The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-05-07
REPORT OF GRAND JURY.
Vidalia, La, May 5, 1921.
To the Honorable N. M. Calhoun,

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To the Honorable N. M. Calhoun,
Judge of the Tenth District
Court of the Parish of Concor-
dia, State of Louisiana:
We, your Grand Jury empaneled
and sworn, for the Mya term OF this
Honorable Court, beg leave to report
as follows:
We have carefully and diligently
inquired into all matters brought to
our attention and have found and pre-
sented to this SQUIRT bills Of in
idictment. We have examined all pub
lie buildings, and find the same in
good condition.
The Grand Jury beg leave to re-
port that many matters have come
to our attention, pertaining to the
working of the public roads through
out the Parish. and particularly with
reference to the expenditure of the
funds derived from the sale of the
road bonds, heretofore voted by the
people of the parish, and SOLD by
the Police Jury.
While, we have examined into these
matters as thoroughly as possible, and
have taken such action concerning
these matters as far as we think the
facts warrant at the present time.
However, we realize, and so now
report to the Court, that we are In
deed circumscribed and limited in
our action concerning these matters
for the reason that we think the books
and records of the Parish, covering
these expenditures of the road funds
have not been heretofore properly
supervised and audited by the proper
auditor.
So much so do we think this to be
true that we respectfully call these
matters to the attention of he Court,
and urgently request that he Police
Jury of he Parish immediately ar
range with, and, if necessary, to en-
ploy the Hon. W. N. Mcfarland, State
Supervisor of Public Accounts to
thoroughly examine and audit these
books and records of the Parish. We
further think. and recommend, that
this audit of the Parish books and
records, covering the expenditure of
the five (5) Mill special road tax,
voted by the people, about five 60
years ago, should be included.
We further recommend and urge
that the Police Jury of the Parish
discontinue the pernicidus practice
of allowing, or permitting, the ex-
penditure of the public funds. par
ticularly the road funds, by the in
dividual members of the Police Jury,
or that the individual members be
no longer allowed the privilege of con-
tracing obligations of the Parish,
but that all expenditures of these
funds, voted by the people. be ex-
pended only upon approval of the
Police Jury as body and as the rep
rescntative of the whole people of the
entire Parish.
We especially urge upon the Police
Jury the adoption of this policy, for
we realize, from our examination of
the Parish affairs. that the whole evil
of the entire situation arises from the
fragrant violation of this simple rule
which should govern the expenditure
Of the public funds, and which we
are advised is contrary to the express
letter and spirit of law, and certainly
contrary to the public welfare.
While we have hereinabove
sincerely expressed our criticism of
the method of the expenditure of
public funds of the Parish by the
Police Jury, we at the same time wish
to express our appreciation, as the
Grand Jury and as citizens of the Par
ish. Of the Model roads now being
built by the Police Jury.
CHAS. FALKENHEINER,
Foreman of the Grand Jury.