The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-11-06
Tie Report of the Graud Jury.

To THE HONORABLE, the Judge of the
Twelfth Judicial District Court, in and
for the Parish of Rapides, State of
Louisiana. You Grand Jury beg
leave to make. the following report:
No. Of cases examined, los.
No. True Bills found, r.
We would respectfully call the atten-
ton OF the Police Jury to the condition
OF some OF the bridges in the Parish.
From information received, Loyds
Bridge, on Bayou Boeuf, needs repair
ing also Texada's over Bayou Rapides
We would recommend the building of
iron bridges ON the above streams at
points to accommodate the largest num-
Der of people. We believe that it is
economy, as they will last for an age
without repairs, also to the condition OF
the Ferry Landing between Alexandria
and PinevilIe, and requesting that Il
good and substantial wharf be built.
We have examined the Jail and find
it in good order, and tie prisoners as
comfortable rs could be expected, ow-
ing to there being so many confined
TIE outhOuses and yard were clean and
in good order.
Since the Parish OF Rapides, through
its Police Jury, subscribed so literally
to the boring and completion of the Ar
tcsan well located in the Town Square
OF Alexandria, we, as your Grand Jul
rors, feel it our special duty to call at
tention to the great benefits which have
resulted from this, indeed public
blessing, upon the people OF the Town
OF Alexandria and the surrounding com
munitv, during the long and protract-
ed drought, which is not yet at an end
Tie artesian we'll has given its full sup
| ply Cf cool, pure, limpid, and medicinal
waters to thousands of people, who
would have suffered untold misery had
| it not been for the lar sighted judgment
! Of the Town Council of Alexandria,
who inaugurated this great enterprise,
| and that through the healthy, medicinal
waters OF the artesian WE'LL our people
have been spared sickness in its many
dreadful forms. We would recommend
that the Police Jury MAKE an appropria-
ton sufficient TO have tie water
analysed.
! We then visited the Public Schools in
| Alexandria, and found the Public
school property, SO far as cleanliness;
and sanitary precautions are concerned,
was found in as perfect order as could
/ be expected, but the buildings are very
much Ill need OF immediate repairs.
The one occupied by the girls needs a
new roof, and both buildings require a
| thorough overhauling of the front and
rear galleries. The Parish should spare
no means more freely than in doing all
| i'll its power to improve and beautify
such property where the children of our
people are being taught and where they
should have every modern appliance to
make them comfortable and to aid in
their thorough instruction.
| In closing our report OF the condition
IA which we find the Public School
| property here in Alexandria, we are
.yraliied to say to the people OF the Par
ish Of kapides, that we find supplied at
last long felt want among us in the
Parish High School, lately established
by our School Board, where all the adj
yantages and privileges of a liberal ed
ucation, to be found in any school of
similar grade elsewhere, are offered to
the children, free OF charge for tuition.
The teachers are all competent and all dis
charging their duties thoroughly and
satisfactorily. and under the present
management and rapidly improving con-
diuon $50 lar i'll advance of what it has
been in the past), we cheerfully com
mend the School to the citizens support
and confidence, and earnestly request the
Police Jury to make all necessary ap-
preparations for the repairs of the bull
dings, which are clearly the property
OF the Parish, whether the title rests in
the School Board or the Parish of RAJ
pides.
We also visited the Pineville schools
and found them under excellent discip-
line and very competent teachers in
charge, and from information received
the other Public Schools in the Parish
are in good condition.
This is our final report and we ask the
Honorable Court to discharge us from
further duty.
\. L. McGISNIs,
Foreman,