Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-04-17
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY. I

Board Of Co. Commissioners of York Co.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY
To the Hon. r. J. Mackey, Judge Of Sszth
Circuit: ',... ., j.? .ar,.r.n. : -. 81:
The grand jury of York county beg leave
to make the following report: -v g.. :.
+ We have examined the county Jail and find
the same in good condition. The prisoners
are securely kept, are comfortably cared for,
and have suficiency Of wholesome food.
No distinction is made in the jail, as to the
treatment of different classes of prisoners con-
fined there. -, ...;'- .,.
We have visited the Offices of the sheriff,
clerk Of court, and judge of probate. The
books and papers in the same appear to be
properly kept. We find, however, that the
records in the former court of equity are in
some confusion-a portion having been trans
ferred to the Office of the judge of probate,
and portion to the clerk of the court. We
recommend that these papers be properly filed
and that the county commissioners furnish
books in which to properly index the same.
We find the floors of these Offices badly out Of
repair, and recommend that the county COM
missioners have the same repaired. ..
We have examined the poor house of the
lcounty and find that there are twenty three
paupers supported there, and that they are
comfortably cared for. The buildings are in
good repair, with the exception of the super
intendent's house-the windows and window
sills of which need repairing, and which we
recommend should be repaired. We have as
certained that no provision has been made ss
to the care of the INDECENT sick outside, of the
poor house, and it has come within the cogni-
zance of a member of the grand jury that
such medical attention has been needed. We
respectfully recommend that the. cSanty COM
mssioners do make contracts at reasonable
rates, with physicians in the different town.
ships, to attend on the INDECENT sick, and that
they make the necessary regulations, so that
whilst those sick, who are really INDECENT and
unable to pay physician shall be humanely
cared for, that those who" are able to- pay
shall not be attended at the expense Of the
county. -. ..-a :, ,a.. s... a..
We have examined the civil and criminal
dockets of but two of the trial justices of the
county. We have no recommendations to
make in regard to the same. The dockets Of
the other trial justices we have had no oppor.
tunity of seeing. -. - -. ''"... d
We have examined into the Office of the
school commissioner, and have tried to obtain
the information asked for by. your, Honor.
The commissioner reports that there are twen-
ty.6ve schools in operation for white children,
and nineteen schools for colored children.
He reports that he has given warrants upon
the county treasurer for $4367 .04, for pay of
,olo II kono n ,sn 1on srfo off
find, however, that these claims have not all
been paid, and that there are amounts due
teachers for services rendered for the years
1871 and 1872. The county treasurer's books
show that, for the present scholastic year, he
has collected from poll and local tax for the
benefit of the schools, the sum of $3,47408.
The share Of the school fund.-, which,; accord
ing to the statement of the State superinten.
dent Of education, belongs to this county,
amounts to $9,792.50. For this amount the
county treasurer has recently received war
rant on the State treasurer. For the scholas-
tic year of 1872, there is also much still due
to the school teachers of York county. We
are unable to find, from the records in the
school commissioners Office, what amount is
really due. For that year the county taxes
were collected and applied in partial payment
of these school claims, and in addition, the
State superintendent Of education gave the
county treasurer a warrant on the State treas
urer for $4,000. The county treasurer
states that the State treasurer declines to pay
more than one.third of that amount. For the
amounts yet due the school teachers for the
year 1871, the General Assembly, as we are
informed, made an appropriation Of $4,000,
but We are unable to find that this county re-
ceived any portion of this appropriation: 1t
is q source of deep regret that there should be
such delay in paying the hard-earned wages
of the school.teachers and it is to be feared
that unless the teachers are paid promptly for
their labors, the cause of free schools will re-
ceive check from which it may suffer great
ly. tits not to be expected that these teach
ers will work without pay, and if, notwith-
standing appropriations Of public money made
for their benefit, it is found that their pay
cannot be obtained, they will necessarily aban-
don teaching and take to other callings. We
have tried to obtain the other information
asked for by the Court in reference to the free
schools, and regret that we are unable to do
80. The county school commissioner cannot
tell US the number of school houses in the
county. He informs US that "about' five are
owned by the county but does not know their
cost. In obedience to the request of your
Honor, directing us to enquire whether the
office of county school commissioner is faith
fully and efficiently administered, we regret
to so :, tbot o1thouoh we have M reason Tn be-