Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-11-20


Commitment Prisoners
st. Barnes parting
fling at Maj. Schnit-
ger--County Poor
House.
The Grasd Jury Of Scott County for the
year 1868 have made the following report
which will Be found interesting for several
rssons. but read ard then
FOR TEE NOVEMBER Term OF 1868.
To the People Of Sceft County, IoSa
| Your Grand Jury have examined into the
affairs OF the county, as prescribed BY law.
| and rscomme nd . correction Of the abuse
in ofIi:e of the police Of the city Of Davsn-
port, IN regard to their taking the violasers
o, laws before Justice of the Peace Who
has not final jurisdiction in the case. instead
| If taking them before the police magistrate
| Of the city Of Davenport, who has full juris-
dic.ion in such cases; thereby adding -
the expenses Of the coanty BY keeping the
| prisoners in Jail until the meeting Of the
Court. We consider this hsgrant abuse,
and therefore recommend 10 the Board Of
Supervisors take some steps that will sffec-
| tually relieve the county Of the uAcallsd
for expenses, and save prisoners from undue
hardships.
couNLYl JAIL.
The Grand Jury have examined the
county Jail, and find it in bad condition.
We think the Board Of Supervisors, or
hA rnsun,tta~ nv Dnhi;s. R,,slI;n.a hnv~
failed in the discharge Of their duties, in
not getting the Jail plsstered during the
summer whom there were few inmates, and
At time when the plssteriug would dry in
. few days. 1.-THE jail was plastsrsd, it
would aid the sheriff very much in keeping
it clean. 1t 10 now infested with bed bugs,
head and body lice, The bsdstesds shsuld
be exchanged for iron ones. There 10 not
. sufficient amount Of bed clothes in the
jail, and what are there are in . filthy con-
ditisn some Of them have net been washed
or changed in four months.
We think, also, that the Board Of Super
visors do not look to the interests of the
tax-paysrs Of this comfy, Or they would
furnish wsrk house, or yard, 90 that the
inmates Of the jail would be compelled to do
enough work to pay the expenses Of keep
ing them. We cannot see any ia stics in
making the law-abiding citissns work to
pay the expense Of keeping law-brsaksr
in ideness. It Is the opinion Of this Grand
Jury, that il those persons who are put in
Jail for yagrancy, drunkenness o. other
light offences, were compelled TO break
stone during the time they are confined
there, they would not have t9 be boarded
by the county the second time.
We are pleased to be able to report an
improvement in the ventilation Of the jail
since our last meeting.
coeNfY PooR HOUSE.
The Grand Jury have examined the
County Posr House, aad find many impor-
tsnt changes in the internal arrangements
Of the buildings; all tending to the eonve-
niencs Of the Superintendent and ccmfers
Of the inmates.
We find the house in good order from the
cellar to tine attic; and the beds and furni-
turs in excellent condition.
The inmates are comfortable, tidy and
contented, except one. He has been there
clothes furnished him, because they have .
stripe in them. which he thinks partakes too
much Of the Pententiary.
we'll for the county since he has been in
charge, and the Board Of supervisors wssld
be wise in acquiring his services in the fu-
ture, even At cost Of 100 to zoe per cent
above what they now psy him.
WH B. BARNES,
Foreman Grand Jury.
Read this Sheriff Schnitger hes been
% very unfortunate as to make Q personal
enemy Of this "Sainted" Foreman Of Grand
Juriss, and hence this spite work about the
county Jail. The Major gets fifty cents per
day for boarding prisoners. and this saint
tried his level best. at the present session,
to have it reduced to forty cents per day
Failing in this, he goes into the jail, and,
after listening to the stories Of the prison.
ers, crawling under their bsds, and poking
his sainted proboscis into their slcp pals, he
rushes frantieally into report of censurs.
o, cruelty treated prisoners Your cells
shall be spread with the richest Brussels
and the aroma Of the tropics shall surround
you. Rose water shall lave your forms At
noon and eve tide. On beds Of pursst linen
and softes. down shall you rest, and feast
At royal banquet, oil for 40 cents per day
How could you, Major, so cruelty treat
the pets Of the law. You should make
your house more attractive and have on On
average 40 ~ we'll as 80, with six in cell
IS we'll as four. The dirtiest of all human>
ity is sent to you. and the "Saint" has said
you shall keep them clean for 40 cents per
day. Beware. Major, cruelty TO prisoners
is even moro heinous crime in the eyes of
the Saints than pounding young horses IN
til they cannot stand Barnes parting
growl will probably be about as successful
~ his efforts in the Gilberttown pos, sfics
matter. This public should understand
that they have . standing invitation to visit
the Jail and satisfy themselves in all matters
pertaining to it and its management at oil
times. Majer Schnitger will BE- pleased to
show them through the institution.