The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-07-18

REPORT
T@ Me Hon. }. c. Larus, Judge Of Me First District
SIR-Appointed by your predecessor, as the
grand inquest OF the Parish, we have the honor TO
lay before you the following report: On Monday
last, BIT 81 o'clock, unknown to any but ourselves
we made the quarterly visit to the prisons, work
HOUSES ETC.. OF the Parish. The observations taken
at thP several places will be given you in the order
in which the calls were made
l. The Charity Hospital In this institution
we found 752 PATIENTS including some eight or ten
insane. There was not a case OF cholera small
pox pr yellow fever within its wallis nor any other
epidemic disease 1t would be superfuous 10 null
hpy words in praise Of this truly charitable institu-
ton. We found it clean to fault, orderly and well
conducted to as near perfection any institution of
the kind can be brought and we believe well
worthy the fostering Of our city and State
government. Though, it may not be within our
legitimate province we must express a regret that
ample means are not provided by the State to ena-
BILE Ihe administration to make repairs which are
much needed in the main building-the roof gal
leries, cutters, etc, being much diapidated that
without early repairs serious injury must be the
result and prove detrimental to the patients in the
upper portions of the building
2. Work-h0Mss Of Mt7tctgalttv No. TscO.-
Health of the prisoners good--no epidemic disease
whatever Provisions good and plentiful-bed and
bedding bad and dirty-should be cleaned at once
farls' workshops, and rooms in good order, and no
complaints from prisoners to their treatment.
ANNtsSe " AeJ EGG " AoSCOHH lnUHtcfpNtttys
In this establishment we found some thirty bows
well clad and under instruction. The temporary
buildings now in use would be somewhat improved
by whitewash, and the beds and bedding could be
greatly benefited by little soap The Institution
will, no doubt, in the course OF time be of great
benefit to the Municipality, and if properly con-
dncted OF immense advantage to those confined
within its walls.
q Baroane street Prison Second Munict-
Patkg.-Ihis place isa perfect nuisance--it is un.
FIR fga aFga af.aa.x - II r Z
learn, however, that the Municipality is about
creating other buildings in its stead-we trust it
may be speedily effected With all the labor be.
slowed by the officers in charge to keep it in
toleraoie condition. they cannot succeed, as the
perfectly dilapidated state of the concern is oppos
ed 10 anything like repairs. For the sake of those
having 1t IN charge, and for the comfort of the
prisoners, some other place should be at once OBJ
tanned. We believe great praise is due to those
having 1t In charge, IN keeping il from falling down
altogether and the sooner the removal is made,
the better.
4. Police jail Of First Municipaltv-I In
this place, which was very dirty, we found almost
as many dogs as men-of course heas abounded
The provisions were good and abundant; the beds
however were bad. Here we found some four ar
five insane persons, who very annoying to those
confined there, keeping them awake durag the
night, by yells and cries. The inmates were
healthy, and had no complaints to make of bad
treatment
&C 4 uIfoN 1FtSON-- MS, the great strong
hold OF the city, and the main for the abors of
the Grand Jurymen, we found in the most perfect
order ana cleanliness. The prisoners appeared TO
hate the utmost regard for their Keepers and seemed
happy even under their confinement. But one ex.
ception did we find to this rule-Peter Chrystal is
dissatisfied with every body and every lining Az
ter giving particular ear TO his CONFERENCE.-The
burden of which Is that he is not treated as debt
or and confined IN their deparlment.) we were
shown his commitment, from which we take il he
Is in his proper place, and treated we'll as his con.
duct justiies. Some complaints were made by per-
sons who say their allowance Of bread is TOO small
one Loaf being their ration per day From their APP
pearance we cannot say that this complaint is well
founded, as they all looked as fat and healthy as
Aldermen. In This prison also, there are four in
sane persons-a burning shame TO the State and
great annoyance TO the keepers and prisoners We
perceive, also, that in one portion of the prison
whites and blacks are permitted to be together if
The limits OF the yards sufficient this should be
avoided. Here, as ia some other places we find the
prisoners forced 10 tf rest it can be terme
without mosquito bars-this certainly should be
Tdmedled at once. Just complaints we believe
come from some Of the prisoners, because they are
retained for want of money to pay the costs of
cburt. Could we point out any way by which thew
could make these costs in prison, we would cheer
INiiy 90 80: ms cannot be, as there is employ
Went provided for them. Having served out the
term for which they We're sentenced, we would re-.
sIeetully submit whether it would not be good
policy TO have them discharged and avoid senten.
CTS hereafter where the prisoner is held for costs
uhess II Is known he NAV have effects sufficient 10
delray such expenses. Il seems 10 us the State
would be the gamer in the long run-as we were
Informed that some $50 900 worth of due bills from
prisoners now grace the pigeon holes of the clerks
Office.
Z. Police Jail Of The Third Municipality-Jfi it
were possible, this lookup is greater nuisance
than that of the Second Municipality and certainly
there is no attempt made by the keepers to better
IFS condition. From what we saw there, and have
haas lain 1~,1. al. a. Il
az at present conducted, is great annoyance to
TirTsons owning slaves.
s. Third MlnicipaLity Work House and Wash.
iRgton Post-It was quite a relief 10 our labors TO
enter this place. Cleanliness and order were OBJ
servabe every where, Provisions plenty and good
bedding clean, musquito bars to protect the prison.
ers, and all seemed contented We would earnest
~ recommend that the windows fronting on the
street be opened this warm weather, to admit the
circulation OF air, even if it is necessary to close
them during The winter. The prisoners might have
more work with advantage TO all concerned All
lheinmates were in good health. Here again we
found those who should be taken care of elsewhere,
adeaf and dumb boy, an idiot girl, and three other
children.
9. Bayou 81 John Post--A small but neat house
Nof very little use, there having been no prisoners
for six or eight weeks
TO- First Municipality Watch. House and Lock
np-It was about alEpast four O'Clock when we
reached this point, and we foud il in filthy con-
ditionc rooms not having yet been cleansed at.
Ter the previous nights use. How this should be
permitted, directly under the of the Mayor and
other officers, we cannot conceive. Perhaps they
lave got used TO il, but your inquest could notsO
dhey left the place in drgust and closed their visits
Ind labors for the day.
50 far, your honor will perceive that we have
ronfined ourselves principally to a mere statement
of facts as we found them existing. We beg leave
now to make few remarks, and such suggestions
rs have forced themselves upon us.
we look upon the power vested in watehmen of
nrresting, and Recorders Of mpFisoDing persons in
discriminatory, as dangerous and susnieions cha
racters, as one that should be exercised with great
care and prudence We are led TO hslicve thai
many are unJusty detained in custody. whose mar
sonal liberty is as dear to them ours is to u.s.
The conclusion Is l,reslstibly fixed upon our
minds, from the stern facts brought to our view in
almost every place We visited that the Insane As,,.
ium at Jackson does not now, nor cannot for some
time to come, meet the wants of our civ and liz
calls of humanity-else why should we find in
every place of confinement, maniacs and insen,
persons, without that particular medical treatmant
they much need We believe the ctv shonlJ
have place where her insane could at once he
cared for, at least until they be removed IN
Jackson. What we Witnessed of those most dis
trsssing diseases, " to which flesh is heir con-
Vindes us that something should once be done in
their behalf We think that a small outlay, con.
lrbuted by each Municipality, to the Charity Hos
pital, would cover The expenses of the keeping OF
the lunatcs, and, perhaps, that institution might
be induced to extend their already overburthened
cares to those whom they have so often relieved.
An apartment in the hospital for all persons afct-