The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-11-30

The board of supervisors met pursuant TO ad-
lournment Roll called quorum present Min
utes of yesterdays proceedings read and APP
proved
The annual report of the Secretary of the
Soldiers Relief commission was read and, on
motion of Supervisor Waters, said report was re-
feTTed back to him with request Tor him 10 con-
fer with the Supervisors of Pine Grove, Keller
and Lawrence and adjust accounts before making
his final report.
Report of the Hon. George NJ. Buck, Circuit
Judge, was read and, on motion of Supervisor
Johnson, was accepted.
To the Board of Supervisors of the County OF
Van Buren,
Having been requested by the State Board of
Corrections and Charities 10 make report to you
concerning some matters relating TO the admins
tration Of justice in criminal cases IN TINS county,
! cheerfully comply with this request and improve
the opportunity thus afforded me of laying before
you certain information as well as views and sug-
gestions in relation to matters in which the
Board of Supervisors and the Courts are alike in
terested.
TERMS OF COURT.
The terms of court for Van Buren, county for
the years 1894 and 1895 have been fixed as required
by law follows:
Third Monday in January,
Second Monday in April
Second Monday in September,
Second Monday in November.
Ii was believed at the time of fixing these dates
that they would be more convenient than any
other for those who are compelled TO attend court
as Jurors and witnesses in county in which the
pursuits as in this.
CIRCUIT COURT BUSINESS
The number of days in which the circuit court
has been in session with jury in attendance dur
ing the past year, has been somewhat less than IN
the year Immediately proceeding, although the
September term just closed was of unusual length
owing the fact that there was no jury in atten-
dance at the April term 1894 10y which any crimi-
nal cases could be legally tried. The total num-
Der of days for which jurors have been entitled to
pay during the past year has been only thirty, as
aatage ena aatyhf hnTfn he
Ii has been the constant endeavor of all the Of
fcers of the court and of most OF the attorneys
practicing therein TO dispose of the jury business
of each term as rapidly as possible, so that no
unnecessary burdens might be laid upon the
taxpayers of the county.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE.
Your committee on county buildings will doubt
less be able to report 10 you the condition of the
court house and Ual much more fully and accur-
ately than ii would be possible for me to do but
think il not amss that | should say that in my
Judgment the circuit court room has been kept iii
good order and condition during the past four
years as il could possibly be kept. And trust
that may be excused for ventuTing to include in
this report that which may not properly belong to
il in expressing my opinion that the duties of the
Office of Sheriff have been discharged by the pre-
sent incumbent of that office with conspicuous
zeal, discretion and fidelity. He has been jealous
without being over-ofncious, careful and pains
taking in the performance of every duty devolv
lg upon him and faithful to the interests of the
people Of this county in all things; and feel sure
that the members of your Honorable Board will
agree with that the duties pertaining 10 the
chief executive and ministerial Office of the county
could not, during the past four years have been
conhded to better hands than those of Sheriff
Thomas.
The court room is now in as good condition nd
as conveniently arranged for the transaction of
the business for which it is intended as il could
very well be- considering the age of the building
and its original imperfectons. But there is some
complaint among those who required to attend
the sessions Of the court during the winter months
that the facilities for heating the room not
adequate to create and maintain sufficient and
uniform degree of warmth cold days. The
location of the Judges desk in the court room is
such that personally have seldom suffered any
discomfort on account of too low a temperature
in the room, but there have been so many COM
plants made to me on this score that feel con-
strained to call the attention OF your Honorable
Board to this matter. And this suggestion is not
made in my own behalf nor for the benefit of the
officers of the court; majority of those who at
tend the quarterly sessions OF the Circuit Court
not the officers of the court nor the attorneys
engaged in the trial of causes but jurors parties
and witnesses coming from the body OF the county,
and il is their behalf that make the foregoing
suggestions.
COUNTY JAIL
During the past year have on several occasions
visited the county Jail for the purpose of observ
ing its condition and the treatment of the inmates
These several visits have invariably been made
without any announcement of my coming that
there could be no preparation for the visit. The
building is not well lighted nor well ventilat-
ed it ought to be, but these defects arise from
faults in the construction of the building and
not very well be remeded. | have always found
the Jail well kept in every way and the inmates
furnished with everything needful for their health
and comfort, the food though plain, being sub
stantial and sufficient in quantity and varied from
day to day, the beds and bedding Sufficient, COM
Portable and clean, and due attention paid to the
matter of exercise for the prisoners.
All of which is respectfully submitted
GEO. NJ. BUCK,
Circuit Judge
On motion of Supervisor Johnson, tn clerk was
instructed to procure sufficient number of poll
books and tally sheets to supply the several town
ships in the county.
Continued ON Fifth Pdde.