The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1886-09-18
condition. there being credited on
books of treasurer the following:
Credit general fund (parish) .......s21o2 90
Above subject to outstanding war

| credit general fund (paflsh) .........S2102 2e
Above subject to outstanding war
Thutb.........." Observation-Disclosures. = ~ rs
Actual amonnt subject 10 Police
Jury.............. .-..- S2O93 So
To credit tor school beard .......... S5342 4e
Above subject to one warrant M
PAID. ............ so &C
Actual cash subject to order School
Boafc. S5292 09
a condition Of affairs upon which
both school board and police jury
are to be congratulated.
We examined the proceedings OF
the School Board and find that the
schools in the parish were not as we'll
attended as could be desired, owing
to want Of appreciation on part OF
parents of children of the advan.
tages of said schools. We end that
the School Board, in several suits
against tax collec tor. have employed
counsel other than the district attor.
ney, at fee of ten per cent. upon
all amounts recovered in such suits.
While we do not feel competent to
give an opinion upon the legal right
OF the School Board to, or not to
engage such outside counsel, we feel
compelled to say that we can see no
reason why ten per cent. shonld be
paid such counsel, when the law ex.
presslY provides that five per cent.
shall be paid the district attorney
for this work Or service.
We end that the tax collector has
on severa! occasions failed to settle
with the Police Jury and School
Board as required by law. We 6nd
that he has not complied with the
law requiring him to make state.
ments TO the School Board on first
Saturday of October and February
Of each year. We think that more
strict observance and compliance
with the laws governing settlements
and statements by all the above
mentioned officials, except the School
Board and clerk of court, would
have tendency to simplify the work
ings of the different offices. and by
thus complying with the laws avoid
all necessity for law suits and ex-
penditure Of public monies in pro.
scouting such suits.
We regret to say that we do not
end the small papers, such as reports
and receipts belonging to the Police
Jury, in possession Of the clerk of
that body, in as neat condition as
we think their Importance demands
they should be.
We find the record of proceedings
Of Police Jury, kept by the clerk Of
that, body, in a good condition.
showing care and attention on his
part. We examined, or had ex.
amined, the records Of the recorders
Office and found that there is not
physician practicing in this parish
who has complied with the law
relative to making affidavit before
clerk of court, and recording his
diploma. One physician. DR.. J. 3.
Ramsey, had such an affidavit before
the burning of courthouse, but same
has never been renewed.
We call attention of the physi-
clans 10 the fact that serious incon.
venicnce is given several road over
seers BY their (the physicians giving
certificates to individuals, stating
they (the holders) were unable to
perform road duty, when at the
same time such individuals were
performing manual labor, such as
blowing, cutting and hauling wood.
We also call attention to the
various sums of money paid by the
Police Jury to various justices Of
the peace on small and frivolous
cases-cases that this body deems
should never have been sent before
this, a grand jury, or ever been taken
up in the first instance, as they bear
upon their faces every evidence Of
having the settlements of some
private quarrel or debt, and not the
public welfare, as their basis.
Having thus, to the best of ON
ability, performed the duties Of
Grand Jury, we respectfully ask you
to accept this as our final report,
and ask to be discharged from furth,
er duties. J. HENRY PUTNAM,
Foreman.
Abbeyille. Sent. 9. 1886.