The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-05-12

PreSentment OF the Grand Jury at the
hlay Term OF Court for Fairfield
County. ,s.
STATE OF Sourm CARoL,NA, J
County Of Fairfield.
10 his Honor r. J.Mac1ey, Preceding
Judge.
The Grand Jury of Fairfield
County, at the May term of Cour.
beg leave to make tho following pro.
sentiment.
|. Thoy have in the brief space of
timo allotted to thom visited tho
Offices Of the various County officials,
and find the same in good order and
their books neatly and legibly kept.
.As to whether the books are accurate
and the various officials have honestly
and with ability performed the
duties with which they arc charged,
tho Grand Jury a,c unable to rel ort
without much moro rigorous OK
animation than tLey arc enabled in
so short a period to make. With one
exception thore ara no complaints
made against these officials, and it il
tho belief Of the Grand Jury that
they arc performing their duties
with satisfaction to tho geper-
al public. Complaints have been
made against tho Shorlf Of the
County. These complaints arc two
fold, first that ho has fuied to ao.
count for moneys paid into his hands,
and second, that he has been guilt,
of neglect of duty. Tho Grand Jury
have not time to examine into the
first charge as it involves transactions
extending over long period, and
would thoI cforo recommend, it the
Court please, that committee be up i.
pointed, assisted by an expert, to
examine the books Of the Sheriff, the
said committee to have power to sum-
mon witnesses if necessary, and that,
if appointed, the said com mitteo and
expert receive suitable compensation
for their lAbors. In regard to the
second charge preferred against the
shoritf, the Grand Jury find that
tho sheriff wns absent from the
County and State fer IL period Of
six or seven weeks from ON or about
tho sixth day of March to tho 9th
Of April, aud that during that time
there was no regularly constituted
deputy sheriff, to discharge
the duties of the office. The Grand
Jury therefore, although de.
sirlng to do injustice to NO one, fec
it incumbent upon themselves in the
interest of law and good order to
present Louis W. Duvall, sheriff Of
FMrliold County, for neglect of duty.
The Grand Jury would also present
that they find the tilicial bond of
tho said Sheriff inadequate to protect
the public interest, and would there
fore recommend tina! should the
said Sheriff continue to disc.lar &c the
duties Of his Office, he is required to
Rgivc a new bond as provided by lAw.
|. III. -Four trial justices, Ira :.
Scott, Il. II. Robertson, S. ". Ruff
and James Alison, have submitted
! their books for inspection. aud tho
Same have been found correct. The
remaining trial Justices have not re
ported to tho Grand Ju"y nor prcseut-
cd their books for inspection. The
Grand Jury rcoommoud that here.
after the solicitor demand M 10.
spcction of the books Of all tho trial
justices ut cach term Of Court AZ pro.
vided in Chap. XIV. Soc. al of
Revised Statute$. Complaint has
been made that King Yorgue, who
was SO ntcnccd to imprisonment some
time since by Trial Justice Walker,
and who escaped .,om the custody
oftho constable, is still at large, aud
that though several applications have
been made to tho said Justice to have
the said criminal arrested, he has
failed t" take any steps in this mat
ter. The Grand Jury, believing that
Justice Walker is desirous of per-
forming his duties properly, and
hearing that Ire is giving satisfaction
to tho public, refrain from censuring
him fortho present dercliction OF dut y
but recommend that he be instructed
10 procure tho arrest Of tho said
criminal without delay, as an ex.
ample Of successful defiance of law is
preducial to the public good.
III. A committee Of tho Grand
Jury visited the County Poor House
and report that the institution ap-
pears to be we'll conducted. The
premises are kent neatly. and tho
garden in tlourishing condition.
~. The County Jail, is in good
condition as possible unde, the oir.
cumstances, showing an Improvement
sinco our last visit.
In regard to tho erection of new
Jail, the Grand Jury arc informed
that tho proceeds from tho sale OF
the present Jail will not be sufficient