The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-01

The report shows that 175 true bills were returned
 Among the indictments returned yes- terday with the report were two against John Brewer, alias "rhe Cowboy" who is In the county jail. One charges assault with Intent to murder, the other robbery.
 Indictments were also returned against Juanita Davenport and Ida Mitchell, ne- gro women found in the house with the Hudson gang of robbers on January 4. The women are now In the county jail and are cAarged with receiving stolen property.
 In the grand jury's report number of | recommendations are made The full re- port follows:
 | We have carefully followed the instruc~ ! ton given us by the honorable court as far as it was in our power to do so. We have examined about G54 witnesses. having in this examination under con- sideration 259 cases, and In this considera- tion we have returned 175 true bills.
 Entire harmony has prevailed through out our entire session and each verdict was the unanimous verdict of this jury.
 Recommendations.
 No. 1. We have, as far as 1t was pos- sible for us to do so. examined Into the financial affairs of the county, and earn estly recommend as follows: That our representatives in the legislature, now in session, be requested to take steps look ing to adequate legislation for remedy ing the present condition Of the fine and forfeiture fund; such legislation as will place it within the ability of the county to pay her witness fees and officers fees against said fund in cash, and in ths connection we further recommend that the local laws of our county with respect to the expenditure of it's finances, be so amended that the necessity of borrowing money each year to meet its expenses will be oviated, and thereby place its ex- penditures within the limits Of It's re- ceipts. For furtherance of this recom- mendation we suggest a joint conference of our senators and representatives, to- gether with the assistance of the county auditor in framing such measures as will meet the requirements of this recom mendation; we having had both the pres ent and former county auditors before our body with facts and figures which lead us to conclude that there is an urgent necessity for above recommendation.
 No. 2. We have, so far as 1t was in our ability to do, examined the books of all county officers as well as their bonds, as required by law, and desire to say that we have found them all neatly and cor rectly kept, and that all bonds are ade- quate and solvent Owing to the short length of our session and the volume of business before us, it Is impossible to make a thorough and systematic examin- ation of these books.
 This duty, in our opinion, devolves it. self, and properly so, upon the auditor of the county, by virtue of the act creating the office of auditor, and we recommend that said auditor audit these books and make reports to the grand jury from time to time of the condition in which he finds the same. We further recom" mend that said auditor be directed to audit the fine and forfeiture fund of the county, thoroughly and completely, and we hereby request the board of rev. enue to furnish him in this work such assistance as may be necessary to make a thorough audit of the same.
 Jail We'll Kept.
 No. 8. We have examined the jail and aims house of the county as required by law, and beg leave to say that we find the jail as well kept and as cleanly as, in our opinion, 1t is possible for 1t to be kept; and that the aims house is in an exceptionally good condition; all wards and bedding being clean and neat and no complaint on the part of any of its in- mates; It's sanitary condition Is good. The officers and physicians in charge of these institutions are to be congratulated upon their successful management thereof.
 No 4 We recommend the repeal of an act approved March 5. 1901. to amend sec- tion 523o of the code of 1896. Upon inves- tigation we find only three persons to have availed themselves of the benefit of this law since the enactment thereof, posture of the sheriffs charge, the jail and it's inmates.
 Light and Water.
 No. 5. We earnestly recommend that the board of revenue take immediate steps to install plants to be owned and opera ted by the county for the furnishing of adequate lights and water for the court house and jail. Also the installation of an elevator in the court house and toilet rooms on the third floor of same.
 No 6. We find large amount of the crimes committed in this county are committed by ex-convicts; we therefore heartily endorse a bill recently ntro- duced by one of our representatives in the Legislature requiring discharged con victs to be be returned to the county in which they were convicted for final dis charge.
 No. '. We recommend further that such laws be passed as will insure for the sake of the health of our county vacci- nation of all its citizens.
 No. s. The appearance of the county auditor before this body with his semi annual report showing in detail the con dition of the countys affairs, demon- strates anew to the grand jury the wis dom of the act creating the office of county auditor. and we respectfully sub init that 1t would be impossible for any grand jury to ascertain, within reason- able period of time. the financial status of the county, as is shown by the county auditors capital semi-annual report