Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-08-12
CRIMINAL COURT.

LLY APPEAIA--
CRIMISAL COURT.
Another Report from the Grand
Jury.
To the Hon. Wm. Hunter, Judge OF the Crimi-
| nal Court of Memphis
| Your Grand Jury having concluded its
labors, desire, before asking final dis
charge, to leave with your Honor and
the public the following statement OF the
Financial condition of our county"
1t may be that we exceed the bounds OF
our inquisitorial powers but being i'm
pressed with q belief that such state
ment will rebound to the public interest,
and that whatever is of public interest
demands investigation at our hands, it is
therefore humbly submitted. It will be
understood, however, that with the ex-
ception Of Mr.. Leagues report, we have
been unable to obtain exact figures, but
give it rs our opinion that in the main it
is correct:
Report of John League shows that
| since the County Commissioners
4 went into Off e, say for sixteen
sued i'm in Strip sli ', . - s692 900 90
ABOUT $500 90
Making total issue of..-..........- S747,CO0 on
| OF this amount there has been taken
up in taxes, about....-.--.-.--.-..'- Ss',OOO %
Leaving balance outstanding Of $4,000 90
The taxable property of Shelby county
| being at least thirty millions, il will re-
| .F nd n1c-oiXfh
cent to liquidate the present indebted
ness. Then, by economical, judicious
management, the current expenses for
| the coming year can be brought inside of
| 5000 600. To meet this, an additional
| three-fourths per cent. will be sufficient.
Thus a tax of one and eleveE-twelfths
per cent. upon the taxable property will
| produce q revenue of S575, 900, which
sum will cover the present Indebtedness
aud meet the expenses of another year.
We learn that our county holds stock in
the NJ. and o. Railroad to the amount of
| $500, 600, which, we are informed, is
worth ten cents on the dollar, making it
worth to the comfy but $50, 90, instead
| Of $3.50 900, the amount for which the
county issued bonds, upon which 1t pays
an interest OF SIS, eco per annum. Would
| it not be policy to buy up those bonds at
| their present value and stop the interest?
1t may be urged that these suggestions
are grstuitous-that the empty condi
ton of our treasury forbids their adop-
ton; in short, we have no money.
| There is your courthouse and jail at
Raleigh, your real estate on
Adams street, all of which pro-
duces no revenue at present Would it
not be we'll to dispose of the above named
property at proper time, and take up
the railroad stock bonds, which can be
done for about twice the amount paid in
interest each year? The annexed report
of Mr.. League will show the amount OF
county appropriations under various
heads, showing Enthusiastically that ex-
cessive charges have been paid for every
item required. Would it not be well to
estimate the amount of fuel, books, sta
tiOnery, poorhouse supplies, etc, that
may be required for the ensuing year,
and give out the contract to the lowest
responsible bidder? If the United States
Government is able to estimate expenses
for year in advance, we certainly think
Shelby county ought to be able to do So
We think in this way much can be
saved.
In our former report we informed your
Honor that more than 500, 600 per annum
were being appropriated by the county
to pay for guards, etc, at the Jail, We
had hoped this expenditure would have
been dispensed with. Yet, we are in
formed the Commissioners still persist in
paying two assistant jailors, boOk-keep-
or, and number of guards.
In relation to the burial OF paupers, we
are assured by Col. Palmer, OF the Freed
mems Bureau, that no further permission
will be given undertakers TO burg on
what is known 80 the Beauregard land.
Much more might be said concerning
the county finances, but we deem il I'M
necessary. If our suggestions are of any
value, we hope they will be acted upon;
if not, then will those upon whom de-
wolves the management of affairs adopt
some mode or measures by which the
credit Of our county will be revived and
placed in such condition as its wealth
entities it to occupy?
The thanks OF this Grand Jury are due
to Mr.. John League, for much valusbls
information, and the very courteous
manner in which we were shown through
the records in his office. Mr.. League is
deserving Of much credit for the sys-
tematic manner in which his records are
kept.
We would also commend the Trustee,
Mr.. j. J. Powers, for the new method
adopted in that office; the registration
of all warrants, the time when and to
whom issued, and effectually cancelling
the same as soon as they come into his
possession.
Mr.. Hall will accept the thanks Of this
Grand Jury for the very patient, prompt
and efficient manner in which he has
discharged his duties as bailiff; also the
sheriff and his deputies. And in conclu-
siOn.we desire very especially to thank
your Honor for the uniform kindness and
courtesy at all times extended towards
US; and we trust that when the public
shall constitute itself court to sit in
judgment upon your HonOr's official acts
1t will possess the same calm, disposition
ate impsrtiality that characterizes your
Honor's adjudicatiOns.
Having acted upon all matters present
ed to us, we now ask that your Honor
will discharge US, and shall ever pray,
etc.
H. D. Connell, Foreman.
/ grV MV-FN