The Empire County argus., 1856-05-03
Report of the Grand Jury,


To the Honorable Court of Sessions:
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 occupied for the confinement
of prisoners, much decayed, and very insecure but
ceanly 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 Jam
uary last S75e 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 mpor-
tance to society of bringing such offenders to con-
dign punishment. The insecurity of the building
now in has rendered this course imperativey
necessary. In very short time this source of ex-
pense will be obvated by the completion of the
Granite Jail now in course of construction by E. Il
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
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 COM
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
$l6,0O0 of which $7,6S4 has already been
paid the contractor, being 80 per cent. of the
amount due on 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 Treasurers books
it appears there is of registered outstanding war
rants $l3, 153 AZ, and balance of cash in the
Treasury to redeem these warrants in the order of
their registry, of S4,618 40, leaving balance of
Indebtedness upon registered warrants of 1854 98
to which should be added, 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 S5,347 6l, while as appears from the pro-
ceedings of the Board of Supervisors the current
and ordinary expenses of the county government
amount to nearly 81, ,440 per month, including
payments for the Hospital.
The present Indebtedness of the county has been
occasioned by expenditures out of the ordinary
course viz survey of Carson Valley Road, $1,000 ;
plans, $1,000; balances to retiring officers and to
Road Supervisors accruing before October last in
all amounting to $1,000, which, added to jail pay
mens of S7,6S4, makes amount of Sl46S4 out
of the ordinary Deducting the county in
debtedness of S1l, ,347 Gl from this amount, it
appears that ordinary current expenses might have
Deen uefrayed without mourning dollar OF lndeOt
edness and balance accumulated in the Treas
ury of S3336. 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 the 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 chargeabe to
the State, thereby saving the county several thou
sand dollars In this connexion 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
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 we'll 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 a 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 further business before
them ask to be discharged from further duty.
G. w. CODDlNGTON,
Foreman Grand Jury
! Coloma, April 18th, 1856.