The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-04-18
GRAND JURY PREsENTA1ENT.

e.. n.
GRAND JURY PRESENTAfENT
To His Honor, Judge Earnest Cary,
presiding judge at the April term Of
the Court Of General Sessions and
Common Pleas for Sumter County:
We, the grand jury, beg to make
this our first presentment:
We have examined into and return
ed all true bills given US by the solici-
tor.
We have, through our committees,
visited the several county offices,
chain gang, aims house, Jail and the
dispensaries, except at Mayesville, and
owing to the shor- tine allotted us
the examination Of these are some
what superficial. We will, however,
give these matters 4 NEST careful in
vestigation during the recess of the
court
we find the finances of the county
in good shape. the money being on
hand to pay the bonded debt when it
becomes due, and we would urge the
county board of commissioners to use
the means at their disposal in the erec-
ton of the contemplated new court
house in such a manner as to secure
at once roomy, convenient, present
able building, which will be credit
to the county in after years
The Jail we find in very good con-
dition with the exception of few re-
pairs to premises, such as fencing,
banisters and some plumbing work,
which we recommend being attended
to at once.
. We would also recommend that the
county commissioners sell the present
jail property and use the proceeds in
the erection of a new Jail on the east
side of the contemplated new court
house.
We find that some Of the magis-
trates do not make their report each
month as required by law, and recon-
mend that they be required to do so.
It has come to our attention that
only a few citizens of the county are
paying the Communication tax, and
hardly any of those who do not pay are
working the roads, and consequently
some Of the roads are in somewhat
neglected condition, and for the reason
that the chain gang, however efficient
it is, with the resources at its disposal,
cannot cover the territory, therefore
we recommend that our representa-
tives to the General Assembly eHdeav-
or to have bill passed at the next
session, requiring every person liable
to poll tax to pay the commutation tax
and that that tax be increased if nee
.essary and the proceeds used in the
employment Of suitable township
overseers, who shall have all road
work that the chain gang cannot do
done, all Of which, Of course, to be
under the supervision Of the county
supervisor.
We find % prisoners who compose
the chain gang at work, we'll fed and
in good condition. It has come to our
attention that some drivers Of motor
cars or automobiles are driving such
cars or automobiles at greater rate
Of speed than is allowed by law, and
racing upon the public highways in
direct opposition to the law as laid
down in the statutes for 1903-05 at
page 965. We would call the atten-
ton Of the proper officers to this and
to the violation Of the law in reference
to the proper registering Of motor cars
or automomibles with the clerk Of the
court and displaying the number OF
such car or automobile certificate,
and county to which. it belongs upon
the rear end of such motor car or au-
tomobile.
We find the county aims house to
be in good condition and al inmates
properly cared for. The inmates con-
s;st of eight whites and eleven negroes,
making a total of 19.
We recommend that the sheriff be
instructed to turn over to the treasurer
all tax executions which We're given to
him during May and June. 1905, so
that the treasurer may post up and
finish his books for 1904.
We have appointed a committee to
examine into the dispensary at
Mayesville and report ct next session
Of the grand jury.
We desire to extend our thanks to
His Honor. the judge. the solicitor and
ell court officials for courtesies eN-
tended.
All of which is respectfully submit