Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-11-27
REPORT OF GRAND JURY
Gives Correct information as to State
of the County,

REPORT OF GRAND JURY
Gives Correct information as to State
of the County.
Before it's discharge Tuesday after
noon, the York county grand jury made
the following final presentment to the
court:
To the Hon. C. NJ. Efrd, Presiding
Judge:
We have passed on all bills handed
us by the solicitor. with our findings In
each case.
Following is a report Of the several
committees appointed at the spring
term Of the court:
County Offices.
This committee reports the offices
being kept in as good condition as Is
possible considering the torn up condi-
ton Of everything. We deemed ii un-
make the following recommendation in
regard to the county Offices:
We wish to recommend that the rep
resentatives in the general assembly
work for the passage Of law provid-
ing for the election or appointment OF
a special officer, whose duty 1t shall be
to examine and audit the books OF the
several county offices. This Is work
which the average grand juror Is not
competent to perform, and on this ac-
count the money heretofore spent In
paying this per day for inspecting the
county books Is just about so much
money wasted. Whenever the commit
tee Of grand jurors appointed to ex-
anime the books undertake to make
anything like thorough inspection, 1t
always has to call to its assistance a
high priced expert accountant, and we
submit that capable officer whose
whole time would be devoted to the
work Of inspecting the books Of all Of
the county offices in the state. would
result in better examination Of the
books and in a considerable saving to
the taxpayers and be a great improve
ment on the present system.
Chainsans Committee.
This committee reports having visit
ed the gang and find everything In
very good condition, with the excep-
tion Of the tools. They suggest that
tools be looked after more closely.
Jail.
Jail visited by committee and found
in sanitary condition and prisoners
well cared for.
Roads and Bridges.
The committee on roads and bridges
reports that they have examined the
roads and bridges in their section and
find them in very good condition, with
the exception Of the Howells Ferry
road, there being some complaint as to
it's condition. We suggest that the su
peryisor of that township look into the
matter and correct the condition as far
as possible.
Public Schools.
Your committee on public schools
begs leave to submit the following re-
port:
AS the basis for our conclusion, we
visited and personally inspected some
twenty-five schools located in five diff
ferent townships. Fifty Of the fifty-six
districts are carrying a special levy OF
from two to seven mills for the support
Of the schools. Seven months is the
average length Of the terms In the
schools. We find that large majority
Of the schools are taught in comfort
able, substantial, well-constructed
buildings, erected in accordance with
modern ideas on lighting heating and
ventilation. The exceptions were
found almost invariably in those sec
tions where the schools were located
too near each other. Too many schools
in any given territory will necessarily
result in a small enrolment, INSULT
cient funds, poor equipment and a
shorter term for each one. Most Of the
schools are fairly well provided with
desks maps, blackboards and other
necessary equipment. The county
board Of education very properly in
sists on the purchase Of single desks
whenever new desks are needed. This
policy will eventually eliminate the old
style double desks. Your committee did
not feel equal to the task Of passing on
the merits Of the individual teachers
employed, but the county superinten-
dent informs us that the demand for
experienced, well-trained teachers al
ways exceeds the available supply.
Generally speaking, we were pleased
with the conditions as We found them.
There Is always room for improvement,
but we were impressed with the rapid
progress that is being made along all
the various lines Of school work We
recommend, first, that more attention
be given to the grounds and that the
size Of the school lots be increased,
wherever practicable, to at least three
acres: second, a continuation Of pol
icy Of consolidation, which has already
resulted in the establishment Of so
many strong, two and three teacher
schools; third, strict enforcement Of
the law in regard to the employment Of
relatives as teachers; fourth, that all
schools be required to either use the
bubbling fountain or the cooler with
individual cups. The common drinking
cup is a recognized menace to the
health Of the entire community; fifth,
the work required of the county su-
perintendent Of education has been
more than doubled within the past five
years. We recommend that the salary
Of that office be increased to figure
more in keeping with the amount Of
work required, and more in line with
that of other county officials who give
their entire time to the duties Of their
offices; SIXTH that copy Of this report
be served on the county Superinten-
dent Of education and the members Of
the delegation to the general assembly.
County Homo.
A representative Of this committee
visited and inspected the county home
and farm He found the buildings pro-
crossing nicely and the inmates being
taken care Of as we'll as could be ex-
pected under the circumstances.
The grand jury recommends that
the magistrate and constables in the
towns and cities in the county procure
from the mayors and recorders a list
of all the cases. with witnesses in same.
tried before them, where offenses are a
violation Of the laws Of the state.
We have been courteously treated by
the judge and all of the officers Of the
court. for which we thank them, and
there being no further business we beg
to be dismissed.
respectfully submitted,
]. A. Barber,
rreman.