Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-07-02
GRAND JURY REPORT.


Poor House ComIniasioueraC con.
demnsd for He'd Tapeism.-Court
House aeeded-puDIte Records IA
Dhugerl-The sheriff 90 suppress
tanning .,n.s s End I 1,,ss.,sr y n S.s
BOnds OF County Omctnls- snnI.
faFy sergeant Rogers sustained
ia Every Particular. snf
To Hon. John r.. Flippin. Judge Criminal
Court, Shelby County; nsI
SlR-Belore adjourning we desire 10
present the following brief report. We
have examined the Adams street station
house, and found same to be in a good,
clean condition; found several youths
confined there who should by all means
be confined in house Of correction, an
institution very much needed by this
city. In our visit 10 the county Jail we
we're pleased TO find it in excellent con-
dition. The cells, corridors and out.
houses were all neat and clean; heard
no complaint among the prisoners. We
found il contained SO prisoners, q white,
38 colored; So males, female. The
Grand Jury would recommend that some
action be taken in regard 10 Joseph
Taylor, prisoner who has, during his
confinement, lost his eYesight from an
attack Of the measels. We also visited
the county poor.house, situated some
five miles from the city on the Raleigh
road found the grounds ample and well
adapted for their present use; the
house is badly out of rapair, and needs
much work to make it comfortable; the
hall and rooms we're neat and in good
order; the cellar under the main build
ing, in its present condition full OF
stagnant water is nuisance that should
be promptly abated. The special atten-
ton of the Commissioners is called TO
this matter. The Grand Jury would
recommend the building of an addition
al cistern, :and that the institution be
furnished with force pump and about
200 feet OF hose. The institution con-
tains 81 inmates, As white and IL col
ored, a large number of whom are con-
firmed invalids. There is also among the
number insane, who should be removed
to the insane asylum. We desire to ex-
press our entire appreciation OF the man
agement of theinstitution by DR.. George !
Hogan, who, though surprised by our
visit promptly escorted US through the
entire establishment, and furnished us
with all information desired. Whilst |
speaking on this subject, the Grand |
Jury feel in duty bound, from evil
dence brought before them, to report |
that they do not think the Poor House
Commissioners free from censure on ac-
count of the poor facilities afforded for
gaining admission to that institution.
We are informed that applicants must be
with pass from w. II. Sneed,
ESQ, who resides some ten miles from
the city, and only visits here semi-oc-
OCCASIONALLY. Cases have been known to
have been left lying upon the floors of
the Court room in great suffering for
many hours awaiting the arrival of the
proper officer to furnish the necessary
papers for admission. This should not be.
The Grand Jury feel constrained to
urge upon the city officials the necessity
Of continued and prompt action in re-
rard to the sanitary condition of the
city. Not ouly should the streets and
alleys be kept clean and in order, but
he owners of all private property should
De compelled to keep their premises free
rom all filth and trash.
We would also urge upon the County
Court the pressing necessity for the erec-
ion of courthouse suitable to accom-
MEDIATE all the courts and also the county
officers. The public records of this
county are in great danger of being de-
,troyed by fire as they are at present
Kept. Should such catastrophe occur
he loss to our citizens would be meal
,ulable, and we can but think our County
Court are very derelict in their duty in
permitting such state of affairs to ex-
st. The amount paid annually for rent
If courthouses and public Offices would
70 far toward building suitable house.
The Grand Jury desire to call the at
ention of this honorable court to the
present system of finding innumerable
Indictments against parties for selling
inuor on Sunday" gambling" and
keeping bawdy houses. Almost one
.alf of the time of the Grand Jury is
AIKEN up with this class of cases, and in
many instances resulting in great loss
0 the county by having the costs to pay
N account of failure to convict.
his. we think, can be remedied to a
reat extent if the city authorities, mag
,trates, constables and our worthy S
heriff and his efficient deputies will ex- z
cute the existing laws by promptly ar ,
esting those violating and closing up
heir houses. We are advised that our o
tatutes make II the duty of the Sheriff
, suppress all such violations of law,
laking it an indictable offense for fail
re to do so. We hope and believe that
! our present Sheriff we have a man
no has the moral courage to promptly J
xecute this law, assuring him that he O
i'll have the cordial support of all good
tizens.
We have examined the bonds of the
,unty officials, and fin6 them all sufii-
ent, excepting the bond of A. Wood
ard, County Trustee This, we are of
Dinion, should be increased by addi- u
onal security to amount of $4,000.
The statement Of g. r. Powell, State
Id County Tax Collector, is satisfac-
ry, showing good collections and c
'ompt payments to the proper receiv.
Q officers.
The statement of J. Harvey Mathes \,
so shows that office to be in a healthy ~
,ndition. We found these officers ii
ompt to present their reports and Ii
'uchers. Y
Mr.. A. Woodward, County Trustee, is :.
sent from the city, and his deputy or a.
ERIK, VIM. A. Steppy, was unable to C
esent US with full report OF the re-
ipts and payments Of that office.
We found the vouchers Of B. +. Dun
N, Railroad Tax Collector, all correct.
We we're unable to find Mr.. B. p. An
rson, and can make no report as to his
bee.
The Grand Jury desire to return their IN
anks 10 the officers OF this Court, es- n
.cially to deputy sheriff George Viii G
.ms Tor bis efficiency. courtesy and %