The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-17
JAIL SCANDAL PASSED OVER --e- No Indictment in Stella
 Williams Case. GRAND JURY MAKES REPORT Finds l42 True Bills and Takes
 Adjournment. Gives County Jail and Poor House Clean BIn of Health and Recom-
 mends Rooms for Jurors in Court.
GRAND JURY MAKES REPORT

The responsibility for, conditions that resulted in the birth of twins to Stella | Williams, young negress confined Tn
 the Montgomery county jail. was not | placed upon any one by the grand jury of Montgomery County, which ad- | journed at o'clock yesterday after noon to meet again March f. In the report made by the grand | jury, 1t is stated, the investigation of | the Stella Williams case has attached | the blame upon no particular indi- viduaL It was nevertheless recom- mended that the authorities in charge of the jail be more cautious in the fu- l ture in keeping male and female pris- oners separated. fAfzs& Stella Williams became the mother of twins December 31, 1906, after hav- ing been in jail since early in March Both she and the twins died. and Judge
 Thomas subsequently, charged the grand jury 10 investigate the circum- : stances of tfse case.
 The grand jurors returned 142 true bills. and examined 621 witnesses Re- ! ports and recommendations were made | concerning the county poor house and the county jail, and special attention ! was called by the grand jury to the necessity for some change in the jury rooms of the court house, which are now regarded as entirely too small and
 uncomfortable for jury purposes Meet Again March 4. After the report was read and suo- mitted to the court by Foreman J. :. Haas, Judge Thomas discharged the
 members until 12 o'clock March 1. when
 they will assemble again. It is gem eraily believed the prolonged session means that additional investigation will be made of the Finley murder in which Colvin, alias Corbin. Coleman
 has already been indicted. The report or the grand Jury fo!,
 lows:
 We have examined during this term
 621 witnesses, docketed 276 cases, and returned l42 true bills; bonds of the
 county officers; books of Superintend- ent of Education; SheriT's account for
 feeding prisoners; and the fee books of the Probate Judge have all been examined by us and have been found
 to comply with the law. Ne'
 aa''Wep think that Mir. Robinson Is do- ing just as well as 1t is possible for him to do in the management of The poor house. The sanitary condition IS fairly good; medical attention and food furnished is sufficient; the houses oc- cupied by the inmates are in fairly good condition, and new ones are now {
 be ample for all the inmates. While
 of course, the contract now in exist ence between the county and MT. Rob. : inson cannot be changed, we sagses
 that the Board of Revenue appropriate , sum specially for the purpose of providing two suits of underwear twice I a year for each inmate in addition tc
 the clothes now furnished. We also
 desire to specially call attention to the
 fact that MT. Robinson agrees to. fur
 nfsh sufficient space in the buildings for religious services, and that he will also improve the grounds.
 Commend Jail Keepers.
 We have nothing new to report in
 regard to the old jail, but are assured
 that as soon as the addition is finished.
 the old jail will be put in proper con
 dition. In regard to the new portion
 of the jail. we beg to call attention to the fact that there ought to be a way
 of entrance from the jail proper to the
 laundry, without having to take pris-
 oners into the yard and through the kitchen. This defect might easily be F r6medied. We commend those In charge of the jail for the efficient and cleanly manner in which the same IS Kept under adverse conditions.
 'In this connection, we beg to state our investigation of the case of preg-
 nancy of a prisoner has attached the DlaHne upOH no paEuculaT lnulNluudlb. However, we recommend that the au-
 thorities be more cautious in the fu-
 ture in keeping the sexes separated at all times.
 "We have looked into the finances of the county, and find the same to be in
 good condition. The amounts. as shown by the Board of Revenue, whose report Is hereto attached. agrees with the amounts shown to the credit of the County Treasurer.
 Various road superintendepts of the county have made their report in con- formity to the law. and the roads are
 in their usual condition at this time
 of the year.
 Criticize Jury Rooms.
 We desire specially to call attention to the fact that there is an urgent ne- cessity for some changes in the jury rooms of the court house. Complaint Is constantly made by the best of our citi- zenship that the accommodations furn- ished to the jury when trying to de- eide both criminal and civil cases, are not only objectionable, but absolutely obnoxious. We recommend that some change be made In this regard, even, it necessary, to the extent of constructing an additional room or rooms in the rear of the court house, to be used exclu- sively by the jurles when they are try- ing to reach a verdict.
 We also recommend that the inside of the court house should receive some attention; the walls being especially in a bad condition and in need of paint.
 We repeat the recommendation Of former grand juries to the effect that there should be an official stenogra- pher provided for the grand juries to take down such evidence as may be considered necessary by eithe the fore- man or solicitor. We think such stem ographer is absolutely necessary for the ends of justice.
 Now. in conclusion, we beg to ex- press our appreciation of the able charge given us by your honor, and also the valuable assistance furnished us ythe solicitor. We also want to thank the chief of police and his assist ants in furnishing us evidence in sew eral important cases, and our thanks are also due to the bailiff, who has been fin constant attendance upon our session. and also the sheriff and his deputies for their prompt attention in the serving of all papers committed to their hadns."
 The names Of none of those indicted have yet been given out by the Clerk of the City Court