The Empire County argus., 1856-06-14
Grand Jury Report.

Grand Jury Report
The Grand Jury having closed their labors respect
fully submit the yfollowing Report:
The Grand Jury have found Bills of Indictments
against 81 persons for the following offences Grand
Larceny, 4 ; Robbery, 5; Attempt to commit Rob
berry, Z Receiving stolen property l Assault with
intent to commit Murder, s. Assault with intent to
do bodily injury 3; Perjury, l Violating election
law, 5.
We have examined into the affairs of the various
county officers, and find them to have been managed
very creditably to the present incumbents. But in
connection with this we will state that from invesi-
cations before us, the official acts Of some of the
Justices of the Peace show conclusivey to say the
least, utter want of competency to discharge the
duties assigned them. And we would recommend
the county Treasurer in conjunction with the Board
of Supervisors to examine carefully into the acts and
delinquencies if any, of all Justices of the Peace in
the county. From the careless and bungling manner
in which some of the dockets of Justices of the Peace
are kept it seems impossible to understand the
ing OF some of the judgments rendered without per-
sonal explanation. No items of costs are kept, and
without this being done, these officers may impose
upon those who are unfortunate as to be ignorant
of the law exactng from them exorbtant charges to
which they not entitled by law. In one case OF
assault and battery which came under our notice. the
record showed but three or four witnesses eX-
amined, and the defendant fined one dollar and
costs, amounting to over forty dollars. But as be-
fore stated no items of the costs are kept and from
the limited means Of investigation before U.S. we know
not whether the charges are correct or not but it
looks to say the least suspicious. 1t affords us, how
ever, great pleasure to report that most of the JUS
ces OF the Peace in the county have performed their
duties in the most creditable manner.
From an eXaminatiin Of the Treasurers books, we
find the outstanding indebtedness of the county, of
registered warrants up to the 9TH of june 1856, to
be $4472 43. But there is yet due the county from
the State the of $lOS6 90, pro rata for Asses
sors services for the year 1855. And we recommend
that the county Treasurer in his next quarery settle
ment, with the State Treasurer, compel settlement
of this account.
We find that the present Board of Supervisors
have managed the financial affairs Of the county with
good Judgment and economy, and arc deserving of
the highest consideration for the financial ability thus
far shown.
- No Hospital Fund has been received from the
State Treasurer since July 1855, at which time the
sum of 3700 90 was paid over to the county Treas
urr. The pro rata Of that fund due this county on
the first Monday of September 1855 the first Mon
day OF December, 1855 the first Monday of March,
1856, and the first Monday of June, 1856; being
one full year remains unpaid The Board of Super
vsorS in March last authorized the county Treasurer
to draw from the State Treasurer the amount then
due this county from this fund, but owing to the
neglect of the State Treasurer to make the proper
apportlOnment OF the amount due has been us vet
received. We therefore recommend that the county
Treasurer and Board of Supervisors insist upon
speedily settlement Of the amount due this county,
from the above source
BY the contract entered into in June last, with
Drs Harvey and Clark, there is a clause requiring
the contractors to enter to the credit of the county
all sums received from patients, received into the
county Hospital. And we recommend the Board Of
Supervisors to make close investigation and see if
that part of the contract has been in no wise evaded
by the contractors.
We would call the especial attention of all Justi-
cos OF the Peace throughout the county to the ncccs
sity and duty of trying all criminal cases over which
they have jurisdiction. Too many cases Of this ma
turc have been brought before Grand Jurcs in order
as we believe to screen compainanS and responsible
ties under the secrecy of this tribunal And by pur-
suing this course heavy expense is cntailcd upon
the county individuals too prefer complaints before
Grand Juries of petty offences, who lack the moral
courage to make complaints as they should do before
Magistrates who have equal jurisdiction with the
Court OF Sessions. We conceive it to be the duty
OF all good citizens to bring all offenders to Justice
and shun no responsible that properly devoves upon
them. We conceive this to be the proper course
especially towards large number of persons in var
lous parts OF the county, that can be denomnated
nothing less than common vagrants. And we call
the attention of the District Attorney and all Just-
ces of the Peace to the Act in regard to vagrants
in order that our community may be ceansed Of these
pests upon society.
There are still quite number of men in this coun
ty from Investigations before u.s. engaged in robbing
Chinese. We think the law defective in bringing
such criminals to justice, aud think some change in
the law OF evidence in criminal cases should be made
so as to permit persons now excluded by law from
testllylng as witnesses, to be brought before our
courts and let them make statement in regard to
offences committed not to be taken as testimony
but In order that the courts or uries may take such
statement for what they deem it to be worth-some-
thing for instance similar to the Louisiana law
We have examined into the condition of the old
Jail, and the prisoners confined therein. Most of the
prisoners say they very well treated by the Jaor
but a few OF them complain of want of sufficient
food, at times however, we not prepared to saw
there are any just grounds for these complaints but
call the attention Of the Sheriff to the matter We
lind the Old Jail kept in neat and ceany condition.
and reward to the Sheriff great credit for the safe
manner in which the prisoners have been kept in
this Old dilapidated building
Inc old jail Is very unsafe to keep prisoners in
and we think the new Jail sufficiently advanced to
have the prisoners removed to- as soon as practicable
to which we call the attention of the Sheriff and
Board of Supervisors We think it advisable for
the Board Of Supervisors to cause an additional story
to be erected on the new Jail, for the purpose Of
confnlng prisoners that may be committed for debt
and petty Offences separate from those confined for
lelones with one room set apart for the use of the
Jaor, who could thus act as guard for the Jail fI
such can be done with proper regard to economy