The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-18
Court Of General SEASONS.
BefoYe Judge Russell.


PREsnsT1rENr OF THE GRAND JURY RELATIVE TO
PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND THE VIOLATION
OF THE SUNDAY LAWS.
Fm 1.-The City Judge presided in the Court Of ses-
sions this morning, the Recorder engaged In
hearing the Of James Smith, the alleged defsoiter,
ct his Office
There were no jury trials, counsel for the prisoners
whose names were on the calendar showing legal grounds
for the postponement Of their cases.
Francis Chchrio, Swiss pleaded guilty to stealing
The Grand Jury came into court with number Of in
dictmens, which the foreman handed 70 the Clerk, TO-
gethe. with the suDjOned stating mat .asy
discharged for the term. Mr.. vADderyoort read the
following
Nxw York, February, 1853.
The Grand Jury would respectfully present that seri
Gus and growing evil Is the disregard Sy certain Glasses
seryance of the sabbath Although these laws abun.
dainty provide for the prohibition Of all occupations, ex
hibitions entertainments calculated to deract from
the quiet and respect due TO the day. and III properly
forced) such their nature insure citizens OF
every denomination the full free and undsturbed oppor
tuny for rest and worship yet in Of ne mos. popu
ous sections Of the city the afternoons and evenings Of
that day theatrical exhibitions, secular concerts bowling
and pistol galleries Juggling shows, dancing houses bands
of music, Mpping saos and every species of lawless
entertainments maintained, in open violation OF the
law and in disregard Of the public authorities 10 these
awess places attracted numbers Of the unguard
ed youth and demoraEed maturity OF both sexes; and
dissipation excitement communicating associations, quar-
independently the annoyance and offence which these
disur Dances to the law observing and Christian
o. nS Se he .So
rites fail TO their due observance, cannot but pro-
duce tho most pernicous effect upon the III disposed who
participate in these awess gatherings a. well those
who encouraged in their evil by the inefficient
administration Of tho law. We would recommend that the
laws for the suppression Of these exhibitions be rigdly
enforced that be made the special duty of po
lice TO suppress them by the undertaking execution Of the
law would be out Of place 70 enlarge upon the
~ uula ful thovpO but ha
denied that they the fruitful causes engender
ing in the corrupted youth of city the fearful ten
denotes TO crime which are daily manifested in our crm
Another subject which the Grand Jury deem their
duty 10 direct the attention Of the public authorities Is the
dangerous construction of many Of the buildings occupied
for public schools, iD the event OF fire other
suay exciting alarm occurring during the hours o. in
sructon While the Grand Jury DESTROYS Of avoiding
any general mpuaton against 1.-THE safety Of the public
schoohousee OF our city, by which undue apprehension
might be excited yet In view Of the deporable results Of
the facts which have been presented 10 Them showing
equal want Of provision for safety In at least instance
they feel constrained to present the subject de-
mandng the most serious and rigid investigation. Their
No g. Ninth ward situate in Hudson street. where ap
pears there 1888 pupils Of both sexes, undergoing
sruction, as ollows-527 In the primary department,
4o2 in the female department, and 400 in the male
department The for instruction Of the MAORI
ty in the upper part OF the building an the main
front staircase furnishing the chief outlet but three
feet seven inches in width. The entrance gate only
three wde front four feet and the outlet
the yard from the primary department bnt three feet
inches, and these furnish the only means OF escape
except that in the rear Of the female department
there stairs two feet inches width and stair
way of three feet leading from the male apartment
the yard These means Of outlet obviously insufficient
for the large number Of pupils in the Of there hap
psning any sudden panic. More attention has been
manifested by public school officers TO the
erection of costly and imposing editces, rather
than buildings of convenient and safe description If
the large Of money expended In the construction Of
public school edces had been employed more in the pur
chase Of ground than In the building, and the plan had
been adopted Of arranging the for instruction
the 1rst and second stories clear that the comfort and
security of the children would be much more adequately
guaranteed. There in the neighborhood of 1000
children confined daily In the buildings for public nsruc
ton In this and in many of them the rooms FOR tuition
the third fourth and fifth stories. If the means Of
outlet on the character in all In the 10
which have referred Ia fearful 10 contemplate the
imminent hazards 10 which many children are da
exposed. The property Of public schools Ia vested
Council the legislative department Of the corporation,
clothed with the power 10 enact ordinances for protection
and government of the community, would find within
their province 10 investigate the condition Of this portion
Of the city property, with view TO its protection and
either the adoption Of ordinances TO guard against the
evils indicated, necessary, 10 apply 10 the Legsla-
ture for adequate relief WILSON s.. HUNT, Foreman
JOHN ~ 0IorT, Secretary
His Honor discharged the jury, with thanks for their
diligence after which the Court adjourned.