Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-10

strengthening, others where one OF the bonds
men have died or moved out of the city, and
still another class who have given no bonds
Tor several yesrs We especially call your
honor's attention TO the list herewith SUBJ
mitted, marked exhibit A, which is made a
part of this report.
Exhibit A-The following officers bonds
should be strengthened: r. G. Graves, ]. ].
Williams J ohn Loague, Thomas Fleming, J.
F. Elliott, r. F. Arsta, NJ. B. Trezevant, V.
W. Williams, J. NJ. Williams, c. W. Schultz,
w. w. Rowletb, Jesse Page, Avery Meri-
wether, II. Y. Marley, F. w. Buttinghaus, ].
n. Goodlett, j. F. Cody, IF. Beusdorf, w. A.
Hill, Thomas Garvey, J NJ. Trezevant.
The following officers bonds should be in
creased and strengthened: G. Weatherford,
c. E. Smith, chairman, sureties to justify. A.
J. Harris should strengthen his two bonds OF
$50 900 each. The bond OF the county un-
dertaker expired in 1880, and none has been
taken since. The bonds of officers of the
Taxing District should be recorded as bonds
of county and State officers, and kept by the
County Court clerk. We would recommend
the court TO scrutinize very closely the
names of parties who sign many bonds.
We find the road-taI being collected by q
separate collector in each civil district OF
the county, and would recommend that =
law be passed to make it part of the county
trustees duty to collect said tax whenever
he collects State and county tax for the
same year We also recommend that Minor
Meriwether, receiver, be directed TO have due
care takep OF all books and papers in his
possession belonging to the late city OF Mem
phis, az we find them very csrelessly nan
died In fact, no care is taken of them what
ever at present.
The COMMITTEE appointed by the foreman
of the grand jury to examine the station
house, report as follows: 1--WE end the Gull
nary department entirely unsafe and made
quate. The cooking, as far az we can judge,
is barbaroUs and uncivilized, and while we
think that the MISSES generally confined
there are OF that class who deserve very lit
lie better, yet we must remember they are
human beings. and as such are entitled to
wholesome ard well-cooked food. The cells
are wholly inadequate in many instances,
aud totally unfit TO con6ne human beings.
The commodes in the shape OF buckets and
tub, we recommend be abandoned, and resu-
lar water closets be placed there with fush
tanks. These are only temporary improve
ments, however, to be used until the Taxing
| District authorities feel able 10 erect a suit
| able building better adapted to the wants of
city prisoners, W hich we earnestly recommend
may be speedily done"
| The grand jurors cannot allow the present
, opportunity 10 pass without expressing their
| disapprobation OF the manner in which the
city prisoners are utilized, without any bene-
| fit resulting from that class OF offenders TO
the Taxing District, and would therefore
| urge upon the authorities the necessity of
Immediately taking such steps that will
cause the erection of suitable workhouse,
substantially built, that will enable the
authorities 10 derive such benefits from that
class who are unable to pay their fines.
The committee appointed by the foreman
OF the grand Jury TO examine the county Jail
report the following: eve find the kitchen
in a very bad and filthy condition, and the
floors in very bad condition, and would
recommend that some OF the stone now in
the cellar of the courthouse be used in max
ing a new floor in the kitchen and room ad-
joining. The table now used should be re-
placed by new one, and should be kept
cleaner in future. The ventilation of the
water closets is very defective, and should be
carried outside Of The Jail building. We
found few OF the cells very filthy, fol
which, we think, the jsiler is responsible
The general condition of the Jail is fair
Some steps should be taken to prevent water
from leaking from the first floor into tbs
basement. We would also recommend tha
the jailer shall keep the windows clean ant
the halls whiewashed; also that he conpe
I edcQ prisoner 10 DAlQe nle UOuy a.
least once a week, as they have every facility
for such purposes. We found the food fur
nished the prisoners good and wholesome
and in great abundance, and that the treat
ment is humane and kind"
The grand ju would recommend tina
the Taxing District officials petition tn
, Legislature TO pass such laws as will proven
the sick and psupers from other States ant
counties being sent to Shelby county and tn
Taxing District, TO be cared for and treate
at their expense.
The grand jurors would be doing an In
justice to your honor's court not to call st
: lention TO the books of Justice Spelmar
We find upon examination between thirt
and forty warrants not numbered or recorde
! in his docket. He al o acknowledges beior
J the grand jury that he has only within tn
last few days dooketed suy of the cases trie
before him since his June report TO th
Quarterly Court. We earnestly hope you
honor will take such steps as will insure III
. proper examination of all laws that ma
! specially come under the jurisdiction OF tn
! magistrates. There may be others of
= similar character, but the books not bein
. examined, as they were SO recently done
: previous grand jury, this one was disco'
? cred accidentally by the testimony OF tw
: witnesses, who were summoned in anotht
|
: that all magistrates be>required 10 entt
upon their docket all cases that come befol
= | them the same day said suit is inst
tuted, according to tine provisions
the statutes. The grand jurors woul
also recommend that your honor 81
!, psint the Encouragement or his a
= sstant with two discreet business men to e;
= anime all the papers aud books connecte
u with the magistrates courts, and they be en-
J, powered TO send for persons and papers,
we find many cases tried in which no cos
are entered and books very poorly kept. o.
y attention has been called 10 this by rig
. examination of The books and papers of Ju
e tice John Spelman, and as we have not bee
e required to examine the magistrates dOcke
e this term, there are doubtless others who
y dockeis may be in the same condition as Il
above.
t DE-. GOODYEAR, Foreman.
e JAMES MAXWELL, i. B. HILL,
!, JAMES F. sCHABEL, EDWARD BARINDs,
= A. B. LOWELL, JOHN HEFFERNAN,
J. 8. FRANSIOLI, H NJ. sET fLE,
" ]. SARTORIUS, JAMES STEELE,
/. THOS. F. TOBINs, WIN. B. R0YSTER.