Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1894-09-16
Grand Ju y Report.

To the Hon. GEo. f. TALBOT, Judge
OF the District Court OF the State
Of Nevada, County OF Elko:
We, your Grand Jury cmpanneled
the 10th day Of September. 1894. have
had presented for our consideration
Il case for larceny. one for felony
and one for murder. For the first
two We fluid no bills, but for the lat.
ter we bring an indictment us charg.
cd.
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 willful
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. D~cviations from the law,
however, are oftentimes necessary,
but, OF course, should only be resort
cd 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 with
tho manufacturers agent OF the NV
city Mfg. Co. who furnishedth fling
cases, was fully canvassed by the
Board OF Commissioners, the District
Attorney and the Clerk in open board
and 1t was explained to the agent that
Il 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 ease first. Then, il
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 u way
that made three payments OF the
amount. explaining that il the file
first received was not ms represented
that they were not to be taken or
paid for. All three agreements were
made i'll 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 Investigated 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 were being
removed piece by piece. This mat
ter being considered III open board
was referred to Commissioner Rig by
for disposal. We find three bids for
the same on file in the Clerks onice
and that the house was sold to the
highest bidder.
The Commissioners md Clerk have
been careless III allowing matters
like the above and Of equal import
ance to transpire without any record
being made thereof OH 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 Il full md com.
plete record of all matters, whether
important or not. They are the SER
wants Of the people of .he county and
all their acts should be SO done and
recorded that any taxpayer or citizen
mt any and all times during business
hours may satisfy himself.
Reports OF committee on hospital
and roads are herewith attached.
Respectfully Submitted,
w. Il. SNITU