The Empire County argus., 1856-08-16
Grand Jury Report.

STATE CALIFORNIA,
County of El DorodO.
Tn Court of Sessions of said County, August Term A.
The Grand Jury empannelled and in attendance upon
said Court beg leave TO submit the following Report:
After session of six days, they have found eleven bills
of Indictment. and dismissed cases; and they have
devoted much of their time circumstances would ad
nit to the inspection of the books and papers OF the
various county Offices and that every thing appears to be
conducted in a business like and proper manner
The Grand Jury visited the county Jail, AID found no
person therein unlawuy deained The prisoners appear
TO be well provided with beds and bedding We also OBJ
served degree of cleanliness in and about the cells No
complaint made by those confined III regard TO their
treatment except that they were not properly fed and
that the cells need ventilation Upon investigation, the
Grand Jury discover that their food is OF very coarse
material and the cells are not sufficiently ventilated Inc
officers having charge of the keeping OF The prisoners,
offer AS an excuse for the apparent abandonment OF the
duty above mentioned that the Board OF Supervisors nave
failed and refused to allow price adequate ior he servc
es performed and expense incurred in procuring suitable
food for the prisoners.
The Grand Jury would therefore recommend that an
arrangement be made by the Board OF Supervisors with
the Sheriff to the effect that the Jaor receive monthly
salary for services in attending the County Jail say Sl5o
per month"; and that he be allowed IS per week Tor board
ing each prisoner confined and that they may be fed with
good and substantial food. We also recommend the lm-
mediate ventilation of the cells by opening one to the
other.
There are complaints from portions of the County
in regard the horrible condition OF the Public Highways
winch the Grand Jury would call the attention of the
Board of Supervisors.
The Grand Jury have observed with deep regret that
recently growing disregard of law is being infused in The
public mind the banu influence OF which is almost daily
becoming painfully m niest. Disregard of private and
well established rights by acts OF violence has been brought
to our notice in the examination of which, has become
apparent that organized bands Of men threatening to
commit deeds OF awlesSness encouraged by the feelg
eugendered by pecious organ zaons in other portions
the STATE The disposition to set at defiance law and
the authority Of the Courts should be speedily checked
in order to do which the cond gn and certain pun
ishmen known our laws should be promptly meted out
all offenders who may be found gully Of or prtlcpa
ing in, aiding abetling i'll any unlawful proceeding
The Grand jury have examined The books OF the Super
intendent of Public Schools and find Indebtedness of
81 $50 for building and repairing School Houses and
hen incidental expenses, and recommend to the Board
of Supervisors thai this Indebtedness be discharged by
levyng County tax or by an appropriation from the
general funds.
. Tue Grand Jury further state that they have examined
the County Buildings and find the Court House
pied in Il very diapdaed condition and wholly inadequate
ior the accommodation of County Officers and holding of
Courts and would recommend to the Board OF Supervls
ors that measures be taken circumstances will
permit for the erection of good and substantial hreproo
brick building
The Grand Jury desire before closing their report to
turn their thanks to the District Attorney the Sheriff and
Deputies for the kind attention and courtesy shown them
during their session. Having further business the
Grand Jury ask to be discharged.
GEORGE DUDEN Foreman PETER L. WINNER
A. H. HAwLEY G. w. MAYLoTT,
JOHN 4. MCDouGALD G. G. CHAPMAN,
c. A. BURTON, JoHN CRoCKER,
p. b. Fox JF. THOMPSON,
l. S. PITTS, +. S BENNETT,
S l.. MAGEE, SAMUEL WHITE,
CHARLES SCmEFFER, H. T. RICE,
JOHN l.. HUNTREss.