The herald., 1896-12-11
The Grand Jury Discovers Little Cause
for Fauftfinding.

SANTA BARBARA Dec. 10.-The
grand jury yesterday completed it's la
bors and prepared its report, which was
today submitted to the court. The jury
reports:
We have examined the report of j.
T. Johnson, who was appointed to ex-
pert he books of all the county officials,
and find it to be a very carefully pre-
pared paper. The report shows few
errors to have been made in the allow
ing of claims by the board of super
Visors. The only comment this jury has
to make in connection with the report is
that it suggest to the board of super
visors that more care be exercised in the
allowing of claims.
The jury finds the county jail in good
condition, considering the smallness of
the room available. We would suggest
that a sewer connection be made into
which the waste water used for wash
ing out the cells, and which now lodges
underneath the Jail, may be run off.
We find upon visit to the poor farm
that everything is kept clean and neat,
and the jury compliments Mr.. and Mrs.
Stillwell, in charge. for the neat and
orderly condition of the buildings and
grounds. The grand jury strongly rec
ommends that the board of supervisors
take immediate steps looking toward
tne purchase OI a suitable piece OIL laNO
upon which to erect new county poor
farm and hospital, said land to be of
sufficient size 50 that it may be worked
by the inmates.
We have visited the Offices Of the vari-
Gus county officials and find them all
in excellent order. A great Improvement
in the business methods of the recorders
office has been made since the incumbent
took charge.
The grand jury finds that some sa-
looms in the county are selling liquor
without license, and in this connection
would recommend that the city attorney
give this matter his immediate atten-
tion.
The jury recommends that the city at
torney notify merchants that the law
prohibiting the sale OF tobacco to chill
dren under 16 years of age is still in ef-
feet. as violations of said law have been
reported.
The grand jury hereby appoints J.
T. Johnson to expert all of the books.
accounts, records and claims pertaining
20 the various county offices for the en-
suing year, to be ready for tile next
grand jury when it convenes.
The grand jury recommends to the
board of supervisors that an assistant
district attorney be appointed for the
northern portion of the county at sal
airy not to exceed $500 per annum.
The board recommends that the board
of supervisors gives its attention to the
matter of paying SO per day to a man
to take charge Of prisoners from the
county Jail doing work assigned to
them. The jury believes that more than
three men should be taken out of the
Jail to work if any more than that number
are confined, considering that the pay
ment of So per day to a man to guard
only three prisoners is an expense not
equivalent to the benefits received by
the county thereby.
The jury deprecates the action of the
oortables and justices of the peace in
making indiscriminate arrests and con-
victions Of persons charged with va
grancy. In many of these cases arrests
seem to have been made simply for
the purpose of making fees for the Off
GERS concerned.
The jury recommends that the board
of supervisors take immediate action
looking to the opening of the road
through the Refugio canyon.
In conclusion the jury extends vote
of thanks to the district attorney for
his assistance.