The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-21
Grand Jury Presentment.

To His Honor, the Presiding Judge:
The Grand Jury at this term of the
Court beg leave to make the following
presentments:
We have passed upon all bills pre-.
sented to US by the Solicitor.
| We have visited the poor house and
find it generally we'll kept.
We recommend that some greater
conveniences be supplied to the con-
victs usually kept there. such as straw
mattresses for bedding, and that great
er cleanliness be exacted. We also rec
ommend that the machinery, harness,
and so forth usually kept there be
housed or otherwise protected from the
weather.
We also visited the Jail and while its
general condition is good, yet we ad-
wise that some improvements be made;
the we'll on the premises must be re-
paired. The thorough drainage of the
grounds should also be attended to, as
! the present condition of things is CAL
culated to produce sickness among the
inmates. We also advise that the cook
house be recovered. The windows of
the Jail require sash, the lights in
many of them having been broken
out. We recommend that the super
visor see that these repairs be made at
once.
We also visited and examined the
offices in the court house and find as
follows:
The office of Judge of Probate is nice
ly kept and all moneys and securities
in his hands. both as Probate Judge
and Public Guardian, properly vouch-
ed.
We find from the examination of the
Auditors and Treasurer's offices and
books that the taxable property of the
county is 81, 500, 900, upon which is lev
led tax of $63, ,791.65, about IA mills
average. The state tax is So, ,O94. 90;
the county, $l5,500.0O; the schools,
1925, 1860. The fines, costs, and licen-
ses since last court is $405.9G. These
offices are well kept.
The Superintendent of Education
keeps the books of his office in COM
prehensive and satisfactory manner.
We gathered from his books the fol-
lowing. facts: Number of children en-
rolled in the schools 7.7S9; amount
constitutional tax $l6,59S.4 .46; per cap
ita $2.15. Some furniture and other
Improvements are needed in the office.
We examined the records of the
Clerk of Court for the last term of the
court and found them correctly kept.
No fines were imposed at that term OF
the court.
The pension money is disbursed by
this office whose roll book of pensions
shows receipts for all money received
by him.
The Sheriff's office is also currectly
kept, and his books in good condition.
The Supervisor had reported to the
Grand Jury the receipts and disburse-
ments of his office, and on examining
the books of his office this report YVES
verified.
We visited the Masters Office and
find everything correctly kept.
The receipts from the Dispensary
amounted to something over $4,000,
half of which was paid out to the coun-
ty. We could at this term make only
q cursory report upoh these offices; at
the next term of the court we propose
to make thorough examination.
We also recommend the drainage
law be strictly enforced.
The highways are now in measur-
ably good condition.
We desire to express our thanks to
the Judge and Solicitor for courtesies
extended.
Respectfully submitted,
R. J. ROBINSON, Foreman.