The Tupelo journal., 1917-11-30
Grand Jury Report.

wv
days, during which time we have ex-
amined about 65 witnesses and have
returned II indictments.
w have examined the report of
the several justices of the peace and
have approved the same. We have
also examined the books of the
ty officials by and through the finan-
cial statement rendered us by the
Chancery Clerk, and basing our re-
port largely upon his certified state
ment we think the books of the coun-
ty properly kept, and the accounts
therein duly balanced. With refer
ence to disbursements of public funds
we cannot in the limited-time allot
ed to a grand jury, find it possible to
audit the county books or itemize for
ourselves and the public the various
expenses of the county; but we note
that it has not been customary IN
this county for the Board OF Super
visors to publish monthly the several
items of expense and the various dis
bursements ordered by them at their
monthly meetings; and if it may be
permitted us to do so, we suggest n
recommend publication in the county
papers each month of all allowances
and disbursements in order that the
people may know definitely how and
where the public funds are spent.
This suggestion is made solely that
the people may be informed on pub
lie matters. We know of no improp-
er disbursements or acts of any kln
by the Board, but on the other hand
believes that all their opcial acts
have been done in good faith.
We have examined the county
home and find it in good condition,
clean and sanitary, and in proper
shape for the approaching winter sea-
son. The inmates there are well fed
and clothed, and are humanely treat
ed. and we have no recommendation
to offer in connection with this part
of our county's affairs. Likewise we
find the county Jail strong and safe.
We find it also clean and sanitary,
and find the prisoners properly taken
care of.
In making investigation of the
criminal matters Of the county we are
glad to observe that crime is decided
lv on the decrease. In our investlga-
tons we find a noticeable lack of the
b%ootlegger and bling tiger around
over the county, there having been
but few liquor cases brought before
us for consideration. We hope the
day of the blind tiger and boot logger
will soon be a thing of the past. We
regret to observe, however, that IN
or two instances we have found 1T
necessary to investigate the manu-
facture of Intoxicating liquor, and
take this opportunity of calling to
the attention of the good citizens OF
the county the danger that may come
from such sources if left unmolested.
The recent liquor laws have almost
completely broken up the business OF
the blind tiger, but the advantage
gained by the state and county by
such lawsmay be partly lost on ac-
count of the wild cat forces if they
are not checked, and we feel that
this evil merits the serious attention
of every good citizen of the county.
We note with pleasure that the
public health work is being pushed IN
this county, and are glad through
this report to lend it our cordial en-
dorsement. We understand that the
department Of public health is taking
steps to prevent such diseases in this
county as typhoid fever, ~diptheria,
whooping cough, tuberculosis and
many other such contagious and con-
trolable diseases. We are reliably
Informed that in an adjoining county
during the last five years the death
rate of tuberculosis has been cut
down so per cent, and typhoid cut
down over 70 per cent, and we feel
that if these things can be had and
enjoyed by our sister counties they
are not too good for u own county.
We are glad also to find the work
of domestic science being thoroughly
and efficiently carried on among the
girls and women of our county. The
county is to be congratulated upon
the excellent progress that has been
made along such practical and whole
some lines and we beg to lend this
movement our unqualified endorse
ment.
We find, however, that Lee county
has no county demonstration. This
county is distinctly agricultural and
from the farm. The retirement of a