San Andreas independent., 1857-10-24

To the Honorable the Court of Sessions of Cal
arerdS County
The Grand Jury appointed at the Special
Term of the Court of Sessions of Calaveras
county, for October, A. D. 1857, beg leave to
submit the following report:
They have found true bills as follows:
TOT Huruer........ ....l
Manslaughter-. .....................l
Assault to commit Murder. r......... .........
Assault with deadly weapon to commit
Bodily Injury. 4
Arson .............. .............3
Obstructing Public Justice. ce.....................2
Grand Larceny............. ....................1
Uulawfully Withholding Books of County
treasurer ...............l
Embezzlemcnt of Public Moneys 2
In the discharge of our duties, we have Wis
tied the County Jail, and found confined six-
teen persons, for the following crimes:
For Murder r................. ..................2
Assault ....5
Grand Larceny .......................2
Obstructing Public Justice. ce......................l
Malicious Mischief. ...................l
Also, one person as being Insane.
| We found the Jail in good order-extremely
neat and clean-and by enquiry of the differ
cnt persons, found no complaint whatever as
regards the treatment or discipline of the
prison.
The Jury would urge the necessity of con-
verting the part of the building now used by
! the Jai-keeper for the purposes of a kitchen,
into large cell for the detention of parties
confined on petit charges, and the construction
of a temporary kitchen in the rear of the
main building, as a precautionary measure in
case of fire. There is also necessary, improve
nients of a temporary character, for the pro-
lection of the Jailors, to which we would re-
spectfully invite the attention of the Honora-
BILE, the Board Of Supervisors. And we would
also recommend as a permanent arrangement,
the repairing of the basement of the Court
House. for the purposes of Jail.
/ We have also endcavored to examine the
books of the County Officials, but have found
so much confusion existing, that it has been
almost impossible to arrive at any certain con-
cusion. We find that there is due from the
ex-County Treasurer the sum of S5,732 AZ,
rs balance on hand; and also, that there is
| due by the ex-Treasurer to the County Audi
tor, for Licenses not accounted for the sum of
S5,0l2 so, making a total of Sl0,744 80. 1t
is but justice to say that this gentleman has
certain claims of which this Jury could take
no cognizance-a portion of which, however,
has been rejected by the Board of Supervi-
sors.
In the ex-Sheriff"s account, we have found
that there is balance due the county on For
eign Miners Licenses, of $l,329 O9; and on
Property Tax, of Sl058 30; and due the
State on Foreign Miners Licenses, $3.50 l3;
and due the State on Property Taxes of 1856
and 1857, the sum of Sl,926 II. Evidence
has been rendered showing to the Grand Jury
that this gentleman has claims against the
State and County, which, no doubt, on settle
ment, will prove mutually satisfactory.
In the matter of the late County Assessor,
George c. Tryon, the Grand Jury recommend
the settlement of said officers accounts as
ordered by the Board of Supervisors. The
Jury fully exculpatc this gentleman from any
intent to defraud the County. y
/ AS regards the rumored deficiency on the
part of the County to the State, the Grand
Jury have taken great pains to ascertain the
state of affairs From affidavits in the possess
ion of the Jury, it is evident there was, pre-
vious to the fire, large amount of Foreign
Miners License returned to the State Treasurer,
or Controller, for, which there was no receipt
received in return, nor credit allowed in the
account current between the State and this
County. Also, that large amount of Licenses
| were DESTROYED by the fire and, it is the opin-
ion of this body that the deficiency existing is
much smaller than the amount represented
viz: Sl8,376 90 AS true account current
cannot be rendered without a strict cxamina-
ton of the books of the State Treasurer and
Controller, we most respectfully request that a
Committee be appointed for this purpose.
We also find that Charles A. Clarke, ex-
Sheriff of this county, has not complied with
Section ITO of the "Act to provide revenue for
the support of the Government of this State y
The neglect of this duty meets the censure oi
all persons who desire the welfare of the Coun-
ty--and hereafter it is to be hoped, there will
be no further commissions Of this nature.
We would also call the attention of the diff
fcrent Justices of the Peace, to the necessity
of having good and tangible evidence before
committing the parties charged with crime, to
Jail; as in some cases which have come before
this jury, great injustice has been done to the
accused, and an expense incurred which is en-
tirely unnecessary.
S. Foorman holds certain mortgage on the
Court House ani Lot. 1t appears there is
sufficient due upon the Court House Tax, with
which, when collected, to more than lquidate
the amount. The Jury would urge upon the
Sheriff the immediate collection of this tax
and the payment of said claim.
! From all the evidence in our possession, we
arc of the opinion that if proper administra-
ton of the affairs Of the County is made, that
| Calayeras County need not rest under the stig-
ma of an enormous debt--but that on the con-
/ trary, her revenue is sufficient to, in a very
few years, liquidatc all and every claim of .
Just and legitimate nature; to effect which it
| is necessary that an equitable assessment
should be made upon all taxable property,
and that prompt and effective measures be
adopted for the collection thereof
| edeem that the Act Concerning the Re-
venue of the County Of Calaveras, Approved
March 81. 1857" is prejudicial to the finan-
cial interest of the County, and would most
respectfully urge its modification, so far as to
permit the receiving Of County Bonds or
Warrants 10 payment Of old County dues.
| Having, to the best Of our abilities, dis
charcd the duties assigned, we most respect
fully ask for final discharge
s.hynstfed -s~9