Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

I'ItESKYm I.NTS Of the (iraod .Jury of Chatham Sn fwrior Court. June Term. IS’T. Sjrannah, G-a., i nor Robert Falligant, judge Eastern .judicial Circuit. The grand jury respect iy submit the following as their pre tirunt. TAX COELECTOR. The tax digest being closed ar.d defaults i irned over to the sheriff (who had hot t made retuins) there were no t ran sac ■ .ons to examine. The conduct of business wa s thoroughly explained and investigated an 1 we cannot refrain from adding our mmendation to that of our predecessors , to the scrupulous neatness that has iracterised the conduct of this office un ,l, i th. present incumbent. TAX RECEIVER. The committee appointed to investigate t tax receiver’s office, find the books and in, s in this office are neatly and well kept. COUNTY TREASURER. The committee whose duty it was to in vestigate the county treasurers books:, re port ihe books correctly and neatly kept. JAIL. The committee appointed to visit the jail report they have made a thorough inspec tion, aJid find everything in good order. There were at the time of the committee’s sixty-four prisoners, all of whom w v apparently in good health and seem ed to he well cared for. The records and books of the sheriff were well kept. CLERK SUPERIOR COURT. The committee appointed to examine the hooks of the clerk superior court, report t t it all of the books wore neatly kept and tl>* work of the office well up to date. DRAINAGE. The majority’s report of the special com niittce appointed to look into the drainage o-f ihe county and which was adopted by tie grand jury is annexed hereto, as is ajso the minority's report. Tn closing wo beg to express to your hon or our grateful recognition of the very able and eloquent charge given us on en tering upon the discharge of our duties, •and for the courteous assistance extended bv Solicitor General Osborne and by oth , c officers of the court. We respectfully ask that, these present ments h. published in The Morning News lid Evening Press. Fn accordance with the above recommcn ifj'ioii, it is ordered that this presentment hr published in the Savannah Morning Vetvs and Daily Press. In open court. R. FALEIGANT, Judge E. J. C„ Cos., Ga. Aug. 30, 1897. To the Foreman and Gentlemen of the Grand Jury of Chatham County: Your committee appointed to investigate cer tain complaints against the county com missioners respectfully submit the follow ing report: We first addressed a letter to the. com missioners on the subject, and received from ihem a reply, copies of both which let!e:s we have atached to this report. before commencing our investigations "i were advised by the chairman of the eo-i.ty commissioners, that with our per mission. he would Invite the sanitary board of the city to accompany us. We regr. i to say that they were not officially represented except on one occasion. We also invited all having any complaints, to point them out to us during our official ’■ sits, as it was the desire of your com mittee to get at all the facts and report i you the true condition of things as we might find them. 1 >ur first visit was to Dundee canal, ■w, found it full of river water, and on its w estern bank a rice field with the har '■ f, st flow on. The ditches of the Vale Royal canal were grown up in weeds, as is the case also with the Dundee canal from the Augusta road to the Louisville road At the same time all the low lands in this section, excepting the rice Held '"•■re, in a dry and' sanitary condition. This canal was not completed because of <u' inability to secure the right of way fin ugh lands south of the Louisville road, file Ogeechee canal Is in a very unsani * ir> condition, being full of decayed vegi •allon and stagnant water. It not being under the control of the county commis i 'oners we recommend that the ow ners be i eipdred to clean it. We proceeded through the Telfair rice h''ld and found it needed drainage, and were informed by the chairman of the ■1 linage committee of the commissioners that estimates were on file in his office and would be acted on by the commissioners. We then visited the Minis "fid Lamar swamp cana.s ; ml found them ' lean, and all the low lands drained by 1 . an ils in good sanitary condition. We minutely inspected the northwest c ' in i of ilie Deßenne swamp, under the guidance of tile lessee of these lands, and "’iii'i the ditches to be full of weeds, not v ii-iamling they hud been cleared in spring. The- low lands on this tract " r " particularly dry. and we were In- n Titled by the tenant that there had not *'' 11 any water remaining in his fields •"fiee May last. "' want to the county farm and found magnificent crop of corn, potatoes, peas, ■ *, sugar care and vegetables. This was made by fifty-one convicts, who ■ a*inot be used a< hard work. Another ' ,:n l* of convicts we found engaged In the ""irk of completing the Montgomery cross "' visited the ltuckhalirr swamp and ' where there are 113 convicts at "■"'U on the canal. We found the camp comfortable and under good discip- From there we proceeded to the Juntatlon of the chairman of the county ■ "inmissloners, and from the locution of b" land and the plat shown us, wo are * ""'-'d to report that we could not -ee u !ua. 1m,i.1 would derive any direct '' l |in from the drainage of this swamp. hi lieve that th# drainage of this "amp should he continued for the follow ing reasons: Tin iittii liil map shows that by rui ng a ditch nine feet deep the entire wa -1 Lorn Lunar swamp and low .anda •iteent an lie carried through the pro ' '*"<l 1 ana! and have a fall ol one loot mery 3,000 feet ol length, the difference Hi# high! of 1 h*■ tide At the flgrechei* ■r having 119 appreciable clTe. t on this * dfiAgi. Il te wisdom 10 relieve the Mangrove ; of all water |#os*lbie and save Mprlngfield nlaniatlon of us "11 susceptibility to overflow We are "iiud that Its dams had to he raised •bn. ago to avoid this disaster Ihi carrying of this water to the ■ her tivrt will latgrly redo #• the vd. 1,1 “wamii water that Is locked up In "‘•k. twelve hours nut of eveiy * -I "ii . In i lose firoslmlty to the city ns# I,lienee of lhe tides from ibe Ns I *h river. •'a drainage at the Htukhslter '* * 11 "I" 11 a larg# ir#. t of ibe finest ,* 1,1 'fi' county fin cultivation, ami “ •> w# find iw h**e icit tht •■enctu * tot ttte 1 engineer of the • aunty, *• and hi a inter by him to ih 100 nl iiiiill. uoitrt, dated June G, It*;, to which he says that the map show s that it wi. ; rtjquire u canal about lour miles, that can easily lie drained, which will develop a large area of splendid truck farming lands. In recommending ihe continuation of the wuik on this canal, we are satisfied that the commissioners are fully alive to the fact that the drainage already established, will need their usual attention, and as an evidence of our confidence that this atten tion will continue to he given in the future We refer to their letter and report of their work done this spring, which are attached to this report. We think it proper to call attention to the fact, that the county furnishes canals and ditches to carry otT the water and the individual property owners are ex pected to drain their respective properties into these "water ways. We take occasion also to suggest to the public that ail cam plaints concerning bad drainage should, in the first instance, lie carried directly before the commissioners. They are the officials elected by the citizens of Ihe coun ty to discharge this responsible duty, and are vested by law with a wide discretion in the exercise of their powers and duties. It is their duty to consider what is the greatest good for the greatest number, keeping in view the most economical use of the means under their control. It is to be expected that in the discharge of their duties, they will at times fail to satisfy some whose interests are purely private, but from their com petency nnd standing in the community, they are entitled to the confidence and co-operation of the public in their efforts to improve the county. Purely private grievances should not be brought before the grand jury', nor should individuals mistake their private interests and griev ances for public evils. ROADS. We traveled over the twenty-one miles of roads built by the commissioners since June, 1895, and found rliem ail to lie in excellent condition, excepting about a quarter of a mile on the Ogeechee road, which had been cut in a few places b.v the city wagons, and which can lie repaired with a few loads of gravel. We beg to differ with the commissioners on the question of the propriety of pur chasing Ihe shell roads. It is our opinion that, these roads should be bought at rea sonable prices, and we. therefore, recom mend their purchase, and if there are no funds on hand available at present, we recommend that in the next budget such appropriation be made. We are convinced that the people want good roads and com mend the commissioners for what they have already done; at the same time, the people of Chatham county desire, and the time is opportune for, the abolishment of toil roads. We see no objection to the new road to Thunderbolt being built, as the facilities at hand for carrying on the work will save a large expense. If. however, the building of this road will prevent the purchasing of the shell roads, we recommend the abandonment of this scheme, nnd that the funds for this purpose be applied to the purchase of the two toil roads. It gives us pleasure to announce to the •people of this county, that our investiga tions have led us to the conclusion that the gentlemen, now in office as commis sioners. are discharging their duty faith fully', and are governed by what they conscientiously believe to be best for the whole. We traveled through the county over sixty miles going and coming, within a radius of three and one-half miles from the city, through all sorts of places and did not find a cup of water outside of the ditches. We are gratified to have found the county in this condition, notwith standing the fact that the official report of the weather bureau shows that more rain fell in July, 1897, than in any year since 1895. Puddles of water are to be expected after a heavy lain in such a largo area as t’hatham county, but stag nant ponds or pools, we are glad to say could not be found and none were point ed out to us by those interested. This indicates splendid drainage, and this con dition of affairs should suggest to our people to bury their private differences, and thus stop the cry about the health of Sa\'annah and Chatham county. It is a known fact that we live in as healthy a city as any in the state of Georgia, or any other state; then why lead the out side world into false ideas of the place where we live? Respectfully submitted, A. C. Harmon, Chairman. C. B. Malone. Joseph Phillips. C. D. Baldwin. T. T. Chapeau, Foreman. C. B. Malone. D. Baldwin, John O’Gorman, Thomas Screven, Joseph Phillips, H. H. Hull, C. F. Cler, A. R. Launey, W. F. McCauley, A. C. Harmon, A. S. Delannoy, L>. B. Morgan, J. C. King, E. S. Abrahams, W. M. Davant, Daniel Hogan, Tlios. Daniels, C. G. Anderson, M. L. Ex ley. Savannah. Ga , Aug. 3. 1897 —To the Honorable. County Commissioners. Sirs— The following complaints having been pre sented to the grand jury of the superior court, a committee of five were appoint ed to confer with your honorable body with a view to ascertaining the facts in the premises. .The committee have fixed Thursday for their investigation, and will be glad to have you meet with them on that day and furnish any information that may be desired. Trusting that you will kindly co-operate with us, I remtiin, yours truly, (Signed) A. C. Harmon, Chairman Committee. 1. From the southwestern boundary of Musgrove territory up to the limits of the city a large area is reported in a most un sanitary condition and virtually without drainage. 2. In the Dundee swamp, soulh of the Central railroad, and on the Ogeechee canal, is a section in the same condition as that reported above. 3. The drainage of the upper part of Cuyler swamp and several of its tribma ries remain unfinished. 4. The Hempstead and Cooper swamps and the northwest corner of Deßenne swamp Is repotted to he in bad condition. 5. Why Is It necessary to build anew road to Thunderbolt, when the one now going there ran he purchased for consid erably less money than it would cost to build anew one. A. Harmon, Chairman Committee of Grand Jury. Chatham Superior Court. —Dear Sir: The eommlssioners of Chat ham county, oil receipt of your comm uni ration of Aug. 3d. Inst., promptly made arrangement* to co-operate with your committee in tile Investigation of certain complaints that had been presented to the grand Jury of the suix rior court. The absence of particularity of des rip tton of the location of the undralned or improperly drained section* precluded arte sis'clfic explanation from this board, but opportunity had l>ecn afforded your com mittee to visit the several sections of the routny mentioned Iti your communication, and your committee are able to form you!' own conclusions as to the merits of the complaints so far us they refer to the actual condition of the territory embraced therein. It miy be remarked in this connection that unsanitary and undralned parcels of land may be found where the county sys tem of drainage hs < been completed, owing to the failure of the owner* of litre#- par cels of land to avail themselves of the public drain* by constructing thoir pri vate drains connecting with the ayatem. And It should further he nob and that while III# county commissioners have the power lo require Hint private drains already constructed be kept open and In good order and in harmony with ihe general system of drainage, they have no power to comp#-, the construction of private drain# in har mony with the general system. In reference to a general system of drainage. It Is proper lo slate that, wim the excel*lon Of Ihe power conferred upon ihe mayor and aldermen #if the city cf ttaieimah by tti a# is ##f the gen#'ral as sembly of 111#' state in 1 1*77 and l#y the • hatter of the fllty incorporated In the cod#, in section 4s,#t. 110 r# wms n#) alii hot it> In the puhl.i uiilhorltle- to establish and maintain a system of drain.#** fur the tOuitly utotl 1 l#c tear 1(1* After ih- < ilow fever rpulemi# 1 • a., a o I THE MORNING NEWS: TUESDAY. AUGUST 31, 1807. assembly, in order to protect the state from liability from sim ilar epidemics, deemed it necessary that a thorougth system of drainage for Chat ham county should be provided, and ap propriated one-third of the state tax of the county for the year 1877. and appointed a special commission to receive the money and construct the drainage in such man ner as they should deem proper under the control and supervision of the governor; with power to locate said drainage cither within or without the limits of the city of Savannah. The commission, in the discharge of its duty, confined the drainage to the imme diate vicinity of the city of Savannah, and upon the exhaustion of the fund be came functus officio. In tlie year 1878 the general assembly passed a general act, whereby each and every county in the state, whenever the constituted authorities should see proper, are authorized to establish and maintain a system of drainage of the whole or any part of the low lands thereof. The act ratified and validated ail established sys tems of drainage. This act conferred no power to condemn private property for the construction of drains, and only au thorized the county authorities to acquire the rights of way from the land owners with their consent in consideration of the benefits conferred on them by the drainage established. The power to condemn has since been given, In the year 1885 a special act was passed for Chatham county, vesting the control and management of the drainage canals, public drains and ditches in the county commissioners, who are empowered to reg ulate and control the manner of connect ing with the drainage on the part of per sons owning lands adjacent thereto or through which the same may run, by trunks, culverts, etc. Authority was also given to the county commissioners ”to compel all persons through whose lands drains or ditches have been dug by the owners thereof con necting with said drainage canals, pub lic drains and ditches, to keep the same open and in good order and in harmony with the general system of drainage in the county." The county commissioners were aiso authorized to compel th/e owners of toll roads to keep the ditches parallel to or bordering on these roads open and in good condition. These powers of the com missioners were not to be constru ed to deprive the corporate authori ties of the city of ’Savannah of the right to have. hold, construct or maintain in their own right any ditches, sewers, drains or oilier work anywhere in Chatham coun ty for the purpose of drainage in and around the city for sanitary purposes nor to deprive the said corporation of any rights or privileges given them under sec tion 4854 of the code or under any laws of this state. Under these powers the county com missioners have established systems of drainage which include the Casey canal, ReDefine canal. Harmon canal. Hemp stead canal, Placentia, canal, drainage in the vicinity of the Isle of Hope, Minis swamp, Ltmar swamp, Dundee, Vale Royal, the McAlpin canal, drainage In the vicinity of Pooler, Bethesda, White Bluff and Buckhalter, canal now being con structed, besides many laterals and ditches. The enumeration of these systems, though not exhaustive.ls sufficient to show that the drainage of Chatham county is a work of vast proportions. The large num ber of extensive swamps traversing the county in all directions and the compara tively small force of able-bodied convicts under the control of the county commis sioners. make the progress of the drainage slow and difficult. It has been the practice of the commis sioners to have a general cleaning out of all the canals and ditches In the vi cinity of the city of Savannah every spring or early summer; and this practice has been observed by the present board. The attention of your committer was called to some of these drains which had been cleaned this spring, but which now seem ed obstructed by weeds and grasses. The humidity and semi-tropical heat of our cli mate promote the rapid growth of these weeds and the enormous amount of work to be done has rendered it Impracticable to keep these drains entirely free from vegetation: but the drains have, even in their present condition, great capacity for carrying off the water, and no case has been brought to the attention of the board where adjacent lands have been overflow ed by the summer rains on account of the obstructed condition of these drains. It is the purpose of the county com missioners to continue - the construction of canals and drains until every portion of the county shall have a system of drainage adapted to its necessities and conforming to the natural drainage of the respective water-sheds. Until these systems have been completed it will not be possible to maintain perfectly clean drains throughout the system; but it is expected that when the heavy work of construction has been completed it will be practicable to keep the several systems in good order and condition. Very beneficial results have lieen at tained by the drainage constructed. Much valuable and fertile land has leen r##- clalmed and made susceptible of cultiva tion. and the sanitary condition of the county ami city appreciably improved. In reference to the public roads the commissioners have to say that since the control and management of the public roads has been Committed to them. a continuous effort lias been mad#* to im prove th#m. In September, 1895, the work of surfacing and hardening the roads was commenced on the Ogeechee roa#l and experiments made with various ma terials. By practical tests the commis sioners have selected wltat is known as "Augusta gravel” as the material best adapted to the improvement of the public road*. Dp to this time the following roads have (sen Improved to various distances so as to provide the most sandy portions with u. hard, smooth surface: Ogeechee. road 5.5 miles Louisville road 4.7 miles Augusta road 1.1 miles Hay street extension 1.4 mile* Schwarz avenue 5. miles F.still avenue 1.0 mile Walers avenue 5.1 miles Montgomery cross road 2.5 mll# Total 21.8 mile* Anew road has l#een established from tile Intersei llon or Junction of Estill ave nue and Wat# rs toad to Thiin#l<*rholl, which wdi be surface#! in the same man ner as the above mentioned roads. In answer to the question propounded by your committee in th# fifth itaragiaph of your communication, the county com missioners sn.v: Th" necessity for a n#*w road to Thunderbolt arise, from the ap plication mail# to ihe board by a larg#' number of Ihe # Irixen* and taxpayeis or the county for the establishment of the r.'ti'l. and Ih# r# i#nrl ..f tht committal on public roads recommending its utility Tn#- commissioners do not njltT it the statement In your rommuidcHlinn that the "r..,d now going lo Thunderbolt can la* pur chased for considerably less money Ihan It will cost 10 build anew one" The Ski'lousy shell road, "Ihe on# now going to Thunderbolt." with itm Hon..venture branch road Is ulsitii six miles in li-tigili iw# think this is sieint tin length given b> Ah#' #ltr. tot sof Hie road) It Is laid with oystir shells and is rou h worn. The liicieu#il travel that would follow the removal of the toll charges would soon wear out the eh#*tl atel would require the relMill.ltng of tin- road throughout Its #n in. b'lisili The could 1 >nirn.#*loai nr#, not in favoi of the use of oyai. 1 shells I t rut (u lus public roads. They have found the Aug.tain gravel a more durable lliatetlal tor lilts purpose s#> that 111. pres, ellt shelo-fl attrlMM •I* # # * #co ell 10 tht ilue of the r.#ad till 10l bo use; and pra# ■ H.ny lh< pur#'base of nils ioa#| u.iool lie simply tbs acquisition of a light uf way at a cost of ten thousand dollars (SIO.OOOI. The new road front lie junction of Es tiil avenue ar.d Waters avenue to Warsaw is two miles and six bundled feet in length. The right of way has been grant ed to the county without cost; and live ditching and grading neress try to prejtare the road for ihe Augusta gravel will not cost any more proportionately titan the preparation of the Skids way shell road for resurfacing with the same material. The cost of surfacing the new road a width of 18 feet is estimated. say 2 miles, 800 feet $ fi.rtOO 00 A width of 24 feet 12,-500 00 Surfacing Skidaway road ti miles 21,00 no Cost of right of way 10,000 on Total cost old road $31,000 Ot The facilities for conveying ami distrib uting the material for surfacing the Skid away road are not as convenient as on the new road. No railroad track parallels the Skidaway road along its entire length, while the Merchants an.l Mechanics rail road runs close to the new road ils entire length, and the use of this track has lteen granted to the county without any other charge than that of returning it to the railroad company in like order aud condi tion in which it shall lie received. It may also be stated tlitl the new road will atYord to a large number of citizens a more convenient route to the town of Warsaw and its vicinity that is demanded by a large number of citizens, its con struction and maintenance will cost much less than the purchase, repair and main tenance of the route by the Skidaway shell road, and the commissioners are constrained by what they deem to be me public interest to comply with the appli cation of the citizens to establish the new road rather than to accept the offer of the directors of the Skidaway Shell Itoad Company to purchase their property. The Skidaway Shellroad Company was chartered in 1867. It has had a corporate existence of. forty years. While it was in the power of the legislature to confer perpetual succession on corporations, the policy of the slate has been rather to limit the existence or life of private corpora tions. The original limit was fourteen years, increased by the act of 1865-66 to twenty years, with the privilege of re newal. So that this corporation has en joyed its franchises without interruption or competitioni for the full period usually granted. It should not complain, if in the progress of civilization, the community unite In common contribution by taxation to provide conveniences and facilities which formerly were furnished by private corporations for a compensation and thus interfere with an exclusive privilege which lias iicen enjoyed, although not guaran teed. Respectfully submitted, J. J. Dale. Oharinian C. C. O. Statement of canals and ditches cleaned from April I to July 31, 1897: April— Lineal feet. Hamstead eanal and laterals 31 .Win Harmon canal and laterals 13,950 Casey canal 3,500 Deßenne canal and laterals 39,200 Schwarz ditch 4,500 Minis canal 2,500. Avondale and Rifle range ditches.. 2,500 Casey canal 4,200 Waters road ditch 950 Total 108,300 May— Harmon canal 22,700 Hamstead canal 17,000 Salt Water creek and laterals .... 9.500 Laterals crossing White Bluff road. 2,600 Bast Savannah ditches 4.600 New Casey canals 22,000 Kehoe’s ditch 4,(100 Cooper’s ditch 800 Bonaventure ditch 6.000 Isle of Hot'' ditch 17.400 Waters riffd ditch 600 Total 107,200 June— Isle of Hope ditches 16.300 Lester ditches 3.000 Total 19,300 July— Minis swamp, canals and laterals.. 7.5(g) Cherry Butcher Ten ditch 2.l"0 Lamar swamp canal and laierals. 5,200 Total 15,100 Summary— Liueal feet. I>iteh(*s and canals slushed April... 102,300 Ditches and canals slushed May.. 107.260 Ditches and canals slushed June.. 19,300 Ditches and canal slushed July... 15,100 Total for past four months 243,960 Pooler ditches slushed 24,9( Grand total 278,860 Sundry Drainage Work- Lineal feet. Drain pipe laid Eastvllle, Waters road from Gwinnett to Anderson streets 3,110 New ditches and ' anals cut and deepened 100,060 Your committee not concurring In the views of the majority, submits the follow ing minority report. The opportunities for investigation, were necessarily limited, both for lack of time, and the means we had for making Che in spection. We have therefore lo a great extent, been compelled to coniine our at tention to such places, as were pointed out to us, and to information we could gather from sources, we considered tellable. Our inspection was first made in a westerly anil southwesterly direction, and within an area of 3% miles from the city, whl# Ii took in the Dundee canal, Telfair swamp, Tellair place, and the ogeechee canal.and Springfield plantation. The two latter points not coming within the Jurisdiction of the county commissioners. We find a large number of ditches belonging to the county overgrown In weeds, and badly In n#*ed of cleaning, notably, th<* Vale Royal, and it;- laterals, which we an* reliably In formed, have not been cleaned for aeven t##n months. A similar condition < xists in the M< Alpln canal, also the lateral ditch which passes thro'usii, what is known as the Houston land. The Dundee canal, from the Augusta road, to Hie Ixniisville road, is also overgrown in weeds, and should he ('leaned'out. This canal has never lieen fin ished, and Is one of the imporlunt works yet to be ilone, draining as It will all the swamps lying between the Augusta and Louisville road* and beyond. Tbo Telfair swamp, which is a tributary of the Mus grovr, has never ls*en drained. From Its nearness to the city. I> should be attended to immediately. The Telfair place which was once a rice field, we undt'rstund In rainy weather, that much of the land Is tinder water The old dlt#'hes are all over grown in weeds, in i in some places flllid with water. Th# county commissioners reeognlxe tli#* Importance of this work and inform ns, they h.tv# It under considera tion There should la* no furlher delay In the matter. Mince the report of the lasi grand Jury with reference to the neglected, and unsanitary condition of th#* Og# ccln>e canal, nothing nppauntiy has been done to Improve It. The HprhigfliJd plantation, which I* within th# my limits, is not In a# thorough sanitary condition as It might lie. We were glad to note, though, that some work was being #lon* titer#- The Bucktialter swamp, of much recent notoriety, was next visaed. It Is about eight and one-half mile* from Ih# city. In a southwesterly direction, and at tit#* time of out* visit there wer# 11.1 eon. vlets engaged st work on the # anal, 5n on road*, Slid the bainrt#c at the farm. Th# work #>n th#* Hit# khal'.er canal at 'hi* time does not commemt 11-e,f 1•* our judgment, wh#n th# more Important work of thor ough Jrslnuge of th#' swamps contiguous to Mavanttah would . ore!in # to the It# alth of the city. Kogltiei'ra of reciignlg# i abil ity condemn a Imnr nub-able, tit# claim se> up by III# •'runty eominlsstitner#. that the null ling of Ihe # anal will rtenlually • nab'.# llirtn to drain sum# ol the w*i. r ft'irti th# Mu-grit# watershed which mow find* Its outlet ,nto lit## Maiannah river, and which i* tin outlet nature lias pits vide I for it to run. Granting, though. Glut tile plan is feasible, will it not call for work Involving large outlays and heavy cost? This we endeavored to as certain, but without success and were glad to note that subsequently ii was brought up by a member of the hoard of county commissioners, with a view of as certaining tins fact. Aside from tills, i lie taurefit, if any, to the health of the city is so remote, it being two years oefore the einal would tie completed, that we are the more convinced that the work should be suspended for Hie present. IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. Tile DeKenil" swamp, lying just two miles from Estill avenue, wa find that the .ateral ditches leading from this swamp not only need cleaning, but are inadequate to carry off the water during tin* rainy spell. They were only dug for temporary relief, until the system of drainage, which was then contemplated was completed which lias never been done. The result is we are told, that tile land is subject to overflow, and frequent ly there are lbi or more acres under wa ter. which remain so for months. We also understand that the Hampstead and Cooper swamps, about 2b. miles from Ks till avenue, an in the same condition. The close proximity of these places to the city, make it important that they should lie thoroughly and immediately put in order and kept in good condition. EASTERN PORTION. We had no opportunity of visiting this part, but from information we consider reliable, we learn that tin* county ditches in sonic localities are overgrown in weeds and need cleaning. In Justice iierhaps in closing this report we should say, that the existing stale of affairs which our report shows, may not lie entirely attributable to Hie present board of counts - commissioners, as they have been in office a very short lime, hut wherever the fault lies, the remedy is prompt attention to the thorough drainage nearer tin* city, in which are located the homes of more than three-fourths of the population of Chatham county. C. G. Anderson, M. L. Exley. Committee. Filed in office April an, 1897 JAMES l\. I*. CARR, Clerk S. C., C. C. B4TH.KS W ITH II \ 1,1, (Ml BAT. 4nson S'srlM n llnw mid Spoils the ttfinie in New 4 orl*—Other Gnnics. New York. Aug. 30.- -Anson spoiled the clean victory for his Colts this afternoon by urging Emslie to call the game at Ihe end of the eighth. Emslie refused to call tlie game, It brought fourth a vile epithet. For tills Anson war, fined $25 and put out of the game. Then Everett and Decker commenced an argument with Emslie and lie assessed them $lO each. With Anson out of the game, Hie Colts wen* one man short, and Emslie pulled ills clock and called tlie batter up. Ryan endeavored to hat. but was called from the plate. One minute having expired*, and no man com ing up, the man who should have faced the pitcher was declared out and the play was resumed. When the trouble arose the score was seven to five in favor of Chicago. They made three more runs in the ninth. When tlie .New Yorks eame to the hat in their half of Hie rilnlh. Deck er was on first base In place of Anson, and Friend covered left field with his form enveloped in a regulation Chicago club dressing gown, while on Ids head was a Chicago cap. The New Yorkers raised vig orous objection to the playing of Friend, who they claimed was nol in uniform. Two men went out in succession and Joyce and Gleason tiegan to protest again. McCreery was instructed not to go to the bat, and Emslie called Hie game. Ihe score revert ing to the eighth inning. Sullivan stalled to pitch, but three home runs and a two-bagger in two innings caused his retirement. S. ymour relieved him and pitched good ball up to the eighth inning. Griffith was in good form, and to the errors behind him at least (woof Ihe New Y'orks’ runs were due. The fea ture of the game was the batting of Ever ett. Attendance 4,000. Score: R.H.K New York ...0 0 0 2 0 3 0 0 o—s 6 4 Chicago I 4 0 o o o o 2 x—7 16 6 Batteries Sullivan, Seymour and War ner; Griffith and Kittredge. Umpire—Emslie. Time—2:3o. Boston, Mass.. Aug. 30.—Cleveland could not bat to-day. Howell was batted for three runs in the first inning, but afler that he kept the Bostons well in hand. Magnificent plays by Collins, Lowe and Tenney and the all-round play of Childs were Hie features. Attendance 3,000. Score: Jt.H.E Boston 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 x—6 12 29 Cleveland I 1 0 o o 0 O 0 o—2 7 3 Batteries Nichols and Bergen; Powell and McAllister. Umpire—Lynch. Time—l :50. Baltimore, Aug. 30. The Champions to day made it five straights from Cincinnati on this visit of the Reds. The Orioles were unable to bunch their hits in all un til ihe sixth inning. The batting ami base running of Ihe Champions were the features. Attendance 3.025. Score: R.H.K. IlHliimore 1 0 li 0 II 4 O 2 o—7 14 3 'Cincinnati 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o—l 7 0 Batteries Corbet* and Robinson; Dwyer, I)amain and Vaughan. Umpires—O'Day and Kelly. Time 2:05. AN AttIDEMAI, .SIIOHTIML One Brother Shoot* Anotli#*r Through fart*len<***. Abbeville, Ga., Aug. 30.—E. T. Howell, a popular young man, was seriously wound <-d at the horn# of bis fattier, J J. Howell, two and one-half miles west Of Abbeville, last night. W. N. Howell and his brother, K. T. Howell, were .ihout 10 retire for the night, when W. N. Howell p|ck#*d up hb# brother's pistol from a lublo, and removed nil Hie cartridges, as he su|tposed, anil then b# gan to snap the pistol. His brother In th# meantime, approached the table, wh#n the weapon was discharged, the ball entering hls ah#lom#n, ranging downward and loilging m the left lilp Dr. Gi'orge, who was called to the wounded man, probeil for llte ball, hut was unable lo lo #'ale It accurately. The ball bare 1 / pene trated the coat lug of th#' stomach, and the doctor ha* no fr as to III* recovery. Cotton Is coming n rapidly, and Abl#e. Villi* Is paying the high# #! mark# t price for 11. A bale wa* sold hete last Halur day for 6 7 x '#m* l#et pound. *KJI TO 111 AII A VI'I NE. Two I Telling * macks Thought lo llsir It# ed ( uncerued aa lib ( aha. Washington. Aug :m The marine hos pllal service ha* been unfilled of the cap tur# ofl the w#*t i'#i4l of Florida, of two tlshlns sma# ks by the .mltsry Inspection servfie. The vessel* were from Cuba, or connect ed with Cuban less# is, and wet# taken p ntseasion of ss a health precaution. They w#*te sent lo >4UHrarilliie to be detained us ill their sanitary condition ran i## deter mined. Went to f leaiaon t t#lli*ss, Washington. Aug *> -Chief Engineer W I'. i\ of I ulngtiui figs Inert ile### fie#l from th# Montgomery and ordsicf t #■ Glemsoii Goilrgi. Kurt HIM F (*,, |i, p a# , of I’asse.l A*i*f##iii iiiHtlriier 1# AA Me- Elroy, altos# ##rd#is are i.tos# White, Black and Colored Wash Dress Goods. Sheer, gauzy, seasonable, stylish, desirable, this season’s much-wanted wash fabrics, in plain white, solid black, iancy colored, figured, brocaded and woven Linen, Cotton and Silk mixed weaves, be ing closed out at less than half former prices. Fancy Printed Colored India Lawns, Eta iiiinen, Ia pilot k. 44 Idle 4Voveu Colored striped I. swim, extra sheer. tim* qiiHlities in tills season s new, stylish patterns, colorings, effects an extraordinary lot of goods the remainder of some of the BEST fa ones in stock thl-season at Be‘j 10c I'-O.c ami 15c, have been consolidated In orm lot ami will lie sold at the low !*’ price of *>C ( lllnrPii Is' t isitovi Instrlpes figures floral patterns, excellent sheer LUIUI4U 1 4.l l UNI 4,0, quality, light gild dark colorings for waists and and dresses, 40 Inches wide, worth 12(,c and Isc, a , O4C White India Lawns, Dimities, Lace Striped LAWNS, .splendid sheer qualities, good assortment, worth 10c, 1 at OC White Dotted Swiggpq large and small dots, for dresses and cur r I*l4 4- I'HIIUI e>44 IlNfsCJs, lams, scolloped and braided on both H 4„ edges, worth 15c, a t "UC Mack Lawns, wdr!'. h"!' B<l * nd ch|,cl,,,d - as,omM pattorns at ßJc Colored Swisscs, Tambours, Organdies, Dim -ITIKS. BATISTES. I,AWNS, light medium and durk colorings, this Henson's new eet patterns, colorings and effects, extra sheer qualities, worth air and 25c. |o at only Jlv/W Pi ones. Marseille** solid colors plain white white fancy figured, x 14(114,9, iHill 94.11149, also blue and red figured, worth 26c and 35c X Rf at * OC Linen Batistes and Crass Linens, woven and plaid ofTects, very finest fabric for waists and costumes, washable ■ ■* ’ materials, worth 25c and 35c, , lt I.)C French Erin ted OrS*JllltlieS " h * er gauzy quality. In delicate . ■4l vi *- i IIIIV.II n„t 1111.149, mus and colorings, for street and evening wear, large and small pattern effects, becoming colorings, worth 35c, „ at ZZC THE “PLANTERS HOTEL” WILL up; opened TO-MORROW (WEDNESDAY), SEPT. I It has been made new from ceiling to roof. New car pets, new furniture; in fact, it is and will be kept a bijou of neatness and comfort, offering maximum comfort at minimum prices. The bar is one oi the handsomest in the city, and will be supplied with only pure liquors oi the best brands, while the daily lunches, from tl a m to 12 in., will be such as only hotel bars can afford to serve free of cost. GEO. W. LYONS, Manager. A LOSS OF TEN PER CENT. I'UNUITIOA op’ THE SEA I8L1M) COT ION I It OP. Great I'alliiia Off Since the Issti#- of tin- f.ast 1 Irculor—Rust unit Cnln plllers at Wort,— A \llnltler of Let t#-r Frotu Various (.rowers In Georgia anil Florida Showing the t'oiiilitloii of the Crop rit I'resent. Gainesville. Fla.. Aug. 30. Since the pub lication of the annual report of H. F. Dot ton & Go., giving a prospectus of the gen eral condition of the cotton crop many changes have# occurred, ami from the many letters received Iry that firm in re ply to a circular letter, it would seem that ihe crop is 10 percent, below that of pre vious report, rain, just, caterpillar and other drawback* having greatly reduced the prospect for n yield. This relutett to Georgia and Florida. Below Is given some of 1 ii#- most lm#a#rtant letter* showing an nulling reductions In the yield as a result of conditions named: The correspondent of Pelham, (la., writes: "The s#a Island crop in this sec tion will be Hbout tt) |*r cent, of last year's crop, provided we have favorable seasons from now on. The farmers In this region lost money in making sen Island cotton last season, and the result was that more limn half of them discontinued mak ing of It. The rains have ilone consider able damage, causing the stalk to go to weed and the fruit to <lrop off. wlril#' the lower Isilis, a gnat many of tlieni, have rotted from lit#' eIT.-cts of contlaued rains. When one takes hold of a stalk und shake* it, not only forms and blooms lrop off on lit#* ground, but also a great msny half-grown (toll*. How far a laic fall can compensate for this damage no one can tell. The receipts In this section last year were altout 5,001 bales, and this year tv# can't estimate on mor<* than 2,<Kiu. The conditions prevailing here are Ihe same In Thomas, 'Miller, Decatur, Baker, Colquitt, Dougherty and Worth counties, where there was something like 25."00 bales mar keted last year,” In the Valdosta section conditions are referred to as follows: The rain and hot sun has played havoc with sea island cotton all through this section. The crop with no more rain will lie at least 33 1-3 (ter cent, off from what prospect was one month ago. We notice some fields dead from rust. Crop being lat er than usual great may will not get near a full bottom #-rop. There Is no chance for th#* crops to come out any now even with good weather. What cotton Is green has shed badly. Had no rain since 23, hut in dications are for rain to-day." The .Madison, Fla., correspondent says: "The weather here for the past two w#*eka has not been favorable, and we are begin ning to hear complaints from the farmers of studding boll worm, etc. From the present outlook w#' should say the crop lit tht* vicinity will not be so large as last season, probably 10 per cent, less." The crop around Jasi>er la somewhat more favorable as will lie seen hy the fol lowing : "Hear Hire: Replying to yottrs of the 25th, would sta'e on laat Sunday 1221111 Inst.) I visited and Inspected l.tist acres of cotton, which was an averag# land of the county, I never saw a lietter prospect lor cotton. W" have no cotton caterpillar. We (lave no t otion boll worm We have no #*ot ton blight. W have the usual amount of rut, and dea#l cotton un the very wet lands. Ninety-flv# p# r ••ent, of our cotton Is glowing and blooming tmiutlfully. If Ihe weather should tie fairly aoud from now out, I • onfidently calculate on an in creased amount in our # ounfy from 111 10 15 per cent, over lasi sraou. , ' live Oak, Fi t District W. tb# r has teen unfavorable for cotton for th* past ten #lays. Blight I* in many Heals *ptj • utiort on ol#l lands show but f* w bloom* So #al#'fpillar* No boll worms will In more cun on mode In our oecitoM from ii to 10 !x*r cent. If season Is favorable from now on. Bradford County, Florida —The weather has been very unfavorable for cotton In this section. The dry weather early in Hie Si-ason stopped it from growing, and Hu*, blight has been bad on it. When tins rains sei In (hat or something caused it i#i shed very bad. Caterpillars art* report ed In sprue sections. The crop will be cut off 2(1 or 25 per cent. Suwannee County, Florida.—Replying 10 Ihe within, will sav that the weather through this section for the past fifteen liars has been v#*ry unfavorable for rol lon. It Is badly damaged In p!a#'es by the blight, and then- has been lots of com plaint about It sh.'ddlng badly. There Is no caterpillars or boll worms that we have heard of. The average is about the same as last year, and If the weather improve* from now on It may lake on anew growtlx and fruit. f H'ZOnil ALU’S SEWS BUDGET. Important l•ul•■lc School Arrange ment* Mode. Fitzgerald, Ga.. Aug. 30,-The election for the county seat removal has been call ed for Oct. 21. ami politicians will now ga to work In real earnest. The colony company has decided to havw >lll auction sale or lots on Nov. 16. asul a large excursion from Ohio, Indiana atul Illinois wiH be run in here for that occa sion. Many transfers are already being mail#*, and the clerks in the office are eon tinii tlly rushed. Many letters art* received from people who are Inhmding to mov# south this fall. A negro cabin on South Lee street, which had Just been vacated was burned on Wedn# sdny night. The loss amounted to about 175. At a reeent meeting of the city school Itoar.l It was decided to admit to the city sch'stls any and all pupils In Irwin county without tuition and to furnish live hooka to nil. This ruling Is to hold until the close of the first term, Feb. 15, and after that ttm#* It may be found necessary to charge tuition to Ihos living outside Ihe city limits. A teacher was elect###! for the col -01 ed schools, which will open with about forty pupils. Colore#l children will also tvi supplied with five hooks. The first term begins He fit. . Fitzgerald received the first bale of cot ton t its ws*k from the plantation of D„ B. Faulk it was purchas#-.! hy D. f. Drew for 12'A cents, and w# Ighed 5M pounds. It Is expected that the ware, house will he ready for use this week. an< a number of business m#*n are ready to buy col ion In large quantltlw:. A large number of citizens of this pis •#* attended the big barbecue at the river yesterday and report a big crowd *nd plcaaant time. An .litlnnate programme has been ar ranged for a Sunday school convention to Is- held ill tills city Brill. 11 amt 12, ami all the Sunday school* In Die county will participate in i'i.* x#-i. i-.-s |> , 1 fill II". day w ill iw# handled by thinkers In 11 . count) tnd ih sessions will no #louht prove Interesting. Weal ii# r exiwrta report the dosing daya of lust w##k ns Ihe hottest of ihe year at this place. Th* city h#vid election will take ploc* on dept. 7. FOB nt 11, I’t Hl*4>K*. The Government Sets Apart t rrlal.x f.aail la I’easacala. Washington, Aug Jo -The President, by exe#'ut|ve order, has set apart two tracts of 'and in Pstutacula harbor, Klorbla, for military an#l tiaial defenae purposea The ir* Ih are .h-serihed a* follows: "Lot 2 of se# lion 4, and bats 1 and 1 of sect lon 9. in township 3 aoutli. range 29 west, .'obtaining 367 25 acres. Fractional itrcilufM 1 of township 3 south, ■aug# j 9 tfii, funic 3.14 •• rc< M V% r| 1 nilon Mt#. Hutif Un., Ami 3m firt tJj Ej Is* W • 4|Ho#| It it * lu-fliiy, 1 1 w.#s raised atwait seven miles fioia iuk, end was sold tor '* proto. 5