The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-18
COURTHOUSE TOO
SMALL FOR NEEDS
Grand Jury Submits Report To
Judge Fort
ABOUT PROHIBITl0N LAWS
Members Find There Is Less Tendency
to Violate Laws Than Formerly.
Justice of Peace to Be
lmpeached.
ABOUT PROHIBITlON LAWS

by the failure of the public to support
them by necessary bond ISSUE is the
way in which the report of the grand
jury characterizes the crowded condition
of the courthouse.
The report was submitted at o'clock
yesterday afternoon to Judge Fort, who
discharged the grand jury from Its la
bors after thanking the members for
the manner in which they had handled
the work coming before them. 1t was
a thing unusual for the grand Jury to
make Its report at this time. former
grand juries as a rule making their re-
ports during the morning.
Occasion was also taken by the grand
jury to censure one of the Jefferson
county constables, M W. Parsons, the
report stating, Whom evidence shows
has perverted the use of his office
and made 1t a means OF oppression. hav-
ing at one and the same time acted as
a constable, a clerk of the court and
attorney for each of which three SER
vices he received compensation. We do
not feel that the evidence warranted an
impeachment In this case, and We can
therefore only express our deep con-
domination of such acts" The grand jury
also found it necessary to institute i'm
parchment proceedings against justice
of the peace. a separate report OF which
is to be made.
In reference to the prohibition laws 1t
Is suggested that all Of the Justices In
the county meet at the courthouse at
some specified time and there be in
structed by the solicitor as to the adj
ministration of justice and the furnishing
of evidence the jury expressing the opin-
ion that some of the justices are unfa-
miliar as to the rules of evidence.
The report in full reads as follows:
To the Honorable w. e. Fort. Judge of
the Criminal Court of Jefferson Coun-
ty-Report of Grand Jury, September
Term, 1909:
We. the grand jury empaneled ana
sworn for the September term. 1909, beg
leave to submit the following report of
our deliberations during the term.
We have investigated the subjects
mentioned in your charge and as pro-
1ded by the statutes, including the coun-
ty-Report of Grand Jury, September
law.
ruUiiC DuiIOifl9Ss
County court house; We find that the
present courthouse is entirely inadequate
for the needs of the county, the public
officials and the proper safekeeping of
the records in the various departments
We understand that the Board of Rev
enue is formulating a plan for the en-
largement of the present building, which
1t is hoped will take care of present
needs. The board is limited In its author
ity and without funds with which to
make a permanent arrangement. 1t is
therefore our opinion, and we recommend,
that the public give it's support to the
efforts of the Board of Revenue along
this line. and that the officials adapt
themselves to what seems the best solu-
ton of this problem. 1t is with much
apprehension that we view the present
insufficient protection of the records, and
no one can determine the irreparable loss
which the county and public at large
would sustain by destruction by fire
or other natural cause. or by a de-
signing person, of the records of the
county. This is more apparent with re-
spect to the records in charge of the
probate judge for the reason that these
records have to do with the rights of
property. We find in the basement of the
courthouse the deed, mortgage and ad-
ministration records of the county are
kept in fling cases, which are SO near
together that there Is hardly sufficient
room for two persons to pass at the
Same time. The present space allotted
for this purpose is entirely exhausted and
new filing cases are needed and there
is no room to place them Besides this,
there Is not sufficient room for tho use
of the public in making examinations.
These faults are not attributable to any
OF the present officials. nor to the Board
of Revenue, but is brought about by the
failure of the public to support them
by a necessary bond issue.
We strongly recommend that a perma-
nent grand jury room be provided with
the necessary equipment, including an
iron safe within which to store valuable
papers and the records Of the grand jury
during its sitting, the Same to be under
the charge of the solicitor and to be
used for no other purpose.
We recommend further that the ground
around the courthouse building be kept
in better condition; that flowers be plant
ed End the trees and shrubbery kept In
order In keeping with the dignity OF
It's position. and the city in which we
live.
From an examination of the funds of
the county and the probable income we
recommend that the Board of Revenue
change the present apportionment in such
manner that there shall be provided a
building fund" Our Investigations show
that THIS can be done without impair
ing any of the present public utilities and
without increasing the tax rate.
The jail.
We have investigated the Jail and find
that there has been great Improvement
in several ways, and improvements are
still In progress, which will further add
to the health and comfort of the inmates.
In addition to what has been done we
recommend that the kitchen, store room
and hospital be equipped with wire
screens to prevent the spread of dis
ease, and that new springs and mat
tresses be supplied In the hospital. We
further recommend that the inside OF
the main jail be thoroughly washed.
scraped and painted and that thereafter
the prisoners be removed and guarded
in the Jail yard and that the jail be
scientifically fumigated We find in add
ton that the prisoners have not the
necessary changes In bed clothing and
that their own apparel is frequently
filthy, and therefore recommend as
strongly as we can do so that the Board
of Revenue install a Laundry and steam |
drying apparatus In the basement of the
Jail where there is ample room. We also
recommend that when this is done the
bed clothing and wearing apparel be |
changed as often as practicable and that |
the prisoners be compelled to battle at |
least once each week. After conference |
with the sheriff and his deputies we find
that these recommendations are in har-
mony with their ideas and are partly |
based on their suggestion.
HIllman Hospital.