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GIBSON WATERS,
THOMAS N. CHAMBERS.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO THE GRAND JURY,
SEPTEMBER TERM, 1913, BANKS SUPERIOR COURT.
State of Georgia, County of Banks;
To the Honorable Grand Jury for the September term, 1913,
of the Superior Court of said County:—At the March term, 1913,
of Banks Superior Court the Grand Jury appointed Messrs. R. C.
Moss, C. A. Meeks and J. M. Garrison, as a committee to examine
the books and records of the Clerk of the Superior Court, Sheriff,
intendent, with the power to select a fourth man as legal adviser.
After going into the work we decided we needed some legal
Tax Collector, Tax Receiver, Ordinary and County School Super
help. We therefore, employed J. C. Edwards, of Clarkesville, to
assist us. We used Col. Edwards three days at the price of $5.00
a day, expenses paid.
ORDINARY —PERKINS ADMINISTRATION.
We have carefully examined all vouchers and warrants issued
by former Ordinary Perkins. It appears from such examination
that his administration was not as economical as it should have
been. We unhesitatingly condemn the practice of his trading with
his son, Colie Perkins, in several instances.
Voucher No. 1198 shows that during the months of March,
April, May and June, 1911, that he paid to his son, Colie, $126.00
for use of horse and buggy 63 days.
Voucher No. 1698 shows that Colie Perkins was paid $115.00
for one Columbus buggy and harness, which said voucher was not
sworn to as required by law.
Voucher No. 299 shows that Colie Perkins was paid for horse
hire from March 22, 1912, to January 1, 1913, 171 days, the sum
of $128.75; that during this time Judge Perkins was being paid
$900.00 per annum for extra services rendered as Ordinary of the
county. During this time his son was being employed in the of
fice as Clerk of the Court of Ordinary and Judge Perkins was
also being paid the regular fees appertaining to the office.
Your attention is called to the following account approved
by the Grand Jury, March term, 1910, and copied from the Grand
Jury Presentments:
“To the Honorable Grand Jury, March term, 1910:
“Banks County, Debtor to Logan Perkins, from March term, 1909,
to March term, 1910:
“To services rendered the county for bridges, roads, convicts,
surveying, and buggy and horse account, $900.00.
“Georgia, Banks County:
“Personally appeared before the undersigned, Ix>gan Perkins,
who on oath says that the above account is just due and unpaid.
“LOGAN PERKINS.
, “Sworn to and subscribed before me, this March 21, 1910.
* J. A. HILL, J. P.
“We recommend the above account be paid."
It appears from the above account, as sworn to by Judge Per
kins, that the $900.00 salary included horse and buggy hire from
March, 1909, to March, 1910, and also paid $900.00 from March,
1910, to March, 1911, by special committee. Also paid $787.50
from March, 1911, to March, 1912, which included horse and
buggy hire. From March, 1912, to December 31, 1912. he was
paid $549.00 for 183 days work at $3.00 per day.
From the foregoing affidavit you will see that the $900.00 sal
ary covered all expense, including horse and buggy hire, etc., but
during the last two years of his administration there seems to
have been an irregular or illegal excessive charge in payment for
horse and buggy hire, and said amount for said horse and buggy
hire was paid without any recommendation. You will note that
this was paid to his son, Colie Perkins. This policy of nepotism
has been practiced in this county under former administrations.
We unhesitatingly condemn such favoritism as being detrimental
to the welfare of our county. We call attention to the amount
paid for the Hooper bridge on Middle River.
Voucher No. 1466 shows that this bridge was contracted in
a regular and legal way, these records showing Wilkie Rylee to be
the lowest bidder, at $875.00. This bridge is 86 feet long and 16
feet wide, and covered but not latticed. From the best informa
tion obtainable the material should not have cost exceeding $500.00
giving the contractor a net profit of $375.00, with the bridge at
this time unfinished jiceording to contract.
In the building of the Moss bridge on the same river, 80 feet
long and 16 feet wide, we find that Judge Perkins has paid J. A.
Davis for material about $125.00; he also paid Wilkie Rylee on
one voucher, No. 204, the sum of $200.00. We also find he paid
a warrant for SIOO.OO without any voucher, no voucher being re
corded in the book kept for this purpose in the Ordinary’s office,
but a blank space marked No. 10, which number is the same as this
warrant and indorsed by Wilkie Rylee and paid by Atkins Na
tional Bank. The total cost of this bridge being $425.00.
As we understand the law, no contract of any kind exceeding
the sum of $300.00 can be entered into without first having ad
vertised the nature and kind of work to be performed. For this
reason the building of this bridge' wp illegal and the county has
sustained a loss of not less than SIOO.OO. From information fur
nished this committee, about 70 days work was done on this
bridge, 14 of which was done by Wilkie Rylee, the foreman, leav
ing 56 days done by labor at SI.OO per day. Deducting $56.00
for amount paid labor, we have a balance of $244.00, which ap
pears to have been paid Wilkie Rylee for only 14 days work, or
an average price of $17.42 per day.
The county seems to have fared equally as bad in the building
of the Woffard bridge. We herewith submit vouchers for the
above bridge examined by us. Also warrant No. 10 for your con
sideration and investigation. We are convinced that very un
business-like methods have been practiced by Judge Perkins in
the contracting and building of bridges. Not only by Judge Per
kins but in former administrations and what work is now being
done is not in our opinion contracted in the best interest of the
county. We recommend that in the future no contract be enter
ed into by the Ordinary without having been fully advertised as
required by law. If this method is pursued we do not think there
will be so much room for graft and favoritism.
Your committee was led to believe that Colie Perkins, former
Clerk in the Ordinary’s office, could render your committee valu
able service in certain county matters. We therefore wrote him
and requested him to appear before the committee. We after
wards sisued a subpoena for him but was unable to get him be
fore the committee.
It appears that Judge Perkins did so mix his private busi
ness and the county’s business that it is almost impossible to as- 1
certain just what his acts and doings were. He has failed to list|
BANKS COUNTY JOURNAL HOME*. GA,, OCTOBER 2 1913
the county property as he bought and sold same, therefore we can
not say just what was the county’s property and what was his in
dividually. He has at various times, according to information
furnished your committee, sold and exchanged mules, and we call
your special attention to certain mule transactions with Carr,
Bcyd & Cos.
According to information furnished your committee, it ap
pears that Judge Perkins deposited in the Atkins National Bank
money borrowed and charged to the county in his own name, in
dividually, and not as Ordinary of the county. Just what the
amount was and why this was done your committe has been un
able to ascertain.
We find that during Judge Perkins’ administration he graded
and worked miles of public road; that at the close of his
administration he had contracted and outstanding and unpaid the
following debts: (Sheet A.)
Owega Bridge Cos., one note due Nov. 1, 1910 $* 600.00
Interest from maturity on above note 91.00
One note due Dec. 11, 1911 600.00
Interest on same from maturity 45.50
An open account with Owega Bridge C 0... 660.00
Interest on above account 124.05
The West Disinfectant Cos., principal and interest 49.42
Chemo Cos., principal and interest 55.40
Beck & Gregg, principal and interest 593.50
M. O. Scoggins *. 19.20
A. M. Robinson Cos. 125.00
Austin Bros. 24.00
W. G. Me Peck - 16.00
M. D.& H. L. Smith 7.55
Sharp & Nunn 7.50
M. C. Kiser & Cos. ... 75.60
T. F. Quillian 9.15
Smith & Sons Mfg. Cos. 553.01
Carr, Boyd & Cos. 129.92
W. A. Neal & Sons 10.00
Hardman Bros. & Nelms 46.50
Deadwyler-Wililford Cos. 8.80
A. J. Eberhart 1.40
Henry C. Barnett . 12.50
Newnan Clock Cos. 5.20
Galvion Iron Works 1173.20
Marshall-Bruce & Cos. 208.15
Atlanta National Bank, Prin. $12,500.00, interest
$2,264.00 . 14764.00
County Warrants, N. E. Bank 7986.05
Palmour Hardware Cos., bal. ac. 1912 405.75
Due Carr, Boyd & Cos., bal. on note 400.00
*
Total indebtedness, Aug. 1, 1913, not including in
terest on N. E. Bank indebtedness . - $28882.43
We recommend that none of the above accounts be paid until
they are carefully investigated and audited.
On his retirement from office Jan. 1, 1913 he turned over
to his successor. Judge Hill, the property listed in his invoice
which we are attaching as “Exhibit B.”
Judge Perkins placed a value (as you will see by “Exhibit
B. of $8,017.50 on the tools, mules, etc., at convict camp. He
valued the Hardy farm at $4,500.00.
In the present condition of the property at the convict camp,
and in accordance with the above valuation placed by Judge Per
kins, we figure that it is not worth more than 50'; of the above
valuation or $4,000.00; and as to the Hardy farm we place a value
of $4,000.00.
During Judge Perkins administration as Ordinary an in
junction suit was filed alleging an illegal tax levy. The case was
finally carried to the Supreme court, their contentions being sus
tained. There are some taxes due the county, but a failure to get
a hearing in court has kept the exact amount of taxes from being
determined. We think this should be gotten at in some legal way
and the proper amount of taxes, if any, be collected.
“EXHIBIT B.”
Invoice of Banks County Property:
18 Mules ... $ 4200.00
2 Hogs . „ 18.00
19 Sets of gear 57.00
1 Set of single harness „ 5.00
4 Two-horse wagons 152.00
1 One-horse wagon . 20.00
1 Dinner buggy 10.00
9 Wheeler scrapes 330.00
2 Convict cars . 375.00
5 Tents 152.00
4 Heaters 18.00
1 Cook stove and ware 25.00
4 Tables 2.00
30 Buckets and pans 4.50
28 Cots 84.00
28 Mattresses 56.00
28 Straw ticks 14.00
56 Sheets 42.00
28 Pillows 14.00
56 Pillow cases 20.00
196 Blankets 176.40
15 Comforts 15.00
4 Chamber buckets 5.00
3 Wheel Barrows 8.00
1 Set blacksmith tools 155.00
1 Grind stone 3.00
6 Wash tubs 4.50
3 Wash pots 8.00
1 Rub board 50
7 Lanterns 5.25
1 50-Gal. oil tank 4.00
1 Oil can 1-00
15 sticks of dynamite 1.50
26 Shovels 13.00
25 Picks 17.50
12 Mattocks 7.20
12 Axes 9.00
8 Ex. single trees 4.00
2 Large bridge wrenches 4.50
2 small wrenches 100
2 Augurs 1 2.00
6 Ex. breast yokes 9.00
1 Ex. Wheeler bit 4.50
7 Pitch forks 3.50
4 Hand saws 4.00
1 Cross-cut saw 3.00
1 Brace and set of bits 5.00
1 Lamp -50
10 Gal. lamp oil 1-50
15 Gal. of disinfectant 30.00
10 Gal. of bug destroyer J 15.00
1 Bbl. Dis. powders 24.00
2 Shot guns 30.00
1 Night clock 55.00
10 Chairs 7.00
2 Pairs handcuffs 7.00
1 Diet record 1.25
1 Whipping record 1.25
2 Two-horse plows 15.00
1 6-Horse road plow 28.00
1 6-Horse gravel plow 25.00
4 Sets of stretchers 4.00
1 Bush blade 1-25
2 Hammers 1-50
14 Feet heavy chain 3.00
60 Bushels of corn 48.00
2 Loads of shucks 5.00
3 Bushels of meal
100 Lbs. of flour 2.50
200 Lbs. of meat 26.00
5 Gal. of syrup 7. 2.50
1 Case of soda 3.00
2 6-Horse graders
1 4-Horse grader 150.00
7 Grader bits 35.00
1 Set 24-ft. steel beams ' 190.00
2-3 Car Gal. piping 760.n0
1 Disc plow 25.00
1 Disc harrow 15.00
1 Buggy and harness ... 75.00
105 Acres of land 4500.00
$12517.50
In hand of district overseer.
8 Road smoothers $ 80.00
4 Rock hammers 5.00
19 Axes _ 16.00
46 Shovels •'46.00
x Picks 4.00
6 Hoes — r I*so
29 Mattocks 15.60
10 Plow stocks 10.00
You will notice from the above list of property claimed to
have been turned over by Judge Perkins to Judge Hill and Judge
Hill's report of property now on hand, that there is quite a dif
ference or a considerable shortage. We are unable to account for
the difference in these reports.
ORDINARY HILL S ADMINISTRATION.
We have made diligent effort to ascertain the amount of the
county’s indebtedness and from the best information we can ob
tain we find up to this date, August 1, 1913, that the county is
due outstanding debts contracted by Judge Perkins in the sum of
$28,882.43. Contracted by Judge Hill since January 1, 1913,
$5,000.00. Total indebtedness, $33,882.43.
The Treasurer's report herewith submitted shows no funds
on hand, but a balance of $58.04 due him as commissions. We
find that since Judge Hill assumed charge of the convicts that
Warden Henderson worked from January 1 to April 25, two and
a half miles of public road. Since April 25 Warden Brown, who
is now in charge, has worked two and a half miles of road, making
five miles in all worked since January 1 to August 1, a period of
seven months.
We have examined the vouchers in Judge Hill's office. These
vouchers show that the sum of $2,683.06 has been paid for con
vict supplies and other expenses for maintaining the camp from
January 1 to August 1. There is now outstanding for supplies
and necessary expenses for maintaining the camp since January
1 to August 1, debts unpaid, the sum of $2,464.10, making a total
expense of keeping the convicts and expenses enumerated above
$5,147.16, or a cost of $1,029.43 per mile for road graded since
January 1 to August 1, or a cost of $735.31 per month. This ex
pense does not include the salary for Warden Brown for the
months of April, May, June and July, nor does it include ap
proximately two-thirds of a car of galvanized piping used by
Judge Ilill in the road building that was bought by Judge Per
kins before he retired from office, the full car costing $1,173.20.
EXPENSE OF CONVICT WORK FROM JAN. 1 TO AUG. 1, 'l3.
TO WARRANTS PAID.
1913.
Jan. 10. Warrant No. 23—Hill & Brown $ 135.93
Jan. 10, Warrant No. 24 —Pruitt, guard 7.00
Jan. 10, Warrant No. 26—W. R. Hill, wood for convicts.. 5.80
Jan. 10, Warrant No. 28—J. N. Hill, supplies 144.94
Jan. 10, Warrant No. 33—Freights 12.01
Jan. 10, Warrant No. 36—W. E. Hope 22.80
Feb. 1. Warrant No. 37—Beef for convicts 3.00
Feb. 1. Warrant No. 42—W. C. Rucker, guard 25.00
Feb. 2, Warrant No. 43—Hill & Brown 331.50
Feb. 8, Warrant No. 45—Shubert, guard 25.00
Feb. 8. Warrant No. 46—P. M. Wood, guard 30.00
Feb. 19, Warrant No. 48—Hill & Brown 39.50
Feb. 20. Warrant No. 49—F. M. Henderson, warden 75.00
Feb. 24. Warrant No. 55—J. H. Brown, deputy warden-. 60.00
Feb. 25, Warrant No. 56—Gillespie Company, supplies 8.22
Feb. 25, Warrant No. 57—Parker & Martin 21.75
Feb. 26, Warrant No. 59—F. M. Henderson, freights 15.30
No date, Warrant No. 60—Atkins Bank, supplies 188.32
Feb. 28. Warrant No. 61—Palmour Hardware Cos 44.20
Feb. 28, Warrant No. 62—Ed Parsons, mule 3.00
March, Warrant No. 67—P. M. Wood, guard 30.00
March 10. Warrant No. 3—Shubert. guard 25.00
March, Warrant No. 9—J. H. Brown, deputy warden 60.00
March, Warrant No. 10—Hill & Brown 70.26
March 10, Warrant No. I—G. M. Barden, pork 10.20
March 29. Warrant No. 28—Bill York, guard 25.00
March 29. Warrant No. 29—F. M. Henderson, warden-. 75.00
March 29, Warrant No. 30—F. M. Henderson 4.55
March 29, Warrant No. 32—Hill & Brown, supplies 62.16
March 29, No Warrant—Phone message ! 1.00