The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-23
Presentment of Lee County Grand Jury

To His Honor; r. O. Purdy, presid
ing Judge, March term, court of
General Sessions.
The Grand Jury beg to make the
following presentment, to wit: All
bills of Indictment given out by the
Solicitor have been passed upon and
returned to the court with our fdnings
endorsed thereon.
A special committee composed of
]. E. McCutchen, VIM. Reid, L. v.
Brown and T. E. Davis appointed to
investigate the county Offices, report
the affairs of these Offices, apparently
in good shape and correct. We have
received reports from the County
Supervisor and the Treasurer as re-
ouired. The Auditors books show a
total of 265, 200 acres Of land, valued
at 81, O79, ,O24.00 returned for taxation
exclusive of town property.
y Buildings outside towns, valued at
1927, 1886.
Real Estate in Towns, s113, 52O..
Total Value Real Estate and Build
ings 81. 420, 429.
Total Personal Property S5S7, 609.
Total Railroad Property 1922, 343
Total of all property for taxation,
81, 240, 1852.
Total amount realized from taxation
exclusive of Polls s31, ,6O074.
Polls 81, 057.
Communication road tax to March lst
inst. 81, 400.
Total raised from taxation for 1908, :
$3S, 057. IA of which aomunt was rails
ed for school purposes by constitu-
tional 8 mills tax s6, l.3S; and by
special levy s., 594 81. Total for school
purposes $40, 3l6. 35.
The Grand Jury Inspected the new
jail and considered it safe and suffi-
cient for the purpose for which it was
erected and things therein seem to be
in good order. The Jail and the land
on which it stands, including lot in
tended to be used as court house lot
in the future, cost the sum Of 81, 69f.
We note the fact that the board of
county commissioners have not exam
ined quarterly the books of the Magls-
trates in the county as requled by law {;
and the Magistrates have not made
monthly reports to the county Treas
uGCI dS LILO Id ~
We are aware that a lack Of know
ledge as to legal requirements accounts
il part for this neglect of official
duties, but we ask that these things be
done in conformity with the laws de-
maIds.
The matter of the bonds of county
officials is receiving our attention and
will likely soon be in satisfactory
shape.
A number of earnest ,mplaints have
been laid before Us concerning the bad
and unasfe condition of the railroad
running from Elliotts by Bishopville
to Lucknow, but, during our discus
sion of this matter Railroad Commis-
sioner Garris. arrived in Bishopville
and was invited to conference with
the grand jury. Mr.. Garris stated
that the condition of the road to which
the discussion referred was we'll
known to the r. R. commissioners
and that he had been assured by rail
road authorities that arrangements
for considerable repairs and improve
ments had been made and to be carried
out as practicable Mr.. Garris stated
also that this matter was being and
would continue to be pressed by the
commissioners for the needed repairs
and improvements; and that he be-
licved the same would be made as fast
as the railroad company reasonably
could have them made.
We thank your Honor for assistance
and courtesies extended.
j. a. Rhame, Foreman.