Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-04-01

Dtem-h0W tho Mnktat-ntes Elec
Eath Other 10 Ofiices-The Burla
of PRuperr by the counIy Undes
taher Commented upon-Meeo
nendaifons by lbe Grand Jury.
The Graud Jury ofthe Criminal Cour
presented an able and voluminous repor
this morning. II is unusual for the re
port TO be made before the adjournmen
of Court, but in view Of the facts thu
the County Court will be in session OF
Monday next, and that the report con
taihs many alters concerning the Cour
aud its duties, the Grand Jurors deemec
it advisable to report at this time.
The jurors report that they carefully
examined the reports Of the yarioui
revenue officers, and found them cor
rect. They feel constrained TO recon
mond that certain official bonds b'
strengthened as follows: The additional
bond Of George r. Powell, as State anC
County Tax Collector for $50. 900, should
be strengthened by the addition Of $40,
600, 10 make it a good $50, 900 bond.
George Il. Powels bond for $50. 00C
not considered good. 1t requires add
tional security 10 the amount Of SIS,
600. ". ' t.I ..'si
The bond of A. Woodward, County
Trustee, for $4,000, insufficient, and
recommend that $4,000 additional Sc
curity be required. unaF
The bond of b. p. Anderson, Com
missioner of Revenue, of $50, 900 is in
sufficient; should be, Strengthened by
$4,000 additional secnrity. ,r,
The bond of j. A. Anderson, Public
Administrator for 100000 needs to be
strengthened by the addition of $50, 900
The jurors doubt not the fidelity OF
the above officials, but aehiated by a
desire to secure the public welfare, the
above recommendation are made
In County Court matters the Grand
Jurors find that the manner OF keeping
the public records, papers ndvouchers,
as developed in the reports Of the
Chairman and the Clerk Of the County
Court, does not harmorize the duties OF
the two Offices. & aMi 4sNi
The duties OF the two officers, Chairman
and County Clerk, shonld be so blended
and arranged that financial stateme ut
of the county could be furnished by the
Clerk as readily as statement from a
boat, insurance company, or mercantile
establishment whereas, it now requires
days and weeks to make up such state
ment. gnmfu
1t is recommended that the Court ap
point upon the next Grand Jury at least
two experts Of. ability and experience,
whose duty it shall be to take up the
county records and make out a complete
and fnll statement of appropriations and
payments. The County Court Clerk
should also open up a regular set of ac-
count books with every department of
the county government. Z
Many of the magistrates have failed
70 make reports Of amounts received
under the small offense law.
The Grand Jury questions the pro-
priety Of the County Court in electing
members Of their own body TO all the
Offices filled by the court. 1t seems inn.
possible for any outside citizen, let him
be ever so competent and worthy, to get
an Office at the hands of the court 1t
doesn't look handsome for the County
Court TO ignore all other citizens and
monopolize the offices within their own
circle or ring. "asamlhu eslg lnua7
The Grand Jurors find that when a
magistrate gives his $500 bond TO the
county in almost every instance, they
have become security for each other.
They vote themselves five dollars per
day, and the Chairman pays them that
amount in the face of the statute, which
declares that they shall receive two dol
lars per day for their services, but it is
with pleasure. that the jurors notice that
Esquires Winters Wallace, Walker,
Duncan and Hall refused to accept the
illegal amount, ~ 80
Chairman Bleckley has failed to en-
force the provisions Of the contract with
the Memphis, Marion and Selma railroad.
Two hundred thousand dollars in county
certificates have been issued to the com
pany, yet the financial agent has been un-
able to furnish any information as to the
amount Of work completed or material
with the proceeds. The jurors
recommend that no further appropria-
ion be made until the terms of the con
.ract are complied with in every particu-
ar Chairman Bleckley is the execu-
i've officer of the county, the special
guardian Of the public welfare, and he
should not shirk the responsibilities OF
ais Office and throw them upon the
shoulders of the County Court II six
years the county has lost over $500, 900
~ defaplting officers, large portion of
which may be attributed 70 the absence
If proper yatchfnlness OF the financial =
gent of the county. The jurors feel
to say that the present con-
lition of county affairs does not eneour
zoe the belief that the executive depart
nent of the county government pos {
Iesses the Judgment and discretion nee ]
,ssary TO control the affairs Of county
obtaining so, 600 people and $40, 10000
Il property.
A courthouse Is a necessity most I'M !
,ortant, the public records especially I
icing greatly exposed to danger from
ire. The county is paying annually for
ent Of court rooms and public offices {
mounts sufficient 10 build court I
.ouse The jurors recommend that a !
tie be selected and that courthouse be /,
rected. The jurors are curious TO know
lhy tho Magistrates are made the pre- 1
erred creditars OF the county, being /
iWays paid in. cash, (oasn vaFrants), n
lille other officials, not members OF the
charmed circle, are compelled to re-
ain their warrants for use in the liqui- J
atoms Of some liability to the county, Z
p sac,S. Gee them at whatever price they !
Iay happen to rae al in the market. \
The poor house is rePOrtts- 2 ss ~ 4