The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-04-09

| plat book, or that they employ some
one else to do the work. In our onin.
lon' this work should be done at once,
we also recommend that the county
board exchange the old typewriter
| used in this office for a new one. tbis
old machine is about worn out. and
cannot be used for recording DUR
poses. We also find a lot of old rec
ord books in this office that should
be rebound.
we nave on several occasions. at
the instance of the Judge of Probate.
recommended that a new Index ha
arranged for his office. The Judge OF
Probate informs us that nothing hss
been done. We recommend that the
County Board of Commissioners take
this matter up with the Judge of Pro.
Date, and Bar Association, if neces-
sary' and in some way dispose of the
matter.
We visited the Sheriffs office. and
we note that the furniture for the
vault heretofore recommended has
been purchased. We visited the
county Jail, and found it clean and
well kept. We are informed that
contract has been let to screen the
| jail, thereby protecting the prisoners
and the jailor's family from the flies
and mosquitoes. We recommend that
| the large pile of brick bats in the
rear of the jail be moved.
We found the Masters office we'll
| Kept and in good condition.
The Magistrates Of the county have
all filed their reports with the Coun-
| " commissioners, and we find the
same has been checked up, and found
to be correct.
We have appointed a special conn
mittee of the Grand Jury whose duty
1t will be to look after the violation
of the prohibition law in the county.
and gather information as to the
shipment Of liquors into the county.
to whom delivered, ETC., illicit sale
of liquors, etc., with a view of making
special presentment at the next term
of this court, of the violators of said
law.
Your Grand Jury again call your
| Honor's attention to the matter of
bonds. We notice that a majority, in
fact practically all, of the bonds CIV
en-, for the appearance of criminals
at court are signed by Mr.. H. T.
Edens. That there have been several
efforts to estreat bonds on which Mr..
| Fl. T. Edens name appears, without
any success, eve do not know where
the fault lies).
| We are informed that Mr.. Edens
charges criminals for going on their
bonds; in fact, it is a regular business
with him. This we think, should be
reported to the State Insurance Com
missioner for his investigation.
We have been handed the following
information, in reference to the f1nan-
cial standing of Mr.. Edens: Real
estate mortgage open on the records
against Mr.. Edens amount to $751;
10000; real estate returned for tax
alton by Mr.. Edens, $17,53O.0O. The
amount Of bonds that he is now sure
ty for. amount to approximately, $685.
10000.
In view of the above staement Of
the financial condition of Mr.. Edens,
and the further fact that no bonds
have ever been paid by him, where the
conditions thereof have been broken,
although several efforts have been
made to collect same through the
court, and the further fact of the alb
solute Indifference with which Mr..
Edens treats the matter of the ap-
| pearance of defendants, as was ap-
parent at the present term of court,
we recommend that the officers whose
duty it is to take bond, absolutely re-
fuse to accept the name of Mr.. H. T.
| Edens on any bond whatever.
| We find upon investigation that
Special Constable J. H. Grady has
been active in the discharge of mis-
duties In trying to enforce the whis-
key law, and the records of the Mag
istrates' courts and other information
| show this.
| We recommend that the county es-
tablish camp for INDECENT tubercu-
losis patients. This is necessary from
a humanitarian standpoint, and in the
interest of the public health and that
the county board confer with the
Sumter Board Of Health and City
Council about this matter.
Thanking your Honor and the off,
GERS Of the court for all courtesies