Daily national Democrat., 1860-11-24
GRAND JURY REPORT.
To the Honorable Court Of Sessions an and for
Yubd county

]
| 10 report that they have examined far possi-
bic every department of the county affairs BY
committee, we have examined the county Offices
and as far as the time allotted to us void allow,
/ have examined the various books OF the different
officers which all appear TO be kept in very reg
ular aud satisfactory style in the Clerks Office,
which probably requires more care and attention
than any o,her we were particularly struck with
the evident neatness, regularity and system with
which all IS conducted. And in this connection
we desire to say, that general supervision of the
affairs Of the different county officers belongs
properly to the Board of Supervisors, and they,
matter OF protection to the taxpayers against
NAL l-practice in office, should appoint some COM
petent committee to examine thoroughly the
books OF the various county officials at least an-
nually, as tits an important matter, and would re-
quire weeks to make a thorough examination and
report, if any were attempted.
From our committee to examine the County
Hospital We learn, that the offairs of that institu-
ton are in but little better condition than that re-
ported by the last Grand Jury. But a change is
now about to take place which tits hoped viii
hereafter relieve it of the stigma of shame which
has so long rested upon 1.-THE Board of Super
visors having taken the management into their
own hands, and having appointed Physician
and Warden and all the old furniture and bed
| ding to be Immediately removed and replaced by
new, the walls to be whitewashed and the entire
building to be cleansed, purged and purified of
the accumulated filth of past administrations.
The Public Prison is in good and cleanly condi-
tion, and the prisoners are well provided for
The various bridges of the county are in good
order, excepting the Feather River Bridge, which
ct present is in bad condition, but the propTietors
are engaged in the erection of bridge, which
will be second to none in the State, and in the
meantime are under very heavy bonds N case of
accident. great many of our public roads and
highways are at present in very bad condition,
which argues very strongly against our present
road system. The Board of Supervisors should
appoint general Road Superintendent, who
should collect the road tax and appropriate it
properly, instead, as at present, appointing road
| overseer in every district who is oltentmes Who'll
ly unqualified in every respect
! We would earnestly recommend to the Board
of Supervisors to have built Immediately, at some
suitable point across the slough on the 0roville
road good bridge as such is absolutely de-
manded for the safety and convenience of the
travelling public.
We are gratified to be able to report the very
hourlshing condition of our public schools, as
this is inject of real importance, and should
interest the whole community. The present dali
ly attendance in our city is about two hundred
and httv-three scholars. With one exception the
school houses are all in good and healthy condi-
ton; one of the rooms in the basement of the
Methodist Church needs new stove and some
new furniture, which should be supplied forth
with. There is also tlue on the south side Ofthe
Court House which should be repaired as the
bulluiH ID III us us IL TeIlunS I'D
its present condition, and it would require but
trifling expenditure on the part of the county to
insure safety against such disaster.
| We desire to draw public attention to the con-
dition of the Marysville and Benicia Railroad Co.
and in so doing, would dscaim at the outset any
other desire than that of protecting the interests
of the county, who stakeholder to the amount
OF two hundred thousand dollars, is entitled to
some consideration. as being a party largely in
terested. We find by reference to the Secretary's
fgFa,,
bearing date of the 10th of May last, that he en-
tire amount Of private subscription amounts to
I 1925, 200 2-l00 to which amout is added the SUBJ
scription Of Yuba county and Solano county of
100000 each, amounting in the aggregate to
$626, 900 2l00 In their estimate of the resources
of the Company, they place the value of their
! overhowed lands Mt 100000 the property dona-
ted by Capt? Frisbie, of Vallejo at 81 900 600 the
| property donated in the city of Narysvie also
along the route of the road for depot purposes at
100000, making sum total of 81 l,750,000;
which (ln our Opinion) is hcticious valuation,
which cannot be calculated upon as resource of
the Company. By this report we also discover
that, upon the four assessments of ten per cent
they have failed to collect the sum of $50 81 and
should they be equally unfortunate in collections
hereafter, when the assessment for the full amount
OF the subscription is declared, thay will have
Sl46,S27 50-l00 of stock subscribed for and un.
paid, which deduct from from the amount sub
scribed would leave SAT-, 1872 50-l00 to build the
road; deduct that amount from the contract
price, S3,50O,000 and YOU will have the debt
created, viz: $2,022, l27 20-100, which is to be
met by the available assets of the Company, as
heretofore enumerated, upon which the Contrac-
tor already holds mortgage of 81 SOC, 900
The 18th Section Of the act authorizing the
Board of Supervisors of luba county to subscribe
for said stock, reads as follows: "Neither the
SAID Board OF Supervisors, nor the County of Yu.
ba, nor the inhabitants thereof SHALL in any
event, be liable for the debts of said Railroad
Company, in an amount beyond the subscrption
made as herein provided" This section of the
act is certainly unconstitutional as anv one NAV
ascertain by reference to the 3Oth Sectinn of Ari
OF the Constitution of the State, which places
the county npon the same footing as an individ-
nal stockholder and liable for her proportion of
the liabilities of the Company. No one of the
Grand Jury would object to see the county donate
II thought advisable. 100000 towards the com.
ple;lon OF the road, but we object to seeing the
county involved to a ruinous extent and forced
ultimately to reputation. This is a question
then In which all taxpayers and residents are
deeply interested; it should be examined carefully
and attentively, and full expose made to the
puohc OF the present condition Of the COMPANY
and all the acts of its Directors in order that the
people may know whether not they have been
fairly dealt with in this matter. We would there
fore recommend that the Supervisors appoint
committee of competent and reliable citizens to
be assisted by legal advice, and make a thoronoh
/
make report of the same public, and that all ex.
penses incurred be paid by the county This is a
duty the Board of Supervisors owe to the county.
for at present the road is in debt in the sum OF
$1,000 900, and the county ownes one-third of the
stock, which makes her liable in the sum of $500.
600 now, and the amounts growing larger all the
time.
A Il the criminal cases brought before us we have
considered carefully, and beside ignoring num-
Der of cases, where the proof was not clear
/ OH tn f,rna ho.v
teen indictments, two for grand larceny, two for
burglary and thirteen for gambling The in
crease OF gambling in our midst presents an omen
very serious tor the contemplation of every good
citizen, and as the law is very defective. rather
calculated to encourage than abate the nuisance
1t Is well enough, in the opinion of the Grand Ju
ry to make it. lfpossible, source of revenue to
the county.
The following are the cases which we have had
under consideration and failed TO find bills for the
want of sufficient evidence:
The People VS.. Refugo.
The People vs. Mary Crist
The People VS.. VIM. Brown and John Coffin
The People VS.. Akin.
In the case of the People VS. Robt. M. Turner
the Grand Jury have also failed to find BILL
The Grand Jury desire to return thanks to the
Sheriff and District Attorner for their polite at
tentlon and their very valuable assistance in pros
ecuting their abors.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
JN0. &. FALL, Foreman.
I. +. FARsH Secretary.
Ir is said that Madame Escott has been per-