Amador ledger., 1905-03-24
REPORT OF GRAND JURY.
jackson. Cal. March %. 1al

duly lmpanneled at Jackson, Decem-
ber 2o, 1904, respectfully submit the
following report
We have examined the records kept
by the different county officers, and
while there are many things to COM
mend, we have also found many things
to condemn. I
We have investigated eight criminal
matters, and have found indictments
as follows: for murder, two; for rape
one; for assault to commit murder,
two.
visited the county hospital. in
spected the buildings, and contents,
and found the same in fairly good con-
dition. The halls and rooms are clean
and fresh, the beds and bedding are as
neat as could be expected. The pres
ent number of inmates at the hospital
is 3D. We interviewed them regard
ing the food and clothing furnished
and treatment received from those in
charge of the institution, aud the ans
wers received were without excep-
tion, to the effect that the inmates
have plenty of good food, warm
rooms and beds, also fairly good
clothing. That everything about the
hospital is neat and clean; that the
treatment received is kind and con-
slderate, and that they are as content
ed as possible for people to be in their
present infirm condition.
we therefore, as representative
body of taxpayers and mem bers of the
grand jury of Amador county, COM
mend the efforts being put forth by
Mr.. and Mrs. +. LEMON to make
this Institution good and suitable
home for the aged and inflrm home
less people of our county.
We recommed to the mem bers of the
| board of supervisors that they have a
we'll dug on the hospital grounds, so
that the inmates of the hospital can
have suitable drinking water. We also
recommed that the board furnish sutfi-
cient lumber for the building of a
small woodshed and other improve
ments necessary at the hospital prop
erty.
We visited and made thorough ex-
animation of the jail; we find the
heating apparatus to be inadequate,
and dangerous; also that the toilet
arrangements are imperfect, aud in a
very unsanitary condition. We have
no desire to censure the custodian of
the Jail for these conditions, for we
believe he is doing the best he can
under the circumstances as they now
exist.
AS a remedy for these conditions
we recommed that the board of super
visors look carefully into these mat
ters; that they provide the Jail with
a proper heating apparatus; that they
remodel the toilet arrangements and
put the interior of the Jail in a ssni-
tary condition.
| We also recommend that the board
of supervisors provide some suitable
cots to be placed in the cells to re-
place the present method of placing
the mattresses and bedding of prison
ers upon the floor.
We also recommend that the board
of supervisors investigate and inquire
into the cost of steam apparatus ad-
equate to heat the Jail, court house
and hall of records; that if they find
that safety, convenience and money
saving will warrant the expenditure
that they proceed to install the same.
| We also recommend that the floor
of the Jail be covered with a heavy
coating of concrete, so placed that the
water will not run into the cells, but
| will drain into the sewer.
We recommend that the board of
supervisors eXpend some of the money
belonging to the county in improv-
ing and keeping in repair the county
buildings, instead of using it all on
road work.
| We find that the board of supervi-
sors do not give sufficient time to the
county business. They meet on the
first Monday of each month at ten
o'clock am. They seldom commence
business until 10. 30 a. M, and before
noon they have passed and ordered
paid most all the bills and demands
against the county, amounting from a
few dollars to ten thousand or more.
| They seldom remain in session over
one day in doing business that if pro-
perly done ought to take two or three
days at least.
| We have examined a number of bills
presented against the county during
last year for labor performed on the
roads, and find that with very few
exceptions they have not been proper
ly made out, authorized or sworn to
according to law by the proper per-
sons; yet they have been approved by
the district attorney, audited, deliv-
cred by the auditor to other parties
| than the claimants without an order
therefor, and paid to others than the
payee by the county treasurer without
first having been assigned.
We call particular attention to the
fact that it is impossible to ascertain
from many of the bills presented for
road work on what road the work was
performed. We have heard great
many complaints that full days la
Dor is not performed, in many instan-
ces on the public roads, and respect
fully request that the supervisors look
carefully into this matter, and here
after see that full days work be
performed by their employees in every
case, and that no favors be shown.
The taxpayers are vitally interested
in the expenditure of road money as
we'll as all the county funds, and the
supervisors should see that no waste
| is permitted. We find that thousands
of dollars have been expended annu-
ally on the public roads, but fail to
| find record that any contracts have
| been asked for or awarded accord
| ing to law by the Supervisors in cases
where it would be beneficial to have
the work done by contract instead of
the present system.
We respectfully call the attention of
the supervisors through whose dis
trlcts the new railroad is passing to
see that the public roads are fully
and banks are kept clear at crossings
and near the line of said railroad.
In regard to the telephone bills.
we find them heavy. The attention of
this fact is called to the notice of the
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