The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-10-26

Excellent work Done They Recon-
mend Beds Tor County Prisoners.

mend Reds Tor County Prisoners.
In the Circuit Court, in and for the
Fifth Judicial Circnit, Marion Coun-
", State Of Florida.
Hon. w. A. Hooker, Presiding Judge:
We, the grand jury empansiled, sub
init the fnl)ow ing IS our finnl report:
We deplore The Insecurity OF human
life evincsd by the numerous murders
committed in orr county, especially in
The mining regions, thereby biinging
reproach nprn Us. not only III the eyes
OF Ill law abiding citizens IN our COM
rnonwealth, but throughout tie entire
country. The fact exists that there ar.
quite & number OF true bills from
former grand juriss in whish the par
ties indicted are still at large. and We
especially regret still larger NUM-
Der OF murders. tho perpetrators Of
which are still unknown. We would
recommend aud urge our members Of
the legislature that they use diligoncs
| TO procure the enactment OF law nu-
thorIzing the county commissioners OF
| tha various counties of this state to ap
( point special detective, unknown 10
the public, whose duty 1t snail be 10 en-
qnire into every murder that may b.
committed, and ferret out the guilty
parties. to collect aud prepare all tire
evidence, ard during the time interven-
ing for the sitting Of tho next grand
| jury have all necessary witnesses sum
with all the information that can ba OBJ
tanned to facilitate them in their labors
in bringing the Offenders to justice.
We desire TO call tho attention To the
careless manner In which the papers
coming before the grand jury are pee
pared by the justices OF The Teace aud
coroners. In several instances where
| parties have been remanded To jail no
witnesses we're bound over, not even
the names OF Important witnesses FUR
nished TO the grand Jury.
We have examined the books OF the
varions county officers and find them
neatly and correctly kept, aud commend
them for their efficiency and the careful
manner in which they perform their
duties.
the county treasurer we find an average
monthly balance OF the county funds
amounting to almost ten thousand dol
lars, on deposit in bank. We think
that banks holding such deposits should
be required TO furnish sufficient bond
to the county for the protection of tho
tax payers OF the tsame, also tiiat said
banks be required to pay four per cent.
per annum on all monthly balances.
We think The Office Of county treas
urer an unnecessary circumference upon
our taxpayers, and r. quest our Iawmak
ers to procure such enactment AS may
lead to a change in the constitution for
abolishing such Office.
We desire 70 cali especial attention to
the Office OF county judge, who has IN
his keeping the valuable records OF the
orphans court and other records of great
Importance, which IL destroyed by fire,
lost or stolen, could not be replaced and
in many instances result in endless liti-
cations. We believe IL tho duty OF our
county commissioners, and would le.
OF security from fire or theft where re-
cords Of such importance may he kept.
We. ~ a body, visited the county jail
| and found Is secure. We do n oi, how
over, approve OF the sleeping accommo-
dations OF the prisoners, which consists
lsnf 49, n
We think SONS change should ilnm.-
diately DO made 30 that the prisoners
can sleep With some degree OF comfort.
We do not know for what tho fence
around the jail Was intended. II bar
fier for chickens, the bars are too far
apart, II to give added security TO the
Jail, II is dismal failure. A fence
equally AS durable could 10 built for
one-teDtl the cost. We do not approve
OF the gallows-the openings being too
small through which the body must
pass.
We further present that the grand
jury had summoned before them wit
nesses in investigation Of a charge made
against one II. v. Goss OF assault with
intent to murder one 8. e. Rowe.
Learning that 1t is to be Investigated
before the County Judge J. Il. Hill to-
day, we have requested the solicitor OF
the county criminal court, Mr.. Burford,
to represent the stale in the said Inves-
tigation and havc furnished the county
judge with list of witnesses summoned
before US to appear before said county
Judge.
We desire 10 extend our thanks 10 the
presiding judge. tne Hon. w. A. Hook
+r, and Hon. w. II. wigg, states soIici-
ter, and "a all other otii,prs for their val
nablc assistance rendered during our
| exl.iried deliberations, aud ask TO be
discharged. Respectfully submitted,
Fl. L. SRoKINGER, Foreman,
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