The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-10-22
Presentmupt Of the Grand Jury.

make The 1OllnWlnG preSeQClneHIa at CllS,
the third term of the court for the year
1878.
An examination of the Treasurer's
office shows that no actual money has
come into his hands since the June
term of the court. He has received from
trial Justices say Sl03.95, all in county
drafts.
The Auditor reports that the assess
ments this year were promptly attended
to by the people, and that for the most
part, returns OftaXable property remain
as they were rendered, although in q
few individual cases, the County Board
of Equalization saw fit to make some
changes.
Very few settlements have been made
in the Sherifi's office. He reports $685.
81, as the whole amount of mony be-
longing to his Office, for Which he is
responsible. ..
The Clerk of the Court has no funds
in his hands. The Judge of Probate has
received since the last term of the court
$1133.05
The County Commissioners report the
entire debt of the county in round num-
bers to be $4,000, inclusive of current
expenses. If in addition to the two
mills already provided for, the usual
levy of three mills for county purposes
should he authorized, it is believed the
county will be able to get out of debt
when the taxes shall have been col
lected.
In regard to the bonds of the Clerk of
the Court and Sheriff, the Grand Jury
find that the Clerk has strengthened his
bond to the satisfaction of the County
Commissioners, but the bond of the
Sheriff remains the same rs it was at
the February term of the Court, at
which time it was reported upon by the
Grand Jury as being insufficient. In
asmuch as the County Commissioners
in their report to the court recommend.
ed that time be given the Sheriff and
Clerk of the Court to enable them to
strengthen their bonds, the Grand Jury
thought proper to pass the matter over
ut the June term of the court, but when
at the last sitting of the court for this
year, they find that the Sheriff has not
strengthened his bond, after very great
indulgence has been given him, they
# tel called upon to demand in the name
and on behalf the people of this county,
whose well-being and security they
have at heart, either that steps be inn
mediately taken to compel the present
incumbent to strengthen his bond, or
that the office be filled by a person who
can give such bond as will enable the
citizens Of the county to feel that their
interests in the Sherif's bonds are safe
beyond question. The Grand Jury
fail to see any virtue in requiring a
bond, unless good 0neis given.
It has come to the knowledge of the
Grand Jury that there is lunatic from
Abbeville county in the asylum at Col
umbia, as pauper, whereas his estate
amounts to about five hundred dollars.
The case is that of Mr.. D. New. They
respectfully recommend that the case
of this lunutic be transferred from the
County Commissioners to the Judge o1
Probate. They would also recommend
that seventy-four dollars now in the
hands of the Judge of Probate, belong.
ing to the estate ofSusan Eaton, who il
in the asylum, be turned over to the
Treasurer of the county, inasnuch as
this lunatic has been in the asylum al
the expense of the county for number
of years.
The Grand Jury would respectfully
recommend to the General Assembly
the passage of an act by which w. Z
McKellar, Chairman OF the Board o
County Commissioners, will be entitled
to draw one hundred and fifty dollar
rs pay for extra services. The service:
rendered, and for which extra compen
sation is recommended, are such as thu
law does not contemplate or provide
for. The performance Of their services
was made necessary by the fire OF No
vcmber, 1872, when all the hooks ant
papers pertaining to the office were
| burnt. AS consequence, the Chair
man of the Board Of County Commits
sioners, has been almost constantly en-
ploycl in official business for the last
ten months, when the law does moi
expect him to be on duty more than
one hundred days.
The poor-houSe was visited by com
mittee from the Grand Jury, and the
houses and premises were found in
cleanly condition. There are some re-
pairs needed on the roof of severa
buildings, and in the Judgment of the
Grand Jury, should be attended to al
once. There are fourteen white and
thirteen colored inmates. With tn
present force of laborers and stock, the
Grand Jury think that better crop:
ought to be made, SO that the expense:
of this important charge should fall a:
lightly as possible upon the county.
Only two prisoners were found III tht
Jail. In view of the recent escape of
prisoner under indictment for grant
larceny, the Grand Jury feel constraln
ed to enjoin upon the Sheriff greater
vigilance over offenders committed tt
his charge. If properly confined with
in the sells, it does not occur to thu
Grand Jury how any one could make
escape.
The School Commissioner report:
only fourteen schools in operation IL
the county that report to his office
All the rest suspen led, owing to tht
lack of funds. He has under bis super
intendence 123 schools, when they are
all in operation, with an average attend
ance of 35 each. The Grand Jury have
been informed that some of tire school
trustees have been accustomed to author
izc the teachers, in making out pay
certificates, to sign for them. II such
has been the case with any trustees, we
recommend the discontinuance of tile
practice.
In closing our labors for the year, VIC
would again testify to the uniform ur'
banity and kindness exercised towards
us by his Honor Judge Cooke and So
licitOr Blythe. ., :,
All which is respectfully submitted.
L. w. WHITE, Foreman.
PROPOSED CoNCERT.-lt is rnmorcd
that Madam Brignoli, the famed Can
nrice, whose reputation is Worldwide,
will give Concert here, during the