The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-05-01

Hon. Judge .NcHenry of the First District Court
SR.The Grand Jury of the Parish of Orleans assembled
on ne 2h OF PM for the purpose OF visiting the prisons and
We first visited the Parish Prison, and compelled to
reteate what has often been noticed pedeces
relative to the bad arrangement OF the building and the
all too low and in bad condition Respecting food disci-
pine cleanliness and fair treatment of the prisoners
and do their duty Some of the prisoners complained OF
being detained after their expired for costs
uon others wanted speedy trial while there third
Class who stated they to prison or of some
earnestly recommend the Recorders OF the different Munci
paiies to discriminate closely between old offenders and
carceate for three six months without proof
OF guilt or because he has vouch for him Such
commitments are great buhen to the State besides they
take up the time OF the Court useessy and men who
oe WG eevd mere f OF
Respecting costs Of prosecution OBTAINING the
remedy and we request the Attorney General give
1t serious consideration as 1t weighs heavily the
these fees, and must conclude that the longer they
are kept in prison. the worse for the State and all parties
concerned. Here veXati0us question which
requires legal knowledge to define and request the
the meaning of the law. Can a magistrate,
OF Recorders (accordng to the Constution send
Adjoining the PARISH Prison the WohoGss Of the First
Municipality which poorly adapted for the purpose; in
and proper arrangement OF the inmates STILL the keeper
we could easily perceive man OF intelligence who under
stands his position and does all ne can under the ccum
stances
In the Filth District OF the First Municipality,
Duman street and Bayou st. john there Watchhouse,
lock up" house. Tor offenders taken up night On
part OF shattered miserable old frame kitchen The room
was exactly eight by nine feet and not vesge OF furniture
the and these the only of
ing the prisoners. Male and female, white and black all
Without seeing we could scarcely believe place degad
ing would be tolerated. and unanimous in saying that
deserves the mOckery police
discipline and demands nnediae redress:
We proceeded next TO the Third Municipality, and found
male and female clean orderly, and seemingly well taken
Police Prison, though clean, stands much OF flooring
The old one decayed and out The one, which
1t REDUCES Immediately should be elevated much higher.
Our next visit 10 the Baronne Prison. Second
Municipality, which we found in most filthy state in fact,
oerabe nuisance and dangerous the health OF
the neighborhood In the midst OF the building found
but this room was by no means the most Objectionable For
the sake OF humanity and in consideration Of the approach
this Pison~mor re' properly called Bastile
The Workhouse OF the Second Municipality visited
clean and usetuy employed. In this institution found
males 49 males and 20 female slaves besides free persons
from vessels confined r the Mo5s0Gss until such
when compared with the numbers in the First and Third Mu
Respecting free men OF color much caution should be used
keeping them entirely apart from slaves and we would
suggest to the Attorney General the porre' Of removing
hem the Parish Prison, where they viii A los chance OF
sorruptng slaves, or laying plans 10 .5a~ 55eape
The House of Refuge for juvenile Oi,a, lsappolned
very much; Instead of finding the garden yard and
around the building, orderly and clean, all seemed
waste However il was very well there were but few chill
lren thee-sxteen all inc luding one female They
ly seemed very much neglected, and entirely de. Five
were confined in cells the Others in small groups about the
yard building suited their inclination; This place.
lnder arrangement could bs made useful Inc chill
iren should be reading and writing three or iour hours
Zach day the balance OF their time should be occupied IN
earning useful trade. Tailoring and shoemaklng might
carried to useful advantage there several OF the
ads from twelve to fifteen years ofage.
The great number OF offences, particularly at night
brought before the Grand jury show but too plainly there
radical defect Police parcuarly the
Night Watch. The Night Watch class of men who
fact think they have responsibility for they never
brought to account for the most daring robbees committed
ms outrage on the citizens who taxed high for their
support; we gest that when robbery committed doors
orce bolts or locks broken the Waterman that beat be
,,oug by his Captain the next morning before the
lagstfale TO the OF action, have the matter
thoroughly investigated, underneath: for possible
flores could be broken and Their contents carried away so
!equenuy II the Watchmen did their duty Under any
circumstances where baretaced robbery committed the
achman should be discharged register kept of his name
ma he never allowed to act in that capacity Where
here responsibility, it natural men would grow
a!eeS of their duty. The Wacmen of our city are maid
ery literally they have average three times as much
regular soldiers in consequently they should
of good character-clfizens 6n0brn have
housetolders to vouch for them.
The thing wish to draw the attention of the Atto
ley General to Mock auctions. They source of
reat ANNOYANCE and should be down. Strangers who
ire so often enticed into them and feecedrn their money
must OF city for toeratng those
winding establishments In fact the of the premises
here such auctions are carried on should be held response
lie, common gaming mouse.
In concluding report, we desire 10 express our entire
ppobation of the in which the Criminal Court
by efficient independent and upright Judge
he Hon J. McHenry-by our interchangeable Attorney Cen
raj District Attorney, Sheriff and OFFICERS OF the Court
JOHN DUGGAN, Foreman.
NEG Orleans, .AprH 9th.
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