The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1894-04-07
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
Result of That Body's investigation
Into Public Affairs.
Greater Power Recommended for the
County Auditor-Ofices All
Well Conducted.

Yesterday the Grand Jury. which had
been in session for several months, COM
pleted its labors. filed it's report in Supe-
rior Judge Johnson's Court, and the
members were discharged from further
duty.
The full report of the jury is given be-
low; also synopsis of the report made
by Expert B. b. Brown, who made a
very thorough investigation of the books
of the various city and county officials.
Following is
THE REPORT.
To Hon. 1Idtt r. Johnson, Judge Of the
Superior Court Of Sacramento County:
The subioined report of the Grand Jury
of said county is hereby respectfully sub
mitted:
This jury having been duly impaneled
and sworn the 9th day of December, IN
the year 1898, and Chris Vessel having
been by the court designated as foreman
thereof, the organization was completed
by the election of G. G. Clements as Secre-
tary OF this jury, and after the election of
b. b. Brown to the Office of Expert and
the appointment by the Foreman of Ju-
rors Smith, Adams and Camp as an
Auxiliary Committee to assist the Ex-
pert, this jury entered upon the con-
sideration of the various matters pre-
senteds
The charges of extortion by certain po-
lice officers of Sacramento City in cases
OF Chinese opium seizures have been
thoroughly investigated. Many witnesses
have been examined and a great amount
of testimony has been taken, the major
part of which, including all of direct
character, has been given by Chinese.
of WbOn1 annar4nfIV nnWlil-
ing witnesses.
such being the situation, it appears to
this jury that the evidence in this matter
is not of sufficient credibility to sustain
either a presentment or an Indictment,
and the charges are therefore dismissed.
COUNTY AND CITY JAILs.
On the 10th day of January, 1894, this
jury visited and examined as a body the
County and City Jails.
Every opportunity was afforded the
members OF the jury to investigate the
management and condition of these instl-
tutions, and in both everything appears
TO be well and properly conducted.
The sanitary condition of the County
Jail is especially good, and although OPP
pOrtunity for entering complaints was
afforded the prisoners, none of conSe-
quence was made.
particularly commendable feature OF
this Institution is its rock breaking de-
partment, where large gang of petty
offenders is engaged in converting large
pieces of granite and other rock into good
road material. In this connection the
following recommendation is most re-
spectfully submitted:
The erection in the County Jail of at
least two private and secluded cells in
which persons charged with felony may
be closely confined and kept entirely
aloof from other prisoners and thereby
prevented from communicating with par
ties on the outside.
CITY OFFICES.
The several offices in the City Hall
We're visited and found to be in as good
and orderly condition as the accommoda-
tions will permit; but in many respects
we find this building inadequate to the
several purposes which 1t is required to
subserve, and hereby respectfully repre-
sent to the proper authorities the increas-
ing necessity for more suitable buildin g
tor City Hall and jail purposes.
The City Water Works were also in
spected by this jury and an opportunity
was afforded to mem bers to witness the
operation OF the huge machinery, from
which it appears that the officers in
charge understand and properly attend to
the duties of their respective stations.
THE COUNTY HOSPITAL.
On the 10th day of February this jury
proceeded in body to inspect the condi-
ton and management of the County Hos
pital.
This institution was found to be in the
most perfect order and a model of its
kind. The various wards were visited.
and comfort and cleanliness were found
TO prevail throughout, and the manage
lnent is entitled to our best commenda-
tions for the systematic and economical
administration of the affairs of this most
excellent and charitable institution.
And believing that its operation will be
facilitated and still further effectiveness
will be realized thereby. we respectfully
recommend to the honorable Board OF
Supervisors the addition thereto of a
suitable operating room. to cost, with its
furnishings, not to exceed the sum OF
$500.
IL this connection the Grand Jury de-
sires to call TO the particular attention OF
the Supervisors and the resident physi-
clan the importance Of arranging, as far
as Is possible, separate wards for the
feeble, INDECENT and old.
THE COUNTY OFFICES.
On the 9TH day of March this Jury Wis
tied and inspected the various offices in
the County Courthouse. The officials
were all found at their respective posts OF
duty, and everything appeared to be in
the usual good working order
The following recommendation is here
by respectfully submitted: That an OUT
side door with an alarm bell attachment
be provided to the Grand Jury room,
forming an ante-room entrance thereto
about ten feet in length. Also that out
side stationary screen blinds be supplied
10 the several windows of said room.
which are exposed TO view from the
streets.
MORE POWER FOR THE AUDITOR.
Tho fOllnxuir,rr raSntrvtiO,7 &c
spectfully presented:
ReSolUed, That the powers and duties of the
County Auditor should be so increased and
extended as to give that officer authority un
der the law, 10 pass upon all bills against the
county passing through his Office and to re-
fuse to draw his warrant Tor any claim found
TO be illegal; and we earnestly recommend to
the District Attorney that he call this 10 the
attention of our members OF the next Legis
lature, and urge them TO make sucn modi
1ication OF the statute Will secure this most
desirable end.
THE CITY'S FLOATING DEBT.
Attention is especially invited to the
subioined report of Jurors COons and
Adams in the matter of the floating in
debtedness of the city of Sacramento,
10 wit:
To the Honorable Grand Jury OF Sacramento
CotultY-GENTLEMEN: Your committee APP
pointed to ascertain the amount OF unpaid de
mandS on file against the city OF sacramento,
beg leave 10 report as follows.
We ind on file February 20, 1894:
fund, aggregating. s6,o77 &c
Street repair nund, 81 demands, ag-
gregating ............. ...... . LOGS 19
Fire Department fund, 20 de-
mands, aggregating .........,...,.,.. 1907 46
Sa%ese@~s$%aaaas$ea
WORTH a GUINEA & BOE."S
S~w-E fEa En- NJ "