The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-17

80
county onicers. and. in our opinion.
they are good and sufficient. being In
proper form and duly recorded
1--WE have examined the books and
accounts of the County superintend-
ent and find that they are correct and
properly kept, showing that he should
have a balance on hand in his possess
sion of $4,000, which was verified ON
examination of his account at the Mer-
chants and Planters,-Farley National
Bank, where his deposits are kept. We
ascertained also that his accounts had
been examined previously in the month
of May by the State Examiner OF Pub
lie Accounts.
I'VE find also that all sessions OF the
County Court, as required by law. have
been regularly held.
I'VE find, on examination, that the
Textbook of the Judge of Probate Is
correct, ana that no Illegal fee has
been exacted to the best of our knowl-
edge and belief.
I'VE find that the Sheriff's accounts
with the State. for. the feeding of pris-
oners, is correct and proper
No Election Frauds.
1--WE find on inquiry, that there has
any elections held in the County. and
that no complaint has been made
a gainst the managers of elections. eth
er as to themselves or others. in allow
ing the ballots to be inspected or ex-
amined before or after the close OF the
election for any purpose whatever.
We, have examined and thoroughly
inspected the County poor house, hav-
ing carefully looked into the conditions
and also the treatment which the pau
pers have received at the hands Of Mr..
| pnI N 90 ~
the contracts as entered into between
Mr.. Robertson and tie County, we
have no criticism to make of the pres
ent existing conditions.
"As result of our inspection, we
find whites and blacks occupying the
, same quarters, or nearby houses. We
most vehemently protest against such
conditions. and recommend that such
additional appropriation be made and
such contract made as will give the
whites and blacks separate and distinct
qua rters in future. We further recon-
mend that the contract for the keeping
of paupers be made with private par
ties, provided such contract can be
made as will give the accommodations
mentioned above; otherwise that the
| County take charge of them altogether.
I'VE are glad to report that In the
cases coming up before us from the
negro population of the County, there
is falling off Of those trivial and pet
| ty cases that usually crowd the docket
of the grand jury.
| Finnnces of County.
After careful examination we find
the finances of the County In good
shape, and the balances as shown by
the books of the Board of Revenue
Iagree with the amounts standing to the
credit of the County Treasurer at the
First National Bank. statement OF
which will be found below:
| Financial condition of the County on
July 1904:
General fund on hand. $50, S31 76
Road and bridge fund on hand .......,.
Causeway fund on hand. ..... 17,943. %
Fine and forfeiture fund on
| hand ............ 2S,16l .O4
| Cost of prosecutions over
drawn 1O1 I'D
I'VE find also that there is bonded
debt of 5000 court house and Jail
bonds, due 1907. bearing 6 per cent In
terest. There is also a bonded debt of
| $425, 900 due in 1885 of road and bridge
bonds, bearing per cent interest.
Although this is not the time for re-
ports of County superintendent of
| Roads 1t has been reported to us by
Mr.. A. C. Higgins of Beat s, that all
the roads in that section are in good
condition, except a part of the Woodley
Road. which is in holes in a great many
places and is badly in need of work
upon 1t; as also the 1evee, which needs
repair And also by Mr.. j. II. McCul-
Tough of Beat 10. that Catoma Bridge
on the Hayneville Road needs attention
at once, as it is in bad condition.
I'VE find also. In some of the cases
for carrying concealed weapons and
other offenses of similar class. which
have come before US, that the testi-
mony has been wholly insufficient and
so unreliable. that we have been unable
| to find a true bill: yet not escaping the
lconviction that the parties perhaps are
guilty
Condition Of the Jail.
| I'VE have carefully examined and in
| spected the county jail, and find that
| the inmates are well fed with good and
wholesome food as we'll as being prop
| erly cared for, and, upon special in
quiry, find that the health of the pris-
oners. as a rule. is bad. Though. at
this time. we consider it miraculous
| that none are down and sick. And
| further. that while perhaps. the cages
| on the lower floor and those imme-
| diately over the front door. in the
| second story. are sufficient and Sc
| cure for a safe keeping of all pris-
| oners, those on the second story IN
the rear of the Jail and, next to the
women's quarter, are absolutely unfit
and unsafe for the security of any
prisoner. This is the opinion of those
in charge of the Jail and who should
know. This part of the Jail was orig
inally, as we understand. intended fol
hospital purposes. And therefore we
are constrained to say that in oui
Judgment. the jail is entirely made
ouate for even the present uses, Of
the constantly increasing demand TO
more room; and that, from sanitar!
point of view, 1t is an ever presen
menace to the health and ordinar.
| comfort of those confined therein.
I'VE found. that all the plumbing ar
! rangements, including bath tubs an
. closets, were all more or less, with
out exception. in bad order and leak
ing: and that the steel floors insid
of the cages. especially in the lowe
and upper floors in the rear part o
the jail, are in many instances AM
places rusted out in holes large enough
To nut the hands through. And tina
the concrete on the first floor has set