The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1905-11-03

lation of this law has not been severe
enough to deter others in the commit
ment Of the same ofenses. Those who
sell liquor in violation OF the law can
make enough in very short while to
pay the very small fines which are so
frequently imposed upon them. We
commend the sheriff for his efforts o
put down the illegal sale Of liquor in
this county and call on our people to
stand by him In his efforts In that be-
half and also ask the Judge to give
those convicted Of the violation of this
law the necessary fine and punishment
to deter them and others from engag-
ing in that business.
We feel that it is necessary to call
the attention of the tax collector and
county judge to the question Of occupa-
tional license tax in our county. From
the Information which we have been
able to obtain, we find that those en-
gagged in business and required to nav
occupation tax, very frequently pre-
sent afiidavits as to the value OF their
stock OF merchandise which do not con-
tain correct estimate Of such values.
aod we would insist that the County
Commissioners investigate this matter
and ascertain whether or not those re-
required TO furnish statement Of their
business are fully complying with the
law in such cases.
We call attention OF the County
Commissioners TO an Act of the Legis-
lature of the session of 1906, wherein IL
is provided that it shall be the duty OF
the County Commissioners Co have
slips printed for the use Of all COM
hitting magistrates in the coRni-
zance OF witnesses in cases coming be-
fore the magistrates and by them
committed to the Grand Jury. This
act provides that every committing
magistrate shall give one Of such
slips to each witness recognized to an
pear before the Grand Jury, stating
therein the date on which the Grand
Jury is to convene. And we reco-
NERD that the committing magistrate
in all instances where they are re.
quired, use these slips, as such use will
save the county large expense and
accelerate greatly the business Of the
court.
We have investigated the different
Offices of the county and find them in
good condition and feel il our dutv
to commend the officers for their at |
tention and efficient services. We
find that the sanitary conditioned the |
jail is as good as the sheriff can keen /
it under the present conditions, but |
reccomend the removal of the plank
wall around the Jail which is so con-
structed as to exclude the air from
the ground floor and recommend to the
County Commissioners that they erect
on the stead thereof an iron fence.
We further recommend that the Coun-
ty Commissioners have improvements
made in the sewerage system of the
jail, as the same in its present con-
iition seems to be inadequate and
dangerous to the health Of the prisi-
)ners.
We note with pleasure the improve
nents in the Court room in the way Of
enlarged bar. new carpets, etc.
We further recommend that the
County Commissioners employ iail-
'r to assist the Sheriff.
In closing this, our presentment.
wa desire to extend to you, as presid
Judge Of cur said Court, to II. S. Phil
fps, the Prosecuting Attorney and A
Freeman, the sheriff, our thanks
'or your efforts in assisting us in the
discharge Of our duties.
Attest
VINCENT o RUSSELL, Foreman.
REUBEN p. RAuLERsoN sec.