The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1890-12-18
REPORT OF THE GRAND
S~N' 80
They the Build.
ing of a New Court House.

"To THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF THE
Cole CIRCUIT COURT: The members
OF the grand jury, now in session,
beg leave to submit the following
statement for your consideration and
disposal: ~
SAT the request Of the clerk of
the circuit court, the jurymen, in a
body, did, on the 9th inst, visit the
clerks office for the purpose of in
speeding the same. The books of
record were first examined. They
we're found to be neatly kept and
very convenient for reference. Some
of the books are wore aud need re-
binding for their preservation. 1t Is
recommended that they be rebound.
at the earliest time convenient. The
vault in which the books are kept is
a damp structure and entirely too
small for the books it now contains.
Many Of the books, for want Of room
have to be piled n upon another,
which makes the handling inconven-
lent and also damaging to the covers.
The enlargement of the vault is, an
absolute necessity, and there is no
room for it, in the building. In the
daytime a gas light is kept burning
in the vault to prevent dampness.
Sometimes. in summer a fire in the
office stove is. made for the same pur-
pose, a very precarious way to pre-
vent the books and papers from be.
coming mouldy. In case of fire, the
books and papers are liable to be
burned, causing a loss i%rreparable to
the people of the county. The clerks
office is entirely too small for con.
venience. Its spare room is filled to
the utmost capacity with books and
papers, some Of which ought to be In
a fire.proof vault. A long table is
much needed for the handling of the
records, but there is no room for it,
consequently, the frequent handling
Of the records is inconvenient and
also damaging to the covering of the
hooks. "A larger office is needed for
the CLERK
'FThe building was carefully ex.
amined as far as time would permit.
All of the outer. walls are badly
cracked, so also are the inside par.
tition walls and ceiling. showing con;
clusively that the foundation was not
good at the beginning. The stair-
ways are poor and very disagree
able in ascending and descending.
From the length Of time the, house has
been built, doubtless part of the TIM
bers have partly ,rotted, as was the
case with the state house building.
All Of outer walls are always damp
and very much so In. rainy weather.
A more comfortable way of heating
The building IL greatly to he desired.
'"From a careful consideration of
these matters, the conclusion Is
UNANIMOUSLY arrived at that the time
has come when the people of the
county ought to see to it that their
records should be safely kept and a
more commodi"us house be built for
%transacting the business Of the coun-
ty.
"The mode Of making these i'm
provements was considered, and it
was concluded that, to make additions
to the present. dilapidated building,
would be adding new to old and
when done would always be liable to
repair, and then not be such q build.
ing in point Of convenience and ar
chitectural beauty as the people
would desire. In conclusion, 1t Ia
earnestly and respectfully urged
upon every citizen to see 10 1t that
the old building Is torn down and a
new one built which would be credit.
able TO the wealth and iiberaiity Of
tine people Of the county. All Of
winchjs respectfully submitted"
ISiSnedl j. A. SiioRr
z; Foreman