The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-26
4 ROTTEN STATE OF AFFIIRS.
Presen,ncnt of the Grand Jury OF Nerv-
berry County.

The Grand lury FOR the May term OF court in
NawheTry County have made their present
ment-a well considered and able document:
They pronounce the Jail insecure, as not oelns
in such condition as to prevent the escape'oi
prisoners. The other public buildings were
found ali right. The probate office was not DC
cessible. Mr.. Leahy, the present Judge, being
absent from town. Treasurer's office all right,
hooks "properly balanced Trial Justices
Furman's and Peterson's books and papers,
upon examination, proeed all right: FROM tne
following pen picture, Trial Justice Long seems
TO be a candidate for the championship IN
South Carolina. The grand jury says:
''As 20 Trial Justice Long, the Keeping OF ms
books. and his ability ts an officer, IT IS Win
the (leepest humility that they are constrained
to make such an unfavbrable report. as m
officer, they unhestatipgly pronounce d n!m ut-
terry incompetent in every respect. lie can
neither read nor write sufficiently to be inteHl-
gihle to any ore but himself; and, as natural
consequence, his books are in no order, or, n
other words. are not kept at all. They ind That
he has received fines, but has neither turned
them over 10 the county treasurer nor otner-
wise accounted for the same. They. therefore.
urhesitatin 5ly, for the peace, dignity and pros
peNty oi the community, Fecoiiinieho iis spee
dy removal.
Bad as this IS. the grand jury does not reach
the climax ill they get TO the county commis-
sioners. OF all the Offices inaugurated ny tAe
new rerime, this would seem 10 be the best.
Here IS unlimited opportunity Tor steallns,
and we feel In all candor bound to say thaI
these opportunities do not always remain un-
improved. The grand jury says: IN tpe
present board Of county commissioners they
iird, alter q careful Investigation, system oi
corruption. bribery and theft stupendons 10
behold-a system Of wholesale robbery whlch
was TO them almost prepos;erous: IN exam,
hing the books, papers, &C., Of tine oia ooara
of county commissioners they iouna inouo1,a, r ma
BILE evidence Of perjury Oh the part OF one
Samuel Dogan and Thomas NJ. jenkins, by
,robating and paying the same account twice.
Doaan has sold the proceeds OF the poorho'lse
farm and has never accounted for the moneys
arising frora such sale, and also sold horse be-
longing 10 The sameinstitution ,and has likewise
not accounted for the proceeds OF sltcn sale.
And as 10 the new board, they find that they
indulge in all species Of frand and corruption,
and, as the grand jurors are informed, inns
board OF commissioners have never visited
the poorhoase TO examine into the condlion
OF itsuntortunate inmates, as has always mere
totore beer the custom. Simeon Yorng, one
of the aforesaid board, has had himself elected
superinteniento of the poorhouse, with salary
of five hundred dollars, and sub-lets the same
for Two hundred dollars OF. his own account,
the same being paid by the treasurer Of the
county, on Recommendation OF Young. Tney
also found q check for one hundred and tWen-
lty-fve dollars In favor of Simeon Young,
pussed and approved by the board OF which ne
is chairman; sliarcheck was given TOR no con-
And so on, aa infai.um. The presentncnt
"Finding such corruption, venality and rob-
berry TO exist in the aforesaid board OF COM
missioners, the grand jurors feei II their prlvl-
lege and their sacred duty, to denounce ine
same, and respectfully recommend 10 this
honorable court that such speedy measures be
taken, that this gross and manifest evil may
be forthwith removed. The poornouse the
grand furors find in dilapidaied condition.
The fences down, inmates dissatisfied. badly
clothed, and general discomfort prevalent.
AS TO The roads and highways in the county.
The grand jurors find them. with few eXcep,,
,lons, In q very bad condition. They would
likewise say that they regret 10 find
that their county has been the scene
oil violent disturbances, BY. disguised
parties. commonly called hu-KluX. That
they raise their voices against all violence by
whomsoever committed. Wrong can never
restore right. And they hold that It Is the
duty of all good citizens to rebuke all wrong.
expose all corruption, and endeavor by pee ace
able means to achieve that restoration to piiri-
~, economy and an honest and equal admins
tration OF the laws, which is essential to the
security and prosperity Of their beloved slate.
And they further distinctly declare That lhelr
findings and investigations have not oeen dlc-
lated by any partisan spirit. and they can show
ample and plain proof of all their findings,
whether against crime, fraud or corruption"
The above Is mere outline OF the present.
ment. The grand jury have done their work
thoroughly, and we hope whep The Con-
gressional committee comes TO this State 10
Investigate outrages," they will not pass
Newberry by They shoudiby all means sum
NOR This same grand jury, who could enlighten
them on sunlry facts which the committee
ought oy all means 10 know.