The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-19
Officers of the Law Were Very Lax in Regard to
 Their Duties
CRIME IS ON INCREASE
 IN COUNTY, SAYS JURY
Wants County Auditor Required to Ex. anime Books of the Justice of Peace Courts In the
 Future.

The feature of the report of the Jeffer- son county grand jury. which completed It's labors yesterday morning, was the severe arraignment of fragrant viola tions" of the anti-pool selling laws at the recent state fair. The report was sub- mitted to Judge Daniel A. Greene, senior fudge of the criminal court, and contains an interesting account of the investiga- tions made.
 The report shows that 42S cases had been examined and 246 true bills returned. The grand jury laments the fact that crime is on the increase in the county, and urges all the authorities and the good citizens to see to the enforcement and supremacy of the law.
 The grand jury adopted the report Tn full of County Auditor Morris and comph- mented him and the other county officials on the neatness and accuracy of the way fin which their books are kept. The grand jury congratulated Auditor Morris on the excellent manner in which he handled the ardious tasks connected with the county nuditorship and suggested that every one of his recommendations be put Into force as far as possible.
 The report in full follows:
 Complete Report.
 "We were in session from the 4th day of September continuously until the 2ltn of September, at which time we took recess until the 9th day of November, l9oo. After reassembling or the 9th day or NO vember we held sessions daily since that time This action was taken in pursuance of your honor's policy of dividing the ses- sions of the grand jury, that all parties accused of crime, especially 1ail caSes' could have a speedy trial.
 'We have docketed 42S cases, examined 1882 witnesses and returned 246 true blils, and by reason of not being able to secure material witnesses we are forced to ask your honor to continue thirty-four cases. I've visited the county jail In body and found it, considering the great num- Der of persons confined therein, in good condition, with the exception of cots and bedding We recommend that the jail be provided with such cots as are necessary for the comfort of the prisoners.
 "We have also examined the almshouse, and found 1t neat and well-kept; the in mates are well treated and have no com plaint to make.
 Want Uniform Law.
 "There have been presented to us the docketS of great many of the justices of the peace in this county, and so fiG as we were able to ascertain, were cor rect, and as there are variations In the fees of the justices of the peace and con stables in the various precincts, we there- fore recommend that a uniform law be enacted governing said offices. The ex- animation of the dockets of the justices of the peace by the grand jury Is pro- ductive of so little good that we con slider same to be nothing more than mere form. This work should be per formed by the county auditor, and to that end we recommend that he be re- quired to do so, and be given the neces- sary assistance with which to properly perform the same.
 Ut seems that crime Is on the increase in the county. We urge all who have au- thority to keep the peace and enforce the law to be diligent in performing their respective duties, and we especially urge all good citizens to lend a helping hand. and render all the assistance in their power, realizing fully that tho safety of our country. and the protection of our homes depends entirely upon the suprem- acy of the law. We desire to call your honor'g attention to the great number of petty misdemeanor cases, and really cases of malicious prosecution which come before a grand jury, which, in our opinion, should be finally disposed of by the justices of the peace. They only serve to congest the docket of the grand Jury, and create great expense against the fine and forfeiture fund; and again that no witness be summoned in a case unless that witness has some knowledge of the case. We would further recommend that the sheriff exercise more diligence In executing papers in the future. Re- turns made by him of papers issued for witnesses show the witnesses not to be found, when said witnesses are almost within a stones throw of the court house. This negligence serves to retard the prog 'ress of the grand jury and increase the expense of the county.
 Pool Selling at Fair
 Tt has been reported to this body that there was gambling of various kinds at the Alabama State fair, held in our coun- ty, and while we are unable to attach the crime to any one, we are sure that the law was nagrantly violated, and as the parties who operated those devices and made and sold pools were transents, it is our opinion that the officers of tho law placed there to enforce the same were very lax in regard to their duties,
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