The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-12-16
GENERAL PRESESTMENT
OF THE GRAND JURY
OcaIa. Fla Dec IA 1922

OF the F1GCn JUDICIAL circuit OF the
State of Florida:
We, the grand jurors, sworn and
empaneled at this, the fall term, A. d.
1922, of the circuit court in and for
the county of Marion, having complet-
ed our labors, beg to submit this our
final presentment.
We have carefully and diligently
inquired into all matters submitted to
US for consideration; we have found
true bills only in those cases where
we were satisfied the evidence would
justify conviction.
We find considerable complaint
against Justice of the Peace d. S. Gro
martie, at Reddick In one instance
We learn that he undertook to try a
young man named Chester Strickland
on charge of obtaining goods under
false pretenses; we find that he actu-
ally imposed a sentence of three
months in the county Jail, all of which
was illegal, without authority. We
ask that the governor investigate this
matter and remove him from Office.
We have Investigated the matter of
the administration of the city of
Ocala, and find that in many instances
bills are paid on the approval of the
city manager, and without being first
approved by the city council in open
session. That is irregular and we
condemn the practice. We have also
investigated the matter of certain
rumors about the irregularities of
paving contracts and the work done
on the streets by the city. We find
that the city has a regular employed
consulting engineer, but that such en-
gineer has not been on the job or paid
any attention to the work. We are of
the opinion that better results could
be obtained if the work was done I'M
der the general supervision of some
competent engineer.
We find that in the cases tried in
the county judges court for the I'M
lawful sale, possession and transpor-
tation of liquor, that in no instances
have orders been made for the con-
fiscation and destruction of such liq-
uor. This was perhaps due to over
sight on the part of the county Judge,
who, in statement to this body, has
assured US the same would be taken
care of.
We find that for some time the
white prisoners who were tried, con-
victed and given sentences in the
county Jail have not been put to hard
labor, but on the other hand, have
been cared for at the county jail. We
condemn this action and can see no
excuse why the county commission
ers have permitted this waste and
rank injustice; we therefore demand
that they be put to work at once, and
in the event they are not, the matter
be reported to the governor.
County Jail
We have examined the county Jail
and the records kept by the jailor.
We find some parts of the jail filthy
and unsanitary, but apparently no
prisoners occupy that part found in
such condition. We recommend that
the Jail be thoroughly cleaned, all
trash and rubbish removed. We are
of the opinion that some of the metal
work is rusting and has been rendered
practically worthless for the lack of
paint, we therefore recommend that
the county commissioners see that
the Jail is thoroughly painted as often
as is necessary to properly preserve
same. We find that the broken win
dow lights have been replaced and
iron bars have been placed across the
windows in the attic, and some of the
steel work has recently been painted,
all of which we heartily commend. We
also find that all prisoners are well
cared and provided for. Apparently
the jailor is in need of a stove, and
we recommend that the county COM
missioners provide one that is suit
able for the necessities of said jail.
We find that the records kept by the
jailor are incomplete, and recommend
that the register show all the infor-
nation called for in the book provid-
ed for that purpose.
County Court House
We have examined the court house
and various county Offices. We are in
formed that the roof is still leaking
in the tax assessors Office and rec
ommend that same be repaired. We
are also of the opinion that the county
judge should have more space for his
court room. We find that the tax
collectors Office needs some window
shades. That the plastering in the
grand jury room should be replaced
and that the tax assessors office
should have a coat of light paint. We
find that there is no public toilet fol-
the white people, and recommend
that some provision be made to take
care of this situation. We find that
the toilet in the basement is unsani-
tary and that both white and colored