The age-herald., 1900-06-03

due consideration at our hands, and if the good work commenced by us is con- tinued by the petit juries, without fear or favor, sufferers from this class of offenders will have cause for congratulation.
 AnIm Impossible Duty
 To examine the books of the county off, cers and the county treasury, the same be- ing part of the legal duty required of the grand jury, we submit that the carrying out of this requirement. has always been a myth, and that no grand jury can accom- plish same. The county has an auditor, and from the statute governing same, the grand jury can ask for any specific infor- nation We find the auditor, MT. Camp, now at the request of the previous grand jury checking up the fine and forfeiture fund. He submits a report showing that he has checked the tax collector to Sep tember 30, 1899, and the board of revenue to April 30, 1900; the county treasurer to May l. 1900; also that he has gone over as best he could the accounts and vouchers of the superintendent of education, for the past ten years, same not having been audited in that time, thus showing in most conclutive manner the wisdom of the act making the auditing of accounts regular, and we would urge that same be done yearly and reports or same be made both to the grand jury and the board of revenue. We beg to call the attention of said board to the special
 
 and to the recommendations made there in It seems to us to be in the line of economy, and that much money could be saved this county. In concluding this port we quote a paragraph of the report made by MT. Camp on the superintendent of education ,and showing the great need of systematic, searching, correct auditing of all our offices, and intelligent reports of the conditions of same, both as a matter or justice to the incumbent and to the tax payer.
 Offices of this kind should be audited at the end of each year to prevent the loss or displacement of contracts, reports and other papers on which an intelligent check is necessarily based. To allow an of lice of such magnitude the one covered by this report to go unchecked for ten years is a great injustice to the incumbent as well as inconsistent with good business methods.
 We regret to report that a number of supoenaed witnesses from the city failed to comply with the first great duty of the citizens-respect for law-refusing by their absence that assistance to grand jury in- vestigation made obligatory every cit izen.
 Police Department Commended
 We especially compliment Chief of Police Austin and Detectives Bodeker and Dishe- room for their earnest and very efficient assistance, and would recommend that every police authority require that written report at time of arrest be made and pre- served, as it will greatly expedite future investigation.
 Bonds of the county officers were ex- amined; we regret to say however, not thoroughly as we would like to have done, but we believe the bonds of the most important officers to be good and suffi- cient. The county jail was visited by LIS in body and appeared to be in a good con- dition, clean and well kept The prisoners were questioned as to food and no com plaints were made. We personally inspect ed the food and it seemed to be abundant in quantity and of good quality.
 The court house grounds, it appears to this grand jury, are deserving of more at- tention at the hands of those intrusted with their care than they are receiving. This beautiful building is worthy of a well-kept lawn, and the present condition of the grounds is such as to reflect, not only upon those in charge, but upon every citizen of the county We appeal to the board of reve- nue to allow sum sufficient to keep the grounds in such condition will make them a source of pleasure to the eye and a pride to the people,
 In conclusion we desire to thank the so licitors, Messrs. Ferguson, Mcqueen and Heflin (and especially the latter, who has been with us almost continually for their valuable aid; we thank your honor for the consideration shown us at all times; also our bailiff, MT. Reeves, who has been ever ready to cheerfully render every service re- quired of him,
 we now ask to be discharged, feeling that further session upon our part at present is unnecessary. Respectfully
 R. H. HAGOOD, Foreman