The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1904-12-28

! to the Court that one Joseph Erlnin-
trsut, came before the grand jury and
complained Of an assault against his
person with u dangerous WEAPON, held
in tho hands Of one Harry Bourcy, upon
which subpOenas we're issued and the
following witnesses appeared before tbs
grand jury, namely: Mrs. Ermintraut
and Joseph Ermintraut, Matt Gobel and
Mr.. Slimpin. and after having inteFro-
gated the witnesses, and carefully con-
sidered the same. it appeared to the
satisfaction of the grand jurors that the
evidence was inadequate to warrant a
, true bill.
We further beg leave to report that
we have carefully examined the struc-
ture known as the county Jail building.
We have inspected its construction rs
to the safety for keeping the prisoners
placed therein, and also inspected the
same with the view to ascertain its con-
struction for the safety for the health Of
those confined therein, and we beg leave
to report that we found the building
and the jail and cells in first class con-
dition: that the ventilation thereof is
good that the rules prescribed and en-
forced by the sheriff for the government
Of the Jail and persons therein contained
are commendable; that the bedding and
other clothing--n fact everything con-
nected with the Jail, and the persons
therein contained-are kept neat and
clean. In other words. first class con-
dition. We further report that We took
opportunity Of investigating the board
supplied the prisoners. and find that it
is good and healthy, and of sufficient
quantity and quality. Our investigation
and the results was further borne out
by the evidence Of the prisoners. upon
consultation with them.
We further beg leave to report that
We have carefully inspected the court
house, and we do commend the Honor
able Board of County Commissioners of
this county for the work they have done,
in not only securing rooms which was
absolutely Indispensable, but specially
for the erection Of certain vaults for the
safe keeping of the county records.
This particularly refers to the recon
struction Of the new part of the court
house. We further say and report that
we have examined the building known
as the court house. and find that in its
present condition it is not only made
quate for the transaction Of the business
of the different officers therein, but that
its walls, and specially the vaults there
i'll, are not only entirely too small, but
they are wholly unsafe and of no use
whatever, if u fire should occur in said
building. We therefore recommend
that the Honorable Board of County
Commissioners proceed with their work
as soon as practicable, and rebuild the
remaining portion of the court house.
We further beg leave to report to this
Honorable Court that we have carefully
inspected the records Of the county Of
ticerS and We lind by such investigation
that the system of book keeping in the
Treasurers and Auditors offices, as we'll
as that of the Register of Deeds, is up
to date in every branch. We further
beg leave to report while thus investi-
eating the records of the Register of
Deeds office, we found that the space
assigned to him is not only inadequate,
but it is next to an impossibility for him
to transact his business. For instance,
seven clerks, are working in one room,
to say nothing about persons coming
and going. and everyone who has any
business in the Register of Deeds Office
must transact it in that room, to say
nothing about the three different alb
stract companies, who are continually
looking over the records and all Of which
must be transacted in one room. In
looking over the receipts Of the Regis
ter's office, We find that the present
month up to the I'D day OF December,
amounted to Sl,45O.lO. The vaults in
which the records Of this Office are kept
was not only found Inadequate. but
wholly unsafe.
We further beg leave to report that
We examined the books Of the Treasurer
and thus while examining said records,
we took notice of the condition of the
vault and the amount allotted to him,
and what We have said in regard to the
room and the vault of the Register of
Deeds. applies to that of the Treasurer.
In connection with examining the books
of the Treasurer, we examined those of
the County Auditor. and at the close of
such examination, we found there were
Sl23,969.G of outstanding warrants. We
therefore recommend to the Honorable
Board of County Commissioners Of this
county at their next regular meeting,
they take the necessary steps and pre-
pare the necessary resolution to author
ize them issue at least $4,000 worth of
refunding bonds. These, together with
the tax now due and payable, would not
only put the county upon cash basis,
but it would be a saving to the tax pay
ers from to or 4 Is per cent.
We also beg leave to report that the
records Of the Clark of District Courts
Office we're examined and found to be
kept in business like manner, and
everything up to date. The condition
as to the vaults in the clerk of the court
and the Auditors offices, are the same
as those in the Registers and Treasur-
er's Offices. AS to the space allotted to
the Clerk of Courts Office. We would say
it is ample for the amount of business
transacted. For reasons above given,
we again recommend to the Board of
County Commissioners that they at the
earliest possible moment proceed to
reconstruct or rebuild the old court
house.
We further ask leave to report that
we examined the records of the Superin-
tendent of Schools Office. from which
we ascertain that there are established,
within the borders of Ward county 225
schools. That apportionment as issued
and delivered to one hundred and five