The Natchitoches enterprise., 1897-06-24
Grand Jury Report.
To the Honorable Judge 10th Judicial
District Court.

To the Honorable Judge 10th Judicial
District Court:
We your Grand Jurors empannell led
June 9TH, 1897, in AMI for the parish of
Natchitoches, beg leave to make this
our final report. We have diligently
and carefully enquired into 24S cases
that have come before us and have re-
turned 81 true bills and have passed z
cases to the next grand jury.
We have found that the crimes being
| committed in our parish are not on the
decrease, but are unable to report the
| cause, except that we find that some of
the Magistrates are too free in permit
ting affidavits and take too many of
minor and trivia offences, which result
in very heavy expense to the parish,
when the same cannot be sustained by
evidence which appears before the
grand jury.
We would suggest that our Hon.
Police Jury Investigate more closely the
claims presented by the Magistrates and
COnstables for the approval of their
body as we find in many cases, different
persons charged with the same offence
committed at the same time and place
where one affidavit would be sufficient
to cover the whole, affidavits and war
rants were issued separately, thereby
causing the parish unnecessary expense.
We respectfully call the Courts atten-
ton to the fact that it is prevalent Gus
tom in some of Ahei -azrfist parties
from Information and invariably these
charges are for petty misdemeanors. in |
all cases the charges are not sustained, |
Inls practice by the Constables meets |
with our earnest disapprObation and
raises the suspicion that it is done mere
Iy to tax the parish with the Magistrate
and Constable fees.
We would ask the Police jury to re-
fuse payment of fees based on such
charges and force the officers to sue for
same and prove in a Court OF Justice
the good faith of their charges, We
naxe visited the jail and find same in a
very bad condition. The floor of the
cages are eaten up very badly by the
rust, making it almost impossible to
keep the same in clean and healthy
condition. The floor of the second s
story Is also in bad condition and 70
convenient sink for the use of prisoners.
Inc kind used now is very obnoxious !
ma nlthy and we would suggest that !
better arrangements be effected with re- ,
erence to the matter by the proper
utnorltles. We find that Nehgfwise the ,
l2soners are well treated and we'll fed.
we have visited the Clerks and $
merritt 'soffices and found same we'll kent n
nd giving general satisfaction. A 8
pecial committee appointed by your a
brennan visited the Pauper Home and p
eport only six occupants. who are COM o.
)rtably quartered and well cared for. y
fe have also made an investigation of
he Parish Tre1surer'S books and found i
lem In first class condition. well kent n,
Id very explicit. But unfortunately no m
oney on nand, except for bridges and r,
hool funds. IL
we find the public schools are in
irving condition about go being estab- o.,
he'd in the parish with large atten- p'
nee and first class teachers. IThe u;
I0llc roads are in as good condition as NJ
n be expected under our present gys-
n of working same. IN
Dur Normal School not being in ses- r.
n we have not visited same. We re- to,
"a thanks to your Hon. Court and Of IN,
lals for the assistance which has been
, ,e,n us during our session. and espe- Mt
lily to our worthy door keeper Mr.. J.
Sullivan, who has been always at his Pr
&c, ready to assist us whenever called 90C
On. no
Very respectfully submitted. be
j. Q. HENRY, Me
Foreman. T