Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-12-02

LAnGE NUMBER OF INDICTMENTs-coNDrTIoN OF
THE JA1L-THE ALMsHousE-PAsr MIeMANAGE-
MENr-REFoRMs RECOMMENDED.
To the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Gen.
| erdt Sessions Of the Peace and Jail Delivery,
| and Count of Oyer and Termiser, in and for
| NeU Castle County, and State of Delaware.
Nouember Term, 1860:
| The Grand Inquest for the body of New Castle
County report to your Honors that there have
been submitted to them the present term three
hundred and eighteen indictments, of which two
| hundred and ninety-four have been found true
bills, and twenty-three have been returned ig-
noramus. In making this return they would at
| the same time avail themselves of the incoming
| of new Attorney General, to repeat the recon-
mendation made at the May term, that in all cases
of conviction under Indictment for violation of
the lawin the sale of Intoxicating liquors, the
payment of fine and costs shall bc strictly en-
forced.
The Grand Jury further report that they yes
terday made an examination of the County Jail,
and found 1t in satisfactory condition In all re-
spects. Since May last, building has been
erected within the outer walls, by order Of the
Levy Court, and in 1t are now employed to their
own advantage, and also to the benefit of tho
public, from twenty to thirty Of the prisoners,
who are chiefly employed in manufacturing
the sale of these, and small allowance for their
labor is allowed to the prisoners so employed,
which is retained until the time of Imprisonment
has expired, and then handed over, thus making
"
discharged. The upper story of the new build
ing mentioned is appropriated entirely to the
female prisoners, who there have o work-room
adjoining their cells.
9th Of last month committee of their body
visited the County Aims House, and after an ex-
animation of the buildings and their surround
ings, they recommend, as necessary for the
institution, the following measures:
LIST. Better warming OF all the buildings by
means OF furnaces, to be put up In the cellars
TO replace the numerous stoves hitherto used,
insufficient as they are, and dangerous also,
when placed within reach of the insane.
I'd. An entire separation of the male from the fe-
maeinmates of the insane, and thecolored peoples
ward, and also In the grounds appropriated to
them for air and exercise and to AID in doing this
division Of the building occupied BY the colored
people by means of wall or partition that will
wholly divide the apartments Of the men from
those OF the women, and thus prevent the evils
that have occurred, and are likely to result from
their congregating together, and
Sd, such additional ventilation In the different
buildings as their construction will admit of and
as many be found necessary. These recommen-
dations met the approval of the Board of Trus-
tees who are now engaged in carrying them into
effect and expect to have the furnace IN operation
in short time. They are now nlso obtaining an
ample supply Of water from the main lately laid
in the street adjoining the aims house, which will
enable them to introduce water closets . much
needed sanitary improvement that will remove
the offensivcness and impurity of air resulting
from the use of numerous open vessels through
out the building as substituted for prlvies Of
which there are few If any inside the walls. In
respect to the internal government of the Insti-
tuition, the Grand Jury are satisfied that In order
to have it efficient, the overseer who should al
ways be q competent and energetic man, ought
val Of the Board Of Trustees, all the assistants
required in all the departments and to have the d
rections and control Of them and be himself held
responsible for the proper performance of their
duties. We would advise that the number of
these assistants be sufficient to provide for the
care and comfort of the inmates without resort to
violence or iutllcting injury upon their persons,
and then with careful supervision by the Trus-
tees we believe the Institution would soon be
placed in condition to answer well the purposes
for which it is maintained and take away all Just
cause of complaint.
Owing to the want of such system as we have
recommended. there have been during the last
two yeats, as shown by sufficient testimony
brought before us, number OF Irregularities of
various kinds, and some instances of uDjustinable
severity and violence in the treatment of insane
and idiotic inmates. Utterly unfit persons were
placed over them as keepers and they exercised
authority independently of the Oversecr.
IL is proper to say, however, that ne cases such
as those reported have occurred recently. The
present Overseer has been in charge only few
months and as he appears to us TO have been
faithfully doing his duty, we think there Is good
reason to expect that In view of the steps tho
Trustees are taking In the same direction the de-
sired Improvement will soon be realized.
Until the arrangements in progress at the Aims
house shall be completed, the Grand Jury would
ask your Honors 10 direct that James Martin,
hitherto an inmate, of violent and dangerous
character, shall remain where he now Is, In the
County Jail.
With Il suggestion that greater care be used In
the admission of persons to the Alms-house, so
that able bodied idlers shall not occupy the room
and consume the subsistence provided only for
the sick, the diseased and infrm, the Grand
Jury will close and respectfully submit their Re-
mort, thanking the Attorney General and his
Deputy for their advice, aud the Clerk of the
Court fer his services.
Wa. CAsRY, Foreman.
Nsw CASTLE Nov 26th, 1869.