Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1894-09-13
Grand Ju y Report.

OF Nevada, County of Elko:
We, your Grand Jury empanneled
the 10th day Of September, 1894, have
had presented for our consideration
one case for larceny, one for felony
and one for murder. For the first
two we find no bills, but for the lat
ter we bring an indictment as charg-
ed.
Serious charges have been made
against the Board of County Commits
sioners for their official acts particu-
larly relating to the purchase of new
filing cases for the County Clerks
office. We have carefully investiga-
ted the matter and believe that the
repairs were needed and the Com
missioners were fully justified in
making the purchase. We have taken
full cognizance of all other matters
called to our attention and freely and
fully exonerate them of any wiIlful
wrong doing.
The law regarding contracts ex-
ceeding $500 is clearly laid down, and
should i'll all cases when consistent
with good business, be carefully car
ried out. Deviations from the law,
however, are oftentimes necessary,
but, of course, should only be resort
ed to on unusual occasions; but such
occasions have often arisen as in the
case of county printing, employment
OF janitor, coun y physician and hos.
pital steward. The efficiency demand
and justify it.
The making of the contract VIII
the manufacturers agent of the Nv
city Mfg. Go. who furnished the fling
cases, was fully canvassed by the
Board OF Commissioners, the District
Attorney and the Clerk in open board
and it was explained to the agent that
a contract could not be made for the
whole amount at one time and he was
instructed to make and fill it for the
back part of the case first. Then, if
they were as represented, the others
would be purchased later. The agent
explained that he could not come
again, that the cases were guaranteed
and drew the agreement in way
that male the ,e payments of The
amount, explaining that if the file
first received was not as represented
that they were not to be taken or
paid for. All three agreements we're
made in the presence Of the District
Attorney and Clerk and those officers.
together with Chairman Rigsby, have
80 explained to this Grand Jury to
their complete satisfaction.
We have inve 5tigated the sale of the
pest house and find that the building
was fast falling to pieces. That the
doors and windows had been taken
away and that the sides we're being
removed piece by piece. This mat
ter being considered in open board
was referred to Commissioner Rig by
for disposal. We find three bids for
the same on file in the Clerks off ce
and that the house was sold TO the
highest bidder.
The Commissioners and Clerk have
been careless in allowing matters
like the above and Of equal import
ance to transpire without any record
being made thereof on the Clerks
books. But nothing criminal, or even
touching it, has been discovered by
this body. 1t is clearly the duty of
those officers to make full and com.
plete record of all matters, whether
important or not. They are tho SER
wants of the people Of the county and
all their acts should be 30 done and
recorded that any taxpayer or citizen
at any and all times during business
hours may satisfy himself.
Reports OF committees on hospital
and roads are herewith attached