The San Francisco call., 1896-08-13
REPORT OF GRAND JURY.
Seven New Indictments Returned
Against County Auditor
Whidden.
The Report Is the Shortest on Record
and Utterly Devoid of any
Sensational Matter.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, !
908 Broadway, Aug, II. {

908 Broadway, Aug, II.
The Grand Jury, which was impaneled
on April 20, presented its final report to-
day. 1t is the shortest Grand Jury report
ever presented in this county, and It's only
feature is the condemnation OF the City
Prison building. Following is the full re-
port:
To Hon. ". E. Greene Judge Superior Court,
Alameda County-SIR: The Grand Jury, i'm
paneled by your Honor on April 20, 1896, have
investigated all matters that have been
brought to their attention and respectfully
submit the following report
Your Honor appointed c. r. Lewis foreman,
and the jury upon convening elected Lin
wood Palmer secretary for their own con-
venience.
We have investigated nineteen different
cases, some Of them requiring several days
diligent inquiry, to arrive at de termination.
OF these six were ignored and thirteen true
billsfound.
The dangerous condition of the tall chimney
OF Inc courthouse was Drought to our atten-
ton. We investigated the same, called the at
tention Of the Board of Supervisors to it, and
they promptly rectiied the evil.
We visited the County Infirmary and the
jury found no cause for criticism in its man
agement. We are of the opinion that the pres
ent superintendent DR.. Clark, is doing all he
can for the welfare OF the inmates and the
proper management of the institution.
Upon visiting the County Jail we found
! things cleanly and well kept, and heard no
pidluLS lIOIu llS inmates. w g WOulQ, now
ever, direct the attention OF the Board OF Su-
peryisors To the fact that the water supply fer
the extinguishment Of fire is Inadequate and
we think could be remedied al nominal cost
This, however, is a matter entirely at their
discretion.
The City Prison we found to be kept In as
good and proper condition es could be ex-
pected under the present circumstances
We do not think it is necessary for us to
make statement that everybody knows as
We'll us ourselves, and that is that the city
/
! quate Tor the city of Oakland.
On our visit to the receiving hospital we saw
nothing TO cause any adverse comment.
We have received courteous and gentlemanly
treatment from the District Attorneys office,
as well as from the various county officials
with whom we have been brought in contact
Respectfully submitted.
c. R. LEWIS Foreman.
LINwooD PALMER, Secretary.
The report was not expected for another
week. The investigation into the death
of May Qaill at Berkeley, and In which
lad named Schmidt figured conspicuously
cially, as the jurors were of the opinion
that Schmidt's testimony is utterly un-
reliable.
The old tax-shortsge scandal was re-
vived by the presentation of seven indict-
ments against Auditor Whidden. Six are
for falsifying public records and one is
for EN- bezzlement. Mr.. Whidden gave
bonds OF $1,000 in each case.
Another indictment for forgery was re-
turned for person in the county, and
another for Jail breaking.
The grand jurors viii be best remem-
hered for the activity they showed in in
vestigating the gold-brick swindIe. The
investigation saved much time and con-
tributed largely 10 the conviction of one
OF the swindlers last week. The Grand
Jury was com posed of g. R. Lewis, Henry
A. Schaffer, Abel Thornton, Marion Clark,
]. A. Wilson. Charles Roeth, George s.
Naismith, Linwood Palmer. Thomas
White, R. F. Crist, G. C. Volberg, J. A.
Bliss, Henry J. Sohst. Christian Schneider,
Henry Tromb bley, William Cliff, Villa m
P. Wheeler. William Snyder.
The consumption of beer in New York
City in single year is 160, 900, 900 gallons.