Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-02-04
GRAND JURY
 ENDS LAbORS Returned 104 True Bills at Final Appearance Be
 fore Judge Grace.
REC o M M F N D A IONS
Says Magistrates and Constabies Pile Up Unnecessary Costs to
 Taxpayers.

After having been ill session but tWenty-one days, with several ad journments, the Jefferson county grand jury made its final report to Judge A, B. Grace in the circuit court yesterday and was discharged. The jurors returned 104 true bills yesterday afternoon, dismissed 10 cases and referred one to the next grand jury None of the indictments have been made public, as it is stated that a majority of those affected by them are not in custody.
 The jurors returned a total of 129 true bills during their sittings, con- sidered 173 cases and examined 429 Witnesses. FoNy- three cases ill all were dismissed. The grand jury made some strong recommendation and urged especially that the county provide an addition to the county jail for the insane prisoners as the jail is so crowded at this time that the insane prisoners are locked up with the criminals and others charged with crime.
 They also urge that some action be taken to compel number of con- stables in this county to settle with the county and severely criticise the practices of magistrates and con- stables in piling up unnecessary costs in minor proceedings, many of which are without foundation.
 The report follows:
 The following final report was sub mitted to Judge A. B. Grace in the Jefferson circuit court yesterday by the Grand Jury:
 To the Hon. A. B. Grace, Circuit
 Judge Eleventh Judicial District.
 Wet comprising the grand jury, for fall term respectfully report as be- low
 We were in session from Septem- Der 19 to October ,, 1910, inclusive, making eleven days the first sitting, then an adjournment was taken to January 23, 1911, on which date the sittings were resumed and continued until February 3, 1911, making ten days the second sitting, and 21 days in all that we were in session. In all we considered 173 cases and ex- amined 429 witnesses, found 129 true bills, dismissed 45 cases and referred one to the next grand jury. which will meet in March, 1911.
 We file herewith marked exhibit A report of the subcommittee appoint ed by our foreman to visit the plan tation in Drew county, owned by Til lar and company and to whom the county prisoners are leased, to as certain the condition and treatmen1 of our prisoners.
 We also file herewith, marked Ex- hibit B., the report of the sub-cOnl' mittee appointed to visit and inspect the county poor house and inmates.
 On January 30, 1911, we in body visited the county jail and made ar inspection. On that day A prison CTS were confined there B coloret mails, f white males, colored fe males, one of the latter being insane From a sanitary standpoint, we found the jail fairly clean and the prisoner: personally said thay were given two substantial meals daily, and that the building was to1erably we'll heated both day and night. The heating is by coal stoves.
 It is our judgment that the jai should be improved and enlarged a; it seemed to be crowded. At the pres ent time there is no separate apart lment or ward for insane prisoners and in most instances they have tt he put ir the same cells with thcs' guilty of or charged with crime. is wrong to confine the insane wit criminal: and an additional and seD9 rate apartment for. the insane should at least be provided if no other ad dition be made. We understand tha the last Levying Court made an ap nropriation to be used in makin: some minor repairs and smal changes at the jail, but this fund ha' not vet been made available by tas county judge We do not know tht amount of the appropriation. bu whatever it may be. we recomment that the county judge take such ac ton as is necessary to make it avail able for the purpose appropriated. We have not examined the book or accounts of any of the county Of ficials es all of our time has beel taken up in other matters but " learned from the county clerk tha .or,a If the cOnstables Of the count