The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1912-08-01
GRAND JURY REPORTS
Continued from page ~

son imprisoned in Jail in Flathead
county on a criminal charge against
whom any Information has not been
filed, and find that there Is at this
time no person SO imprisoned, and
also find that the county. attorney
has disposed OF all criminal matters
in connection with his office and thnk
there are now no parties against
whom informations should be filed,
and no unfinished criminal business
in that office.
We have also examined into the
condition Of the county jail and in
spected the same and find that A. ].
Ingraham. sheriff Of thin county,
keeps said institution in a clean,
healthy and comfortable condition,
that the inmates thereof are treated
in q proper and legal manner, and
that no complaints have been receiv-
ed as to abuse or mistreatment Of any
prisoner confined in said jail
We have also thoroughly and care
fully investigated all complaints.
charges and rumors that have reach
ed this jury as to mismanagemen
wilful corruption and wilful miscon-
duct OF county officers and we report
to this court, and to the people of
Flathead county, that no true bills
have been returned by this jury, and
we find NO wilful corruption or will
full misconduct upon the part of any
public official who was the subject
Ct investigation by this jury.
However, we desire to further add
and state that in the matter OF the
Investigation Of the county commits
sioners CT Flathead county as to
their expenses and per diem, we find
no evidence of unlawful appropria-
thon Ct any county money or proper
ty to their own use, and that they
have received nothing in the way OF
expense money per diem that they
were net legally entitled to.
But in this connection, we desire
to inform the court, as we'll as the
people and taxpayers of Flathead
county, that the present board OF
county commissioners has been un-
warrantably extravaganza i'm the ex-
psnditure of the public funds on road
work, and that in some instances
have been both liberal and extrava-
CANT in connection with their person
al bills for personal expenses i'm con-
necticn with the viewing and inspec-
ton of public reads and believe that
in the future they should be more
careful cautious and prudent in pay
ing out money of the county, and
should not be so liberal en- their per-
sonal expense bills. While they on
the whole, have perhaps used their
best Judgment and discretion in dis
posing Ct the different road matters
that have come before them, still
that does not excuse or justify them
morally for their Hberaity and ex-
travagance.
With regard to their bills for road
inspection work, and expenses in
connection Herewith, we would rec
ommend that i'm the future the board
of county commissioners comply
with the law as it now stands upon
this subject, and that before any
commissioners be permitted or allow
ed to inspect any particular road.
that the board of commissioners
should authorize such inspection,
which authorization should appear
upon the commissioner journal;
that after any commissioner has
made an inspection Of any road pur-
suant to said authorization, that at
the next meeting CT the board of
commissioners, said member should
file written report Of said inspec-
ton.
We further suggest that in the
matter CT the personal bills OF the
commissioners, that all bills should
be itemized as it is provided by law,
each item being separately stated TO
the end that any person may exam
inc the bills and records and aacer-
tain for what purpose or purposes
the public funds are being expended.
That is as much for the protection OF
the commissioners from unnecessary
criticism las it is their duty to in
form the public in what manner the
public funds are being disposed of.
In the matter of the construction
Of what is termed the"Beltcn read -
we find that said road has cost Flat
head county the sum of s17,957.24.
We regret that in examining into
and checking up this matter that the
claims, reports of road supervisors
and superintendents and records
were in such shape that it was very
difficult to arrive Of thoror "