Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-04-03
GRAND JURY's PREsENTMEsT.

The following Is the final presentment
of the grand jury, which was made to
the court on last Wednesday morning:
To Hon. o. W. Buchanan, presiding
Judge: The grand jury beg leave to sub
init the following report:
l. They have passed upon all the bills
submitted to them, and have made such
returns therein as they felt that the tssti-
mony warranted. Having finished their
duties in that particular, they proceeded
to examine the County Home for the
poor, and the county Jail. They found
the former in good condition, the inmates
properly cared for, and they commend
the management. At present they have
no recommendation to make with regard
to it.
2. The grand jury are pleased to know
that the county commissioners have had
the county Jail made more secure. The
recent escape therefrom Of lS Of the pris-
oners, including NJ. r. Reese and Daniel
F. Luckie, convicted Of murder, demon
strated the insecurity Of the jail. In that
connection, the grand jury respectfully
report that, everything considered, no
censure or blame should attach to the
sheriff of the county; recently elected and
inducted into office. If men should profit
by experience, however, then great care
should be taken to prevent recurrence
of such an escape. And they would say
here that, whilst it is proper to furnish the
prisoners, or to allow them to furnish
themselves, with such things as reasonably
add to their comfort, there should be such
discrimination as to the articles allowed
prisoners, that these should not be the
means, even secondsrily, Of their effect
ing their escape. They would urge that,
at least, the keepers Of the Jail would
profit by this experience. -.
8. The grand jury further report that
they have examined the books Of the
several magistrates and found them well
kept and in proper condition with two
exceptions. The magistrates have exhib-
tied proper vouchers for fines imposed
and collected by them and by them paid
over to the county treasurer. AS TO the
two exceptions, the grand jury are salts
fed that the magistrates regard them
selves as rightfully entitled to hold these
fines until they draw their quarters
salary, when they settle with the treas
urer. The grand jury cannot, however,
sanction such course, and will bring the
matter more specifically to the attention
of the court at the next term, unless the
practice is discontinued. They are not Of
opinion that these two magistrates mean
to do wrong; but are fully persuaded
that they will rectify the matter when
they find out that that course cannot be
permitted.
4. The grand jury have not, at this
term, examined the other county officers.
It is with much pleasure that they can
say to your honor, as you come in our.
midst in the discharge of your official
duties, that the county of York is blessed
with capable and upright officials.
And now returning thanks to your hon.
or and the other officers of the court, for
the courtesies extended to US, we, the
grand jurors, pray that we may be dis
charged from further attendance upon the
court at its present term. We trusf that,
with greater leisure, we will be enabled, at
the next term, to fully examine all OF the
county officers. This we regard, as not
alone due to the citizens Of the county;
but to the officials themselves.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
w. L. HILL, Foreman.
March 80, 1897.