The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-14
Presentment Of Grand Jury.
OCTOBER TERN, 1908.
To bis Honor Chas. G. Dantzler, Pre-
siding Judpe:

To bis Honor Chas. G. Dantzler, Pre-
siding Judge:
This being the last term of Court for
the year 1908, we beg leave to make
this our final preseutment.
We have closely examined and pass
ed upon all bills of indictments hand
ed US by the Solicitor.
We have inspected the public build
ings Of the county and found them to
be in fair condition.
We have examined into the condi-
tion of the paupers at the poor house.
We found 26 inmates in this institu-
tons whites and IS colored-all of
whom seemed to be we'll satisfied with
their condition in life. The houses are
in good condition, the farm we'll culti-
waited and managed, with prospects OF
q fine yield of corn, estimated at 700
bushels. besides goodly quantity peas
and hay.
The board of County Supervisors
have furnished US with transcript OF
the Magistrates dockets, together with
an approved report of same.
In examining this transcript we no.
tice that a number of the Magistrates
do not comply with the law relative to
their duties as to making quarterly re-
ports. The law requires them to make
quarterly reports to the Board of Su-
pervisors and pay over to the County
Treasurer any fines they have collect
ed. Our attention was drawn to the
fact that number of them who had
collected fines and kept same in their
possession for ten (10) months. This
money belongs to the County and
should be turned over to the Treasurer
as the law provides. We call this
matter to the attention Of the Court,
trusting by 80 doing the Magistrates
will be more particular in regard to
this important matter in the future.
The foreman has cancelled and
checked off claims paid out by the
Treasurer, Supervisor and School Com
missioner for year ending August ls,
1903.
The books and papers of the Clerk
of Court and Sheriff's offices have
been examined and found to be in Or
der.
We have information from the
Comptroller Generals office that there
has aot been a complete settlement
With the Treasurer of Abbeville Coun-
ty for the last five (5) years. At our
last session it was deemed advisable by
the Grand Jury to have the books OF
the County officers examined by an
expert. A committee of our body was
appointed to have the work done.
Upon investigation the committee
found no funds available for this pur.
pose-they applied to the Board of
County Supervisors to make an appro-
priation with which to do the work.
. The Board met and appropriated five
(5) dollars day, not exceeding thirty
(30) days. The committee placed itself
in Communication with several experts
that had been recommended, bat fail
ed to procure the services Of either on
account Of insufficiency of sum appro-
pristed. This fact was made known
to the Board and was asked to Increase
the appropriation, but the Supervisor
declined to furnish additional money.
This being the case, the committee
concluded to let the matter stand until
q sufficient sum of money could be had
to do the work.
In this connection we beg to state
that there was partial examination
made by Mr.. E. B. Wilson OF the
Comptroller's Office, last January.
Having been informed of this fact, the
Grand Jury requested the Comptroller
General to furnish them with said re-
port together with any other facts
bearing on this investigation. The
Grand Jury is In possession OF this re-
port and ask that same be read and
made part Of this presentment. See
report marked A!
We would also request that the ex-
planatory statement made by Mr.. w.
w. Bradley for Mr.. Blake (see state
ment marked By be read and become
o part of this presentment.
1t was q very great surprise to the
Grand Jury to learn that there had not
been made a complete settlement Of
County affairs in five years. 1t does
seem to the jury that the officer whose
duty it is to attend to this matter has
been grossly derelict in the perform
ance Of his duty.
The Grand Jury would urgently re-
quest the Comptroller General to give
this matter his immediate attention,
and to take such steps necessary to
have an appropriation made by the
Legislature to have thorough inves-
tigation made-as we deemed it neces-
sary.
Thanking your honor and officers OF
the Court for courtesies extended,
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. MILLER,
Foreman.
E. B. WILSON'S REPORT MARKED "a"
Columbia, s. c., Nov. 30, 1902.
Hon. J. P. Derham, Comptroller Cen
eral, Columbia, s. G.
Dear Sir: I beg to submit my re-
port Of the Investigation OF the &C
counts Of Mr.. J. r. Blake, Jr.. Treas
urer Of .AbDeville County, as far as the
work has progressed.
SCHOOL BOND ACCOUNT.
Upon q thorough examination Of
this account, 1 find that the Treasurer
has received credit for Sill. 10 in excess
of the amount of the accrued interest.
A complete statement Of the bonds
and accrued interest will appear In the
back of the Court Expense book in the
County>Supervisor's office.
&C, e. N. SHOP BONDS.
An examination Of this account
shows the Treasurer has taken an ex-
cess credit Of $l24.07 in the amount Of