The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-05-27

Presentment of Grand Jury to Hi
Honor Judge Cooke.
The Grand Jury for Abbeville count.
respectfully make the following pre-
sentiment for May Term, 1874.
we have visited the public building
and offices, and by deputation the Poo
House. The Courthouse is generally
inzgood condition. We find, however
that the closet under one of the stair.
cases is in filthy condition, being ap.
parently used commonly as a water
closet. The Grand Jury, being serious
]y impressed with this nuisance, called
the attention of the Clerk of the Court
to it, supposing that he had the custody
of the whole building. The Clerk de-
MED his responsibility. We then called
upon the County Commissioners. They
deny that they have the charge. We
earnestly request the Court to say who
is responsible for the keeping of the
Court House, and that this filthy use OF
it be abated forthwith. The Jail is in
good order. We were struck with the
improvement in its condition since the
last Term of the Court. The building
and premises are clean and peat, the
cells are in good order, the prisoners
were as comfortable as their circum-
stances demand. We regret that this
favorable condition Of the Jail should be
marred by any irregularity, and that
we are called upon to present the Sher-
:iff of. the county for nialfeasance In
office, inasmuch as he has permitted
and allowed certain prisoners the priy-
'ilege ofthe Jail yard, and it was reported
to us that one of the prisoners was seen
upon the street at night.
The public offices we found in order.
The County Commissioners reported
amount of checks drawn for
Roads and bridges, s4,29S.34
Jail, 1,56l.36
Court, ALSO
Poor House, 2,S47.74
County Commissioners, 3ll.O0
Miscellaneous, 2,S67.9S
Total Sl2,32S:2
We have examined the account of
the Commissioners, and find that the
amount corresponds with the above re-
capitalization. There are 1.-TWO items of
the account which we desire to refer to-
one of S24.5O paid to Z: A. Jefferson and
the other, $lG50, to A. r. Burton for
extraservices as County Commissioners.
We do not think they are entitled to
anything more than the law allows.
recommend that these amounts be
refunded.
The Poor House we find has been Wis.,
lited with serious calamity since our
last meeting; every building on the
premises having been destroyed by an
accidental fire, on the 18th day of Mar ch.
This was most serious loss to the coun
ty.' In order to provide for the inmates,
the County Commissioners arranged
the Chapel for their accommodation
and built one house. The whole eX-
penditures, incident to retitting and re-
furnishing, being about eight hundred
dellars.
"An ~
we find that the County Commission
ers expended about sixty dollars upon q
house for the steward, said house being |
upon the stewards own land, and rs the
steward announced to US that he would
not serve longer than the present. year,
submit that it is not right that the Coun-
ty should pay this amount, and we rec
ommend that the stewards salary be
credited with the above amount of SIX
ty dollars.
We find there are sixteen inmates at !
this time, nine white and seven colored.
We, earnestly recommend that the
County Commissioners do forthwith
let out to the lowest responsible bidder
the maintenance and support Of the
paurecs of the county; that a good and
sufficient bond be required for the due
performance of the contract, and that
specifications be drawn up for the con-
tract by the 0ounty Commissioners, the
whole to beapproved by committee
of the Grand Jury-said committee to
be- appointed by the foreman at this
time. ssi,iki a.g
Iu making this recommendation the
Grand Jury are aware that it is, per-
'haps, not in accordance with astrict in
depreciation of the law; but it is made
because we are assured that it can be
done to the manifest advantage Of thel
count and also to the paupers.
The County Treasurer's office we find
well kept. This officer reports amountj
paid out for
County proper, Sl6,w.S1
Court House Claims, 100000
Public Schools, lS,999.55l
Total S42,27636I
It is matter of, regret to the Graud
Jury that the School Fund appears toi
be so easily exhausted. We had hoped
that the public schools would be kept
open at least half of the year. It seems,
howeyer, from the report of the Treas
urer and the School Commissioner,