The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-27
WITNESSES.

their foreman, l.. Gambril, made the following
presentment:
WITNESSES.
The report says that it afforded the jury
pleasure to bear testimony to the general
character, behavior and demeanor Of the wit
nesses brought before them at their several
sittings. With but few exceptions they were
straightforward, explicit. and to all appear
ances impartial in the evidence they gave, and
thereby lightened in no small degree the du-
ties of the jury.
HIT AT THE TRIAL JUSTICES.
| It's matter of regret to the grand jury,
says the report, that so many apparently use
less bills were sent up 20 them. In several
cases both plaintiff and defendant had been
put to heavy expense, when the original mat
ter was trivial in the extreme; and the grand
jury could not help being impressed with the
conviction that the State was involved in
useless expense in the prosecution of small
and triflng cases, which should have been
discouraged, but which, on the other hand,
seem rather to have been pushed forward.
THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The grand jury visited the County Jail, the
City Workhouse, the City Hospital, the Fire
proof Building, Courthouse and Main Guard
house, all of which were found in good order;
but they recommend the free use OF lime and
whitewash in the County Jail and City Work
house. The Jury think that in the Jail
there is great want Of supply of hot water,
which would increase very materially the
health and comfort Of the inmates, and also
effect saving in the blankets and other
clothing issued to the prisoners by the in
creased facilities for cleanliness thus afforded.
By small outlay in putting up boiler in the
kitchen, and connecting the same by pipes
with the bath room, the object could be effect
ed and no additional fuel would be necessary.
The City Hospital the jury found to be thor
oughly clean and comfortable to q high degree.
In the Fire-proof Building the jury recon-
mended the erection of suitable water-cl osets
and clstern, none having been provided, and
aiso recommend the cutting of door at the
eastern end of the county treasurer's office,
In order that citizens who have paid their taxes
may have egress without being compelled to
elbow their way back through the crowd In
the doorway, which is very narrow.
PUBLIC RECORDS.
The grand jury were much gratihed to find
in the office of the registrar of mesne convey
ance some Improvements made in the arrange
ment of the shelves, which will greatly tend to
the preservation of the books. But as mat
ter of great public interest, however, and one
deserving especial attention, the grand jury
feel it their duty to present to this court the
Indexes, both cross and general, to the records
there kept; they are in worn and dilapldated
condition, full of errors, and being arranged
alphabetically, and giving simply reference
to book and page, constant handling Of the
books is necessary, much to their detriment.
1t is absolutely necessary and the grand jury
do so present: that new indexes be prepared
as soon as possible, which shall l., arranged
lexicographlcally as we'll as alphabetically,
and which, in addition to book and page, shall
also give description OF the land conveyed.
TIE OLD eUsToMHoUsE A NUISANCE.
The grand jury report that there has been
no complaint concerning the roads and bridges
in the county, but that complaint has been
made, and, In the opinion oil the grand jury,
with great justice, of the old Customhouse at
the head of Broad street; its condition Is not
only a disgrace to the national government
and IN eye-sore to the citizens generally, but Is
really dangerous. The tiles and states on the
roof are all loose, and with the detached bricks
render it frequently unsafe to pass under the
walls. AS it now stands, the grand jury can
not do otherwise than present it as nuisance.
COMPLIMENT TO THE OFFICERS OF THE COURT
The grand jury, before closing this present.
ment, would further beg to express their ac-
acknowledgements for the kindness and conside-
ration shown them by his Honor, the presiding
Judge, and for the courtesy they have received
from the several officers of the court, which
have tended very materially to tighten their
otherwise onerous duties.