Birmingham state herald., 1897-02-19

about sixty of which were delivered In open court toiyoslr honor during our first session of this term.
 In obedience to the instructions given us, we have made personal inspectiop of the county jail. tho county aims house the bofds and the books of the county officers. 9ffa 4f4o.4
 We find the county jail to be in clean and healthy condition. and find that the food furnished the prisoners is sufficient in quality and quantity; we would rec ommend, however, that the interior of the jail be whitewashed and that the in- ner door of the old jail be made secure, also that the yard of the old jail be en- closed so as to separate the male and female prisoners, which cannot be done under existing circumstances.
 Upon investigation we find the books Of all county officials to be neatly and intel ligently kept but would suggest in the commissioners court the adoption of some system whereby the business of the court would be more easily shown, more especially as to detailed and total col lections from each district, as well as the expenditures in each district for road funds.
 We find the following bonds of justices to be wholly inadequate and insufficient and we insert herein below the names and offices whose bonds and sureties as evil denced by the assessed taxable property are insufficient:
 J.
 William Stephens-Beat 5.
 s. H. WatkinS-Beat 20.
 O. s. Bridges-Beat 24. > John T. Weed-Beat 1.
 S T. R. Cargill-Beat 35.
 Ransom R. Rainey-Beat IT.
 J. B. Wood-Beat 34.
 -sS. J. Massey-Beat 25.
 B. Riggins-Beat 36.
 w H. Batson-Beat 25.
 J. O. Regan-Beat 32.
 William Atkinson-Beat 41.
 AFelix Howton-Beat 1.
 J. P. Cox-Beat 3.
 J. F. Hancock-Beat 27.
 s. H. Bailey-Beat 31.
 w H. Hicks-Beat 30.
 We find the aims house in clean and healthy condition, and the inmates well treated and properly cared for, but would recommend lighter and more suitable diet for the sick inmates
 We have docketed 192 cases, examined 641 witnesses at a cost of $1,250.05, found 139 true bills and continued ten cases.
 We have, to the very best of our abili- ty, inquired into the condition of the pub lie roads of the county and the dis charge of their duty by the county com mssioners. We find the roads in fairly good condition, but are constrained to say that, with the amount of money ex- pended by the former board of commits sioners, the roads should have been in much better condition. We find that there nave been many lrreBuldrilleS III the keeping of the accounts and the eX- penditure of the road money. We have had the road commissioners before us and we feel satisfied that these matters will in the future be corrected
 We desire particularly to call attention to the public road crossing of the railroad track of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railway company near Pratt City, at the yard of said company. This crossing is menace to the lives of persons neces- sarily travelling over said road on foot or in vehicle. This company should be re- quired to have a watchman there day and night.
 The Birmingham Mineral branch of the Louisville and Nashville railroad com pany should be required to put in good condition the crossing of it's road above Mount Pinson, on the old Tennessee road, it being nearly impossible for vehicle to travel said road at the crossing.
 We return thanks to the court for the clear and able charge given to the jury, and to the county solicitor and his as sistant for their ble and valuable assist ance rendered us. and to the bailiff and other officers of the county for their at tenton and courtesies. All of which is respectfully submitted.
 J. R. ELLARD,
 Foreman Grand Jury.