Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-05-01
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
Bonds of county Officers All Eight, and
ReVenuS-COlIectOrs Settle Prompt
Iy-Fhe all and the FOOrhOuse.

The grand jury OF the county, before
being discharged yesterday by Judge
FIippin, reported as follows:
Hon. John r. FIippin, Judge of the Criminal
Court of Shelby County:
The grand jurors impaneled for the
January term submit the following re-
port: In compliance with your honOr's
instructions we have made a careful ex-
animation Of the county jail and poor
house. As to the bonds Of the county
officials, we append the following from
Mr.. Thomas Holman, chairman of the
county court: "In reference to the
bonds Of all county officials taken by
the county court the said court, in
compliance with the suggestions Of the
preceding grand jury, re- examined said
bonds, approving such as were suffi-
cient, and causing thoss not being
sufficient to be strengthened. The
bonds of ali officers sre now consid-
cred. amply good, with one exception.
that of revenue commissioner, and that
will be made good by the first of May.
In accordance with an order of the
county court all revenue collectors have
settled promptly at the beginning of
each month with the chairman of the
county court. Satisfactory settlements
the county trustee" Now, as to the
county pOOrhouse, we have carefully in
spected it, and were stimulated to such
critical inspection not only by a sense of
duty, but ably assisted by a prospective
residence therein. The complaints OF
lis condition are unWarranted, as We
learn from observation aud from the in
mates, and that neatnRss and order were
strictly observed. Tine occupants speak
highly of Drs. Duncan and Beatty, and
we think every comfort and convenience
is provided which is enjoyed by every
other pOOrhOuse we have occupied. The
jail is possessed Of ali the luXuries which
the recent reduction of the sheriff7s fees
will justify, and we think that officer
deserving Of cOmmendatiOn for the pro-
vision of prisoners, and without
great personal sacrifice he could not
better their condition. Among the
bOardeTs there prevails a feeling Of con-
tsntment which We envied, but not suf-
ticlentiy so to lead to an offer for an ex-
change Of position. The Inhabitants Of
such hOstelries are generally Of selfish
and shiftles5 disposition, and it is moth
ing unusual for garrOter to complain
of the pillows not holding his head high
enough, Our time was so much Occu-
pied in other localities that wa did not
lingeT in the pest-hOuSe investigation
any longer than to express the OpiRion
that all appointments are as good as
could be expected. II this opinion is
disputed, We beg your honor TO person.
ally visit this retreat, and we feel s8tis-
fed that your conclusions will confirm
cur statement. In performing the du-
ties OF faithful sentinels over the morals
Of our county, we have been governed
by high principle Of loyalty and two
dollars per day. The "immOrtal nine"
neglected appropriating any apprecia-
ton Of the former, but came in solid
phalanX on the latter and snatched fif-
ty cents from its original strength.
Under the circumstances we find
a prOpOrtiOnate weakening of our
energies and beg to be excused from
our prominence and permitted to retire
to that privacy the per centage Of which
cannot be touched by legislation.
Economy is a virtue, but our poor
house capacity does not commend a too
severe administration Of retrenchment.
We thank your honor, Attorney
General Wright, Colonel Sam Gam
mon, DR.. Perkins, Richard Capers,
John a. Powell, aud other officers, for
kindness shown US Very respectfully,
W. P. Mitchell, Foreman.
W. Ii. Moore, G W Naa
Thomas B. Coffee, A ID, Wallace
NJ. app, j. \. M'Callum.
John 3. Ford, {. Bur Rinkle
John W, Noegei, Dan Ames,
]. y. Stalm1 W. +. Simmons