The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-15
GRAND JURY REPORT.
THE BODY ADJouRNs AFTER A LONG
SESSION.
Suggestions About the Taxing District
Government-The Wharfmaster's Of
fee Severely Criticised-A Number of
Suggestions.

To the Hon J. J. DuBose, Judge Criminal Court
Shelby County;
The undersigned, having been impan-
eled as grand jury of this county at the
September term of 1887, beg leave TO pre-
sent this their final report.
We have inspected the condition and
management of county institutions, as
shown elsewhere in this report, but have
not under the circumstances gone into the
investigation of county offices and the
official books OF county officers, as per-
haps may have been expected OF us. AS
some OF the more prominent reasons why
this investigation has not been carried
out, we would state that the time OF the
Jury has been fully occupied in meeting
the demands for indictments, most of the
parties being lodged in Jail at the time.
We would further state that any investiga-
ton of the many offices, and OF the volume
OF official work done i'll this county, which
could only be made hurTiedly and superb
cially, and hence might come short of
thorOughncss and completeness, could
only prove TO be misleading and unproita-
bic. Therefore, We recommend that n
sufficient number of jurors be appointed
by the court, in addition TO the regular
grand jury, whose time should be eXclu-
siycly devoted 10 the investigation OF pub
lie Offices. We are aware that this is not,
perhaps, clearly provided for by law, but
such is evidently public necessity in this
county ut the present time.
Early in the term hurried inycstiga-
ton was made into some matters con-
nec,ed with the Taxing District govern
mcnt, and it was developed that about the
LIST Of December, 1887, there was no
money on hand to defray the necessary
current expenses OF the government for
the residue OF the year, and that the ac-
count Of the city was then ovcrdrawn in
bank. The evidence before US disclosed
that the moneys collected for the various
departments OF the city government, and
standing TO their credit on the books Of
the Taxing District at that time, had
been diverted from their legitimate pur-
poses and expended on the street ac-
count, thus eXhausiing the revenues
The theory of the Taxing District law
seems 10 be, that money collected for each
specific department shall pay the expenses
OF the same and not lie used for any other
purpose, and that the government shall
pay cash IA il goes. Ii the law limiting
the expenditures Of the government 10 the
levics OF its respective departments had
been duly observed this unhealthy condi-
ton Of no money in the treasury, and OF
the account in bank oyerdrawn, would
have been obviated. Ii can easily be
avoided in the future by more closely fol-
lowing the law or 10y more economical
administration Of the city Affairs.
With regard 10 the office Of wharimasteI
Of the Taxing District, we are informed
that the present incumbent has been ill.
ing the position since the early part OF the
year 1870, and that since his first appoint,
mcnt there has been no examination o
the affairs OF the Office either by any grand
jury of the county or by any OF the Taxing
District officers. We think that such an
oversight or failure is q misfortune, ant
that frequent investigation OF officials icnt
20 promote q sound and honest publ,
service.
In examining the Office OF wharimaslei
. we discover that a large amount OF money
during the past few years has been col
lcctcd from various steamboats, using ia,
wharf, which WAS not paid over 10 the Tax
ing District, nor accounted for according
to law. We cannot state with any accu
racy the amount Of money out OF which
the city has been dcirauded by the deial
cation IN this Office. We felt fully JUST
fled from the evidence before us In 70
turning hills oi indictment against On,
wharimaster himself for much OF th
dcialcaiion;. but without deciding th,
question of his guilt, or determining
whether the large amount OF shortage II
this office results from the acts OF tn
wharimaster or of his deputies, IL is mani
fest that the public has been the loser, an,
that this office has been conducted In th,
looscst and most incxcusiblc manner. Ii
our judgment IL is OF the highest import
ancc that the courts and Taxing Distric
authorities should by proper action rcctii
this delinquency and prevent a continu
mcc or repetition Of ~ glaIing a publ
wrong.
During this term We have become full
convinced that unions or dissertations
are banded together, In city aud count,
for the purpose Ut violating the law In th
sale Of liquors without taking out the .,
uuircd license aud paving the tax, and a
the further purpose oi establishing barrier
against detection, and oi making commo
cause in paying fines and costs Of suit
Very many groceries In all par
Of the Taxing District are ev
IDENTIFY selling Liquors without licen.
or restraint. aud Throughout the count
most OF the storcs are engaged in thcs
sales, where, under the law, license car
not be obtained. In oil cases which hay
come before the grand jury, In which tll
evidence WIS sufficient for conviction
fNuft, bllE OF lnNlflilltlt nave uftu "
turned: but perjury Is becoming 10 con
mon IN these cases, and tends ~ direct
90 weaken the force Of all law and orlc
and detection Is becoming 10 diilicu
under the circumstances above cited, an
such Illegal selling " ~ unjust towar
those dealers Who 10 pay the tax an
obey the laws, that We believe me-
method n needed, and therefore recon
mend that IN each case Of conviction will
IN the Taxing District or an incorporate
town the party convicted be required
take out license ut once, or on roius
that the fine and penalties be- placed at n
full limit Of the law and In localities OF
oi corporations, where license cannot |
granted, We would recommend that car
repetition Of the oilcnsc Of selling liquo
contrary 30 law be met with an incrcas,
fine aud punishment.
In the Inspection Of the several insiit
iions Of the county We found the Jail
good sanitary condition, and inmates suI
piled with plenty Of wholesome food ~
sufficient bedding. heating and ycntilatiC
for health and comfort. The staiion.hou
was likewise In ~ good condition ~ cou
be expected under existing circumstance
Some improvements should be- made
the building and attachments thereto, b
~ attention has heretofore been called
this matter, We deem IL unnecessary
make recommendations. The mark