The San Francisco call., 1897-03-25
Jurors Believe There Was
Bribery, but They Can
not Find It.
Declare the Need of a Place
Where People Not Criminal
Can Be Detained.
All the County Institutions Are Well
Conducted, but the Courthouse
Is Dirty.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,

OAKLAND OFF1cE SAN Francisco CALL,
908 Broad way, March "a. !
The Grand Jury filed its report to-day,
and, as usual, three-fourths of the sensa-
tional "rumors" Of what was going on
behind the closed doors proves to be abso-
Iutely without foundation.
The report deals with those things gem
orally handled by grand juries, and gives
the same advice. Unlike many similar
bodies, 1t bestows compliment on itself.
There Is word OF praise for the County
Jail, and the city prison is said to be in
as good condition as is possible under the
circumstances.
Regarding the County Infirmary the re-
port says:
We found nothing to criticize in the manage
ment Of DR.. Clark and much to admire. The
and In less than two and q half minutes after
the alarm was sounded two streams were pour
ing upon the roof We also suggest that one
more assistant be furnished in the apartment
OF the old men.
It is stated that the Receiving Hospital
needs to have at least 90 per cent addi-
tional accommodation.
The inquisitors think there is need of a
change regarding the unruly boys and
girls sent to the State reform schools.
The report says:
Alameda County contributed $2373 95 in
1895 and $4246 sc In 1896 to the support OF
children in the reform schools of the State.
being an increase over 1895 of 1878, nearly
so per cent. So large an increase in the cost
is worthy OF the immediate attention OF our
Supervisors.
1t is not unusual to find in the County Jail
boys who are not charged with crime, but who
are there because they have no home, and we
find in the City Prison some who are sick but
not charged with crime. Sucn things ought
not to be. Some place ought to be provided
in the county for homeless boys and for those
who are sick and destitute and who are not
technically entitled to admission to the County
Supervisors to the matter, to the end that
some fl place may be provided for them.
The jurors declare that there is no ade-
quate return to the county for the SIPS q
month paid to the Game Warden and also
complain Of the work of the janitors at the
Courthouse.
The Supervisors have been talked to
about their mileage bills, and it is be-
lieved that there will be no more cause
for complaint.
The paragra ph relating to talk of bribery
can hardly be called satisfactory. 1t
reads:
Statements were made 50 positively and fre-
quently, on the streets and in public places
and in one or more instances in print charg-
rug tue use OF money ana Otner improper ln-
fuences previous to the late City Conventions
for the purpose of Influencing nominations
that we felt called upon to inquire into those
rumors and statements and learn upon what
foun dation, If any, they rested.
We had the matter under consideration at
many meetings and examined under oath
nineteen persons and while we have no
doubt that undue influences were used, not
enough was developed to justify any indict-
ments. Meetings in offices by appoin tment
were admitted to have taken place and long
interviews had, but when brought before us
and lut under oath we were greatly i'm
pressed with how much OF what was said the
witnesses had forgotten" and ''how very little
they could remember In some instances
entirely reputable citizens testified in direct
contradiction of each other as to what was
said at such interviews.
The report concludes:
1t. has become a common practice to speak
slightingly of grand juries and their useful
ness and their work. some OF the members OF
this jury have served before, some OF them
more than once. and we assure our fellow
citizens that in our opinion the money
invested in grand juries by our county is well
spent The fact that grand jury is in exist
crime, and it is public notice to all citizens
who have grievances that they can come be.
fore such jury with their complaints at any
time and that they will be investigated.
We commend especially the system OF ac-
counts kept by County Clerk Jordan and his
work generally. The District Attorney has
been prompt in attendance and ready to ad-
wise when requested, and your Honor has
been twice before us at our request and has
fully explained the Law to us when requested.
We have met on fourteen days and have aver
aged five hours work each day.
We think that we have done our work faith
fully, and now request that your Honor dis
charge us from further service.