The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-17


The case OF the State Us. John Nicely
and Charles Parker, con tinued from yes
iEesday, was resumed, and ably argued
by MIR. STAMFORD Rice for the defence,
and Solicitor Talley and W. S. Monteith
for the State. Tho case was given to
the jury, who, in very short time, re-
turned a verdict of guilty. j, i,il
The, Grand Jury returned into Court
with the following: s,r
The State ps. Richard Jackson. Lar
ceny. No bill.
State ps. Ishmael Goodwin, Assault
and battery. No BILL
State us. Kate Jones. Assault and
battery. No bill.
State vs. Elisha Johnston. Assault
and battery. No BILL
State ps. VIM. G.. Bower. Assault and
battery. No bill.
State rs. Jane Smith. Assault aud
battery. No bill.
State rs. J. Michaels. Assault and
battery. No bill
State rs. John Mack. Larceny. No
BILL
State rs. Wm. II. Sigh. Assault and
battery with knife. True bill.
The Solicitor having no further bust
ness for their attention, they, after a
short absence, made the following pre-
sentiment:
The Grand Jury, after careful exami
nation Of the various matters pertaining
to their duty, respectfully make the fol-
lowing presentment:
The County Jail was found in good con-
dition. The prisoners are well cared for;
having good food and proper treatment,
and the Jail being new is free from all the
inconYeniences attending old buildings.
The cells are secure, as is the entire build
ing, and it is scarcely possible for pris-
oners to escape, unless assistance IS re-
ceived from the outside, which has been
the case within the last few weeks; and,
for the purpose of preventing such as
sistance being rendered, and converse
tions being held with the prisoners from
the outside, the Grand Jury would re-
commend that the County Commits
sioners have the Jail enclosed by sub
stantial fence. This would add greatly
to the security of the Jail.
The Court House and Offices, which
have been provided for the County Off
GERS, are convenient and we'll arranged.
The jury rooms are not as comfortable
as they should be, and any improvement,
therefore, would be advisable.
The report of the Superintendent of
the County Poor House has been laid be-
fore the Grand Jury, and is herewith sub
p,iifa6 Iron, he rnnOrt nF the Sn-
perntendent, there are now thirty in
mates, being as many as the buildings
will accommodate, and if the number is
increased additional buildings will be re-
quired The Superintendent reports
that 'the County Commissioners have
done and are doing all in their power to
promote the comfort, health, aud we'll
being of these unfortunate public benefi-
Charles, but the lack Of funds or credit
prevents full execution of tho law. I"
The Grand Jury would especially rcco m
mend this institution to the care OF the
County Commissioners, and urge them
to have additional quarters provided in
the event of the list Of paupers being in
creased. This class of citizens are
especially deserving the care of the
County, and their condition should be
ameliorated as greatly as circumstances
will permit.
The Grand Jury is unable to report
upon the County officers, several of them
having been recently elected, and sufIi-
cient time has not elapsed to enable the
Grand Jury to determine as to their ef1i-
cheney.
The Grar' Jury would call the atten-
ton of the Legislature to the fact that
the criminal docket Of this court is al
ways so full, and will probably continue
so for some years, that the great and i'm
portant civil business, affecting the pros
perity of the entire community, which
now cumbers the dockets cannot be at
tended to unless some provision is made
to relieve the Circuit Judge of some of
his labor. From the fact of Columbia
being city, and the capital of the State,
the idle and vicious from all parts con-
gregate here; and, as they do not work,
many resort to theft and other crimes.
In this County it is probable that crimes
will increase instead Of diminish, and as
the Grand Jury supposes tho city of
Charleston suffers in common with CO.
lumbia, it would respectfully recon-
,non1 tbo Taoielofrra tO elpct npof no,