Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1907-12-13
Local Editorial Page,
GRAND JURY WORK.

strong feeling abroad that high time tor this body to
make thorough and exhaustive examination of the financial
affairs of county, that the session will be something
than perunctory affair that the people have been
accustomed to for many years. The grand jury
less appendage governmental system unless acts the
part guardian the financial interests and probes
the official of those who have been elected to look after
county There is other official body directly
charged with this vitality important duty and failure in this
respect to deepen the impression in the public mind
that the annual meeting of this body farce than
anything else The truth is every official body becomes
farceor something than farce actual peril-if
work be left undone The grand jury the saving clause
injected into system wholesome influence
the entire machinery of local government by ndctng
doors oicadom and placing the seal of condemnation
upon extravaganza and derecon of duty all its manifold
FORMS From this standpoint the expense that 1t entails
by Thoroughbred session. is worthy of COMPARE
with the good that would be accomplished by faithful
service. We believe there has been time when
era shaking up county affairs order than
Further the people practically unit in demand
ing that this direction be made free from partisan
ship and governed by dsnterested motives And from
end of county the other the inquiry is being made
will it be done ?"
Though the columns of the Ledger there has pointed
from time things that very strongly
of misgovernment--to mild term. They might with
advantage be made the subject of investigation which might
lead the way other matters that require probing and
corning which, perhaps nothing has to light The
members of the grand could hardly be expected to
such examination aone probably few of their number
qualified for the task and that saying nothing dero
CATION of their compeencyas grand jurors. takes
thing than expert do the work it
should be done Indeed the receipts and expenses
and ascertain that the received and paid and
hand balance, is the important part of the work
No would expect that any discrepancies would be
unearthed the of such financial exporting AS
rule the slight clerical oversghts which
ally brought light by the upodate accountant and the
ong-drawnou report in which they forth,
worth the money expended IN their elaborate unrave
But by follows that because the books Of
account fairly that therefore the local govern
whole is without bemish. It requires posted
in the law, and fgurer dive into the bypaths
of county management and adequately size up the situation
What is wanted this is investigation into the bills
allowed whether they conform to established rates
not look into the peculiar of fixing up proposals
bids for supplies which have prevailed for many years.
of the failure call for bids all where the law provides
that for certain supplies must be made with the
lowest bidder Of the consequent allowance Of claims open
defiance of law; of the ringing III of salary claims month
after and year after year, when the law provides that
the should be per diem charges at much for eight
hours work and properly emize the mode of procedure
road word and the payment of claims therefore, the absence
of any local law providing for the keeping of proper record
book relating of the most important branches of county
revenue and how wholesome provision the subject
to be wiped from the ordinance. We say that
these doubtless topics might furnish chapter of
much those who have borne and still bearing
the financial burden of government apparently endless
scale of progression Oh no; the grand jury is anything
but ffthwheeltoa-wagon affair.
District attorney Langdon and his volube assistant Fran
Heney would appear much better advantage in their
efforts purify San Francisco they would attend strictly