The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-12
WOULD ABOLISH OFFICES

Other matters recommended by the grand jury were the abolishment of the justice of the peace offices, claiming that it was the last relic of the fee system and that the county lost thousands o1 dollars by certain vicious practices of these officials.
 They commended Sheriff Batson for carrying out the reforms Tn and about the county jail and state the county in stitutions are well kept and the inmates well cared for.
 The report was made shortly before O clock and the courtroom was crowded With spectators. The two solicitors ano their assistants were present when the report was read. In receiving the re- port Judge Fort commended the grand jury for it's work, stating that he was satisfied that it had fully investigated the matters referred to them.
 He said that there was nothing like publicity to keep all officials in line, stating that it was check on any laxity on their part and that the official who performed his duty had nothing to feai from the full and free publicity of his acts. He said no person had any pro- prietary interest in public office and that it was proper for the public to know how the public offices were being carried on
 He discharged the grand jury with the thanks of the court for it's service and labor in the interest of the county as they saw it.
 Report of the March, 1917, grand jury, Jefferson county. Alabama.
 To the Honorable William E. Fort. Judge
 of the Circuit Court. Tenth Judicial Cir
 cult, Criminal Division.
 We, the grand jury, impaneled Tor the circuit court of Jefferson county, for the March, 1917, term, beg to submit the fol- lowing report in part:
 We have been in session IS days, hear ing and taking testimony; We have ex- amined 1915 witnesses, returned 192 true bills and 50 no bills. and have passed no cases to our successors.
 THE JEFFERSON COUNTY JAIL
 Referring to charge to the grand jury under date of March 21, 1917 as to condi- tions prevailing in the county jail, the grand jury wishes to report as follows:
 The grand jury has, since making its special report of March 21, 1917, thorough ly inspected the jail, and find that the sheriff has complied in every particular with the requests made therein, and we can assure the public that proper sys- tenn has been inaugurated therein, and experienced and competent officials put in charge.
 The grand jury finds that there is nc heat, or window sash and glass in the
 
 arrangements should be made by which suitable protection could be made to these openings, and that heat be placed in these condemned cells so that they can be used for condemned prisoners ounng coic weather.
 The warden in charge of the jail has requested an ntercommunicating tele- phone service in the jail to facilitate the service, and as Q protection against the escape of prisoners which he advises car be put in at an expense of not exceed ing $50; this system to have connection with the sheriffs office outside the jail and having no connection whatever with the Southern Bell Telephone and Tele- graph service. The grand jury recom- mends that the board of revenue take this matter up at once, and if this serv- iAs can be installed at a nominal cost that the work be done as soon as possi- ble.
 On our recent viist to the jail all the prisoners seemed to be satisfied witt their treatment. there being no complaint as to quality or quantity of food served
 HILLMAN HOSPITAL
 The grand jury visited the Hillmar hospital and wishes to report that they found the affairs of the hospital in goot condition
 ALMSHOUSE We have visited the almshouse in s body, making a thorough Inspection ant
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