The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-05-12
GENERAL PRESENTMENT
OF THE GRAND JURY
ocala, Fla, May II, 1915.

Ocala, Fla, May Il, 1915.
To the Hon. w. S. Bullock. Judge of
the Fifth Judicial Circuit:
We, the grand jurors, sworn and
empanelled at this, the sprinss term,
of the circuit court in and fof Mar
ion county, Florida, A. ID. 1915, hav<
ing completed our labors, beg to sub
NIT this, our finaEpresentment:
We have Investigated a great many
cases, and have made true bills only
In those cases where we thought the
evidence would justify conviction.
We desire to recommend to our
representatives in the House and
Senate of the legislature that they
use their efforts towards the pas
sage of a bill that will place the JUS
tices of the peace upon a salary basis.
We believe that salary of 500 per
year for the criminal business that
they handle, and fees that they now
receive for civil business, would be
an equitable salary, and recommend
this to our representatives in the
Legislature.
Some complaint is being made that
"blind tigers" are operating in this
county, and we desire to request that
the sheriff and other officers use their
best efforts to stop this violation of
the law.
We also find that in great many
instances justice of the peace viii
endeavor to use his office for the pur-
pose of collecting accounts. We de-
plore this state of affairs and recon-
mend that such conduct cease.
We also find complaint that great
many parties do not pay their ocea-
pational license until long after same
is due. We recommend that the sher-
iff and tax collector cooperate to the
end that all persons shall pay this
tax promptly when due.
We have examined the county Jail
and find same to be in a thorough
sanitary condition. We also find that
the prisoners are well cared and pro-
vided for. We desire to compliment
the iailor and the sheriff for their eff
ficienee in this matter.
We have examined the courthouse
and find same in bad condition, and
recommend that the roof be repaired
and. that the floor in the offices of the
tax collector and county Judge be re-
paired. We also recommend that the
county commissioners provide for a
ladies' toilet at some convenient place
in the court house. We find that the
building is not kept clean and in
sanitary condition; that the furniture
is very often covered with dust, and
that the toilets are filthy and unsan-
itary and that the janitor is not doing
his duty. We are advised that the
county is paying the present janitor
$50 month for his services. We do
not think he is earning this money
and feel sure that the building could
be well and neatly kept for this sum
of money. We recommend that the
county commissioners investigate this
matter thoroughly and if the present
janitor does not do his duty that
some one be placed in his stead who
win.
We request that copy of this pre-
sentiment be mailed by the clerk of
the court to our senator and each of
our representatives. and that same
be published in the local papers.
We desire to thank his honor for
hishis able charge and assistance in
the discharge of onr duty. We also
desire to extend our thanks to the
state attorney and other offieerss for
the assistance rendered US. We now
ask to be discharged
Respectfully submitted,
James M. Moseley, Foreman.
Fl. D. Stokes, Clerk.