The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-27

be public and the friends of the deceased are invited to attend. The interment Will be made in the Elmwood cemetery -------->>---------->-----~
 or the county are not their enemies. put their friends. and that such acts dem onstrate the true friendship in which they are held when they have A proper , appreciation of the law and it's dignity,
 We find that large balances of coun- ty funds are held in the bank, without interest, on daily balances, and we would request of the county treasurer. If with In the law, that interest be paid on balances with the bank deposited It is. however, the sense of the grand jury that the taxes be reduced so that there VIII not be such large balances.
 we would further recommend that the Board Of Revenue provide a suitable place III the clerk of the criminal courts of- nee in which the grand Jury docket may De Kept under lock and key,
 We ind that the county jail is filled as aii times with those charged with violations of the criminal laws and that m many instances, the accused, instead or being given speedy trial Is de- tailed In Jail for months and sometimes Tor years before a trial is had. Tbe inevitable results are an overcrowded Jail, greatly increased expense to inc county, miscarriage of justice by fail ure to convict the guilty, because Of death or disappearnnce of witnesses for the state, and frehuently great injus- tice to the accused, and especially so where the accusedIis not guilty.
 Such conditions we feel might he remedied by the enlargement of the powers of the inferior courts over mis- demeanor cases.
 County Offices Examined.
 We have made an examination of the various offices of the county and the records kept therein as required by law and have made the same as thoroughly as was possible for us to do without putting the county to great expense and we find them neatly and properly kept.
 We have examined into the condition of the county jail in regard to It's suf- ficiency for the safe keeping of prlson- CTS, their accommodation and health and beg to report that the hospital ia cilities are inadequate, as well as the plumbing, which is defective. and should be remedied. We find that the jail has accommodations for IA prIs- oners, but is at present occupied by 244.
 We commend Sheriff Higdon for the neatness and cleanliness of the jail. and as to the quality and quantity of food given the prisoners.
 We have examined the county aims house and find it neatly kept under the supervision of MT. sims.
 We also examined the Hillman hos pital, and find it in good condition and well kept. and think 1t an institution that Jefferson county should be proud of, and we desire to make special men tion of the matron. Miss Hamilton, in which she received us and the pride she takes in her work.
 On the request of q former grand Jury, calling upon all county officials for reports of their fees and emolu- ments the following have made their report to this grand jury: Dr. J. S. Gillespy, clerk of the city court F.. l.. Higdon, sheriff; IT. c. Miller, treasurer, and J. W. Altman, register in chan cery, all of which have been heretofore published in the newspapers.
 Now, in conclusion. feeling that we have fairly and .mpartially investigat- ed all cases coming before us, we beg your honor to discharge us from fur ther service. J. A. DOwNEY, Foreman Grand Jury, September Term,
 1907.
 Weaver CongratuIates Grand Jury.
 After hearing the report of the grand jury Judge Weaver congratulated the body on the great volume of work 1t has done, and stated that he believed their suggestions were timely and should be given due consideration Judge Weaver said that he believed the wider Jurisdiction and power of the inferior courts in misdemeanor cases would materially obviate the crowded condition of the county jail, and stated that he believed the grand jury's suggestion in reference to this matter was a good one.
 After brief address on other fea- lures of the report by Judge Weaver, the members of the grand jury were of the court.