The Ocala banner., 1922-05-12
GRAND JURY MAKES ITS
FINAL PREsENTMeNr

~
the Fifth Judicial Circuit of r,a
We. the Grand Jurors. sworn and
empaeled at this. the spring term A
D. 1922. in and for Marion county
having completed our labors. beg r.
submit this. our final presentment.
We have carefully and diligently in
yestigated and inquired into all mat
ters brought to our attention. We
have considered a large number n,
cases and have found true bills only
IN those cases where we were salts
neld the evidence would justly the
conviction.
Believing that in the cases OF viola.
ton OF the liquor laws. to which your
honor has called our attention. prop.
or disposal should be made OF all
liquors taken by the officers of the
Law. We recommend that all liquors
taken be properly listed as to kind
and quantity in an inventory TO be
prepared by the sheriff and verified
b. the Judge OF the circuit or county
court, and that after provision has
been made for the necessary exhibite
of evidence in the courts rhe liauors
he disposed of and destroyed in the
presence OF the sheriff (clerk of court
and Judge OF the county court. as pro.
tlded by law. We further recommend
that the county commissioners take
such steps as might be necessary To
have enacted into law a provision
whereby seized liquors OF a good and
known quality might be turned over
20 the hospitals OF the county in such
quantity and manner as In the judg.
ment of the Judge OF the circuit court
seems best
We have investigated the matter
Of the sale Of rhe county road bonds
and the deposit Of the proceeds. call.
ID 10 our attention by your honor. and
end that the bonds sold for a fair
price. but that the money was deposit.
ID In the banks without interest pur.
suant to an agreement or understand.
me of the county commissioners. Bond
trustees and purchasers OF said bonds
which was not a matter of record
This was due 10 the fact. that the
banks would not handle the bonds
without the privilege. This was ir
regular but the purchasers requested
4 be handled In this manner so as
not 10 affect the legality of the bonds
We are satisfied that the officials act
81 in good faith and in a manner that
. they considered the best interest OF
. the county. However. subsequent
! events have shown that this action
. vas not wise. We think that the
people are entitled 20 full information
abour all public business and that the
minutes OF the board of commissioners
should disclose all transactions taken
By that body.
We desire 10 commend our public
spirited citizens. John n. Taylor, DR.
J. q. Baskins. and l.. X. Edwards, who
are acting as county bond trustees
without compensation.
The County Jail
We have examined the Jail and
and that Il Is greatly in need of re
pairs. We find that the last Grand
Jury recommended that the Board OF
n County Commissioners whitewash and
fepaint the entire building. that THE
window panes be replaced and that
lhe building be properly heated at all
Tines. and that they further recon-
mended that the prisoners be required
70 keep their persons and quarters
m thoroughly sanitary condition
We ind that these recommendation
nave not been carried out as to the
repairs and the sanitary condition OF
me D risoners, and urge that economy
eemands htat the recommendations
q the grand jury be carried out, and
'hat the repairs be made before re
placements under heavier expense be
come necessary.
The County Court House
We have examined the court house
ana md it in deplorable condition
aslde and out. The roof is leaky
piastering is falling off. the walls and
noors are unclean, the toilets are un
Panitary, and windows have not been
Cieaned, and the metal work of the ex
'erior needs painting in order to pre-
pefve 1t. 1t is also important that the
uiding present slightly appearance
"e md that recommendations of the
|ast grand jury in regard to the court
Ouse have not yet been carried out
no urge the Importance of making all
ecessary repairs at the earliest prac
zeal moment.
Roads
I've md our county road system IN
very deplorable condition and we