The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-03-03
Rannrt of the Grand Jury.

Though from circumstances unnecessary to mention,
the Grand Jury have held protraced session, there
has been great deal of business to dispose Of owing
to the fact Tat brief time has elapsed since the last
Grand jury held lengthy term. 1t Is probably I'M
necessary to recommed any changes In the laws that
might operate benefcially to the public, as the state
Legislature is much earnestly engaged IN pecu-
aton than in honest discharge of legislative duties
At the time, i'll view of the wretched condition
of the public thoroughfares, seriously impeding traVei
and not only operating Inconvenience and injury TO
planters but grievously affecting commerce. the Grand
Jury would reierate the suggestion made by similar
body the February term OF 1853; namely, that the
law be changed to authorize Police utles to farm
the roads by sections to contractors who should be
required to give sufficient bond and security tor the
faithful performance of their contractssubect to the
supervision Of board appointed by the Poce lures
per cdptta for this purpose would probably be the
fairest mode of taxation is the experience OF every
one who has had opportunity of Judging that freed
men work On the roads bout as white men dd before
the In the first place, road orefseers have no
efficient means of forcing obedience to their summons
as from many of the freedmen fines could not be col
lected In the second place, when they come, 'heTe
means Of forcing them to do tar days WORK
The consequence is in the present unreeonstructed
condition Of the country, road working IS SIMPLY
farce. The Grand Jurors have visited the JAIL as re-
CURED by lay, and although some of the prisoners
complain of the fare it is impossible to tell theretrom
if their complaints be well grounded The deputy
sheriff eses that the ailor is instructed to, and does
furnish sutfciency of food without reference to the
quantity prescribed by law The roofing of the Jail
and some of The locks need repairing. The CONDITION
of the Court House. also, demands attention. The
heavy around the ceiling is falling Oft and serl-
ousiy endangers life and limb 1t should certainly, be
ouce either repaired entirely removed The Grand
Jury have entirely failed in erreting out the authors OF
the acts of lawessncss lately committed in the neigh
borhood of Greenwood. And this, because the perpe
traitors were no doubt from Texas whose names were
unknown to if all Of the people in the neigh
borhOod and for the additional reason, that even II
some Of the witnesses might have known the names CT
these men, they reluctant to testify, prompted no
doubt by fear of themselves being made the victims
of awessness. While this state of things is to be de-
pored it is vet gratifying to know that the law abd
ing people of the country have now determined to
bring to Justice this class of men, who disposed to
depredate upon all without distinction of race, color
or previous condition" Humanity and their own pc
culinary interests alike demand this step. The books
of the Parish Treasurer, Mr.. 5. d. Pitts have been eX-
anned and found entirely correct. They evidence
that the financial condition of the parish is such as
to justify the hope that the collection Of the licenses
and for SGS will place scrip at par. The Jurors
acknowledge their obligations to Major Ashton, District
Attorney, who Notwithstanding agreeable duties,
has yet been most efficient in the discharge Of those
pertaining lis office. Thanks also due to Nj
Hope and his deputies for, their attention in the Jury
room. Their labors as well as those of this body have
been materially increased By the difficulty in finding
negro witnesses, many of whom, if they have local
can scarcely he said to have permanent
uanle In conclusion. the Grand Jury beg to tender
their thanks your Honor for your lucid charge and
general courtesy. A. d. BATTLE, For eman.