The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-11-02
PreseDtment OF the Grand Jury for
Lexington District.

GExINGToN+-FALL TERM, 1867
JUDGE MOSES, PRESIDING.
| The Grand Jury of Lexington Dis
trict, for the Fall Term, 1867, submit
the following matters of presentment:
j. We have examined the public
buildings, and find them in good
condition. with the exception of the
windows Of the Jail, which we think
ought to be secured by suitable shut
ters; and that the prisoners be each
furnished with All additional blanket.
2. A committee of our body have
examined the Poor House of the Dis
trict. and report that they find it in
good order and well kept; that the
inmates are properly cared for, and
seem to be satisfied with the treat
ment they receive The Report of
the Treasurer has been submitted to
our inspection, and we find it all
correct.
B. The public roads of the District,
we believe, so far as our knowledge
extends, are in toler;lble good coudi-
ton; but there arc some of the roads,
which we think have not been pro
perly worked; and we recommend
that the Commissioners be more dill
gent i'll the discharge of their duty,
i'll this particular. We have also re-
ceived and examined the Report of
the Treasurer of the Board of Roads
and Bridges, and find it correct. In
this connection. however, we would
state that our attention has been
called to matter of dispute between
the Treasurer, Col. VIM. Fort, and
Mr.. Samuel j. Stuart, IL bridge con-
tractor; but being informed that n
'D't 9f manttamus is pending in this
court, i'll regard to that matter, we
recommend that it be decided in this.
or whatever tribunal it may properly
| belong to, and that the Grand jury
be relieved from the further consid.
Grafton of the same.
4. We omitted to state in the pro-
per place, that We have also received
and examined the Report of the
Treasurer of the Board of Public
Buildings, and find tho same correct.
We think, that under the circum-
stances, this Board have discharged
their duties well, and deserve the
thanks of the people of the District,
for their zeal and diligence; but mas
much rs the funds of the Treasury
are low, and the taxes of tho District
onerous, it is the opinion of the
Grand Jury, that whatever expcndi-
lures they may make in the future,
be OF the most economical character
D. We see from the Report of the
Treasurer of the Commissioners of
the Poor, that some relief has been
extended to INDECENT black persons.
! We are not insensible to the claims
OF humanity, and would gladly re-
lievc the wants of sufferers of
every class, so far as it may be in
our power; but if permanent provi-
sion is to he made for colored
paupers-and we think it should
be made from some source-it is the
opinion of this Grand Jury, that
there should be two Poor Houses in
the District-one for the blacks, and
one for the whites. In the present
impoverished and unsettled condition
of the country, we do not feel justi-
fed Ill making any recommendation
on this subject, further than to say,
that as we are all poor, we should
endeavor to alleviate the sufrcrings
and necessities of the most unfortun
ate amongst us, of all classes, to the
utmost of our limited means.
6. This being the first court mt
which his Honor Judge Moses has
presided in our District, we embrace
this opportunity to express our plea
sure and qualification ut the ability,
urbanity and impartiality with which
he performs the duty of his judicial
station; and that we feel satisfied the
interest Of parties and of the State,
will suffer no detriment at his hands.
7. In conclusion, the Grand Jury
of Lexington would say that, though
there are dark clouds hanging on ou1
political horizon, and the mutterings
of tempest have not yet fully passed
away; yet, they think they can sec
some CLEANS OF hope i'll the future
that the great heart of the American
people beats true to constitutions
libcrty-that they arc too young and
vigorous nation to foolishly throw
away their liberties, simply because
they have passed through disastrous
civil war; but that in good time
wrongs will be redresscd. and RIGHT.