Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1903-12-02
GRAND JURY'S WORK.

The Investigation of county affairs
made by the recent grand jury and
the fearless report made by it seems to
meet with the universal approval of
the citizens of Prescott at least, and
a number of those from the county
who have visited Prescott have ex-
pressed approval of it. The even
ing Canutelli takes a two col
umn and a half exception either
directly or by insinuation to the re-
port, practically charging that body
with partially. 1t cites alleged bills
of the sheriff which it claims are ex-
cessive and which it thinks should
have been delved into by the grand
jury. Any ten year old boy knows
that there is nothing criminal in pre-
sentiGg a claim for services rendered,
and the board of supervisors has COM
plete jurisdiction over the allowance
of the sheriff's bills. Should the bills
not be legal claims the board has full
authority and jurisdiction to refuse to
allow them, and should the board re-
fuse to allow legal bill, the sheriff
has his recourse in the courts, but in
no case is it a subject for action on
the part of grand jury. This is sim
ply an effort made to- divert attention
from the real merits of the case. The
paper in question slurs the entire
grand jury, by an insinuation that it
was influenced in its report on this
Office by two of its members who are
said to be bondsmen of the sheriff.
The grand jury was composed of
high minded honorable citizens of the
county, representatives Of both politi-
cal parties being members of it, and
the Journal-Miner believes that it has
acted fairly, honestly and conscien-
tiously in its Investigations.
If they have made any mistakes they
will be made to appear later, but it is
not believed that they have been
prompted by malice, or political bias
in any of their findings but that they
have attempted solely to work for the
best interests of the county without
bias or prejudice.
That the time is now opportune to
call halt on the badly mismanaged
affairs of the county, it seems no own
er of property, who is compelled to
pay over four per cent in taxes can
deny. With than increasing tax roll,
in spite of reductions made by the
board of equalization on the assess
ment of wealthy corporations, the rate
of taxation continues to grow.
While not disposed to criticise the
grand jury, in any way, or to find
fault with it, if the Journal Miner
were inclined to do so, it would be to
suggest that when they reconvene they
make an investigation of the cost of
those ungainly rock piles on the
plaza. This would be interesting
reading to tax payers.
1t would be also very interesting if
they could get at the bottom facts
connected with that sl5, 900 donation
TO the United Verde Copper company,
of taxes due from last year, and the
motives which prompted their action.
If they could get into the most sec
ret chambers of the hearts of the
0ambers of the board and discover
y bow it happened that they con-
Guided that a valuation of g, 600, 600
on the property of the above company,
this year was excessive, for purposes of
taxation, when the records Of the
company show that this amount is
paid annually in dividends to its
stockholders, would also be equally in
teresting.
1t is scarcely probable, however,
that these two latter subjects can be
probed to that extent unless the grand
jury is fortunate enough to have
hypnotist or mind reader among its
members.
A revolution is needediin the meth
DDS of conducting the county's bust
ness. whereby a fair and just assess
ment can be had on all property, the
expenses of the county reduced to the
minimum, and the rate of taxation de-
creased, and the grand jury should be
commended by all right minded hon
est thinking citizens for the start in
this direction which has been made.
''Well done good and faithful ser
wants. - Keep up the good work when
you reconvene on December q.