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i
iRKE COUNTY COURIER
151 Broad Street
J. E. GARDNER,
EOITOR AND PROPRIETOR
Subscription $1.00 Per Year
CASH IN ADVANCE
Entered at the Poet-Office at Athene,
Oa., as second-class matter] it-
PUBLISH KI> KVKHY SATURDAY.
Swat the tly!
The canvass just closed for the
M. C. A. building fund shows what
Athens can do when she starts after
anything.
Q hi v
"Shall the presidency he bought
and sold?” asks a New York paper.
Not until it has been thoroughly ad'
vertiaed.—Macon Telegraph.
A combination has !>een formed
at Akran, Ohio, with ten million
capital to control the clay products
industry. They manufacture sewer
pipe principally.
"Improve the public roads with
money that is now being wasted I
This is the battle cry of the demo,
crate in Congress, and it is being
taken up by the farmers in all parts
of the country.
It is reported that the Michigan
delegation at Washington was so
wrought up over the Ty Cobb inci
dent that a congressional investiga
tion into what was called the bast
ball trust was talked of.
Thero is more joy ir. a printing
ntlice over one sinner that pays in
advance and abuses the editor on
every occasion, than there is over
ninety and nine who borrow the pa
per and sing its praises without con
trihuting a cent to keep it out of
the poorhouse.—Greensboro Herald
Journal.
If at the coming session of the
Legislature they will pass a law re
quiring school teachers to get their
money before any of the judges or
officers are paid they will soon find
a way to correct the moBt shameful
evil now existing in this state.—
Bainbridge Post.
“Soaking’’ the Consumer.
Once more the poor old consumer
has to dig down into his pocket and
pay tribute to a trust. This time
is the coal trust, and the excuse
given for this trust’s latest scheme
to gouge a few extra dollars out of
the public is the fact that the coal
miners struck.
There is no evidence that the coal
strike which was not, strictly speak
ing, a strike, cost the trust anything
except the profit it would have made
had the men not laid down their
tools pending a readjustment of
their contracts. But with this weak
excuse for a basis, the trust has de
creed that there shall be no usual
spring discount of 30 cents per ton
on coal this year.
Thus the consumer pays not only
the loss in profits suffered by the
trust during the "strike,” but he
also pays for the slightly increased
cost of mining, due to the small
raise in pay granted the miners.
Does anybody pay the miner for
the money he lost in wages daring
the lay off? Well, not that anybody
knows of.
McCabe Still on the Job.
George B. McCabe, the Agricul
ture department underling who
pestered and hampered Dr. Harvey
W. Wiley until that efficient public
servant was driven from office, after
3J years of faithful work, has
branched off into another line of
activity. He is now trying to drag
down the standard of meat inspec
tion tfcsta, so that the beef trust can
sell the carcasses of diseased cattle
and hogs as food.
At committee hearings brought
about by Congressman Nelson it was
testified to that MoCabe practically
issued orders to the government
meat inspectors to let up In their
rigid tests, and to pass over those
carcasses which where found to be
only partly diseased.
How long must the .oonsumers of
this country stand for this-man
McCabe, arch enemy of the pare
food laws of the nation?
Buff Orpington eggs at 11.00 per
setting, Apply at this offios.
Prevents Worry and Fear
A T THE LAST MOMENT it wju
necessary to postpone the visit to
L relatives in a distant city. Any
thing short of a full explanation would
cause worry and fear. What could be doner
The Long Distance Bell Telephone solved
the problem. A personal talk cleared up the eit-
I nation, dispelled worry and completed plans for a
: visit at a later date.
I In every day, personal affairs the Long Dla>
I tance Bell Telephone can save you worry, incon
venience and loss of time. Why not try it?
Bt the war, have von a Bell Telephone?
SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE
AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY
Martin Bros.
THE HARNESS MAKERS.
We make Harness to order of every deecrtptinn, and repair all
makee. Our motto ie Quality and Good Workmanship. Try us,
and we will please you.
SHOE REPAIRING
Have your shoes repaired while you wait. We use nothing bill
the lieat qvality of leather and the latest machinery. And we guar
antee all our work to give absolute satisfaction.
Martin Bros.
CLAYTON STREET.
Athens Dental Parlors
THE POPULAR PRICEIDENTISTS
$5 00 Set of Teeth—-only S3 00
$8.00 Set of Teeth.—only $5.00
$12.00 Set of Teeth- - -only $8.00
Gold Crown and Bridge workSS
$3 00 and $4.00 a tooth
GoldlFilling $1.00
All Work Guaranteed or Money Refunded.
512-513 Southern Mutual Building. Take elevator and get off at fifth
floor. Lady attendant. Phone 364.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + +** + •!•*
MANHATTAN CAFE
FOR LADIES AND QENTLEMEN +
114 College Avenue Near Lyric Theatre +
Best Pjnner in the City for 35Cts. J
Barbecued Meats Served Daily. Fish, Oysters
and Game in Season. Short Orders a Specialty.
ALL WHITE COOKS.
CHRIS JONES, Proprietor
TELEPHONE 771
1+*+++*****+++ +*++*+**++*+**
^ 150.00
Buys the Most Complete
SAW MILL
Built in the Southern States. .Write for Prices on Larger Sizes.
GAINESVILLE IRON WORKS
GAINESVILLB, GEORGIA.
Jury
Presentments
In the Spot Light
This man looks well dressed. It
is because he has had an interview
with ns and we have improved his
appearance without depleting hie
parse. Let us treat you likewise,
It ie a fact if von lot ns keep your
Clothes in Order. You will get more
comfort and also have a greater
earning power.
White Pressing Co,
176 Broad Bt. Telephone 686
Eyes Scientifically Examined
Without Drugs
By RETINOSCOPY, the most accurate method known. Come
in and *ee thia latest achievement in optica. No charge for an
examination. Lee see matched. Frame* repaired,
HAUGHEV & HAUGHEY
166 Oollags At#. OPTICIANS Athena, Georgia
To Hon. Charles H. Brand, Judge of
Superior Court, Clarke County, Oa.
We, the Grand Jury, drawn and
sworn to serve Tor the April adjourn
ed term 1912, Clarke Superior Court,
respectfully submit the following re
port and recommendations, vis.:
Through committees appointed for
the purpose, we have examined the
hooks und affairs of the various
county officers as required by law,
and take pleasure in reporting that
we find that the Interests of the
county are In the hands of competent
and faithful officials, who have fur
nished renewed proof that they de
serve the confidence of the people.
The Tax Collector's hooks ore us
usual. In perfect order, and show
that he has handled $126,079.16 of
the funds of the state and county
during the p/4t six months, and we
attach hls coiulensed report showing
the sources from which he received
this amount und the manner In
which It has b**en disbursed.
The Collector calls our attention
to the fnet that there are many un
collected flfas in the hands of the
Sheriff for collection, which should
be accounted for, us the parties
against whom they are issued are
owners of property and could be
forced to pay Mid we recommend
that the lax Collector Insist upon
prompt returns in all cases, and rule
the delinquent officers if necessary.
We have examined the Tax Re
ceiver’s digest for 1911, and com
mend him for hls untiring efforts
compel proper returns of property by
the taxpayers, and feel that
should he upheld by the citizens who
observe their oaths and return their
property at fair valuations.
Hoard of Equalizer*.
We believe that there should
some change in the method of secur
ing returns of property for taxation
by which more complete returns
personal property may he demanded
and more equitable returns on real
estate he called for, and hope our
representative in the Legislature
will favor such legislation ub will
provide a Board of Equalisers
each county.
The Clerk of the Superior Court
giving faithful service, and hls office
is as well kept as the limited conven
iences ami room at hls disposal will
allow. The crowded condition of the
vault and office testify to the need
a new courthouse with more room
and better protection for the records.
We recommend that the practice
of allowing court papers to be taken
out of the office without an order
of the Judge be discontinued.
The report of Jho County School
Superintendent shows a very regret
table condition of the work under'
hls control, on account of the scarci
ty of funds.
County Unit System.
It has been necessary to reduce
the school term to five months-
stead of nine months as heretofore—
and the teachers are not paid their
salaries promptly, both of which pre-
ent the employment of the most de
sirable teachers.
We sincerely trust that some plan
may be worked out by which the
chlldreu who attend the country
schools may receive the same advan
tages as those in the city, and call
attention to the unit plan now being
discussed.
We attach the report of the Super
intendent, which shows the attend
ance and coudHion of the schools un
der his charge.
Having hoard much criticism of
the manner in which the road work
of the county was being done,
joint committee on Roads and
Bridges and Public Property made
careful Inspection of the roads and
county farm.
The farm was found to be in al
most faultless condition, being con
ducted in a business-like way by the
Superintendent, and furnished with
every comfort and convenience tor
the use of the paupers and convicts
who are kept there, and ahowlng
moat satisfactory results of the farm
ing operations.
The convict camps were found to
be In perfect sanitary condition and
conducted in a manner that corn*
mands the approval of the state of*
fleers.
The County
We find that there are about 200
miles of public roads In the county,
of which about 125 miles are graded
and about 75 miles top soiled and In
fine condition*. The work of top soil*
Ing and grading is being puahed as
rapidly as possible, and In the courae
of the next two years the county
■hould have a perfect system of per
manent roada.
In the meantime we recommand
that the County Commlislonara give
attention to the pmaller roada and
keep them In passable condition un
til they are reached for permanent
work.
The bridges of the county are in
fair condition, thought of out-of-data
construction, and wa recommend
that aa It becomes necessary to bnlld
new bridges they be built of Iron and
made wider than the old ones.
Bo far aa the Committee could as
certain the road work ot the county
has not suffered on account of the
failure to elect a Road Superinten
dent, as Commissioner Holman has
given It hls personal supervision—
without any remuneration—and Is
determined to maintain the reputa
tion of the county for having the
best roada In the state.
We find the books and affairs* of
the Sheriff in satisfactory condition,
except that he has not furnlibed a
report showing the number of pris
oners. time of confinement, amount
collected by him from the county,
etc., and we recommend that he
make auch a report hereafter.
The dockets of the Notaries Pub
lic and Ex-Officio Justices of Peace
are kept In the usual raanuer, and
we hear of no complaints as to the
conduct of their courts.
The hook of the County Treasurer
has been checked with the hooks of
others officers Who pay fuuds to him,
and found correct, with vouchers for
all disbursements charged by him
The finances of the county are In
good condition, there being a balance
of $41,220.80 in the treasury.
The report of the Commissioners
of Roads and Revenues to this body
Is a very full statement of the affairs
under their control, and we attach
the same hereto for publication
We find the books and records of
these officers kept In the most accu
rate maimer, but note the need of
better protection of same from fire,
and trust that the early erection of
a new courthouse will furnish ample
fireproof vaults In which to preserve
the important maps and records In
i heir charge.
Work Our Own Roads.
The commissioners have asked an
expression of our opinion on the sub
ject of working the road force of
Clarke County In adjoining counties,
and while we think the circumstances
Justified their action in the case ol
work done in Madison county, we
think that In view of the great com
plaint as to lack of work In our own
county, the Commissioners should
confine their work to our own thor
oughfares. It will be years before al!
of the roads in Clarke county can be
put in good condition, and we recoin
mend that the commissioners make
every effort to shorten the time.
We approve the action of the Cora
mlssioners in employing a “special
officer" or criminal bailiff, and think
the work of such an officer will great
ly aid the prosecuting officers In get
ting evidence and punishing crimi
nals.
Cattle Tick Question,
We are doubtful of the advisabil
ity of appropriating $800 per annum
of county funds to employ a man to
co-operate with the officers of the U,
S. government and the state of Geor
gia in eradicating cattle ticks.
This county being a consumer and
not a producer of cattle, does
seem to be interested In this work to
any great extent, and as adjoining
counties have not joined in the work,
It causes much annoyance and
nense to our citizens without any
compensating advantage.
Judge West’s Salary,
In view of the fact that the Su
preme Court of the state has decided
that Judge Henry S. West is still
judge of the City Court—holding ov
er under his appointment until his
successor is qualified—we reeoni
mend that the County Commissioners
pay him the salary due since Septem
ber 12, 1911, at the rate of $2,000.00
per annum.
We have received from the County
Commissioners paid coupons from
county bonds, aggregating $1610.00,
as per Hat furnished by them, and
have burned said coupons.
Mr. John T. Plttard’a term of office
as County Commlsslorer having ex
plred, It became our duty to elect hla
successor, and believing that he had
served the county efficiently and un
selfishly—under most trying circum
stances—we have re-elected him for
a term of three years. ^ '
Commission Bhonld Act.
The impression prevails that per
sonal differences in the Board have
seriously hampered Its efficiency; but
we are assured that these differences
have been exaggerated, and that the
public service Ie not suffering by rea
son of them. Nevertheless it appears
that the Board hat not elected
Chairman or Clerk for this year, and
has no Road Superintendent, as a re
sult of the strained relations that
exist
The Commissioners should realize
that such conditions should not con
tinue, and the public haa a right to
inilit that the Board organise aa pro
vided by law and that harmony shall
prevail.
Our action In re-electing Mr. Pit-
tard was the result ot our conviction
that he was not responsible for the
unfortunate conditions, and could
possibly do more to correct them, and
protect the county’s Interest, than
any other person.
Developments within the past few
days show that throngh the efforts of
msmbers of this body, the two com
missioners who have been o
friendly, terms have made explana
tion! tad apologies to each other,
wUofc will u< the diaawaleu (a ttui
Board, and (In the Count? the unit-
ed services of the members In con
ducting the business entrusted to
them.
This result is most gratifying to us,
and we commend the spirit shown by
the Commissioners in putting aside
personal feel lugs for the public wel
fare.
The terms of Mr. J. H. Towns and
Mr. George H. Thurmond as mem
bers of the Couuty Board of Educa
tion having expired, aud it being
necessary to elect a member to fill the
unexplred term of Mr. W. R. Tuck,
resigned (the vacancy having been
filled by* the appointment of Mr. W.
W. Puryear to serve until the Grand
Jury elected a successor) we have
elected Mr. J. H. Towns and Mr. Wat
son C. Daniel for full terms, and Mr.
W. W. Puryear lo fill the unexplred
term of Mr. W. R. Tuck.
Under the new law forbidding the
election of more than one member of
the board from the same militia dis
trict. Mr. George H. Thurmond was
Ineligible for re-election.
New Justice Court Bulldlug.
Ve recommend that the County
Commissioners appropriate
of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to
pay for the erection of a new Justice
Court building in Bradberry'i
trlct, the old building having been
removed on account of the sale of
the lot. •
We recommend that the County
Commissioners appropriate the sum
of one hundred dollars ($100.00 for
the enlargement of the Justice Court
building at Oconee Heights—it ap
pearing from a petition of the citi
zens that the present bulldlug is In
adequate.
We recommend the appointment of
Mr. W. A. Rhodes as Notary Public
and Kx-Offlcio Justice of the Peace for
the 1347th District—there being
vacancy In that district—and also the
appointment of Mr. P. D. Tuck as
Sotnry Public and Ex-Officio Justice
of the Peace for Buck Branch district
(220th district).
Since the meeting of the last Grand
Jury an election has been held to
decide whether the county should is
sue $200,000 of bonds for the pur
pose of erecting a new courthouse.
Jail, etc., and by an overwhelming
majority the County Commissioners
were authorized to issue the bonds
and dispose of the present court
house grounds.
“Carlton Lot" Approved.
We heartily approve the action of
the Commissioners in selecting the lot
on corner of Washington and Jackson
streets, known as the “Carlton lot,
for the site of the new buildings, and
look forward with great pleasure
the early completion of a courthouse
that will be adequate for the purpose,
conveniently located, and n credit
the county in every respect.
We also approve the action of the
Commissioners in Belling the present
courthouse grounds and buildings
the City of Athens for $2",500—the
price having been fixed by appraisers
chosen by the County and the City
according to an agreement made be
fore the election.
While it is possible that a higher
price might have been secured
selling the property for private pur
poses, we think that the fact that the
city will preserve It for public use,
and tbat the citizens of the city will
pay most of the cost of building the
new courthouse, should prevent nny
dissatisfaction with the notion of the
appraisers,
Payment of Fines.
Our attention has been called to
the rase of an offender ugainst the
prohibition law who was heavily fined
In the City Court of Athens during
the past year, who was allowed by
the officers of the Court to pay hls
fine In installments, and that part of
the amount Is still unpaid.
recommend that this practice
be forbidden and every convicted of
fender be compelled to pay the pen
alty imposed by the court without de
lay or favor of any kind.
Favor Salary System.
’It would be possible to nullify the
sentences of the courts If the officers
are allowed to waive their claims for
costs, etc., and we believe that the
proper way to prevent such practices
Is to put all officers on salaries and
abolish the fee system entirely.
In pursuance of the speclaj charge
of the Judge in regard to violations of
the banking laws of the atate, we
have carefully investigated the case
of the Athens Trust and Ranking
Company, and indicted the officer!
that were charged with mismanage
ment and misappropriation of the
funds of that institution. We trust
that the strict enforcement of the law
under the bills reported by .this body
will have the effect of preventing any
•uch unfortunate occurrences In the
future.
New Banking Laws Needed.
The banking lawa of the state do
not appear to be sufficiently strict,
and we hope that proper legislation
will be passed to protect purchasers
of stock and depositors of funds from
the wiles of unscrupulous promoters.
We heartily agree with the Judge
In his ’position In regard to reckless
and dangerous running of automo
biles, and while we know ot no case
of serious Injury to any one aa a re
sult of aueh recklessness, we feel sure
that sooner or later there will
some dreadful accident, and we Join
him In calling on owners and users of
automobiles to show more considera
tion for tbs rights and lives of others.
After the Railroads. .
Wo art Informed that thsre has
bean mush oouplaint ol sobs ol ths
railroads having stations In Athens
for failure to post the arrival time ot
delayed trains, ~ or provide conven
iences for persons who are compelled
to wait for them, and we recommend
that the proper officer make an effort
to secure evidence of aueh violations
of the law and submit It to the next
Jury.
County Line Adjustment.
We recommend that the County
Commissioners have the line between
Clarke and Jackson counties definite
ly established, as we are Informed
that some of the citizens of Clarke
County are compelled to pay taxes in
Jackson county because ot the claim
that they are residents of that county.
We recommend that the County
Commissioners furnish a bound book
for the use of Grand Juries, In which
to keep a record of their proceedings
for reference, as there la now no way
of knowing what cases were consider
ed by previous Juries or what disposi
tion was made of them.
have made some Investigation
uf the charge that the prohibition law
was being violated, and If we may. ac
cept the evidence of the wltneaaes
that appeared before ua, the county Is
(o be congratulated upon the fact
tliut all the liquor used Is “shipped
in," and no citizen of the county
would furnish any in vlolaiton of law,
under any circumstances.
. We .return thanks to Judge C. H.
Brand for his careful directions to
this body and helpful suggestions as
to the performance of our duties, and
to Solicitor General Clifford Walker
for his painstaking assistance and ad
vice, which were so cheerfully given
at all times.
We recommend that these present
ments— with the reports attached, bo
published in the Athens Banner, Ath
ens Tribune, and Clarke County Cou
rier, and that the sum of $25.00 be
paid each paper therefor.
We recommend that the Clerk of
this body be paid $10.00 for service*
A. E. GRIFFITH, Foreman.
G. W. BARBER,
T. A. C. McMAHAN,
J. N. BOOTH.
.1. W. CIIIPLEY,
JNO. W. NOELL.
T. R. CRAWFORD.
W. F. BLACK.
GEO. O’KELLEY,
S. O. HUTCHESON. Clerk,
W. A. FOWLER.
J. F. RHODES.
C. H. NEWTON,
E. K. GREER.
J. II. MEALOR.
W. J. PEEPLES.
G. H. WILLIAMSON.
B. F. WOODS.
F. A. LIPSCOMB.
CLARKE SUPERIOR COURT.
April Adjourned Term. ISIS.
It is ordered by the Court that tho
foregoing presentments be spread up
on the minutes of the Court and that
they be published as recommended by
the Grand Jury.
CLIFFORD WALKER,
Solicitor General.
Report of Commissioners Roads and
Revenue, Clarke County, Geor
gia, to Grand Jory, April Term,
1012, Adjourned to
May 13th.
The law creating this body and re
quiring a report In writing to your
body certainly did not anticipate
tho growth nnd developments tbat
hnve taken place since its enactment.
It has been our custom and It la our
desire at this time to turn over our
entire records to your body for fur
ther examination. It will not be
akaing too much of you to read our
minutes which contain records of
our acts whilo sitting as a court, and
to examine our receipts for amounts
withdrawn from the treasury. These
will Indicate to you what funds we
havo used and for what purpfee.
You will have to review the roads to
see what we have accomplished. Our
chief business and greatest task is
the building of roads. This work la
under the full and absolute control
of Commissioner Holman, who will
make hls report to you and acquaint
you with work accomplished during
the last six (6) months.
The past winter has been a very
trying one, and we have had much
complaint of condition of roada.
Where roada have only been graded
and surfaced and not well packed,
they became muddy and cut up, hut
where well coated with top aoll, they
have stood the teat remarkably well,
and we are convinced that top soil Is
the beat material within our noth
for road building, and we believe
they will prove the most satisfactory
and durable, and that when all our
roada are graded and well top soiled,
that they can be maintained at small
cost.
In considering the general welfare
of the county, we must appreciate
the Importance of the city of Athene,
and we feel that any acts ot spirit of
liberality we mar enrols# In the use
of the county's funds that may min
ister directly to her welfare will re
dound to the best Interest ot the
county Itself. It hhs been our policy
to Invade the city limits ,and to do
some work on Its main thorough
fares. It la our purpose to continue*
this liberal spirit, and to extend fur
ther aid In this direction.
In the earlier years Athena was
the market for northeast Georgia
when wagons were the mode or con
veyance. After the coming of the
railroad, she still held and noif'boldi .
her prominence as. n distributing
point, but the growing railroad
(Oonti&md on p$|t,8)