The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-02-24
Presentment OF the Grand Jury.

To his Honor, Lrnest Gary, Presiding
We. the Grand Jury of Anderson Coun-
ty, respectfully submit the following Pre-
sentiment:
We have passed on all the bills handed
to us by the Solicitor, and by commit
toe of our number have visited the Coun-
tv Poor House and the County Jail.
We could not, with the time at our dis
posal, examine the various county offices.
We therefore ask that committee con-
sisting of our Foreman, MIR. j. u. NOEL
roy and e. B. Rice be appointed to eX-
anime them before the next term of
Court and report at that time, with pow
er to call to their assistance n expert, If
they deem it advisable 10 do so.
In this connection we desire to call the
attention of the Magistrates that COM
plant has been made by the Solicitor
that some of the Magistrates have taken
insufficient bonds from parties bound
over to appear at Court. If there is
enough in a case to justify a Magistrate
in sending it up, the defendant shoIld
be required to give bond that viii Sc
cure his attendance, and we would sug-
gest that Magistrates be careful to do so in
the future.
By committee of our number we VS.
tied the Poor House and Farm and found
both in good condition. The paupers are
we'll cared for, and good crops are made
upon the farm.
There having been some complaint
made as to the manner in which the
funds arising from the sale of surplus
crops were disposed of, we Investigated
the matter, and found that the Steward
had kept an itemized account Of the sale
of all products from the farm and of all
disbursements Of said fund for the Poor,
and that ts had each year made report
thereof to the County Board of Commits
sioners, as required by the said Board.
This system saves the trouble OF turning
the monev over TO the County Treasurer
where it would be paid out regularly as
other funds, and gives as much, II not
greater supervision over the funds. we
therefore recommend that the present
system be continued.
The committee was also pleased to
see the stock on the farm in good condi-
ton, and to learn that.the Steward raised
large part of the meat consumed on the
place.
We found that all the houses on the
place were occupied, and that with an in
crease of inmates it will be necessary to
erect more houses.
We fully concur with the remarks Of
your Honor, in your charge, as to the IN
adequacy of the present Court House to
meet the needs of the County, and as to
the necessity of more comfortable and
commodious one, and We are glad to re-
port that steps are now being taken to
have such an one erected together with a
new jail which is equally necessary. The
present Jail we find unsafe and not ade-
quate for the purpose of keeping the
prisoners, and in it's present condition 1T
amounts to greater punishment than mere
confinement to those com mmltted within
its walls. The Jail we found as well kept
as can be under the circumstances, and
the prisoners we'll cared for.
We are pleased to note the interest TAX
en- in the Improvement OF our public
roads by our efficient County Supervisor
and the County Board of Com mmissioners,
and that where practicable they are
changing the location of the public high
ways where by so dung they can avoid
steep hills and rough places, and hope
that they will continue this work wher-
ever it is necessary. The recent heavy
rains and the subsequent travel have cut
up the roads considerably, but the Coun-
ty Supervisor informs us in his report
that he will commence early in the Spring
to repair them. We have not had time
to examine the Supervisors report in de-
tail, as to the disbursements in his office,
and have therefore referred it to the spe-
cial committee above appointed.
We have had reported to US some par
ties in Fork Township for nuisance and
keeping a disorderly house, with the
names of witnesses to prove the charge
and have referred the matter to the Mag
istrate in said Township for investigation
and action.
There has been reported to US also some
parties in Hall Township for living to-.
gether in adultery, which we have refer
reel to the Magistrate also for investiga-
ton and action.
We respectfully ask that all the Magis-
trates will submit 10 US, at the next term
of the Court, their criminal dockets for
our examination.
In conclusion, We return our thanks to
your Honor, to the Acting Solicitor and
other officers of the Court for courtesies
shown US during this Session.
JOHN B. LEvERETT,
Feb, IS, 1897. Foreman.