The Nevada journal., 1855-02-16
Report OF the Grand Jury.

The Grand Jury of Nevada county, for the
February term of the Court of SESSIONS, in
terminating their duties respectfully represent
TO the Honorable Court that, during their
deliberatations, the following true bills of in
dictment have been found for offenscs commit
ted within the county, since the last term OF
court. to-wlt three for assault and battery :;
one for resisting an officer in serving process
and one for attempt to bribe Justice of the
Peace.
In the further performance of their duties
the Grand Jury have visited the public build
ngs OF the county, and, upon investigation,
find that the accommodations for the re-
spective Courts are of very inferior charac-
ter, compelling the Sheriff of the county latter
ly TO resort, at great and onerous expense, to
the hiring for the use of these Courts, Grand
and Petit Juries, other buildings, the property
of private individuals The capacity of the
county Jail they also observe, is altogether in
sufficient for the requirements of the county,
and owing to the want of ventilation, the two
cells used for close confinement are in the
most noisome and unhealthy condition, and a
disgrace to the County. The Jail apartments
are kept in as cleanly condition as the con-
s.ruction Of the building will admit, but the
building itself is wholly un fit for the purp oses
to which it is put, and common humanity to-
wards those who are obliged to be confined
within the walls of a prison demands an immc-
diate reformation. Under these circumstances
the Grand Jury do urge the immediate COM
pletion OF the contract entered into on behalf
of the county for the construction of County
Court House, with suitable accommodations
for all the county officers Grand and Petit
Jurics, in accordance with the plans and spec
ifications, as advertised by the Court of Ses-
sions, WITH however, the construction of the
basement of the proposed building so modified
as to provide suitable cells to be used as a
county Jail, in lieu of the present building used
for that purpose, and similar to the plan adop-
ted by Sacramento county. At the present
time vast and usel So expenditure of the
county funds is made for office rents for the
Sheriff Treasurer, Clerk and other county off,
GERS, which suitable building the property
of the county, will entirely dispense with.
Many and frequent have been the complaints
of the citizens Of the county touching the
loose and unsatisfactory mode of accountable
, ity between the receiving and distributing Of
ficers of the county. The gentlemen having
charge Of its fiscal affairs the grand jury, as a
body, have no reason to complain of, but they
deem it duty they owe to these officers and
g their fellow citizens, to recommend the adop-
tion Of such measures as shall compel q strcter
: accountability of one to the other and the pub
: lie for whom they act. In furthcrance of this
object, to often attempted, and which has thus
far so signally failed, the Grand Jury would
} earnestly recommend the appointment by the
Court of q Board of Investigation from the
body of the citizens of the county, whose duties
; shall be to inquire into the state of the fnan-
, ces Of the county, and to investigate the &C.
counts Of all past and present officers, in such
manner as they may deem expedient for the
best interests of the county, and to report the
result of their Investigations at the next regu-
lar term of the Court, which report shall be
published at the earliest practicable period
| for the Information of the citizens generally.
4
The Grand Jury hare perceived with much
regret the ineficieDcy of the law in the sup
!, preston of houses of i-fame and other sources
OF immortality and vice, and in discharge of
their duties, as honest and good citizens, hav-
, ing 10 view the elevation and not debasement
OF the great body of the people they recommend
through the Honorable Court, to the Legisa-
ture now IN session, stringent laws, prohibit
ing the carrying of concealed weapons, the
J punishment OF drunkenness, the suppression of
houses OF prostitution, and of public gambling.
The Grand Jury would also recommend that,
by special act of the Legislature, traverse ju-
ries and witnesses in criminal cases be paid
for each days attendance, out Of the funds of
their respective counties, the fee of four dol
lars.
In conclusion, the Grand Jury recommend
that for the public convenience of the citizens
OF the County, all County officers be required
to have their Offices at the County Scat
Iroxel, Jas H Long,
0 Blackman, w NJ Allen,
Jesse Oran, &c Duffy.
Van Stayoren. W Hastings,
John MeAllis II Keyes,
Jas NanliagoD, Michael Carver,
ID Curry. j B Truesdale,
Norton Buel, Warren Davis.
n Rlgby, Comstock,
w Wood, Chas r Roberts,
w Moore,
7 W COLBURN, Foreman.
4 SINGULAR EsCAPE.-A sailor. named