The age-herald., 1901-10-04
OVER \ THOUSAND
 WITNESSES THERE And Jefferson Grand Jury Found
 286 Indictments
WAN TON MUROER'S RECORD
Crime Is Rampant--Jall Is Well Kept. Bonds of Officers Good-Publc Roads Need Attention-R. R.
 crosslngs-Court Notes.

The final report of the grand jury for the fall term of the criminal court was submitted by the foreman yesterday morning and the jury adjourned. The re- port is very interesting and throws much light on the question of crime in the coun- ty.
 In full 1t was as follows:
 ''To Hon. Daniel A. Green, Associate
 Judge of the Criminal Court of Jeff
 ferson County:
 'We, the grand jury empaneled at the September term of said court to diligently make of all indictable offenses enumer- ated in the able and exhaustive charge of your honor, beg to report:
 That during our sitting we have eX- amined about one thousand an,. fifty wit nesses summoned In aJout 3J0 cases and have returned 2S6 indictments.
 We regret to report that of this num- Der many are for the most heinous of lenses known to the law, such as homi- cides, rape, arson and assaults with in- tent to murder.
 The many homicides and assaults with intent to murder show wanton disre- gard for life and a disposition to take 1t upon the slightest provoeation. The majority of the indictments. however, are for burglary and grand larceny, the committal of which Is almost exclusively confined to the thriftless element of our colored population.
 lmpeded by Justice.
 "In our investigation of onenses we were no little embarrassed and impeded by the carelessness or indifference dis played by the committing magistrates in sending up witnesses who knew nothing of the offense charged, thus entailing a large expense to the county and a great l,,.. -H A.. therefrom those that are material in the prosecution of the offenses.
 We have felt it our uuty to make some investigation into the condition of the public roads of our county, especially with reference to those macadamized at great expense by the county, the condi- ton of which Is so requisite to the con- venience and comfort of the citizens of so large and populous a county. This in- formation we obtained from witnesses before our body or from persons repre- senting various porticas of the county. We find that in many instances the work done is not adequate to keep them in prime condition; washouts and gullies, caused by excessive floods, where not promptly repaired, rendered the roads al- most impossible in some instances. The sinking of the roadbed caused by the washing away of the chert or top dress ing, if not promptly replaced, will mate rially damage the roads and prove menace to the safety of travel and per- manency of our roads.
 Reckless Railroad Men.
 We have also made investigation of the careless and reckless moving of street and railroad cars, whereby many lives have been lost, and have endeavored to ascertain In two instances the parties whose gross negligence have contributed to the appalling destruction of lives upon our crowded thoroughfares. In the run ming of street and railroad cars the laws of the State with respect to stopping at crossings blowing of whistle and ringing of bell seem to be ignored or defied. The reckless rate of speed at which electric cars are run along our streets, if not prohibited by State laws, should be the subject of municipal legislation, to be rigidly enforced against both individuals and corporations.
 We made an examination of the coun- ty jail found it clean and well kept food wholesome and sanitation good except that in the womans ward, where the floor appeared damp from overflow of water remedied. We suggest for the comfort of the female prisoners that the washing should be done in the jail yard.
 we have examined the county aims house and find 1t neatly kept and In good condition.
 We have examined the bonds of all county officers and find the surety there of ample. Also the fee book of the pro- bate judge, and report the fees charged to be legal and correct.
 Tn conclusion we thank your honor for the lucid exposition of the law by which we were guided in our investiga- ton of offenses. We are greatly in- debted to our able solicitor and Stenog- rapher Lacey for their valuable services during our sittings; also to the clerk and sheriff for the prompt issue and execu- ton of all necessary papers; and, last but not least, to our efficient bailiff, MT. Reeves.
 And now, having discharged our duties as grand jurymen to the best of our ability, we ask to be discharged