The Shasta courier., 1859-11-19
Report of the Grand jury.
To the Honorable Court Of Sessions of Mesl
of Cb1ef1.

40 Mc AOHUUote OO"t " oeSStOUS " lAeki<aNHfB
of Shasta: n
The Grand Jury empanneled for the Novem-.
Der term, would respectfully report, that owing
to the absence of witnesses, they have been un
ayoidably detained ten days, during which time
we have had presented and examined six cases
for various offences against the statutes, out Of
which number we have presented two true bills
to wit: one for assault and battery and one esr
assault with intent to commit murder. The
presentment against H. Robinson was ignored
Three cases were dismissed.
The various county buildings and offices have
been visited through committees, and report as
follows:
The County Jail is kept in clean and com.
piled with bedding and food
One of the cells is unfit for use, owing TO the
removal of part of the grating. This should be
fixed at once.
The Superintendent of the County Hospital
DR.. James K Pelham, has from various af1ic-
tions been unable to give his individual atten.
tion thereto for some five months, and during
that time the management of affairs about the
institution has devoved upon J. R. Smith, the
Steward, and under his charge has become a
disgrace to civilized community.
The filthiness of the rooms and bedding occu
pied by those whose unfortunate circumstances
have placed them there is indescribabe; and it
is evident that the inmates have been treated in
an inhuman and beastly manner. In one in
stance too disgraceful to appear in this report
Humanity and justice to the sick and unfor-
tunate, alike demand an immediate change. in
this institution.
! The building now rented by the Supervisors
for the use of the various county officers is not
! fire proof, and by them the county records are
not considered secure from the flames, thieves,
/ or the hands of mutllaton
The county needs a large safe in which to
secure the most valuable records and seals
1 The Recorders office needs two desks and one
| table.
The County Clerks office needs a book in
which to record the various marks and brands
used in the county.
The law requires that on each case entered in
the District Court, the Clerk shall collect three
dollars, which shall be paid to the District
Judge as part of his salary, and report the
same to the Controller of State. We find no
vouchers from the District Judge that the law
has been complied with, except by the present
| incumbent.
Also fees should be collected on all cases en-
tered in the Probate Court and paid into the
County Treasury, to be applied on the salary of
the County Judge we find twenty dollars only
credited on the Treasurer's books
Although we have not discovered any loss to
the State or county, we deem such a course by
the late Clerk highly censurable.
The late Public Administrator has failed to
make monthly statements to the County Auditor,
and semi-annual settlements with the Probate
Judge. This is a neglect of duty.
The present Administrator has failed to report
to the Auditor on the first of the present month.
The law requires the District Attorney to see
that the County Clerk pays over all fees collected
on cases entered in the District and Probate
Courts, appliable on the salaries of District and
County Judges, on the first of every month. This
he has failed to do AS he is the chosen guar
dian of the county's interest, and such neglect
might result in serious loss to the county, we
deem this neglect of duty.
The Jury find that the Probate record belong
ing to the late County Clerk has not been writ
ten up since Sept 49, 1859, and they deem it a
wilful and highly censurable neglect OF duty
and owing to this it was impossible for
them to find the true state of the administrator
! affairs.
The Law requires the Tax Collector to accom-
pany the Assessor and demand tax on movable
property we cannot find that this duty has ever
been complied with. 1t is derelction of duty
that in future should not be committed.
All the other Offices and records seem to be
In perfect order.
Inc side-Walks ana streets IN Shasta are IN a
dangerous plight, and we recommend they be
attended to by the proper officers.
The Jury find that the District Judge County
Judge late County Clerk and Public Admins
traitor, in settling State and county affairs, have
done so among themselves, outside of the county
records We do not find that any loss as yet
has resulted to the county or State, but such a
course is highly dangerous to their interests.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
S. B. WESTCOTT, Foreman.