The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-02
THE GRAND JURY.
AN IMPORTANT PREsENrMENr.


Jury for the November term made their 1nal pre-
sentiment, after the reading Of which they were
thanked by Judge Perce and discharged, The pre-
sentiment s very lengthy but IL is OF such great i'm
portance that we give 1t in full, as follows
The Grand Inquest OF the Commonwealth for the
city and county Of Philadelphia for November ses-
sion 1870, respectfully present that they have had
455 bills submitted to them by the District Attorney
24e OF which they have returned as true. The re-
naming 206 were Ignored.
or the large numbtr OF bills ignored, the great
majority trivial in character that the Grand
Jury feel it q duty incumbent upon them to direct
the special attention Of the honorable Court W the
fact Having understood Chat Ii case % lnsdenlea-
are invested with Certain discretionary powers, the
Jury would respectfully state that in their opinion
been exercised as frequently as or In the direction
they should in the cases submitted TO them In quite
number Of instances, the prosecutors stated to the
jury that they desired the cases to go no further
than the Alderman's office, and that they mad lie
special request to that effect; but their wishes In
these respects appeared to have been entirely dis
regarded, and, as results, persons were committed
to prison, where, for lack OF ability to procure ball.
the pre- sentiment OF their cases to, and their
ignorement by. the Grand Jury released them. AS
the want of ability to procure bail reasonably inn
plies indgent circumstances on the part of the de-
fendsnt the ease not unfrequently becomes one OF
great hardship and especially so when the person
Committed is the head Of family or has others de-
pending upon his or her daily labor for support. In
addition to this, the expense to the county growing
cut Of the large number of these cases-which
might, and the jury think should be settled in the
AldeTman5 Office-is very heavy.
The County Prison.
The Grand Jury visited the County Prison, where,
in every part, evidences OF great care and circum-
spection in regard to cleanliness and wholesome
discipline were apparent. The jury strongly
impressed with the importance OF having increased
cell accommodations ia the male department OF the
prison. There are at present in confinement In this
department 326 male convicts and to accommodate
this large number there but 1874 available cells.
AS large proportion OF these cells are occupied by
cenvicts who, from the nature OF their otfenses,
have been sentenced to separate confinement the
result is that the separate confinement OF the re-
mainder becomes an absolute imposslbility The
salutary effects OF assigning cel to each prisoner
have been so practically and clearly demonstrated in
the wards Of the prison occupied by females and the
Grand Jury is 80 thoroughly convinced of its great
utility, that the extension OF the prison westward
to Twelfth street is most earnestly recommended.
This suggested enlargement would furnish about $50
additional celia, which, in view of the rapid increase
of our city's population, and the constant in-
crease OF crime consequent thereupon would
not be too many; such additional cell cell
necessity which at present exists for combining three
or four, and sometimes more, prisoners in single
apartment. The demoralizing effects of such undue
crowding are too apparent to need demonstration.
1t not uDfrequenty happens that innocent persons,
or least those unframed in crime, are thus by
avoidable necessity brought INTO direct and inti-
mate contact for weeks at a time with hardened
criminals dissoute yae rants, debauched jewellers,
and other vicious prison characters, association
with whom can scarcely fail to result in contamina.
ton. In addition to this-as has been so satisfac
females-separate confinement has terrors for pri-
soner which incarceration In a cell with several
Grand Jury would therefore most respectfully urge
the enlargement alluded to.
The County Almshouse.
The County Almshouse was also visited, where,
at the County Prison, there were ia every depart
ment marked evidences OF thoroughly efficient
the enSe The
eXception--if exception it could be termed-was IN
the insane department, where the oyercrowded
attention to some OF the minor. details
which, but for the referred to, would doubt
less have been observed. In every other respect
this imp Srant department OF the institution was ia
admirable conditional fact attributable mainly to
the efficient direction and management OF the resi-
dent physician, DR.. Richardson The completion OF
the additional buildings authorized by Councils, ard
now in process OF erection, will remove the di1-
There exists in this institution necessity for the
appointment OF competent person whose duty it
shall be to supervise, under the direction of the
Medical Board, the hospital, childrens asylum,
the wards for the aged, and those for mothers with
infants The proposed particular duties of this Ofl-
will be the enforcement OF the strictest cleanli-
ness the careful inspection OF the quality quantity,
time, and manner of serving the food for these
several departments the reporting OF necessary
pairs, etc. ETC. In view OF the immediate pressing
need for the appointment of such an officer, the
Grand Jury respectfully recommend the appropria-
tion by Councils of such sum would be adequate
compensation for the services to be rendered.
The Eastern PentIentiary.
| AT the Eastern Peniteniary the Grand Jury were
particularly struck with the admirable system pur-
sued tnere In Tega1G @ 10 ie
| wide reputation. The jury herewith acknowledge
| the courtesy extended them by the Warden, Dr.
Townsend, who spared no efforts to render the visit
pleasant and instructive one,
The Nerthern Home for Friendless Children
This institution and the Soldiers and Sailors
Orphan Institute connected with it also visited
by the jury. The scrupulous cleanliness which per-
vaded the entire establishment the neat, healthfu
and contented appearance OF the four hundred little
| inmates and their remarkable proficiency in theii
various studies were to the jury incontestaole evi
dences Of thoroughly efficient management. This
Home is doing noble work.
| Girard College.
| careful examination of the various departments
of the college satisfied the jury that its manage
| mentis entrusted to able hands. The remarkably
fine appearance Of the pupils their orderly behavior
and proficiency in their studies, together with tbs
tidiness OF the dormitories and the neat and tria
this great charity are properly directed.
| The House of Refuge.
| At the House of Refuge the jury had an oppOr
| tunity OF witnessing the method OF discipline
adopted, and observed IN it nothing that did moi
merit approval. TIE lsTge water closets in The i'm
! mediate vicinity OF the boys workshops demand
attention. their condition the time OF the Jury:
| visit was not in Keeping with the neatness ant
cleanliness that observable in other portions
| OF the institution. repainting OF some Of the In
terror walls OF the main building Is recommended.
The Public Highways.
| The Grand Jury deem it duty to direct the atten
ton of the Honorable Court TO the condition OF th
cobble stone paving OF number of the princpa
business streets of the CITY, Market street, from
Delaware TO the Schuylk, furnishes apt illustra
tion. The pavement OF thsgreat business thorough
fare, over which such an immense amount OF heaVl
freight is continually passing, is a disgrace TO grea
city like Philadelphia, an imposition upon tax
payers, and discredit 10 the Commissioner OF High
ways.
The sidewalks OF the city are in very maay sec
tiOns deporably out OF repair loose bricks abound
In nun beTess places large portions OF the pavemen
are entirely gone, and in others the inequalities o
the surface under them almost impossible in we
weather. The jury would direct attention 60 thes
manifest violations OF ordinances and dereliction
OF duty on the part OF the supervisors.
general system OF underground drainage foral