Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-21

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session, we have ended our labors, and re-
quest to be discharged from further duty.
Previous to dismissal, we deem i
proper to inform your Honor that we
have visited the county Jail, and gave:it
a thorough inspection, whereby we are
enabled to inform your Honor, that so
far as cleanliness, comfort and attention
to prisoners are concerned, we have no
fault to find, having heard but one or
two complaints of want Of blankets,
and none whatever Of the quality Of food
or manner of treatment. We are, how.
ever, impressed with the belief that the
present Jail is an unsuitable place for
the confinement Of human beings, being
too small for the number incarcersted,
and SO lily constructed as to allow no
ventilation to the lower cells. We would
therefore urge upon your Honor the
necessity of speedy completion of the
county Jail, now in course of erection,
and the removal of the prisoners thereto
as soon as possible. In this connection
we would draw your Honor attention TO
matter that has been overlooked for
years, but from which we think some
good may srise-we refer to the appoint
ment of chaplain of some denomination
of Christians who will bring "glad
tidings" to the hearts even of the most
wretched at least once every Sabbath.
This we ask for the sake of humanity and
the honor Of our county.
Tailor Magevney and his assistants de-
serve praise for the admirable and up.
right manner in which they have dis.
charged their duties.
With regret weinform your Honor that
the three great pests of society-tippling-
houses, bawdy houses and gaming-houses
are wonderfully on the increase in our
midst, and, Notwithstanding the vigilance
of thepolice, seem to defy both law and
order Although desiring to suppress
such nusances as far as in our power
lay, we were at the same time compelled
to pass them over for want of sufficient
evidence, which seems rather difficult to
obtain, owing, we presume, to the great
unwillingness on the part of persons who
visit such places to give us direct infor-
nation. Lottery shops, gift sales and
prize concerts have also run the gaunt.
let in like manner; and We cannot help
expressing our surprise that the much
boasted-of Metropolitan Police have al
lowed such unlawful performances to
progress so far as has been presented to
us without detection.
1t becomes cur duty to report to your
Honor that the number of robberies
committed in these districts within the
past six months have been unusually
large, many of them of the most out.
rageous and daring character. The crime
of murder seems to be ON the increase,
owing in great extent to the too COM
mon habit of carrying small firearms /;
and we recommend to your Honor the
suggestion that if the carrying of con-
cealed weapons were made a penal
offense there would be less bloodshed in
our community.
We cannot close this statement with
out recommending to your Honor's 40.
tice the praiseworthy exertions of Sher.
if Winters in capturing the two conf
dence men" who attempted to cheat an
old gentleman from Arkansas out of
$3.50 in gold, also his ingenuity in secur-
ing the expert burglar who blew open
the safe of Mr.. Oshie and extracted his
jewelry therefrom. For these acts he
deserves not only our praise, but that of
the whole community.
For your Honor's indulgence, and the
efficient manner in which Attorney
General Wallace assisted US in the trans
action of business, we return our heart
felt thanks.
We have the honor to remain, your
Honor's obedient servants,