St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1902-01-18
Report OF 'nhe Grand Jury.

To the Honorable E. L. Lewis, Judge OF
the 10th Judicial District of Louis
/ lana, st. Landry Parish Your
Grand Jury beg leave to submit this
their finalreport:
i We have carefully examined into all
matters presented for our consideration,
/ and are happy to state that we found
| but few cases of any seriousness. We
hope this lis flarbinger of a more peace
full condition in our parish.
We would urgently recommend that
4 the various justices of the peace through
out the parish carefully examine into
all cases coming under their iurisdic-
/ ton as committing magistrate, to the
end that friyaious and malicious charg-
es may not find their way into this body,
thus imposing upon 1t unnecessary Ia
| Dor.
| torney that in many of the outlying
wards of our parish, crimes and offenses
are committed and no action is taken by
| the ward officers to apprehend the
wrong g-doers, or inform the parochial
authorities of such violations, and that
consequently many an evii-doer goes
unWhIpped of punishment.
We would recommend that when a
violation of the law is brought to the
attention of any constable, or he is in
formed of any such violation, such con-.
stable at once set on foot an inVestIga-
tion, and if he ascertain that q viola
ton of the law has been committed, he
forthwith report such matter. ito the
proper authorities for such action as the
law directs. If this was done, we feel
certain that many who are now illegally
selling Intoxicating drinks would be
broughtto to Justice. AS conseEyitors of
the peace in their respective wards, we
consider this but the duty of consta-
bies. and would urgently recommend
ii ;Ed da,ra
We have carefully examined into the
condition of the public buildings. The
courthouse we find in good condi ton
an examination of the records in the
clerks office discIoses that some Of the
Conveyance books are badly in need of
being rebound and others re-copied.
We-would suggest that such action as is
necessary be taken to preserve these
records. We would further recommend
that the assessors Office be furnished
with suitable record cases for the pre-
servation of the records of that office.
We have inspected and examined the
parish prison and OF the condition of
the inmates therein. We fain would
say nothing more, but humanity bids
us speak. 70 say that such an instftu-
ton Is disgrace to a civilized eommu-
nifty, to incarcerate any human being
therein is a return to medieval bafba-
riety, is to but express the views of
anyone who would but visit there. The
place is but a pestilence breeding hole, |
and we are surprised that an enlight-
ened community has submitted to its |
continuance this long. On the occasion I
of our visit the inmate OF one of the /
rooms was an unfortunate insane crea-
ture awaiting transportation to Jackson.
We found her lying on the floor, wrap /
ped IN q blanket, the picture OF destlfu- |
ton. We will undertake to make no /
manhattan htJf
that IN as much as the law presumes
every man innocent of crime until
otherwise proven, he is of right en-
titled to be ineareerated pending his trial /
and even after conviction, in a place
where his health is not menaced or his
constitution undermined by the seeds OF I
disease.
We would respectfully suggest thatif
nothing be done to better the condition
of CUR parish prison even to the extent3
of building q new jail that prisoners I
awaiting trial, or insanes Introduction,
be 1ncareerated in some other prison of
the State, where they might remain
without endangering their lives.
Having completed our labors, we beg
to be discharged.
Respectfully submitted.
Signed: II. E. SToKEs.
Filed January 1s, 1902.
Signed: "A. LEON DITPRE, De'py Clerk.
The CLERK of the Court is hereby di-
reeted to furnish copy of this report I
to the newspapers of the parish and to
spread same upon the minutes of the I
Court, aud to furnish the justices and /
constables of the parish with copy of 4
the same, who are hereby earnestly re-
quested to carry out the suggestions
hereto made to them by the Grand Jury.
Signed: b. L. LEWIS, Judge.
Filed, January 13, 1892.
Signed: A. LEON DUPRE, Dep'y CPk.
Il true copy,
4 H. e. EsToEGE, Clerk.