The weekly union record., 1864-03-19
Report of the Grand Jury.


inquired into thirtysix cases, as follows, to-wit:
That they have found true bills in the cases
mentioned, viz q:
One for false imprisonment.
One for robbery;
One for assault, with intent to kill;
Twelve for keeping houses of illfame;
And have ignored twenty cases, and passed
one informally.
They have examined the County Hospital
somewhat minutely. passing through the differ
ent wards and departments, aud found every
thing kept il a neat and cleanly manner, and
have reason to believe that due diligence is
used for the comfort, care and welfare of the
unfortunates who find themselves inmates of
this asylum for the INDECENT sick. While thus
commencing the conduct Of the County Hos
pital as all that could be desired uuder the
present system, the Jury beg lea.ye to express
the opinion that change in the law regulating
the conduct Of hospitals might prove beneficial
to those who are compelled TO ask such public
assistance, and at the same time become less
burdensome to the different counties. The
change suggested should be snch as would
permit the Supervisors of the different counties
to procure farms in connection with county
hospitals, similar to the successful system OF
Poor. House Farms" of other States. The
Jury do not believe themselves over sanguine
in expressing the opinion that such farms might
be made self sustaining, or nearly so, while in
nowise detracting from the sanitary arrange
ments for the comfort and conyalescence of
patients. The Jury are led 10 this suggestion
from the facts that the present hospital system
is source of no inconsiderable expenditure,
and the bare walls and un-eieved landscape
seem sufficiently dull TO divest the Inmates of
all hope and encouragement in the future.
The Jury have also examined into the con
dtion and management of the County Jail and
find that it Is cleauly and well kept. and that
the prisoners are well cared for; and that those
who had 1t in charge have conducted it with
proper diligence and attention. Those two
important institutions-jaila and hospital-have
recently passed under control of new men and
it is not doubted that the commeudations
hitherto bestowed upon their conduct will be
as well deserved in the future.
The cursory examination which the Jury
have given the books of the county officers
show them % have been kept in a ncat and
clerical manner. They have not entered upon
au examination Of the books with a view of
ascertaiuing their correctness and the financial
condition Of the count y as such an examination
would require more time than usually allotted
to iuqaests Of the present character. Shoa!d
thorough examination be deemed necessary,
now that old officers are retiring and others
entering upon the discharge of their duties, it
is recommended that the proper authorities
appoint suitable persons for that purpose. 1t
is suggested, however, that the quarterly
reports Of the County Treasurer ought TO show
the true financial condition of the county, and
their regular publication, as required by law,
places them open for the inspection of those
interested iu the finances of the county.
The Jury recommend that the District
Attorney pay particular attention to the
investigation Of the dockets Of Justices of The
Peace, before whom suits have been brought
for the collection of delinqu6 Mt taxes. Evidence
before the Jury shows that J. II. Marple, late
Justice of the Peace for Ophir town, hip, had
collected delinquent taxes to the amount Of four
hundred and sixty two dollars and sixty nine
cents (S4G2G9), which he has neglected for the
il. st year and half to pay over to the proper
olice;s. Evidence before the jury also shows
that 5. W. ". Coughey, Justice Of the Peace
for Ophir township, has collected two hundred
and seventy sew, dollars aud eighty cents
(S277.88). which h, has neglected to pay over
at the demand of the proper officers Of the.
county. The Jury, having ben advised by tie
proper legal authority of the clu7fy that these
amounts can be collected from ths hondsmen
of the said j. II. Marple and 5 v. W,
Coughey. earnestly recommend that suits be
brought against them for that
purpose. The Jury condemn, in the strongest 7
manner, such criminal negligence on the part
Of public officers, ard have only reraiued from
indicting the said dellnquen's in accordance
with he evideace and the law upon The assar- /
ance and hope that the sald denqueuis viii
pay over the public moneys iu
their possession, as men worthy Of public trust
and confidence should do. Should this, their
expectation, not be realized, it is (
hoped that the next grand inquest of the county
will not be governed by the considerations Of
leniency which have induced the present Jury
to dismiss these dalinquents with an admonition
only.
The attention of the Grand Jury having been
called to the law requiring attorneys practicing
in the courts Of this State TO subscribe to and
file in the Clerks Office an oath of allegiance,
and to the OathS fled in accordance Herewith.