The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-10
Prssontmens OF the Grand Jury for Rich
land.-February Term, 1869.

The Grand Jury, having carefully con-
sidered the varions matters Of public inter
est demanding their attention, respectfully
make the following presentments:
| The changes in tho laws OF South Caro-
lima, with reference to the County officers,
having been quite recent, scarcely sufficient
| time has elapsed to systematic and perfect
the rules and orders necessary to bring all
the Offices into an efficient and complete
working order. But, in general, the officers
have applied themselves to their various
duties with care and fidelity which enti-
tie them to the confidence of the public, and
which argue well for tho promo tion of its
welfare
The duties Of the County Commissioners
are various and arduous, and upon them
depends. IN an especial manner, the welfa.r
OK the County. Combining in themselves
the entire duties which formerly devolved
upon the Commissioners of Roads, of
Bridges, of Public Buildings and of the
Poor, and being paid officers no excuse
should be allowed for inattention to their
important trusts The Grand Jury is
pleased to commend Mr.. John 81. Bryant,
of the Board of Commissioners, for the zeal
and energy he has exhibited in the dis
charge of his duties. His efforts, however,
have not met their full reward, in conse-
quence, partly, of the inefficiency of the
law, and partly, from the want of a due CO.
operation by the other members Of the
Board
The Grand Jury find the public roads to
be in q very bad condition. They have
been but partially worked, and are now, in
many places, almost impossible; vehicles, to
and from tho Columbia market, having to
fn old EnII
however, mainly attributable to the refusal
OF parties to work the roads, and to the use
OF inadequate tools by many of those work
Ing. The law imposes n fine for the refusal
to perform this duty. but it has been found
in most cases, impossible to collect the fine
the Commissioners having no available
means by which to enforce it.
The County Poor House needs the fos-
tering care of the County. It now contains
twenty inmates, of whom but three are
colored. But in consequence of the changed
condition of the colored population, it is
very probable that many of the aged and
infirm of that class will be daily thrown
upon the public care. And iii consequence,
too, of the dreadful losses both of life and
property which the State has sustained, the
pauper list must continue to swell by addi-
tions from all classes. Measures cannot be
too early Instituted to make full provision
dent doubtless does all in his power to al
leviate the condition and promote tho com
fort Of those under his charge, but the in
stitution is left too much to itself to be that
efficient charity which tho law intends and
the times demand. No regular provision
seems to be mado for medical attendance,
and the Superintendent is but half respon-
sible officer, with very limited means and
no clearly defined powers. If it be possible
tO rive hin, a small co1ory tO an foroo n -,
dicious system of rules and regulations, and
to require of the inmates spinning and
weaving and farm laboring, a great advance
would be made towards the thorough or
ganizatioD and efficiency of the institution,
aud towards its own self-sustenance; lifting,
thereby, from the heavily burdened shoul-
ders OF the people, a not inconsiderable
weight.
The Grand Jury find the County jail 10
be substantial and commodious building,
with all needed facilities for the comfort
and security of the prisoners. But more
rigid police laws should be instituted for
the daily cleaning of the sinks and prison
cells. which were found to be in an offensive
condition. The premises Immediately
around and adjacent to the building were
in an exceedingly dirty condition, seeming
to be the depository of sweepings from the
Jail and filth from the windows
The Grand Jury find incarcerated in the
County jail prisoner, styling himself Isaac
Owens, who 1T seems was tried by Military
Commission in March last, for an offence
committed i'll Kershaw County, while acting
under orders of the Sheriff; was sentenced
to Fort Macon, where he was confined for
several months, and upon the restoration of
civil law was sent to this Jail. 1t seems to
tho Grand Jury that his case needs investi-
cation.
The needs of tho Court and County Of
ficers for suitable building have been we'll
and amply supplied by the conversion of