The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-04-09
Grand Jury Prasentment.

TERM, 1881.
To the Hon. W. A. Hooker, Judge o
said Court
The grand jurors for the county o
Marion, having completed their labor
for the term, would respectfully sub
NIT TO Your Honor the following gen
eral presentment:
We have diligently Investigated all
matters brought TO our attention, but
have been somewhat delayed in Oul
proceedings by reason of the fact, il
several cases. some of the most impor
tant witnesses were not bound over bl
the justices of the peace We have
found, also, that witnesses have beer
bound over 10 give evidence before this
body who knew nothing Of the facts
To be inquired into, and we wOulC
earnestly urge that the several magis.
trates of the county make diligent in.
quiry a. the time nj the investigation
of 0ffenses before them and bud over
all the witnesses whose testimony
would be material TO the state, and n,
others. We have been annoyed and
hindered by being compelled to inves.
tigate seyeraise sea at this term which
should never have been sent TO this
body for investigation, but which
should have been disposed of by the
magistrates.
We find that maGy witnesses come
before us and give testimony directly
against parties accused OF crime, and
that when they 80 before petit juries
and are brought face To late with the
accused, they change il so that no con
viction can be had. Ii this evil could
beremedied much good would be done.
Under the special charge OF NouF
Honor, We have Investigated thorough
ly the lynchings which occurred in
the western part of the county, and
summoned before Us qHifSa number of
witnesses, who, We are advised, had
knowledge of the facts, but have been
unable to obtain any Information as to
the guilty parties. That such crime
should have been committed in Que
county is deplorable. but the atrociOus
murder alleged to have been commit
ted by the victims Of the mob renders
public sentiment in that locality such
that il is impossible to get any tar gi.
bic facts against she lynchers.
These frequent lynchings in Florida
are caused very largely, we think,
from the fact that our courts are SO
constituted that criminals are not
punished as speed y as they should
be; besides, sickiy sentimentality
seems to peryade petit jnrors, aud they
fail to convict criminals when facts are
plain as 10 their guilt. The fact that
when a crime is committed. it is fire.
quently six months before the matter
can be Investigated by The courts, and
then, frequently. owing to the regular
term not being Of sufficient length TO
complete all the work before il, often
extending these cases twelve TO Gig h.
teen months without trial, causes the
public TO have but little confidence in
criminals being punished, and they too
often take the matter into their own
hands. thus adding crime 30 crime.
To prevent this. cur legislature
should take immediate steps TO so
change the judicial system of the
state, that the courts can hold terms
more frequently or create additional
courts for the trial OF both criminal
aud civil cases. II this cannot be- done
in any other way. steps should he
taken az the next session Of the icgis-
lature to so change the Constitution
that such courts rs may be
necessary NAV be created in
the different counties of the state.
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
We further recommend that our rep
resentatives in the legislature use all
efforts TO secure re-apportionmeut of
the state into judicial circuits. and
that il be- divided into NJ least nine
circuits or districts. SO that the Judges
l.. IL = L. inn.
Of their circuits: it being a physical
impossibility for any junge to properly
perform all the duties required of him
in this circuit.
cHANCELLORS.
We think il might be well, also, that
provision be made for the appointment
OF chancellOrs in the several districts
OF the state. 10 assist. or relieve; the
judges in chancery business.
Illicit SAFE OF wHIsKEy.
Many cases Of liquor selling without
license were reported. and with mucl
dihiculty We foand enough evidence tC
bring in few true bills. The patrons
OF "blind tigers seem to feel bound f
perinre themselves or allow thei
memories 10 become 50 poor 40 {,
know nothing definite when put upor
oath. Two eases OF murder brought
before Us were directly traceable e
Illicit sales OF whiskey. Our sheriff
has given us cordial assistance on these
eases and has promised 10 continue I
war on the business; aud il is OK pectet
that all good citizens will aid. w
therefore hope TO see il largely re-
duced.
ROADS.
While the public roads Of the count,
) are 10 fair condition, generally, Their
are some localities that are reported a
not being in as good condition rs the
should be. As bad roads is the heayi
est tax that the people pay, we wouli
recommend, specially, that the com
missioners see that the highways ar
kept in the best condition possible
We further suggest that the count.
cOnyicts be put 10 work building mac
adamiLed roads ~ each direction
north. south, east aud west from tn
court house. ami prosecuted as rapid
as practicable, 90 the county line, wit
branch roads diverging from thesl
main lines, as fast rs The county is abb
TO build them.
COUNTY BUILpISGs.
We have examined the Jail buildin
and find il ia fair condition aud we
kept. The court house ques,io
has become chestnut i
grand jury pgesentmeut. W
have no recommendations to max
and think il advisable to let this mat
ter rest till times are more prosper0l
in Marion county.
COZ Nrl OFFICERS.
Clerk The clerks Office is IN goo
condition, the books ami papers beiu
well kept. Everything in the ofio
being IN the very best condition poss
BILE with the meagre accommodation
afforded. The books are neatly kel
and the system Of indexing and kee
ing records Is admirable.
Sherilf.-An examination OF the O
6ce shows that there has been consi
cradle improvement under the presc
sheriff in the arrangement OF boo
and nanara in tha cuefO1y of fhp she