The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1903-07-25
SATURDAY, JULY %, 1908.
GRAND JURY REPORT.

GRAND JUKf KEFOkI.
To The Honorable A. c. Allen. Judge OF
the 23rd Judicial District Court,
holding session in and for the Parish
of st. Mary, State of Louisiana:
We, the Grand Jury, organized
for duty, during the term prescribe
ed by law, respectfully submit
this report OF our actions. Pursu-
ant to your instructions, we have
investigated all criminal charges
presented or known to us, and file
herewith our findings thereon.
We find but few prisoners in the
Parish Jail, charged with crime
and awaiting trial; these cases
have received our attention and
action.
- We notice with regret that there
are five or six insane persons, re-
tanned in our parish prison, and
that some of them have been con-
fined therein for several months.
Our Parish officers, We are hap
by to say, are not responsible for
this, for our investigation plainly
shows that our Parish officials
have made every effort to have
these prisoners and helpless peo-
pie taken to the State Asylum for
the Insane. They have failed be-
cause the managers OF that insli-
tuition refuse to receive them, for
the reason that they have not the
+. room to accommodate more patients.
This is deplorable. Our govern
merit is pledged to care for and
treat humanely our INDECENT in
sane. No Jail, no matter how we'll
kept or how considerate its keep
er can give that tender treatment
which the condition of these help
less people requires.
We listened with appreciation to
that part of your Honor's charge,
in which you commended the law
abiding spirit which pervaded
the best people of our Parish, and
the ways and means you propose,
q fair and prompt execution of the
laws; we repeat your words as the
most certain way, "That the Of
" ficers of the law should so act as
to always retain the full conf
I dence of the people, While
thinking of this question, we as
representative people of this Par
ish now express our praise for the
prompt and firm action of your
Honor, of our Sheriff, and of our
District Attorney of disposing of
I the case of the highway robber,
Esau Lovely. The patience OF
!, our people also in this matter is
to be commended. The induce
ment for illegal violence was
strong, because the provocation
was great, weak people would
have yielded to violence, but they
J were not unreasonable. They
only demanded a speedy trial and
showed confidence in our officers
by allowing the law to take its
course.
We have examined the public
( buildings of the Parish, the Court
House is in bad condition. In our
opinion it would be unwise to at
tempt to put any permanent re-
pairs on it. The police jury
should, when the Parish funds can
meet the expenses, provide a new
Court House.
We find the Parish Jail in a good
condition, well kept. We recon-
mend that the Police Jury should
provide mosquito bars for the in
mates of the Jail during the sum-
!, mer mo nths.
The public roads throughout the
Parish are in fair condition, no
doubt caused in part by the dry
weather as prevailed for some
4 time.
The public schools are in excel
lent condition. The session, which
ended few weeks ago, was sue
ecessful. The attendance was large
{ and the teachers and officers in
4 charge of them have been jealous
In the discharge of their duties.
We are pleased to report that we
find the Clerks Office in. splendid
condition. The arrau&ement of
the record books and p4pers are
much more convenient than ever
before. No.
We regret to report that we find
! the Treasurer's books not regular
" balanced and that it is a diff
cult matter to check them up, and
would recommend that the Police
Jury see that they are balanced
monthly.
We regret to report that we find
no funds in the Treasury.
We express our appreciation for
ythe kindness and courtesy shown
7us by the District Attorney and
<other Parish officials III the dis
EehafRe Of our duties.
Respectfully submitted,
e. WIN. DREIBHOLZ,
Foreman Grand Jury.
franklin, La, July 22nd, 1908.