The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-23

County for the October term of the City Court made its report yesterday | afternoon and was discharged. Some startling disclosures and some novel recommendations were made by this fury. the investigations being moro sweeping than those of former juries. One of the most novel recommenda- tions of the jury Is that the court have an expert stenographer empanelled as member of future grand turies to act as a stenographer and receive pay as such, This recommendation, followed by the statement that witnesses ex- amined in Sunday breaking and gamb- ling cases were evasive is considered significant.
 Another portion of the grand jury report of unusual interest, was the re- port on the investigation of the al- leged attempt to bribe a member of the County Democratic Executive Commit tee. A number of witnesses were ex- amined but the conclusion of the members of the grand jury was that no direct offense was committed that would justify the returning of a true bill. The grand jury condemned any practice that remotely referred to the violation of the election laws. The members wish 1t to be understood that no evidence was brought out that $500 or $1 900 was offered by any one to member of the County Committee. The inefficiency of city laws in ref erence to Sunday breaking is warmly condemned. The grand jury earnestly recommends that the saloon and the restaurant be divorced and until this | is done. the members express the opin- ion that Montgomery will never be else than a practically "open town" Gaming Is Increasing. The gaming evil in prominent places | throughout the city, the grand jury l believes, is on the increase, but the laws in reference to gaming are con sidered ineficient. In both the gam | ing and the Sunday breaking investi- gations, the jury reports that the | greatest difficulty was experienced in securing witnesses. who were of any | value.
 Following the lead of previous grand juries the jury calls attention to the | inadequacy and unsanitary condition | of the Montgomery County jail. but places no blame on Sheriff W. R. Wal Ter or Jailcr P. M. McLemore for these conditions. reporting that these ofii-
 cials do all in their power to make the | prisoners as comfortable as possible. The grand jury examined 472 wit
 nesses, found ninety one true bills and considered 15S cases. The July grand | fury examined SIP witnesses in 2O9 | cases and returned I29 true bills. The report was read in open court at
 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon by | Foreman G. G. Miles. The members | of the jury were earnestly thanked by
 the court for their services and ewere discharged.
 Solicitor Dent said last night that while he had not had the opportunity
 to make a complete investigation. his | impression was that few of the prison-
 CTS in the Jail had escaped without true bills.
 Among the most important indict- | ments returned were two charging
 rape against Jim Jones. the negro re-
 gently captured in Florida who Is al- 1 legged to have assaulted two negro wo- | men and three cases of assault to rav. ish against the same man.
 Summers Wilson. a negro. who shot and killed Bud Oliver, negro, was in- dicted for murder in the first degree, as was Walter Barnett negro.
 charged with killing a woman near
 Mt. Meigs.
 Grand Jury's Report.
 The full report of the grand jury
 was as follows:
 Montgomery. Ala. Oct 22. 1904.
 Hon. w. H. Thomas, Judge of the City Court of Montgomery County:
 The grand jury, empaneled for the
 October term, 1904, of the City Court,
 having been in session for two weeks, according to the usual custom, desires
 herewith to submit their report.
 We have followed out the instruc-
 tions contained in your honor's charge and have made diligent inquiry into all the specifications and suggestions con-
 tained therein, and believe that the pre-
 sentiments made by us embody all the
 iaIo ~ he 1ax bax within our knowledge.
 We have examined during the term
 472 witnesses, and have investigated
 158 cases. from which we have .ound
 ninety-one true bills
 We have examined the bonds of all
 county officers. and in our opinion they
 are good and sufficient, being in proper
 form and duly recorded.
 We have examined the books and accounts of the County Superintendent, and find that they are correct and prop-
 erly kept. showing that he should have l a balance on hand, in his possession, of
 $337. which was verified on examina-
 ton of his account at the Merchants
 and Planters Farley National Bank
 where his deposits are kept
 We find also that all sessions of the County Court. as required by law, have
 been regularly held.
 we inspected the Tee DOCK and the same Is neatly kept. and that no illegal fees have been exacted, to the best of our knowledge and belief.
 We find that the Sheriffs account with the State for the feeding of pris- oners is correct and proper.
 We have examined and thoroughly inspected the County Poor House. hay ing carefully looked into the conditions and also the treatment which the paul. pers have received 1t the hands of Mir. Robertson. Taking into consideration the contract entered into between Mir. Robertson and the county, there are no criticisms to make of the present man agement, as everything Is kept clean and in neat condition, and considering the mental and physical condition | of it a few inmates, we are agreeably | surprised to see how we'll they are | cared for. The whites and blacks are kept separate and as far apart as pos | sible. We recommend that there be | a hospital or sick ward constructed for | those that are entirely helpless. We observed in our inspection a few very | aged people, who were sick and entire ly helpless and should have careful | nursing and special attention, that