of the condition of the county as possible.
And we find that the principal draw back to
our prosperity as a county, is, in the fault
of the laws by which we are governed—laws
totally unadapted to the condition of our So
ciety.
th
but who
will command the unanimous and cor
dial support of the party. In the
meantime, prudence would suggest the
impropriety of engendering personal
antagonisms which may uot be easily
reconciled
of our heroes shed their blood to be
wrong, the South herself must in sack
cloth and ashes confess that she lias
grievously sinned against the Constitu
tion of the Fathers. That she has nev
er done, and never will do, and if her
great Representative “writes as though
the rebellion was right.” lie means that
very identical thing.
The fact of the defeat of the South
does not prove that she was wrong. As
well might the subjugation of Ireland,
and the execution of her glorious defen
ders, go to prove that her heaven-born
principles were wrong. As well might
the failure of every country that has
ever struggled f or liberty and self-gov
ernment, show that liberty is a fraud
and self-government a failure. No, no,
the standard of right is not estimated
by the might of government and the
power of armies. It is measured by
something higher and holier.
The South, though unsuccessful was
right, and the consciousness of being
right will be transmitted from genera
tion to generation to the remotest pos
terity, and we, for one, cannet tee how
it can arouse the bitter feeling in the
North. The fact of Jefferson Davis
being the head of a people fighting for
a righteous cause, doesjnot in any de-
gre • have to do with the present status
of the country. He and his people
have submitted to the arbitrament of
the sword, and will appeal to it no more, i ., , ,
i on the plea or that churlishness which
but they do not acknowledge that they ^ beeQ ^ , illustrated in their
have erred, nor will they lick the hand aut jj 0r
which has smote them. Never! never! j Mf M startcd oufc wHh tfae asser _
ne ' er * ! tion that his would be the “bark of a
The letter of Mr. Davis is published sma] i dog v> VVe grant tha , he n)ay
have been correct as to the beginning,
but the end has been the bray of a full
groxen As.*.
these uncalled for reflections upon a
body of gentlemen, a Governor and
State officials, equalling perhaps in pu
rity and ability those of any other State
in the Union, and whose only fault is
the fact that they occupy positions
from which they can be reached only by
way of poisoned darts, cast up to their
level by a particular class of political
bushwhackers whose occupation it is
to be malignant, and whose record is
made up of coarse slander. We should
do violence to our feelings as a Geor
gian did we fail to repel such indigni
ties, come what source they may ; and.
we are sorry to observe, these sources
have a fountain-head in more locali ies
than one in Georgia. We do not wish
to be understood as objecting to
legitimate criticism of public men and
their acts, but -we do think that when
great men are criticised, especially as
regards personal character, it should be
by their peers only.
As to the unj ust construction placed
upon our sentences, and the sickly re
joinders in the last issue of the Stan*
dax-d, we do not desire to say a single
word. Wo are content for them to go
before Mr. Mumford’s own readers ex
actly in ttie light he has placed them,
notwithstanding he stealthily garbled
the one about Mr. James, and in that
did not quote us fairly. As to the
half-masked personal stabs at ourself,
we waive controversy, a.id excuse them
on the first page of the Democrat, and
we endorse every word and sylahle of
it. Like everything that emanates
from his g eat mind and patriotic
heart, it is unanswerable—and if the
“bitter feeling” of Northern men, and
The Legislature is again fighting on the
Convention question. We think the
should be Submitted to the people.
And let them determine at the ballot box
whether they want a Convention or not.
Tho Atlanta Herald has been taken
possession of by the Sheriff, and suspend
ed on Monday. The Proprietors will
•tart the Morning Telegram very soon.
The United States Senate has passed
the Centennial Appropriation bill, by a
vote of 41 to 15.
Something of Mr. Booth’s contract with
Mr. Ford, obtained from the latter, will be
interesting. Mr. Booth is paid SCOO per
the deprecation of “sensible Southern night, llis contract is for fifty nights, and
Democrats” is iucurred thereby, we say L° r r P erio ‘ l he receives $.10,000. When
J' J Mr. Ford went to him to matte the contract,
that Northern men are feels, and “sen- he proposed to give him what he (Booth)
bie Southern Democrats” are asses. I *h° u Sht he could make in New lurk. Mr.
! Booth told him that he could make $600
1 • * per night there. Mr. Ford offered that
Congress has repealed the Bankrupt much and a bargain was made. Every
Act. The bill was introduced by Mr. night’s performance costs the manager of
Willis, of New York, and be originally
proposed that the bill should take effect
on April 1st, 1870. The Committee on
the Judiciary, which reported it to-day,
made it to take effect on January 1st, 1877.
The repeal is absolute, except that it is
provided that all suits aud proceedings
now pending in the Courts of the United
States wherein ail adjudication of bank- * » * —
ruptcy has been made shall be proceeded That intolerable nuisance. Sergeant
with and governed by the provisions of has been engaged to waive his ban-
existing laws, which are continued in . ne ^/ ro / ? t ! le d?*pe of the central building
- ... . , . m the Centennial Paik during the exhibi-
force for the purpose of dosing up suits, tion. Please pass the camphor.
this company $1,000. One of the terms of
the contract is, that Mr. Booth is never to
do any night travel, and never leave a stop
ping place before II o'elock-in the day un
less he chooses to do so. Notwithstanding
his heavy expenses, Mr, Ford calculates
upon making $3,GOO or $4,000 upon his
Soutl era tour. Mr. Booth never plays in
Washington City because it was there his
brother killed Freaident Lincoln.
The United States frigate Kearsage
which cost originally $182,000, lias been
repaired at an expense of $-198,122 56—
just $314,122 50 more than her first valua
tion.
Lets see, the Kcarsage was built under
an honest Democratic administration, but
the Radicals put on those expensive.
patches. * I
«v
ii-it nr—nu i it in 1 vTggarowrwT
We, have, therefore, placed ourselves in
communication with our Representatives in
the State Legislature and recommended the
following reforms, in our opinion the best
aud most available to decrease the burden of
taxation and somewhat relieve our struggli*g
tax-payers. While there are various other
measures of relief to which our tax-payers
are entitled, we found that we had not time
to await out general presentments before
calling the attention ef our Representatives
thereto, and hence, sent only a portion last
week in order that the Legislature might
have ample time to consider them—viz;
A recommendation that the allowance for
board of prisoners in jail be reduced from
the pr ‘sent exhorbitant rate of 50 cents per
diem, to 20 cts per diem a a im in our opinion
amply sufficient for all necessary sustenance
and attention. If our Representatives Will
carry out this recommendation by having a
law enacted to that effect, there will be a sav
ing to the county of nearly $1,200,00.
Also, a recommendation that the Jury fees
be reduced, from the present price of $2
per day to $1, which will effect a saving to
the county ot over $1,->00,00 per annum,
At the present term of the Superior Court
there are 81 Grand, let it and Talis Jurors
under pay, making at sj’li per day $162, or
30 cent3 per minute each working hour.
Also, a recommendation that the fees of
managers and clerks of election be reduced
to a more reasoua jle figure, and thus a sav
ing can be gained of over $300.00 per an
num.
And, also, that the salary of the Judge of
the County Court be reduced trom $15u0.09
to $800.00 per annum—saving the County
§700.03
And, also, that a bill be introduced reduc
ing the Board of County Commissioners
from 5 members as now, to not more than
theee members, the same to be appointed by
the judge of tlie Superior Court to serve for
1 years, and be requireu to give a bond in
the sum of §2,000,00 tor the faithful per
formance of their duty—said law to go into
. I :,!'tur the term of the present Board
Scaled Proposals
Office 0;.euk of C’ocxcrr., )
B.uxitarooE, O.v., Fob. 16, 187’. f
Scaled proposals will be received at this
office until the 22;i, inst., to d > the haul
ing for the City of Bainbridge for the
year 1S7J.
Contractor.* t.o furn’rdi one horse team
with wagon, driver,-tn l one extra hand
with all necessary tools. Contractor* arc
required to give a bond in the sum o'
five hundred dollars, for tit 1 lurthcr per
formance of their work Bids rau-t be
made at so much per day of ten hours
work. The Cite reserves the right to
reject any u r till bids.
John’. R. Hates
Feb’j r 17th. Clerk of Council.
ijTthe district courtofthe
UNITES STATES,
For the Southern Dis’i'ict of Georgia
NO. 1337 IN THE MATTER OF ) In
WILLIAM J. BRUTON [ Bankrupt-
BA1NBRIDGE GEORGIA. J cy.
The said Bankrupt havtns petitioned the
Court for a discharge from all his debts prov
able under the Bankrupt. Act of March 2d.
1867, notice is hereby uiven to all persons
interested to appear on the 9th day of March
1876, at iO o'clock, a. m., at Chambers
of said District Court before S. Wise Parker
Esq., one of the Reiister's of said fourt in
Bankruptcy at the office of Whiteley &
Donalson, Bainbridge, Georgia, and
show cause why the prayer of the said
petition of the Bankrupt, should not be grant
ed. And further notice is given that the
second and third meetings of Creditors, will
be held at the same time and place.
Dated at Savannah, Georgia, this loth
day of February, 1876.
james McPherson, cierk.
GEORGIA—Dbcatuk County
Peter J. Morison lias applied forgetting
apart of homestead and exemption of per
sonality, and I will pass upon the same at
my office on the 26th of February 1876, at
10 o'clock a. m. This February 16,1876.
HIRAM BROCKETT,
Ord’y D. C.
woraud tor the past 12 mouths, and is con
sequently in very poor order.
Two miles of the road on Wefct aide ot
'tint River, leading from Free Ferry *0 the
■tiakely road, is in bad condition from tin
lumber of h’gh stumps in same, which
mould be removed.
We again call the attention of the corpor-
te authorities of the City of Bainbridge to
ie condition of the roads and streets on
li-j outskirts of the city and within its lim
i,s. with the request that they be immediaic-
• put in good order—the foliage over thi
une needs trimming, while the roadway-
Uso need work.
We recommend tbivt the County Board t
•ntmissioners organize a Chain Gang at
• ■nee, as the law allows, in order that th.
convicts may be made self-sustaining, an t
ibus materially lighten the burden of taxa
non. We have been informed by the Bour-i
that this disposition of the convicis is im
practicable, which may be so, but until it
has been tried the public cannot so construe
it. True there may be trouble in disposing
ofthe convicts in that way, yet we believe
that the mere fact of a Chain Gang, will
tend ’considerably to deter crime.
It is with gratification that we note the
promise of a more thorough organisation of
tbe systera ef Public Education in eur coun
ty the present year. The tbmmis iom r
will organize Schools in the several districts
in the following manner': He will employ
teaehers according to their several abilities,
and assign them to Schools of various grates
paying each a stipulated salary, instead
of a per capita for each pupil as how. By
this mentis the School FUnd can be more
advantageously disbursed, more pupils can
be taught, and for a lougei term and more
thorough instruction given. We cordially
approve ofthis plan and recommend its adop
tion.
We have examined the books of tlie Clerk
of Superior Court and find them neatly, and
in our judgement, correctly kept. The Clerk
complains of the great accumulation of elec
tion returns running back a senes of years,
we therefore recommend that those of a
greater age than four years be destroyed.
The Tax Assessor’s books are kept in good
order, and he seems to have done his duty
pretty thoroughly. He complains that the
Justices of the Peace of the several Districts,
With three exceptions, have failed to make
returns ofthe tax payers within their juris
diction, upon his request, as required by
law, and hence he labored under consider
•able difficulty ir. the Work of assessment.
We call the attention ef the proper author!'
ties to this matter, with the hope that the
evil complained ot be remedied,
llie Treasurer’s Book is kept neatly, and
in a 1 usiness-like manner. In this connec
tion it is our duty to noie that we found the
recommendation of the Grand Jury of last
Spring Term that, “the law be stricrly ear
ned out which requires that the funds as
sessed and raised by taxation for each par
ticular purpose be kept separately and sa
credly for the purposes designed,” has not
been regarded, the County Board having au-
shorized the Tax Collector to receive all or
ders or county scrip for county taxes, and
the Treasurer necessarily receiving them in
settlement with Tax Collector without refer
ence to the above requirement. Doubtle;
this action on the part of the County Board
was instigated as stated by them with the
desire of sustaining the credit ofthe county
by making all of its pap<r receivable for
taxes, but in our judgement a plain compli
ance with the law would be the better p'
and sooner lead to the cutting down of ex- i
ponses in various departments.
Wo find iha». on the !p«>h of January, 1875 j
■ •. v i..- i »imi:ip-s of the eoil-liy E3E '
Noiice For Leave To Sell.
On the first Monday in March next, ap
plication will be made the Court of Ordinary
of Decatur County Georgia, for leave to sell
lot of land No. 41 in 16th District of said
county, belonging to tho cstat<c of L. M.
Swicord deceeased, for the beneft of heirs
and creditors of said deceased
A. B. BELCHER,
Feb. 16, 1876. Admr.
To Ail Whom it May Concern.
GEORGIA—Decatur Coukty.
Abraham B. Belcher Laving in proper
form applied to me for permanent letters of
Administration on the estate of Louisa M.
Swicord, late of said county, this is to cite
all and singular the creditors and next of
kin of Louisa M. Swicord to be and appear
at my office on the first Monday in Feburary
next and show cause if any they can why
permanent administration should not be
granted to A. B Belcher, on Louisa >1. Swi-
cord’s estate. Witness my hand and official
signature, this January 3rd, 1876.
Hiram Bkockett,
Ord’y D. C.
A Good Work.
A startling cause of Debility and sickness
fully explained in a large octavo treatise by
DR. O. PHELPS BROWN, 21 Grand Street,
Jersey City. N. J. Every man and woman
who is ailing in any way should send and
get a copy at once, as it is sent free, prepaid
by mail. Address the author, as above.
nov-4 ’75-1 v.
And, also, that an act be passed reducing
the fees of all public officers of Decatur
County who are paid from the County Treas
ury to uuc-half of their present rat' It
. this measure is Carrie 1 out. th*"e w.il be a
j saving of thousands to the tax payers. Tiic
j above are the m "ttnuiii V.tiotis s. nt oar
I Representatives, with the dcmanl that they
j leave no etioii untried to get them iu :he
shape of law, in which we believe we arc
seconded by the majority ot tax payers .in
the county.
Through our committee, wo have examin
ed the Toor House and Farm. The farin i3
being prepared for plauting, aud tho tenting
is iu good repair 'ibe guttering of both
barn and dwelling-house is down, rendering
tbe cisterns thereby useless. We find only
two paupers, both of which are pitiable ob
jects of charity. The houses in which these
paupers reside need some slight, repairs,
such as the stopping of the cracks between
the planks. We recommend that the repairs
needed, and which we have pointed out, on
the place be done'at once.
We have examined the Jail, and find that
the brick work over the entrance has fallen
out, which should be replaced at once.
There are three cells on lower floor neediug
repairs, one of the doors of which needs a
new lock. There are, also, three cells on
upper floor in the same condition, one door
of which should have a new lock. The hall
dividing the two dungeons is well ventillat-
eJ, and if the same was ceiled with strong
plank, it would be a sate room and comfort
able. The two dungeons on the upper floor,
we have no hesitancy in saying, are a dis
grace to humanity. They have absolutely
no ventillation, and are penetrated by not
even a single ray of light, and are totally un
fit for the occupaucy of even the most hard
ened criminal. Former Grand Juries have
pointed out thi3 blotch upon civilization but
no attention has been piid to their recomen-
dation, and we again demand in the name
of humanity, right and justice, that two
grated windows be placed iu the outer walls
of each of these dungeons, so that the in
mates may have the benefit of at least a
small degree of light and ventillation. We
also suggest the continued use of lime as a
disinfectant in this building.
We have obtained informations in regard
to the condition of the various roads and
bridges of the county, and respectfully pres
ent the bridge across Tired Creek near Les
ter’s on the Thomasvllle road in bad condi
tion, and the road near CoDnefi’s plantation
in bad order and partly impassable.
The bridge across Spring Creek, known as
Swann’s Bridge is considered dangerous. It
was rebuilt last summer by the bondsmen
of W. W. Russell, and in our judgement is
not in compliance with the lond which guar
anteed a good bridge for seven years, and
we call the attention of the Board of County
Commissioners to the fact.
The bridge across Attapulgus Creek, near
N. N. Lester’s on the road from Attapulgus
to Thomasville has rotted down within the
past-two yean and a new bridge is needed
for the convenience of the pnhlio.
Three mile* of the road from Swann's
Bridge to Hayes Ferry on the Chattahoochee
River near J »Ln ftekeria’s has not been
■SSufJ
Ot Jen
not i
drawn from .Tan. 20,
1875 to Feb. 1st, .87
Of which ant nut. has been pal 1
LeavincT the debt of the County
§ 6,>4, * 9
.176,62
,J53 ,n
supplied by the county an
md the poverty-stricken conrtb?™ 1
county we find ourselves t° n fc 0f 3
tnevable ruin, and we restWfnS 10 “*•
to our Representatives
?o use their utmost endeavors m ^tttt
ot general good to the countv
enact legislation in the int*w’„f 8 t»
individuals and j rofessions. * PmM ‘
The extra compensation receiv.it v
offleers of the County Court
the County Treasury, is in N
ton of law and should lie disconfi n L o1 *-
once, and we also recommend Z^
fudge ot the Superior Court do n!“ >
extra compensation to his ofRiJJv 4ll01,
so-called extra services!^
condition of county finance,
‘extras” of any kind, and we beheveB?
Honor will so construe it e ""
Having been informed that the t.m,
lour members of the County bZ! ^
Education in this county has e xnb!i ° f
have elected the following per*L*'
Board to serve for four re rs as
by law, Vis t Samuel 8. W
Chestnut, Abram B. Belcher arid F j
Babbit. And iu connection with ,
matters, do hereby make the folln*;
reeommeiulttioEfc^ “We, the GtS
... , n, T ^commend Z
the provisions ot an act entitled “ an
to provide for the payment of th e
of school officers and teachers forserviiw
rendered in the year 1871” a n D r 0 ,S
March 3d 1874, shall not apply or ^
tn the «ounty of Decatur. r
We note that tonsidmable repain >»
needed on the Court House,and that thin
docs not seem that any of the moan
raised by taxation for that purpose l2,
been so expended.
It is with pleasure that we hail tin
growing interest manifested by the peon],
of Georgia in favor of a constitutional
Convention, and also we approve of the
action of the Legislature in regard to this
all-important matter.
In conclu.-ion we wonld tender our
thanks to his honor Judge Wright for h|»
courtesy to this body, and for his dilli-
gence in the work of clearing the Dockets
of this Court. And we are also under
obligations to the Solicitor General for
courtesies.
And we would also request that (best
General Presentments be published in tb«
city paper, and a copy of the DsMoout
be sent to our Senator and each of Repi*
sentatives in the Legislature at Atlanta.
John D. Williams, Foreman,
John H. Hughes,
J. A. Brock,
William B. Hawthorn,
James D. Brown,
John Brock, Jr.,
C. W. Johnson,
John R. Brock,
David T. Cooper,
Jesse H. Powel,
Elberry Roberts,
Thomas Faircloth,
David Johnson,
J. .T. Lasseter,
Tlt- mas G. Williams,
W. J. Parker,
Littleton Harrell,
Stoekley S. Dixon,
.J. M. Lewis,
Ttotxirt R. Terrell,
F. L. Babbitt,
Goo. W. Dickinson,
B. E. Russell.
Dr.' .vm: StVEiuoR CorRT,
vutnariuiil Term IKT.i.
t itcei which there is pr;
available, as the following
! show:
n.c assessment
)t iviiicti there has been col.
still unpaid
iotbally nothing
expi.iuatiou will
$18,101 21
9,453.11
Upon lt/aring the (icn.-ntl Presenfmeifv
of the Grand Jury of this term. Ordfml
that the same be spread upon themintitrs
of this court, and published in the Bunt-
bridge Democrat as mt.mmenM
Fcb’y nth 1870.
G. J. WRMiirr
J. (c C.A.C.
A tnic <'Xtract from the minutes of D*
cat or Superior Court. November nk
jouruetl Term 1875, held Fell. 101815.
T. F. Hamptos,
Clerk S. If.
$8,651.13
And there will be uue about $ ‘,000 to
those who have paid the lull 209 per emt of
tax collected and which must be refunded
to them; and we would recommend, that it
the injunction restraining the Tax Collector
from collecting more than 100 per cent, of
the tax. be sustained on appeal that the
County Board i3?ue r. geuerai order making
available this surplus paid by those parties,
on their taxes the present year.
The Jail fees for the year 1875 amounted
to the sum $1,842.89. The Jury fees for
the same year were $2,259.30: the County
Board Commissioners $1,062.50; the Poor
House $909.86; the County Court, includ
ing salary ot Judge, $1,500.00, and the pay
of its Juries, cost §2,303,00.
The amount of Jury fees is under an aver
age, there being comparatively less criminal
business done in the Superior Court. IVe
will have 3 terms oftlie Superior Court this
year, including the present term, and there
will consequently be a greater number of
Jurors needed.
With relation to the third item of expendi
ture named above, tlie cost of the Gbunty
Board of Commissioners, we find that the
Board have made one of their own number
Clerk, who, as such has recen ed an extra
per diem of $2,00, while two of their num
ber have received 75 eents between them
for each order issued ; while for attendance
on court in two small cases in which the
county was interested the per diem charged
by these two gentlemen, almost equals the
amount of the disputed claim against the
county. The law organizing the Board of
County Commissioners authorizes the em
ployment of a Clerk, but clearly does not
contemplate that be shall be one of the
Commissioners tnemselves. Be incline to
the belief that the Commissioners have tried
to conduct matters on as economical a basis
possible under existing legislation, but in
these instances they have clearly transcend
ed their legal power.
recommend to the Board of Commis
sioners the advantage that would accrue to
themselves and the public, by the publica
tion of a detailed statement of the county
Finances, at least once every three months.
By this plan every tax payer would be
informed as to the disposition of the
People’s money, and much misapprehen
sion of the management of county affairs,
would be avoided.
The Books of the Ordinary we find
neatly kept, and show that they have
been the subject of his careful attention.
We notice, also, that he keeps a record of
the births and deaths of the county, and
we would suggest to our people the im
portance in giving him their aid iu these
important items of statistical information,
by reporting at once all the births and
deaths in tlitir respective localities.
The hooks of the Sheriff are kept in
very good order. We note that he has
an Execution Docket, and Dockets for
each of the Courts, which he furnished at
his own cost, notwithstanding the recom
mendation of the Grand Jury of the
Spring Term of the Superior Court that
the County Commissioners be required to
furnish them. The Sheriff larks a Sub
poena Docket, has applied to the Commis
sioners for the same, but they have re
fused to purchase one for him. We,
therefore, again recommend that the
necessary books for the Sheriff’s office he
DECATUR SHERIFF’S SALES
ltd. fi K SOLD hr fore I lie Court H««
door, between the usual Lours if
sale. on. the first Tuesday in March, lWi
tlie following property to-wit:
Fifty-five acres of lot of land No. <88 ®
the 15th (list, of Decatur County—levied o«
as the property of Ann If. Knight, towin'
fy one fifa in favor of J. B. Earnest fo v-
of officers of Court, vs said Ann H. KnifC
Also, nt same time and place, one wtri
horse—levied on as the property of t
Lovett, to satisfy a Superior Court
in favor of IVm. II. Crawfofd rs.
Dooley Lovett. ,
Also at same time and place, ,0, * of ~
Nos. 279 and 280 and oue-haif of W
289, and 159 acres of lot N T o. 2f> , ^
acres of lot So- -f >" tb ® ^
frict of said county. *Mso one j ■ ..
lot in the town of /fainbridge, boun
the east by west street, on the *
vacant lots, on tbe south by TO y _, w
and on tbe north by premises of
of E D Waters, deceased, containing ^
four acres more or less. Levied ® n ^
property of Emery C 8mith an j,
G ASpiller and wife to satisfy 4 .. ^
favor of officers of Court vs said
wife and Spiller and wife.
L . F . Bcntn^
Feb. S, 1876. ShJ^
City Marshal’s Sate*-
STATE t >F GEORGIA—Cm or ^
Will bn sold before the Court HouW ^
ir Bainbridge on the First
March next, between tbe usual
the following property to-wit:. ^
One house and lot in the
bridge, bounded on the o° rt f Florid*! 1 '
of G. A. Wight, on the east by ^ ^
on the south by 3tr eet, . , ]/x-
west by property of C. J.Cn ■ }
led on as the property of Mrs n jjd
Gill, to satisfy one city tax “
Mary J. McGill. 0B , V*
Also at same time and p«* ’ e #atk
and lot in said city, bounded on ^
by Broughton street, on the eas ^
ford street, on the south by ^ j/riw
and on the we3t by Florida at ^
on as the property of J. “. Co •
isfy one city tax fi fa. vs said • • |
Also at same time and pl*c*<
lot—two acres more • or <& **
bounded on the north by prop*”
S. F Bruton, east by Weststrert-
street, and west by <4*.J
Levied on as the property of ^
Averett to satisfy one city
Estate of W. N. Averett. gjjAftf.
R city ^
GEORGIA—Dzcatc* CbtntTT. ^
G W. Raigi* Guardian
having applied to th*^
of said county for a discbwg __ ^ par
dianship ofE. J. Garland P*« 0 “,, pet£
erty, this is therefore **»*£,£
concerned to show cause by ^ pr
in my office why the sat •
should not be dismissed
ship of E. J. Garland and rew ^ *
al letters of dismission, w
official signature *“^jj