The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1898-12-22
Grand Jury Report.
To the Hon. Judges 10th District Cour
Parish of NatchitOCheS:

To the Hon. Judges 10th Dlstrlct court.
Parish of Natchitoches:
We your Grand Jury beg leave 10 SUD-
nit this the final report OF our laDors
and respectfully ask to be discharged.
We have given patient and thorough
attention to all matters coming before
us and have examined 143 cases return
! ing true bills in 60 cases and ignoring 30
| cases.
We regret TO say we DO not find tina:
crime il decreasing in our parish al
though there has been no increase IN
the number Of crimes. yet we rad hope0
to report a decrease.
In some portions Of the parish we find
there exist much disOr,ierly conducs,
such as uischargIng firearms on pubic
roads at nlght. disturbances OF peace
able assemblies and a general disregard
of peace. quietness and good order.
| 1t is difficult 70 obtain sufficient cyl
| dence to convict in these matters.
In this connection we would respect
fully call the attention OF the Honorable
Mayor and officers of the city Of Match
| itOches to the fact that many complaints
were presented to US Of the disorder
prevalent in the CITY Of Natchitocnes
and would respectfully suggest greater
VIgiIence and heavier penalties in all
cases Of conviction By the Mayor.
We visited the State Normal School
and took great pride and pleasure in
reporting the splendid condition of this
great State Institution. The material
progress of that institution In the past
few wears has been marvellous and It's
present prospects are splendid in the
extreme. We find every department in
first class condition and lis financial con-
dltion has been and Is so ably admin
;stered that we have no fears for the
grand futrre of this noble State institu-
ton and in our opinion more efficient
man than Prof. Caldwell could not be
found for the position. The public
school In this citv was also visited and
we were agreeablv surprised to see the
fine school this city can boast of lis
management is able and efficient and its
attendance of pupils Is so large that it
speaks in evidence OF its worth. We
would, however. respectfully advise the
School Board TO repair and improve its
buildings. so rs to make it more COM
Portable and convenient to the pupils
and teachers.
We find The Parish Treasurer's books
neatly and accurately keUt, but regret
to say atsthe present time the finances
of the Parish are not III It healty cOndI-
ton. The Police Jury are not to blame
for this condition Of affairs circumStan-
ces over which they had no control
nave combined to bring it about. We
find the indebtedness Of the parish about
ST., 900 aud the jurors and witnesses are
forced to sell their script at 70 to SOC.
on the dollar. We respectfully suggest
to the Police Jury the plan of securing
some just and equitable basis Il fiscal
agent for the parish who will agree to
furnish sufficient cash to enable the
parish to discharge its obligations as
they arise. If the Police Jury would !
adopt this plan the citizens that are
forced to DO public duty, would then get
l00c. on the dollar.
We desire to call your attention to |
Act No. lob of the Legislature approved |
al the 1898 session of that body. In our
opinion that act is Unjust in the eX-
IRENE and should be repealed at the |
first session hereafter Of the Legislature. |
That act makes the sheriff preference |
crenItvr for work done for the parish |
and goes to the extreme of making |
him his own paymaster empowering |
him to deduct all monies collected for |
the parish whatever amount may be |
due him. We do no: think we would |
be infringing the prOprietles in desig- |
mating such injustice and favOritism as |
infamous and sincerely trust the press |
Of this State Will take the matter up so |
that every one NAV understand and full i
Aane inst ca :
" ~ap PfecIafc The done FHe I
public at large. In this connection we
deem it right to say that we do not be- |
lieve the sheriff of this parish indOrses |
such discrimination as established by |
such legislation. We regret to know |
the Governor saw proper to approve |
such legislation.
The Sheriff's and Clerks office a-e
well conducted and no complaints have |
come before us touching these officers.
The jail was visited and found 70 be |
as we'll kept as possible under its pres
ent crowded condition.
We find that enough attention is not |
paid to working public roads and keep |
ing up public briggs and hope that this
will be sufficient warning and that the
next Grand Jury will find an Improve |
ment.
We especially note the condition Of
the johnson Chute bridge and recon-
mend that IL it is not repaired it will be |
torn down to save life as 1t is absolute
dangerous.
We examined books of Parish Super
intendent and find them accurately kept |
aud also the following state Of affairs:
That Ward is indebted to teachers |
S535.00 and we respectfully call the at
tentiOn of the School Board to same and
beg tbev stop this practice.
we also call the attention OF the School |
Board to the apparent partialitv shown |
to RobelIne (Ward g. spent during the |
year 1095.00 and RObeline received |
SIS. 900 of this amount.
We want to thank the court officials |
for their courtesies shown US during our |
two weeks session.
j. |. KIRK,
Foreman.