The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-11-27

ZION Ill uIlLll tueie is ic-
trenchment in our parish expenses,
and we re iterate the recommends
lions so often made by previous
Grand Juries, that the jurisdic-
ton of the Justices Of the Peace
he so enlarged as to embrace final
action in minor %offenses. Every
Grand Jury is deluged with com
plants of Ii trivial nature, sent up
from magistrates Courts, for in-
vestigation by the Grand jury
that should never come before it.
To open up these cases again,
bring in witnesses and investigate
them involves much time, entails
heavy expense OF the parish, and
nine.tenths are ignored by every
assembled Grand Jury. A change
in our Jurisprudence in this re-
spect is much to be desired, and
ne who will inaugurate the reform
in our Legislature, will entitle him
to the gratitude of all oppressed
people.
We would also recommend that
our representatives in the Legisla-
ture hereafter use their best efforts
to have q law enacted which will
allow Justices of the Peace and
their officers, to collect such fees
IOnly in criminal cases as are pass
ed upon by the Grand Jnry and
found to 10 True Bills. Its pain
fully apparent that many of the
cases presented for investigation
develop the fact that the machin.
cry of the criminal law has been
made use OF for private purposes.
This is OF course wroug-is a trav-
esty on justice, entailing a heavy
expense Oh the tax payers.
PARISH JAIL.
We have visited the parish Jail,
inspected the same, and maao H.
quiry Of the prisoners confined
therein regarding their treatment,
food, etc, with "a result satlstacto'
ry III that respect. For the nun
Der of prisoners how confined
therein the beds and bedding is
insufficient, and we recommend
that the Police Jury remedy the
difficulty 1T once.
pcBI,IC SCHOOL HOUSES.
We visited the public school
houses in Alexandria AMI found
the oui:aings IN good repair aud
everything necessary for the con
yenicnce Ailu comfort Of the sChol
ais reclns to have been provided,
COURT HOUSE.
We have exauiined, as instruct
ed, the condition of the courthouse
building, not however, with the
eyes OF experts. We fad tie walls
OF The building cracked Ia many
places. 10 whiL extent these
cracks Indicate weakness or ell
dangers tae safety vi the building,
SIC cannot say, and recommend
the employment OF d competent
architect 10 at Unce make Il care
iui examination Of the buildings
ana it.:UrJ gu satas.
! PARISH TREASURY.
Having examined the books O,
the Parish Treasurer We iita then
kept III a Leat aliu business like
manuer, aud that the parish is il
!; a healthy financial condition. The
!; indebtedness OF the parish at pres
:, eit is about $1,000. There vii
l be received to cover this amour,
about $23, 600 OF S24, 900 for gen
eral and bridge tunds from til,
taxes Vt 1895.
PUBLIC ROADS.
as no complaints have beef
. made to the Jury we take it thu
contractor is discharging his dut,
satisfactorily. There is enc thing
; however, We feel it our duty to re
fer to, and while we disclaim any
!, intention to reflect upon the pres
ent contractor, Mr.. Texada, in tht
, remotest degree, the fact remains
; that he is also a member of tn
Police Jury from Cotile ward. Ill
:. has charge of the parish property
road machines, mules, etc, is au
thorized to purchase forage, aut
. might be II of the auditors o
, his own accounts and like a candi
, date for a parish Office, who a few
days ago was heard to remark 6.
am assured Of at least one vote, a
certainly intend to vote for my
! self.D We recommend that til,
present. contractor he required t,
resign one or the other of the tW,
positions he now holds.
;. We have examined the Polio
+. Jury road ordinance and obServ,
; that the contractor and his aSsis
!. tants are authorized to commut,
the work of all who are subjec
to road duty Oh the payment o
$3.50 each. This communication t,
be accounted for monthly to tn
Police Jury by the contractor
Receipts countersigned by the Pa
IRISH Treasurer mast be given t
| each person whose labor has bee
committed. We think this checl
is hardly sufficient and may b
t open to abuse by Il less scrupulou