The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-06-20
GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT
SUMTER, S. c., June IA. 1894

SUMTER, .. ", June If. loS4.
To his Honor j. j. Norton, presiding Judge,
the Grand Jury respectfully submit the fol-
lowing report We examined the books,
Offices, ETC., of the different county officers By
n committee, since the last term of court and
are pleased to say that We 6nd nothing
wrong. While it would be almost impossible
for committee of the Grand Jury to find out
anything which an officer cared to conceal
from their observation, we DO otbelieve any
thing like An irregularity could be kept from
public knowledge long, as there are 80 many
interested, as to make the detection OF
loose screw anywhere in the machinery GER
tain in short time; we therefore concluded
that the most important things we could do
would oe 10 find out the strength Of the
bonds of the officials No doubt arose in our
minds, from our examination, except as to
one Of the bonds, but as we have not yet been
able to make sure, one way or the other on
that, we will not now name it.
A committee from our body visited the Jail
and find it we'll kept and prisoners we'll cared
for. We recommend that water works be put
up at the Jail, two fosseta supplied at once,
as it will cost no more than at present, and
we think the ater now impure and that the
dry we'll, about which 80 much complaint has
naturally been made, be supplied with all
necessary repairs to it's ventistor pipe. Also
recommend that the courthouse be supplied
with water from the water works. one fosset
down stairs and one up. and that all necessary
repairs to plaster, blinds ETC., in the different
Offices be attended to. 1t is almost im-
possible for jury to properly attend to its
duties on account of the intense heat in the
grand jury room, there being no windows
and only one door that can be opened during
their session and we deem it absolutely i'm
peratiye tba, some other arrangement be made
before next summers term.
The Trial Justices accounts that have been
examined appear to be all right, those who
do not show names of delinquent taxpayers,
showed the warrants and explained their
condition to the jury. We again recommend
that only Trial Justices ne expected to furnish
names Of poll taxpayers TO the Auditor as con-
fusion will be prevented in not having the
same man reported several times as now often
happens No complaints have come before us
as to condition of public roads and we are
pleased to say that those reported last term of
court are now reported to have been well
worked since then.
We have been kept here two days longer
than we would otherwise have heen rs we
thought it incumbent upon US to examine
certain charges brought before US as to cost
of the printing of the Treasurer's Report
After full examination we conclude that
Treasurer Keels handed his Report to Mr. A,
". Knight, editor of the Herald. expecting
him to divide the work and the money with
the other papers as has been heretofore done and
asked him to also let the Banner, of Bishop
vile divide, but Mr Knight kept It all TO
himself except Fifty Dollars ($50.00) which
be allowed 's,he Banner" We also ind that
Mr. Knights publication cost the County
much more than was necessary on account
of the space he took up, all of which is paid
for at the rate of 6fty cents (5octs. per inch,
the whole costing four hundred and thirty
four dollars ($434.00.) Also ind that it
was not published before the time allowed
by lau, We therefore recommend that Mr.
Knight be paid thirty-three cents (33 cents)
per inch (Mr. Miller's bid) for the space
actually covered by the printing. Also 6nd
Miler's bid Of .thirty.three cents (33 cents)
per inch, because be did not think the other
papers would come into the arrangement With
Mr.. Miller.
We think the publication of the Treas
uter'e report an unnecessary eAPeuss souy
way, and think the whole purpose would be
entirely fulfilled by publishing the total
amounts of each expenditure ard receipt,
about as done in Watehman aud SouthTon to-
day, and let anyone who wishes to see the
items 20 to the County Commissioners
Office and look at them. But any public
printing that is done, should be done as
cbeaply as it cau be furnished to the readers
of all the county papers.
As we hear that there has been good
deal of talk about charge that Mr.. A.. W.
Knight made, that Mr.. Miller had added to
and received discount from the County
Commissioners, on printing bill, we think
it just to the County Commissioners aud Mr.
Miller to say that the charge was not sus-
tanned at ALL Very respectfully,
w. ]. REEs,