The age-herald., 1901-02-01
THE GRAND JURY
 STANDS ADJOURNED Brought in Two Hundred and
 Seventeen True Bills 800 WITNESSES IN 22 DAYS
Recommends That County Auditor Ex- anime Official Bonds-No Need to Examine Sheriffs Feed Book.
 Buying of County Ulaims.

The Criminal Court grand jury, which has been in session for several weeks, made it's final report yesterday and was discharged. The report was as follows:
 To the Honorable S. E. Greene Judge of
 the Criminal Court:
 The grand jury organized at the present term of your honor's court, ask leave to make our final report as follows:
 We have been in session twenty-five working days and have docketed 2S7 cases which have investigated, with a few exceptions; have examined mora than eight hundred witnesses, and returned into court two hundred and seventeen true bills, the great majority of which are feonies many of them, we regret to say of a serious character.
 We have examined, as best we Gould the bonds of the different county ctf1oers, and in our judgment they are good and suffi- cient Judge Stiles seems to have been careful in approving official bonds, bat it sometimes happens that surtties become insolvent after the bonds are approved. Oh this point we desire to suggest that it would be wise to require the county auditor to examine all official bonds, and report to each grand jury if any are insufficient or defective, wherein they are insufficient or defective.
 We examined the condition of the county Jail and find it as neat, comfortable and well kept as conditions will admit We find also that the prisoners have a suffi- ciency of wholesome food.
 The foreman and solicitor have examined the fee book of the probate judge and find no illegal fees charged.
 We have examined the feed book of the sheriff for feeding state prisoners, and as far we can tell the accounts are correct In county like Jefferson where there is an average of 150 prisoners a month, it is a difficult matter for the grand jury in its limited time to Five a careful examination to such volunlinous work. and In view of the fact that under existing laws these accounts are carefully scanned by the state auditor and state examiners, we deem 1t unnecessary in a county the size of this We have also examined the condition of the county aims house and take pleasure lin saying that it's excellent mapagement re- fleets credit on the county and those who control and manage it.
 Section s1o5 of the Code forbids any pub lie officer. either directly or indirectly, by himself or through another, to purchase, deal or trafifo in in any manner whatever, in any claim payable out of the county treasury, or out of the fine and forfeiture fund. While we have had no case falhng within the provisions of this statute, we desire to condemn as a reprehensible prac- tice the purchase of such claims directly or indirectly. by any one connected with any public office.
 We have been greatly aided in our labors by the efficient work of our stenographef, MT. Y. Zacy. We commend the law provid- ing stenographer for the grand jury, as we are satisfied 1t results in a great saving to the county.
 In conclusion we desire to thank your Honor for your very able exposition of the laws concerning our duties, and thanking the solicitors for their attention and advice, and our bailiff, MT T. D. Reeves, for the prompt discharge of his duties, we ask to be discharged.
 J. D. MOORE.
 FForeman.