The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-24
GRAND JURY'S PRESENTMENT.
Exhaustive Report, Dealing With At
fairs of County, and Making
Pertinent Recommendations.

The grand jury made its final pres
eminent on Friday to the court OF
sessions, Judge Memminger presiding,
and the jury was discharged for the
term. The work of the grand jury
has been very thorough, as is evidenc-
ed by the following exhaustive pres
eminent, and the highly compliment
tary remarks Of judge Memminger
to the grand jury upon receiving it:
To His Honor Judge R. W. Mem
minger, Presiding: We, the grand
jury for Newberry county for the
year 1905. beg to report that We have
considered all bills handed to us by
the solicitor and have reported our
findings on same to the court.
We have examined the books Of the
treasurer, auditor, superintendent of
education, supervisor, sheriff, master,
probate judge, and such Of the work
of the clerk of court as comes under
the supervision Of our body, and find
them, without exception, kept in such
manner as to reflect credit upon the
persons who are responsible for the
conduct Of public affairs in each OF
the public Offices above enumerated.
We are especially gratified in find
ing the following statement regard
ing the financial condition Of the edu-
cational department Of our county,
VIZ, Amount on hand at beginning Of
the last scholastic year, SAG, ,692.88;
amount expended, $34,720.25; balance,
on hand, s11, ,92263; which, taken in
to consideration with the fact that
several new and modern and comfor-
table school buildings have been erect
ed, valuable libraries placed, up-to-
date furniture and other parapher-
malta installed, and school term COM
mensurate with the ability of the
people to patronize, evinces degree
of progress which promises much for
the near future.
For some few years the supervisor
nas been compelled to borrow from
the sinking fund commission amounts
ranging from five to seven thousand
dollars to meet the public necessities
of the county, entailing an interest
account of $3.50 per year. We feel
that this is not good policy in the
conduct Of affairs, and recommend to
the senator and representatives-elect
the passage of an Act by the next gen.
eral assembly authorizing the levy
and collection Of a tax Of 4 l-2 mills
for Newberry county, this being 1 IL
mills in excess of the 3 now levied,
which only produces $4,000, while
the books of the treasurer show an
expenditure Of $27, 1896.
Four (4) mills would be sufficient
to place the county upon cash basis
in two years were it not that the late
disastrous floods have entailed, a loss
Of several thousand dollars, which
must be provided for il we would keep
Newberry off of, the ''Book Of Re-
1nembrance' of the sinking fund COM
mission.
The county home is reported by the
committee charged with the inspection
of same to be in good condition. So
far as it can be maintained by the
keeper, the inmates are as healthy as
age and infirmity will permit; we'll
provided for as to food and raiment
and faithfully attended by the coun-
ty physician. We would suggest to
the supervisor, however, that this con-
diton Will not continue to exist unless
prior recommendation, coupled with
present instructions Of this body, re-
suit in repairing the roofs and white
washing the walls Of the houses.
We would suggest that rock be OBJ
tanned from the quarry on the lands
belonging to the county at the home,
and used in building walls on the
northern and eastern sides Of the new
court house lot, and that said lot be
sodded with Bermuda or other gras-
ses. sISo that a walk twelve feet in
width, from College street to the front
steps, be built. Of such material as is
used in the formation of sidewalks by
the town.
We would recommend that the old
court house be thoroughly cleaned
and put in such condition as will in
,duce the rental of all rooms on the
i ~