The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-03

ing held " his body; and it appears
to our body that where a sudden death
of a convict Of this nature occurs a
cOroner's inquest should be held and
the responsibility placed, if any. We
have been Informed by the corone of
the county that he has never been re-
uuested to hold and inquest over any
convict's body.
We beg to make the following recon-
mendations:
1st. Separate and distinct quarters
for the races at convict camps being
erected.
End. That a telephone at the county
home is a necessity and should be IN
stalled at once.
3rd. That all purchases by the coln-
ty commissioners or any other en-
ployes of the county shall be let out
by securing bids and awarding to the
lowest bidder.
4th. Auditing by an xpert account
ant at least once a year of all officers
of the county who handle county
funds.
9Th. That the county physician be
required to visit the convict camps
and county home at least Once a week,
and oftener il necessary.
9th. That the grand jury be given
the northeast room of the court room
floor.
It'll. That a typewriter be furnished
the clerk of the superior court with
out delay, as he is in need of same.
Sth. That an enclosed passage be
made between the Jail and the court
house. SO as to carry prisoners to an
fro without entering the street and
coming in contact with the public.
9th. The corrugated ceiling of the
Jail needs immediate attention, as II
is in very bad condition.
10th. If one John Albro, a colore1
lunatic confined in the county home,
is to be retained, that a cage be con-
structed for him at Once, as be is
damaging the county property consld-
erably by picking through the walls
of the cell where confined.
18th. A recorder is urged for the
county, at it would, in our opinion,
save the tax PAYERS thousands of dol
lars, as a great number of petty cases
have come before us during our ses-
sions that could have been disposed Of
by such an officer with much less ex-
Dense TO the county
AMI now having finished our duties
we respectfully ask to be discharged.
L. B. ROGERS.
Foreman. ;
JUSTIN M. BUNTING, -
Secretary.
The grand jury for this term was
composed of the following members:
l.. B Rogers, foreman: L. F. Saun-
ders. B. B. Jackson. John e. McAliis-
49,, ID II D~-lco II II,,rhac
7. H. Williams. F. w. Westermann,
j. M. Bunting, J. F. Carroll, A. Shrier,
James H. Gurganus. S.. L. P. Anderson,
L. w Davis, j. H. Russell. H. ".
Howard J. M. Piver. G. H. Heyer.
The public has awaited with much
interest the findings of the grand jury
in regard to the charges made by Mr..
Preston Cumming alleging cruel treat
ment to convicts. The grand jury
left no stone unturned to see if there
was basis for such a charge and the
result was the report made above. The
commissioners meet in regular monthly
session tomorrow and these matters
will be considered by them at that
time. 1t is not probable that any fur
their steps towards prosecuting Hocutt
will be taken before the next term OF
court %convenes. From what can be
learned the grand jury learned some
exceedingly unfavorable evidence in re-
gard to the treatment of convicts at
the rock quarry. The evidence was
hat at different times were
whipped in a most unmerciful man
ner.
Now that the grand jury have made
their report, the public will be anxious
to know what steps will be pursued
by the. county commissioners.