Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-02-01
REPORT

REPORT
Or TIE GRAND JuRY TO THE Hon. JouN F. DILLON,
DIsTsICr JUDGE.
January Term, $50.
The members Of the Grand Jury, in the
discharge Of their duties, have visited the
County Jail and Poor House, and beg leave to
make the following report. accompanied with
such suggestions as they think the necessities
Of the case demand:
They carefully inspected every room and cell
throughout the Jail. They take pleasure ia
stating that they found the halls, cells and wa.
ter-clossts in perfect state of cleanliness. The
air was pure and agreeable as is possible
where the water closets are situated inside the
walls of the main building The pump, as
we'll AS some Of the door fs'tenings. are out of
order and should be repaired. 1t would be
we'll to paint the floor Of the upper hall. and
make some slight alterations in the water
closets, the better to insure cleanliness with lees
trouble. The roof also appears to need repair
ing, and if possible measures should be taken
to exclude rats from the foundation.
The prisoners v ere apparently well satisfied
with the treatment which they receive. Among
them are two insane females-One violent, re-
quirng close confinement. the other only slight
ly deranged. As it is impossible for these lu-
natics to receive, in the JAIL such medical and
other treatment as is necessary for persons 10
their situation, and as the jurors are informed
that the superintendent Of an inssne asy lum in
Vermont has offered to receive and take charge
Of these deranged persons-furnishing thon
board, clothing and med cal attendance at the
rate Of $ll5 per annum they therefore ear
n nd hQt ho ha n
and the women sent away forthwith. Both
economy and humanity demand this change
Economy in that their expenses here are larger
than there-and humanity as thereby it is
possible, in both cases, and highly probable in
one, that th,y may be restored to health and
usefulness.
In passing through the county poor house
the jury did not find that air of neatness and
order which could be desired, but are willing
to think that this is owing IN q measure to in
tufficen. aud lily arranged rooms. The whole
number of paupers at present in the house is
about thirty generally In good state OF health
In considering the annual expenses by the
county for the support OF paupers, the Grand
Jury are forced to the conclusion that proper
and just ecoaomy, requires decided if not
radical change in the prescott policy Of the
Board Of Trustees. They believe that assist
fined to the county house. To accomplish
this, sritabls and commodious buildings ar.
required, capable Of accommodating ell the
poor Of the county. They find that the ex-
penses Of the poor house for the year ending
September, 1889, were $2,333 10 100, and
that the out door relief for the came time was
81. 7.20.-amounting together to the sum Of
$9,53S Is 90. Were the necessary buildings
now in possession Of the county. aud the poor
there provided tor, the jury think this sum
might be very materially lessened. 1t Ia
thought that out door relief would not sxceed
81 900 per annum-and that the inmates OF
the hous-, unIer the lead of an efficient over
seer, might make the farm nearly or quite
self supporting They would therefore recon-
mend that steps be taken forthwith. while
materials and labor are cheap, to build house
sufficient to accommodate 100 to $50 inmates
with barns, sheds and such other ou, houses as
may be required; that the house be construct
ed on the most approved plan, arranged as
to sepera,e the adult sexes, be built substan
italy. and in a msnner SO as TO admit Of en-
largement should it hereafter be required that
the farm be we'll stocked with cattle. swine,
horses, poultry. DC that the overseer or an
ager shall employ the inmates able - labor,
in working the farm. tending the stock. and at
such trades as any may be masters Of, when
practicable.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEO. II. French, Foreman.
Davenport, Jan. %, 1860.
The within or foregoing recort was unani.
mously adopted by the Grand Jury.
WV. s. Collins Cls rk.