The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1911-09-27

preSentment TO Cne COdrG IN June last,
Mr.. s. D. Fulmer, the steward at the
Poor House, has died. We lind ahund-
ant evidence that he was faithful
and efficient public official, and wish
to record our appreciation of the &C.
ceptable services he rendered the
county by the excellent manner in
which ne managed this institution.
We find the county Jail and court
house, and the yards and fences con-
nected with each, in good condition
clean and wel1-kept.
Heretofore, our foreman, L. W.
Wise, James S. Boozer and Levi Poole
have been selected as committee of
our body to investigate the various
county Offices. This committee, with
our expert, J. B. Wingard, Esq.,, met
on the 9th day Of August last, and ex-
ahmed the books, records, vouchers,
papers and bonds Of the several coun-
ty officers. We are pleased to report
that this examination shows that
these officials are efficiently discharg-
ing their several duties. The books
and records are accurately made up
and neatly kept. The funds in the
hands Of the clerk of the court, pro.
bate Judge and sheriff, belonging to
the estates In process of settlement,
are kept on deposit IN bank and the
certificates furnished the committee
by the bank officials show sufficient
funds to the credit of these officers to
meet their liabilities. The disburse-
ment Of the pension fund by the clerk
Of the court was promptly made-re-
ceipts given and fled for the same in
his office. The annual settlement re-
quired by law between the county
auditor and the treasurer shows that
the funds and taxes charged to the
treasurer in the last fiscal year have
been satisfactorily and correctly ac-
counted for. The books and vouchers
in the Offices of the county board of
commissioners and the superintendent
Of education, showing the disburse-
ment Of the school funds and the vari-
uus expenditures made in supporting
the several institutions of the county,
including all the internal improve
ments therein, check with the books
and records found in the treasurer's,
office.
We regret to note that the condition
of the public reads Of the county is
sadly in need of repairs. The county
chaingaug is engaged in this import
ant public work and is doing valuable
service upon the roads ;'but, with up
wards of thirteen hundred miles Of
roads in the county (as We are inform
ed) it could hardly reasonably be e1-
pected that this gang of 80 convicts
would be equal to the task of improv-
ing and keeping repaired so great
m1isge OF public highways. We note
that from time to time the county su-
pervisor calls on the putic, through
his organize channels, 10 contribute,
according to law, to these much need
ed improvements. In some instances
these duties are met; but, in tar too
many, little attention seems to be
paid to them. All seem to join IN one
universal ciammor to haYe the roads
worked. Some seem willing TO help
work them, others apparently are un-
willing aud seek every excuse by
means OF which to avoid discharging
their duty to the. public. We sorely
regret this, and beg TO remind all that
il Is only by means OF each individual
braveiy meeting and faithfully dis
charging mis- duty in this respect that
the greatly desired results may be
achieved.
We call tie attention Of the magis-
trates of the county TO the fact that,
in our opinion, too many minor cases
which have not sufficient merit IN
them, are sent to thu court of general
sessions for investigation by the grand
jury; aud we recommend that the
magistrates make more thorough ex-
aminations of all cases brought before
them, and, unless cases are truly mer-
itorlous, discharge them. In our opin'
iou, too many small prosecutions rest