The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1870-06-01
Presentment of TIE Grand Jury.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, !
NEwGERRY COUNTY, {
NAY TERN, 1870.

NEwDERRY COUNTY,
NAY TERN, 1870.
The Grand Jury would respectful,
report that they have entered npuh ant
discharged the duties desolsed upol
them to the best Of their ability; ane
will make the following Presentment:
They examined the Public Buildings
the Poor House and premises, and mad,
dilisent inquiry into the condition of tn
Public Highways and Bridges, and alsc
into the conduct of the County Officer
and Offices. They summoned before
them various persons who were supposed
to be able to testify in regard to the NAL
practice Of certain officers of the County
and also in regard to the expenditures o
the Public Funds. among which wit
ncsscs were several Of the Public Officer:
themselves; from whom we received ;
great deal of testimony and information
as to the past and present management
of the County affairs. The Grand Jury
take pleasure in stating that the Public
Buildings, including the Court House
Jail and Poor House, are in much better
repair than they expected to find them
There are, however, some repairs neces'
Sary in the Jail to make it more safe for
the confinement of prisoners. They
went through all the Public Offices and
examined their condition, and repor.
them mainly in good order. They found
the Grand Jury Room, however, occu.
pied as private Office by one of the
Trial Justices Of the County, and learned
that it had been thus occupied by sue.
cessive Magistrates for some years. They
found in this Room many of the old Re-
cords of the County deposited there, as
they were informed under an order of
the Court some years ago, because there
was not space for them in the Clerks
Office from whence they were taken.
These Records were greatly exposed to
waste and destruction, and were con-
tanned in large wooden cases without
locks, except as to one of them. 1t has
been place of public resort-and, In too
many irstances-by class that do not
appreciate the value of Public Records.
This Room was provided for the sitting
of the Grand Juries, and in their absence
the Clerk of the Court was required to
take charge Of it for the obvious reason
that he was bound for the Records there
deposited. The Grand Jury recommend
that an order be passed requiring the
Clerk of the Court to take immediate
possession of this Room and assume the
Of the safe keeping OF the
Public Records therein The Grand Ju-
ry would have ecommended the removal
of these Records into the Clerks Office,
but they find that impracticable for want
of space in that Office. They think it
probable that some of these Records have
already been lost or destroyed. The
Grand Jury recommend that the Clerk
be not only ordered to take charge of
this Room, but to rca:range the Records
and cause all private property to be re-
moved from it at once.
The Poor House is in good condition
and the inmates comfortable. The plan
tation connected Herewith is said 10 be
and large enough to support
the present inmates if properly maraged.
They would, however, present the prac-
tice which has heretofore prevailed, and
is still pursued by the County Commits
sioners, of boarding paupers in the fami-
lies Of their friends in various places in
the County, at high rates, as both unpre'
cedented and unwarranted either By law
as they believe) or by usage, and dan
gcrous to the public interests.
The Grand Jury would especially pre-
sent the practice, which has obtained, Of
converting the vestibule Of the COURT
House into Restaurant, asan intolerable
nuisance, which should be ahated.
The Grand Jury are fully satisfied
that there has been much malpractice
with some of the Public Officers Of the
County, and particularly with the Com
miSsioners and Trial justices; but they
are not in possession Of such facts as will
warrant them in recommending proceed.
ngs to be commenced in regard 10 them,
or any of them, except in the case Of
Eagan, which is in the possession Of the
Court already. They are convinced that,
while some of the actions of some Of these
,fbcers may have been prompted by SIN
ster and corrupt motives, the greater
part has been the result Of ignorance and
incompetence. The Grand Jury bestowed
much of their time to the examination Of
witnesses in relation TO the receipts and
Of the Public money, and
alled before them several Of the officers
md many other persons who were in
ormed on the subject, and with one ex-
eption, all Of them testified that the
public funds Of the County had been
vaStcfully and extravasantly expended.
The proof was that more than thirteen
housand dollars had been collected and
isbursed already this year, leaving two
# three thousand dollars of outstanding
ebts still unpaid, and only about one
housaud dollars of the County Taxes to
&c collected to meet these claims The |
treasurer reports that he has paid upon
he orders Of the Commissioners more
1oncy than he has collected up to this |
ime. The Grand Jury indulge the hope, |
hat the Investigation just DOW closed, !
ill have the effect to correct many Of
he errors that have characterized the
of the County affairs here.
ofore. But if they are to be diSappoint.
d, and these wasteful practices are at
,mptcd to be continued, other proceed
,gs must be instituted, or the County
iii not only be impoverished and bank
lpted, but the people will be crushed
ith Taxes to sustain such system Of
orruption and extravaganza, and all the
pursuits of the County will
az under it's pernicious influences.
The Grand Jury present the Public
Il