The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-12-18
REPORT OF TERRITORIAL GRAND JURY.
Second Judicial District Court of Montana
Territory-December Term, 1888.
GRAND JURY ROCKS,
DEER LODGE COUNTY.

GRAND JURY ROCKS,
DEER LODGE COUNTY.
To Hon. William J. Galbrdiut Judge:
We, the Grand Jury, serving at this term
of the District Court, in and for Deer Lodge
county, respectfully report that we have care
fully examined into all cases brought before
us, and have disposed of the same as we have
thought to be our duty under our oaths and
the laws of the Territory.
We visited the Penitentiary on the invita-
ton of U. S. Marshal Kelley, and are pleased
to state that we are of the opinion that this
institution is we'll kept and managed by the
Marshal and his subordinates.
We examined our county Jail, and find
that it is as we'll kept as It's crowded condi-
ton will permit. The prisoners are we'll fed
and cared for.
We recommend that the County Commits
sioners have built suitable Jail yard to the
Jail. This we deem necessary to the health
of the prisoners. This work can be done by
the prisoners confined in JAIL and at very
inconsiderable cost to the county.
We examined the county records and
offices, and as far as our limited examination
would permit us to determine, we think our
records are all well kept, and that our officers
are all faithfully discharging their duties.
We examined st. Joseph Hospital, where
are kept our INDECENT sick and poor. We
were kindly received by the Sisters in charge
and shown through the building. We fonnd
everything neat and clean, with excellent
provision for the comfort of the unfortunates
confided to the care of these good women.
We examined the new addition being cree
ted to our Court House. We find it to be an
excellent structure, and well adapted to the
uses intended. We recommend that the
County Commissioners have erected thereon
another story, for use as a court room, during
the year 1886.
We have no complaint to find as to the
manner in which our county affairs have
been administered; but we are of the opin-
ion that prudence and the best interests of
the people requires that occasionally reck-
oning should be had, so that the people can
know exactly how their business has been
done and their revenues discussed. We
therefore think it proper and recommend
that the County Commissioners appoint two
expert accountants to examine the books of
our county officers and report the condition
thereof; and that such examination extend
as far back as the Commissioners think best.
We report again, as so many Grand Juries
have heretofore reported, that we find in
many cases the Justices of the Peace bind
over parties upon trivial charges, and in
many cases where there are absolutely no
legal charges whatever, and bind over wit
nesses in such cases, resulting only in large
bills of costs against the county. We rec
ommend that the County Commissioners
rigidly scrutinize and examine such bills,
and that the same be disallowed.
In other cases the committing magistrates
fail to bind over the important witnesses,
and thus, in many cases, criminals are per-
mitted to escape punishment by the default
of these officials. We insist, IL these Off
cials do not know their duties, that they re-
sign If they do know their duties, and fail
to perform them, they should not have their
bills paid.
In conclusion, we acknowledge our obliga-
lions to the officers who have so kindly and
| promptly assisted us in the discharge of our
duties. And now, having completed our
labors, we respectfully ask to be discharged.
GEO. Fl. BABcocK, PHIL. K. EVANS,
Clerk Foreman.