The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-28
The Grand Jury's Report

The Grand Jury's Report
 Jefferson county's grand jury for the September term, which made its report Saturday, was diligent in the discharge of it's duties and as a result of its investigations many evils were brought to light which should receive prompt attention by the properly con stituted authorities.
 An inspection of the jail showed it to be overcrowded and several prison CTS were found there who should have been placed in the hospital. In the grand jury's report complaint was made of the courthouse, which was "badly crowded and poorly kept" The sanitary conditions in some instances were found to be worse than those of the county jail. This is an old story but it cannot be too often told or the necessity of a new courthouse too strongly stressed. The grand jury scored the fee system and gave an ex- ample of the crying evil of the sys- tenn which should stimulate the voters to cast their ballots for the constitu- tional amendment making it possible for legislative reform in Jefferson county.
 The grand jury found the sanitary arrangements of the Hillman hospital "poor and antiquated" and the gen. eral sanitary conditions unsatisfac- tory. It is recommended that in ad- dition to the hospital annex to be erected the present building be mod ernized throughout The almshouse is condemned as unfit for human habi- tation.
 It was found that numberless gam bling houses and questionable resorts were in operation. Many hotels and mercantile houses owned by some of our well known citizens are used," ac- cording to the grand jury's report, flor gambling and other unlawful purposes" Many so-called hotels are pictured as scenes of dreadful de- bauchery. "We deplore this condi- tion," continues the report, "and if the proceedings of this grand jury were permitted to be published it would make the owners of these build ings hide their faces and blush with shame. The crime is first upon the owners, who wink at the occupancy for the sake of the income derived. ' The grand jury uses plain English and very strong English, but none too strong. Every dive, every den of in iquity must be closed and kept closed.
 In calling attention to the large number of homicides in this county the grand jury believed the remedy to lie in prompt trial and speedy conviction. Deputies, constables and policemen are entirely too ready to shoot" Indiscriminate shooting is certainly inexcusable on the part of any officer of the law and in the past ten years if deputies had used their weapons only in self defense the rec ord of homicides would have been greatly minimized. The law against carrying concealed deadly weapons should be better enforced than it is. There seems to be practically no en- forcement of it and this fact accounts for many bloody tragedies.
 We have had several startling and scathing grand jury reports during the past 12 months and it is believed that public sentiment will become suffi- ciently aroused to result in a marked reduction of crime in this community.
 The citizens who composed the grand jury were cordially commended by Judge Samuel E. Greene when he received their report and their labors will be sincerely appreciated by all law abiding ictizens.