The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-06-17
PrsSen&inepG of tho Grand jury

To His Honor Judyc II. s. C0thran,
Presiding JutIge in lime Term,
Court Of Common Pleas and Ses-
sions for A6dcvillc County, 1885 !:
The Grand Jury respectfully submit
the following report:
We have examined the bills handed
us by the Solicitor, and made such re-
turns as the facts seem to warrant.
We have examined tho public Off
ces.
The Treasurer's Office. so far Us we
ore able to judge, seems to be we'll kept.
He reports cash balance on hands
1886, and Of special tax col
lectcd on hands $747.l9.
The borrowing Of money to defray
current expenses, VIC could approve Of
if proper safeguards could be thrown
around it, but the radical defect seems
to be the selection of County Commits
s~ionera.
The School Commissioner is Jealous
and efficient, we think the cause of
education would be best promoted by
giving q salary sufficient to command
the best talent and require the entire
time of the incumbent.
The office Of Auditor wants additional
furniture, We recommend it be sup
piled.
Complaints have reached us Of the
difficulty Of finding papers in the
Clerks office. but the Clerk assures us
that now he has his Office in such con.
dition that there shall be no more diff.
Guilty in this particular.
The Offices of Probate Judge and
Sheriff SO far as we can form an opin.
ion, are we'll kept.
We have examined the Jail. The
inmates appear to fur sumptuously
every day. This place, to a certain
class of prisoners, should be less at-
tractive. We recommend the fare be re-
du:ed to actual necessities.
Nellie Earl is in Jail on n peace bond,
we recommend her discharge. The
Jail should be whitowashcd OH tho
inside.
The roads in some localities arc bad
ly worked and in som not at all. but
we deem it sufficient to notify the par
ties interested to have the work done
at the proper time.
We have examined the Poor House
carefully and find the accommoda-
tons inadequate for the number of in
mates. One of the houses now occu-
pied was donated for a house of wor-
ship; VIC recommend that other houses
be built suitable for dwelling, and tho
chapel be used as n place Of worship.
We found the food and clothes fur
nishod in quality and quantity sufi-
cient, and the inmates we'll cared for,
except they are too much crowded to-
gether. Tho system of letting out the
Poor House to tho highest bidder, pro.
hibits any very great changes, we re-
commend a change in the management.
Ihe care and treatment Of the poor is
an index Of the highest civilization.
The present establishment comes for
short of what itshould be.
The Trial Justices have sent I'd onlv
Q few books for our inspection, They
arc neatly kept, in a business style !;
we recommend they bo- required to
adopt the same forms, and have their
books on hand at each term Of Court.
The druggists in some localities con-
time to violate the law rctricting the
sale Of ardent spirits, we have not sufa
oiont evidence to prosecute.
At the last term Of the Court VIC pre-
sented the G. & g. r. Il. for violations
Of General Statutes 1434 and 1882, but
from some neglect VIC are forced to the
necessity Of directing the attention of
The Court to the Same point.
The Coroner is reported to us as over
Jealous in the discharge Of his duties,
we specify the pnses Of Lue Williams
and Phebe Valentine, post morton
examinations without warrant and
under protest.
This season of the year is very un-
favorable to the public for holding
Court.
With thanks to your Honor and
officers of the Court we beg to be dis
charged.
Respectfully Submitted,
J. II. OLDHAM,