The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1902-04-26

Judge of the t7th judicial Dis
triet of the State of Louisiana,
for the Parish of Vermilion:
Your Grand Jurors having com
pleted their work for the present
session, beg to submit the following
report:
The bills of Indictment filed sep
arately from the report make any
further reference to violations OF
the criminal law unnecessary.
We 6ud little complaint relative
to our roads and bridges. We find
the Jail in a horrible condition and
must condemn the way in which
the prisoners are fed and cared for.
They themselves complain that
they are poorly fed, their food be-
ing not well cooked and little Of it.
We are inclined to believe their
statements, and know their bedding
is filthy and the general condition
or the Jail dirty and not properly
kept.
The Assessors and SheriH's
Office are properly conducted but
there are fifty-four uncollected
licenses which ought to be collec-
ed.
The balance on hand with the
Parish Treasurer is $17,475. so,
which we consider a healthy con-
dition of affairs.
We are glad to notice the push
and determination of those in
charge of the high school enterprise
and must say that it is the duty of
all good citizens to lend all their
assistance in the consumation of
the undertaking. The committee
has been beset with many difficult
ties and deserve encouragement
for what they have done.
The office of Clerk and Recorder
calls from US more than casual
notice. While the present Clerk, Mr.
Simonet Leblanc, is entitle to unqual-
flied Communications for the perfect
order and systematic arrangement Of
the records, and the up-to-date meth
hods employed under his management,
the constantly increasing volume of
business in this department makes
additional accommodations for public
records, files ETC., a matter of absolute
necessity. The vault at present en-
ployed is not sufficiently large for the
number Of national records. file-cases
etc., that are demanded. The one
room now occupied by the Clerk does
not afford proper or sufficient space
for the clrical force and those who
are at all times examining the records.
We find that at the time of the bull
ding of the Court House it was the
intention of the committee, that the
vault and room on the north Of the
Court House should be occupied by
the Records; and we respectfully
suggest that these quarters be turned
ovet to the Clerk for the use originally
intended, and for which there is now
such urgent need. We request the
Police Jury to make sufficient appro-
prlation for the proper fitting and
furnishing of the vault and the room
accessory thereto and now used blythe
Police Jury.
We commend the action of the
Jury in providing forthe re-
indexing of the mortgages and con
veyance records; the excellence of
this new system calls for our unquali-
fed approval.
In view of the act that these mat
tiers concern the iterests of the public
and the improvements here mentioned
by US have been urged by proceeding
Grand Juries; We hope that pro mpt
action will be taken twords making
provements we suggest.
In closing we will say that we have
been materially assisted in the per-
Torrance Of the grave duties imposed
upon IS by the full and careful
of the Judge and the District
Attorney. The Clerk and Sheriff also
deserve commentator for the ability
and despatch with which the process
Of the Grand Jury were executed.
Very respectfully,
WIN w. KUEHLING,
Foreman.