New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-13

The rate there is sixty cents per day and ;
dollar for turkeys fees in each case. Al
examination of commitments made by TN
various Recorders during the month dis
closes the fact that by far the majority were
sent there for five DAYS. At sixty cents pei
day, this would be three dollars. and - turn
keys fees another dollar or eighty cents
per day; when the cost for their imprison
ment at the Workhouse for the same periot
would be but ninety cents-a clear saving
to the city of lust three dollars and ten cent;
in each case.
But. in the face of these facts. the las:
Grand Jury has submitted to the crimina
court a report as a final act of its oificia
obligations characteriZing the 1" condition
of the WOrkhouse as disgusting and de
plorable; that a few miserable victims OF
poverty are supported at a large expense to
the city that its officers enjoy a sort OF
sinecure. and recommend the abandonment
| of the present buildings and the transfer OF
| the present and future subjects OF industrial
reform to the Parish Prison 1t adds I'VE
are satisfied that considerable economy
would be effected by such a measure" a
satisfaction, | opine, few enjoy who foot the
expenses.
In view OF these statements recommend
that Recorders be compelled to send to the
Workh"use all cases where imprisonment
tor violation OF city ordinances is the alter
native, in default of the payment OF &, fine
! am clearly OF the opinion that the Parish
Prison was designed as place of incarcer-
ation Tor those who are guilty of heinous
crimes, and upon whose imprisonment the
safety OF the community depends and not
place of refuge for miserable victims Of
poverty"
Recorders express themselves reluctant
about committing to the Workholse as the
constitution of the United States guaran-
tees trial by jury in criminal cases Judg-
ing from the bill of the criminal sheriff for
maintenance of prisoners. do not see how
commitments to the parish prison bring Of
tenders nearer to trial by jury, as the
records of the month show that all who
were committed there somehow neglected
the opportunities, if they had any, of such a
hearing: and what is most strange to me. in
almost every instance those who were COM
mitted for five days fees, those for ten
days. eleven days fees, and SCION Another
strange circumstance III the payment of
the Sherif"s bill on the approval Of the
Judge of the First District Court: The bill
for the month shows 64i commitments
OF this number only twenty-five
Court, and the balance were sent
by Recorders, for minor Offenses in most
instances, in default Of the payment
Of small fine. This fact goes to sustain
my opinion about the Parish Prison being
properly place OF confinement for cri,:li
mails whose liability to escape from less Sc
cure prisons would be hazardous to the
community. Every well regulated city has
a PRISON under jurisdiction and mana cement
OF Its own authorities, and am satisfied
that II the Recorders will send every case to
the N0rkhOuse that could be and should be
sent there, a saving of at least sixty per
cent would be realized to the city In ex-
aiming these accounts have noticed other
features which, at some future dav. | will
communicate to the Council
INDECENT SICK AND DEAD.
During the month there were eighty
three sick removed to hospital and twenty
nine burials. The city physician of the
Fifth District attended twenty-five cases of
INDECENT sick.
BOYS EOUSE OF REFUGE.
The average number of inmates in this
institution during the month was l0i. The
cost Of subsistence for this number and
thirteen officers and employees, including
bread furnished by themselves, amounted
to $G14 A., or nineteen and one-half cents
per day each.
EXPENDITURES
In consequence of the lilapidated condi- |
hon OF the fence and some of the build |
ngs. considerable expense has been in |
'urred this month in making the place Sc |
;ure. The recent cold weather rendered |
t necessary to buy the usual winter outfit |
If warmer clothing. and care has been
aiken to purchase this material at the best