The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-12-19
GRAND JURY PREsENTMENT
TO the Hon W. s. Bullock, Judge of
the Marion County Court, Fifth


pleted our labors, beg leave to sub
nit this our final presentment
We have examined a great mum
Der of cases, and found indictments
whenever We thought the evidence
would sustain conviction.
Justices Not on the job
We have experienced great deal
of difficulty on account of the sew
eral justices of the peace throughout
the county not having the commit
cent papers and files in the hands
Of the clerk in proper shape before
court convened, and we recommend
that all committing magistrates for
ward all papers and files TO the clerk
OF this court Immediately after ex-
animation.
We further recommend that the
clerk of this court mail all files and
papers to the state attorney at least
two weeks before court convenes.
Crime Seems to be on the Decrease
We are delighted to know that
crime seems to be on the decrease in
Marion county We have inyestigaJ
ed thoroughly the matter of the mu
nicipal court and the county judge
and justice of the peace court both
trying petty cases. and thus infiict-
ing a double punishment for the
same offense. We regret TO say that
the law permits such action, but We
desire to express our condemnation
of the same, and recommend TO our
legislators that the law be so chang
ed as to prohibit an offender being
twice punished for the same viola
ton.
We regret TO say that in one or
two horrible crimes that we have in
vestigated that We have been una
bic 10 place the blame upon any par
ticular person, although We have in
vestigated the matter thoroughly.
We find from the reports submit
ted to us by the clerk of this court
Towering the transaction of the set
tlement made by the former clerk OF
this court, and on account of the
negligence or gross carelessness of
the state auditor and comptroller
several clerical errors have been
made in the matter OF lost certif-
Gates and interest items. and the
county and state has thereby suffer
ed financial loss, and We recommend
that the clerk of this court take this
matter up with the comptroller's Of
Ace and have same properly adjusted
according to law.
Saved Unnecessary Expense
\ We desire to express our approval
OF the action of the county commits
sioners in declining to publish the
/ lengthy report made 10 the governor
by the clerk of the court.
Saloons Must Pay Up
In the matter of the various sa-
/ cured the necessary license, We are
of the opinion that the law is being
violated, and respectfully call the at
tention of the county Judge and the
+. sheriff to this matter, that prosecu-
tions may be instituted unless said
licenses are secured.
/ Courthouse Repairs Needed
\ We have examined the courthouse
and find same in bad condition. and
recommend to the county commits
sioners that the floors and plaster
ing and the roof be repaired imme-
diately. We further recommend that
separate toilets be placed on the
lower floor for the accommodation
Of both white and colored
4 We have examined all the county
offices and find same TO be reasona-
bly, well kept
4 We have examined the county Jail
and find same in reasonably good
condition, except the bed clothing is
unclean and the jail insuficiently
heated, and that insufficient covering
for the beds is provided. and recon-
mend that this be attended to at
! once by the county commissioners.
We desire to express our sincere
appreciation for the efforts of our
f, worthy foreman, Capt. S. R. Pyles,
and in. equal terms do We appreciate
the services OF our clerk, Mr.. J. n.
Tolar
We desire to thank his honor, the
Hon. w. 5. Bullock for his excel
lent charge and many other consid-
erations.
\ We desire to make mention OF the
splendid service given to US by our
new state attorney, the Hon. G. w.
Schofeld, who through his diligence
and promptness, has made our labors
more pleasant and enabled US to dis
pense business more expeditiouSly