The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-18

PREsESTMENT OF THE GRAND JgRY OF
CHARLESTON CoUSTY.-The following present
ment, submitted by the grand jury, NJ. Cauneld,
foreman was read in open court on Thursday
morning:
The grand jury of Charleston County, for the
February term OF the Court Of Common Pleas and
Genera! Sessions respectfully present:
That they have inspected the several public
buildings, and found them in good order and well
adapted In every respect for the purposes LOT
which they were designed. They would especially
commend the administration Of the county Jall,
its police and sanitary arrangements, securing
alike the safety and comfort OF It's inmates, whie
tile allowance Of food TO each prisoner IS ample ana
the quality good. They 1nd however, that some
Of the cells and galleries OF tne Jai require mhte
washing, and that the prlvy needs cleaning out.
They recommend that the necessary lime anu
brushes be furnished the Jaior by the county COM
missioners. and that the whltewashlng Oe done
by a detail Of prisoners under his supervision,
thus eirecting considerable saving to the State,
as compared with the cost OF the same work
when executed under contract. Ihey Wouiu also
invite attention to the fact that some OF tue prl'
soncrs are almost destitute OF clothing, and due
regard for humanity and decency demands, that
in all such cases the county commissioners Should,
upon the certificate OF tho sheriff, furnish the
necessary wearing apparel at the expense OF the
State.
They also examined the House Of Correction,
under the control Of the municipal government OF
Charleston, and found 1t administered by the
we'll kent: but the allowance OF food FOR the pr-
soners is insufficient, anu Its quality most IN
fcrOr.
it this connection the grand jury deem 1t ne
ccssary to state that they have been informed
that persons charged with statutory offences are
In some instances, arrested by the police and I'M.
prlsoncd in the House Of Correction. While this
institution Is, doubtless, necessary agency Tor
The punishment OF offenders against the ordi-
nances and police regulations OF the city. yet
the grand Jury regard 1t as q grave violation to
conlne any person charged with an lndlctaole Of
fence in any other place than the county jan.
They are also credibly advised that many per.
sons have been arrested for alleged violation OF
law, by the detective force OF this city, without
legal process, and have been confined IN the
vaults or cells under the City Hall, Tor periods
ranging from three TO fifteen days, smut out
almost entirely from light and air.
They earnestly recommend that this system OF
Imprisonment be at once stopped, as dangerous
to the liberty Of the citizens and impeding the ad-
ministration OF justice.
The grand jury visited the Flrcprooi Building,
and found that the improvements recommended
by their predecessors at the last term for the pre-
servation Of the public records and or other pur-
poscs are now In course OF execution.
The attention of the grand jury has been invited
to the wretched condition Of the roads and
bridges in some parts Of the county, especially in
st. Johns Berkeley Parish, and to 'parttcularly
they ask the early attention Of Il. ounty COM
miSSionerS.
The grand Jury have observed that the transit
OF vehicles over Inc C0pDlc Slone paving ol tne
south front OF the courthouse often renders II al
most impossible 10 be heard, and they therefore
recommend that the county commissioners do,
without delay, have said paving replaced with
the Nicholson, or some other nolseless pavement,
in order that they may be "sileLce In court"
1t is gratifying to the grand jury to state that
no case of capital nature has been laid before
them. yet the numerous cases. some Of them very
grave, upon which they have acted lmpel them
10 declare that, in their Judgment the increase OF
crime in the county can only be checked, and a
proper regard for law enforced. by fearless and
rigid discharge OF duty, without respect 10 per-
sons, by the grand and petit jurics.
I'm conclusion, the grand jury recognize and
gratefully acknowledge the very valuable in.
structlons they have received in the execution Of
their Office from the luminous charge given to
them by his honor, the presiding Judge; anu they
desire also to acknowledge the prompt courtesy
and assistance they have received ut the hands Of
all the officers Of this honorable court. All OF
which is respectfully submitted.