The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-01-17
GRAND JURY PREsENTMENT

we have carefully and diligently ex-
amined ali the matters brought before
| is, and found true bills in all cases
where the evidence was sufficient to
warrant same.
We have made examination of the
| several county Offices and the man.
aer in which they are kept, also the
jail and infirmary, and find them in
good condition, and well kept
We recommend that the Jail be
fenced with a good high fence, and
hat the windows in the insane de-
)artment be screened, as the glass is
exposed, and liable to injure the oc-
| cupants.
We recommend that the county
commissioners look after the railroad
| crossing between Ocala and Martin,
which has been reported as being
locked for too long periods, thereby
| impeding travel.
!
ices Of the peace and committing Of
| icers, constabes, etc, be more care
III in the future in binding over cas-
S to come before the grand jury
where there is not sufficient evidence
o fine true bills, also binding over
Witnesses who know nothing of the
case as they cost the county large
mounts OF money and time.
Owing 10 the crowded condition of
ne circuit court of this county and
1 great number of prisoners that are
! 'equired 70 remain in Jail for num-
DER OF months awaiting trial, and at
he expense of the county, and as a
criminal court of record will save suf-
fcient funds from the caring for these
| prisoners for a long term, and from
he great number of witnesses and
jurors who are compelled to wait the
trial Of cases in which they are inter-
ested, to pay the cost of such criminal
eou~.-, will expedite the administra-
ion of justice, and will in no wise be
: burden to the tax payers, we will
recommend the establishment of
such court at the next session of the
legislature
We recommend that the next legis-
iature so change the laws that the
county commissioners of Marion coun-
tv shall appoint a board of appraisers
in each precinct to assist in getting
the proper valuation OF all property.
The grand jury respectfully recon-
mends that the coming legislature
shall amend section 772 of laws by
adding to this chapter the following:
l. \ failure of the clerk of county
commissioners to furnish the grand
jury a report of the county warrants
as mentioned in this chapter shall be
deemed a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof the clerk shall be
fined no less than one hundred nor
more than FIVE hundred dollars.
?. And that the coming legislature
shall pass a law in harmony with sec
ton I, article s of the constitution
Of the state, compelling county COM
missioners and school boards to give
bond, and to name amount of bond
and under what condition the county
commiss toner's and school boards
shall be responsible for their trans
crossing this law.
8. That the coming legislature
shall pass a law compelling the coun-
ity commissioners and school board to
publish each month the name and
amount of each warrant issued, the
total receipts for the month and total
warrants issued for the month.
4. That the coming legislature
shall pass a law giving the county
commissioners and school board the
right to borrow money, none of which
borrowed money was or is to be paid
after expiration of term of office or
on longer time than six months.
5. That the coming legislature
should repeal and amend our road
laws so that county commissioners
could and shall obey the law.
g.. We, the grand jury respectfully
ask your honor to see that our terms
of court are put back to the proper
time, thereby giving our citizens some
relief for as now conducted, We deem
same great hardship, coming as it
does in the busiest seasons.
We would call the attention of the
representatives-elect from Marion
county to bill that will very likely
be introduced at the next session of
the legislature, which, in effect, is to
provide that all taxation for state
purposes shall be derived from a tax
| on railroads and other public service