The New York herald., 1870-02-01
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.

Presen;mcnt by tho Grand Jury-InadeQ eQunte
Accommodation for Crimiuals-The Fifth
Avenue Pavement acknowledgement Inn
pr0veMents Suggested.
Before Cunning s. Bedford, Jr., City Judge.
The Grand Jury came into court yesterday at noon
with batch OF indictments ana the foreman stated
that they had finished their business. He handed
the following presentmeat to the Judge:-
The Grand Jury havina visited Hart's, Randall's
Ward's and Backwell's Islands and the city Prison.
known as the Tombs, have the nonor 10 report to
That the prison, known as the Tombs, however
suitable at the time OF It's construction, Is now n
adequate to meet the wants which the great increase
OF crime requires.
The faulty original construction and the made
ted ior safe Keeping combine to make Il expedient
to remove the institution to some more eligible part
heated In winter and unventiated in sumner. damn
aud unhealthy At all times, and unnt FOR the pur.
poses Tor which they are used In addition TO these
structural difficulties tue arrangement and publicity
OF the cells, when their 0vercr0wded state Is con-
sdered render IL difficult to regulate the discipline
Should IL be decided to erect another prison tfe
valuable site now occupied BY the Ciiy Prison might
be sold, and would In large measure meet the
expenses or q new structure and, besides, apprO-
pirate and adequate accommodation FOR all the
prisoners committed, suitable court rooms adjoin-
necessity and FISK or taxing prisoners through the
streets when about to no tried AZ has now TO be
The general management OF the City Prison meets
the approval OF tins inquest, due allowance beng
MADE Tor the permanent and structural dificultle5
referred to. More attention to tine external neat
ness OF the prison ana enclosures IL very desirable
The jury refer with pleasure 10 the institutions
the islands, where similar objections DO not exist
They were pleased with the general arrangements
and cleanliness that came to their notice. ana com.
mend the working OF the Industrial schools and
more especially that upon che schoOl-ship near
Hart's Island.
The jury considered the question OF remoya, Of
tn Harf Iol0 ThA
the city the ample room for the most extensive ar.
rangementS upon that island and the prospective
necessity for all the present buildings upon Black
not far distant day when that Will De the policy II
not tne necessity, OF the city authorities.
the Grand Jury are happy to bear testimony 70 the
ample provision which our public authorities have
great satisfaction record their approval.
On another subject, however, they regret the
necessity OF calling the attention OF the authorities to
an insunerabe nuisance. Tney refer to the COndi.
ton OF Firth avenue, which has been made nearly
impossible for carriages and pedestrians, and tne
destruction OF health anu property to an extent
almost Incredible 70 those VINO have not witnessed
It, by an attempt to cover the excellent pavement OF
that avenue with the vile and perishaDle mixture
that now dtshgures IT,. All Of which Is respectfully
submitted. B. l.. SOLOMON, Foreman.
LUcIUs 5. CoMsroCK, Secretary.
Judge Bedford said -
MI. Foreman and gentlemen OF the Grand Jury
have this moment learned that you have completed
your labOrs for the term-haying passed upon $50
cases. 1t affords me pleasure TO Congratulate yOn,
not only upon tue extra ordinary number OF cases
which You welded your power-ever exercising
sound dlscre ton; whenever there was evidence
sun1cIent 10 warrant an Indictment you promptly
dismissed the case, while on the other hand, where
found bill. You are now discharged from further
attendance. with the thanks Of the court.