The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-20
la w N7,ELLIGENCE.
CRIMINAL COURT-JupcE BOND


George NJ. Gill and others Us. The Mayor anC
City Council Of Baltimore. An appeal from thu
return of the Commissioners for Opening Streets
in the matter of opening Holiday street. Before
reported. This case occupied the attention of the
Court the whole day.---The Grand jury present
ed Wesley Woodward and Robert Miller for the
murder of Franklin Ii. Naff.-The Grand jury
also presented to the Court the following reports
OF the jail and penitentiary:
REPORT THE JAIL.
To the Hon. Hugh l.. Bond Judge of the Criminal
Court Of Baltimore city; The Grand Jury being about
to close its abors for the present term would take this
occasion to report to your Honor according to Gus
TOM they have proceeded to visit and inspect the ia
and with the assistance of the worthy warden and his
deputies have been enabled to thoroughly examine ali
OF its departments and gives them pleasure to saw that
they found the in good order and condition and
cheeruy bear testimony to the efficiency of its control
and management under its present direction This be.
ing the first official visit of the Grand jury they would
respectfully report that the contrast between old and
new prison in Its internal arrangements very striking
and they could not fail to observe the marked difference
IN the appearance and demeanOr of the prisoners those
formerly incarcerated in the old prison The system
combining the prisoners in separate cells of
ing large number in one room formerly the
tonl the Grand Jury believe will have most sautary
and beneficial effect upon the morals of our city
as the present system of confinement calculated to
strike terror to the mind of the eyildoer: and thev
take great pleasure in congrauating the community
upon the completion of such Institution as il is "a
culated in their opinion to work reform
in the morals of city The labors of the Grand jury
have been much facilitated through the aid and assist
ance of Mr. William A. Wysong, the agent of the Prison
ones confinement and the circumstances surroundin
the same and at whose hands they have derived much
valuable information in the discharge of their official
ties The Grand Jury would also report that under the
workings of this association the spiritual wants of the
prisoners are carefully provided for large and com
modous room has been set apart chapel for use
and accommodation of the prisoners where religious ex
ercses held every Sabbath this association is now
making strong efforts establish Library for the use
the inmates which already contains 400 volumes
which it is desirable should be increased so as to meet
the actual wants of'the Institution The Grand jury beg
leave further to that nf
cia duties they could fail conscious of the evil
results and injurious effects upon the morals of the city
by the open manner in which the laws relating to the
sale OF liquor the Sabbath have been at defiance
by in midst and they have endeavored in the
discharge of what they believe be conscientious duty
to the community to present to the Court all known vo
ators of the law in this respect and happy able
to bear testimony to the good effects resulting the
manner in which they have been disposed Of by your
Honorable Court Respectfully,
Jos. c. WHITNEY, Foreman
ANNUAL REPORT ON PENITENTIARY
JANUARY TERM. 1860
To the Honorable Hugh L. Bond Judge of The Criminal
Court Of Baltimore city:-The Committee of the Grand
Jury, appointed by your Honor to visit the penitcnary
have performed that duty and beg leave to submit the
following report That in pursuance of the duty de
Vovng upon them they proceeded to examine each and
all OF Its various departments and with the
the efficient Warden and his assistants as also the
Directors of the institution, every facility was ar-
Gorded them of thorough examination of the prison
and its inmates, and fully satisfied with the
condition of the institution and the careful man
agement and control of the unfOrtunates now in
the present building and its accommodations entirely
insufficient to meet the wants and requirements
committed to that institution as punishment of their
crimes The want of room not only prevents compi-
ance with the provision of the law that REQUIRES each
inmate to be confined by himself after the close of his
days labor but involves the necessity of placing
as eight or nine persons in room thereby only
failing to comply with the provisions of the law, but
creating all the evils and perncous effects incident to
the assocating of so many persons of evil disposed
MINDS where they may have constant communication
one with another.
The Committee at in tha
ment aud disposition of the prisoners they believe
thing to be accomplished consistent the present lin
tied accommodation but feel that steps should be
promptly taken to enable the officers comply with the
provisions Of the law, and the evils already
suggested as arising from want of the same. As re-
gards the number OF prisoners in confinement their
and nativity, respectfully refer your Honor the ac
companying report of the Warden. The Committee also
Deg leave to call your lonors attention to the efficient
working of the Prsoners Aid Association an associa
ton which commenced its existence in March, 1857 un-
der the auspices of of most phanthropic citi
zens having for its object the protection of discharged
convcts rescung them from their old haunts of crime
and evil associations and paving proper regard to
spiritual culture during their period of confinement
And the Committee have to believe from their own
observation that under the auspices of this association
many of the inmates have been brought to realize the
wckedness of their former lives, and are prepared to
make useful citizens at the termination of their allotted
time of confinement Sabbath School has been organ
lzed within the institution, which they find in a
hourshng condition, and the effects of which they
believe can be none other than beneficial
upon the persons themselves, and upon the community
who again to receive them upon the termination Of
their sentence They also have in connection with the
Sabbath School library, with thousand vol
umes and your Committee happy to report that the
religious instruction is entirely free from Sectarian dis
tnctons and striking evidence the result of this
Association, the Committee in behalf of themselves as
also the entire Grand jury would here that hcy
had the pleasure of listening several hymns sung by
some four hundred of the convicts in manner credita
BILE to themselves and to those engaged in their ntruc.
ton and they close this report without recon-
mending this association to the favorable of the
community; all OF which is respectfully submitted:
JOSEPH C. WHITNEY,
WIN. B. CANFIELD
WIN. s. BROWNING,
WIN. H. B. FUssELBAUGH,
CHARLES TowsoN,
Committee.
WARDEN's REPORT.
MARYLAND PENITENTIARY, April Is, 1S60
Gentlemen Of the Grand JIrg In your examination of
TINS institution you will have noticed the unsuitabeness
of the prison Buildings The requires the prisoners
separately confined after their labor is done; but am
compelled fOr ioat Of ROOM to place in the Eastern
Dormatory eight and nine prisoners together
You at once the penicous effect of placing
many persons of vicious habits in position where
slant communication be had, associations formed
and plans arranged for the perpetration crime after
their release Therefore, the Eastern Dormatory the
Maryland Penitentary be considered other
than an academy of crme-graduates of which go forth
to emulate the example of those noted in crime
than themselves. The hospital which is located in the
same building is unsuitable for the sick the want Of
proper ventilation, ownesS OF ceiling, under ground ap
proach and dampness all combined, make the entire
structure disgrace to the State The number of prison
ers now in charge is 447427 males and 20 females of
the latter, IL colored and white of whom are err
mans and Irish OF the whole number Of males there
20 OF anSOlad mind Of lCh0n dangerous for these
unfortunate creatures hare accommodations pro
per means Of treating, consequently their suernqs must
continue u1ltt nature performs cure death releases
them Respectfully, your obedent servant
A. ID. EVANS, Warden.
CTpERT0P