The Empire County argus., 1856-04-19
Report of the Grand Jury.

10 uhe I1On0rd6te court OF OeSStOHS:
The Grand Jury in the discharge of their duties
under the direction of the Court, have found in all
seven true bills which are herewith returned-one
dismissed. They have also visited the Jail and find
the old building now occupied for the confinement
of prisoners much decayed, and very insecure but
cleanly and in good order. The prisoners are pro-
vided with wholesome food, as good as criminals
have any reason to expect. Since the first OF jan
uary last S752 so has been expended for the pay
ment of guards, and during the year preceding for
the same purpose Sl,6S0. 1t has been deemed
necessary by the Judicial officers and the Board of
Supervisors to keep continual watch employed, in
consequence of the Nervousness of offences commit
ted by some of the persons confined, and the impor
tance to society of bringing such offenders to con-
dign punishment The insecurity of the building
now in use has rendered this course mperatvely
necessary. In very short time this source of ex-
pense will be obviated by the completion of the
Granite Jail now in course of construction by E. L.
Raun contractor, under the supervision of r. E..
Draper, Esq. The jury inspected this work and
found it further advanced than anticipated. The
southern and eastern outer walls and all the cells
are now at full elevation, ready to receive the stone
ceiling which work is now in progress. The floors
Of the cells are composed of granite blocks two
feet in thickness and all the division walls CON-
posed also of stone, and altogether substantial
piece of masonry. The doors are substantially
constructed of heavy bar iron and securely hung
and fastened. The contract price for this work is
$4,000, of which sum S7,6S4 has already been
paid the contractor, being so per cent. of the
amount due the work completed up to the Sth
day of March last; since which time the work has
been progressing and is to be completed according
to the terms of the contract by the first of June
next.
FINANCIAL. According to the Treasurer's books,
it appears there is of registered outstanding war
rants Sl3, 1853 AZ. and a balance of cash in the
tO thaSn re in tbn Or6n of
their registry of S4,6lS 40, leaving balance of
Indebtedness upon registered warrants of IS S534 9S
to which should be added, as per Auditors books,
about $4,000 of warrants not yet presented for reg
istry, making balance of total Indebtedness
amounting to Sll .534 9S The average of receipts
into the treasury for the past six months has been
monthly, $5,347 61, while rs appears from the pro-
ceedings of the Board of Supervisors, the current
and ordinary expenses of the county government
amount to nearly $4,440 per month, including
payments for the Hospital
The present Indebtedness of the county has been
occasoned by expenditures out of the ordinary
course, viz: survey of Carson Valley Road 81 900
plans, $1,000; balances to retiring officers and to
Road Supervisors accrung before October last, in
all amounting to S1,00O which, added to Jail pay
ments of S7,6S4, makes an amount of S14,G84 out
of the ordinary course. Deductng the county in
debtedness Of S1l,347 6l from this amount it
appears that ordinary current expenses might have
been betrayed without mourning dollar of indebt-
edness, and balance accumulated in the Treas
ury of $3,336. With diligence in the collection of
foreign miners licenses and other branches of rev.
enue it is believed the current receipts for the
future will fully equal the average of tho past six
months. If so, current expenses may be paid and
the present outstanding Indebtedness of the county
discharged without resort to any county tax. This
is desirable inasmuch as if no county tax is levied
the whole expense of assessing will be chargeable to
the State thereby saving the county several thou
sand dollars In this connexon it is proper to
remark that the county has an unsettled claim
against the State of upwards of $4,000 for Asses
sors services rendered last year, which, without
doubt, will be adjusted at an early day and will
reduce the Indebtedness of the county in cores
pondng amount.
The disbursements for highway labor have been
considerable and hereafter should be carefully con-
Quoted, to the end that money may not be eXpend-
ed on roads wanting permanency in their locations.
The books and papers in the various county Off
ces appear to be well kept and arranged by the
present incumbents. The Jury noticed great want
of uniformity in the size of the books used in each
Office, and would suggest that each Office hereafter
procure books of uniform size and appearance
and of the best quality, in order to secure both
neatness and durability of public records
The thanks of the Jury are due to the Court,
District Attorney, Sheriff and other officers, for the
kind attention shown by them to this Jury All of
which is respectfully submitted.
Your Jury having no further business before
them ask to be discharged from further duty.
G. w. CODDINGTON,
Foreman Grand Jury
Coloma, April 10Th, 1856,