Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-11-19
Grand ,EUry ReDnrf.

| oONbOhi, Wv 10, lOio'
To tie Honorable Wm. u RoeksfslEsr, Prssiclsn
Jisags Of Northumberland county, and Associats
Judge:
Your HoNoRs We, the Grand Inquest, in
| curing In and for the county of Northumber-
land, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, respect
| fully report,
| That We have attended to all the business sub
| mitted To us.
We have acted on ffty.one bills, twenty eight
of which have been returned F'true bilIs," and
| twenty-three "ignoramus."
OF the bills ignored, especially of those charg-
ing felony. We regret to say that the greater
| number failed because neither the prosecutor or
| witnesses could be obtained, although repeatedly Y
called.
From the best information we could gat er, 1t
would appea' that many of the justices of he
peace do not take any recognizInce from the
prosecutor for the prosecution OF the case, or If
they do, irresponsible parties accepted.
We desire, especially in this connection, re
spectfully TO call attention to the general neglect
on the part Of justices of the peace of the pro-
visions of the act of Assembly of May Sth,
1854, requiring them to make their return ten
lays previous to the meeting of court The eX-
Sting practice of Withholding returns until
within day OF two Of the meeting of court is
believed to be moi only in violation of law, but
seriously detrimental To the public interest. 1t
nccssItates hasty AMI immature prep tratlnn OF
CtSte On tue part Oi JUe CtninDnWC tljn dlbOIbcN-
AL doubtless sometimes results in defeating en-
tirely thr ends of justice.
We have carefully examined the Court House
building, toy .ther with the several offices be
longing To it, and also the Jail. We find the
Court House building in general good repair,
With the exception of leaky root and damage
r:sulLing from such leaks. We recommend the
prompt and thorough repair of these defects,
md that such repairs be hereafter promptly
made without waiting Till serious damages rc-
suit.
We find the several offices neatly kept and in
good order. No speciai recommendations are
!ecmed nrcessary except for the Prothonotary's
office, for which We recommend the procuring Of
new double wiring desk, also some rear
ranTcment of the existing furHiture to promote
ne general convenience.
We also recnm,n the adoption in the Pro-
thonOlary'> office of Campbel's new index sys-
tenn III six bUukS ii the costs of the looks, to-
,rther with the traUscribing, shall rot exceed
our hundred dola
We recommend for the Grand jury rOon of
,iit aud coat racks, much needed convenience
We visited the Jail and lind it much The worse
,'u account of age. 1t Was crelitnblc struc-
nurc 10 our grandidthers, who, in their poverty.
built il, but its usefulness has ceased ami IL |
should give place To another.
We deem IL unsuitable in arrangements. an
su icIcGt Ia cdiarIy, an unfit IN other respect
ior the proper restraint aud Treatment OF prIeo |
ners. We have no recommendations to make IN |
egard to it except for the purchase of one GOZen
additional blankets for the use OF the prisoners.
We believe that prisoners who not confirmed |
md hardened criminals should be treated with Il
view 10 their reformation aud reclamation to |
lie paths of virtue, aud that they ought not IT, |
'e thrown into c0mpanlonohip with abandoned |
criminals.
We therefore recommend the erection of 4 new |
a OF suitable arrangements for the separate
of prisoners. We Recommend
hat it be of neat ahd tasteful design, snbstdn
.laI in construction, and of adequate capacity. !
We recommend that il be built with Il view TO
Isefulness and serviceabieness, and that, in its
erection, al, needless extravaganza of costs be /
avoided. We recommend in conclusion propcI
cleaning aud renoyaLing oi the wa
er closet, ana that they be constantly kept III Il
.ec enI condition, without the necessity for re-
,eatcd pubic reference by Grand Juries in their
cports TO their filthy condition.
j. II. ZIMMERMAN, Foreman.
SUPPLEMENTAL REPogr.-ln the matter OF the
,cttIon of suudry citizens of Northumberland
ounty asking for investigation OF the Tax
ales OF unscatcd land by the CouEty Comuis-
iouers through their agent, X. NJ. Cummings,
II the Years 1873 aud 1874, which petition
ubmitted by the Court for the consideration OF
he Grand Jury, reports,
That We have carefully Investigated the mat
cr referred To by the examination OF books and |
apers from the Commissioners oliicc anI other
ources having reference to said sale. ani by the
of witnesses under oath,
We fihd no evidence of fraud, corruption, mis-
OF codLty fund.-, nor any unidiLh-
ulness whatever on the part OF the county Com
No charges IN any way rejecting on the per-
Dnal integrity or ollcial conduct of any OF the |
were preferred before us.
In view OF previous experience III the matter
{ lax sales, We believe the County Commission
RS were justified IN entering iutO TIE contract |
ihich they made with X. Nj. Cummings, and
nat IL resulted in considerable pecuHiary ad-
antaye to the cOucty.
We find that Mr.. Cummings, on his part, has
aithfuly performed hs part OF the contract
Tlhuut hardship or injustice 10 Claimant and
nth advantage To the county.
Inc amount realized TO the treasury of the
ounty Oh the sale referred to appears TO be over
we've Thousand dollars, Il much larger sum
rubablS than would have been obtained under |
he manner OF sales previously prIcIiced.
The above report meets the unanlunoua con
urrencc OF the Grand Jury.
J. II. IiNMEEMAN, Foreman.