Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1872-12-20
To the Citizens Of Montgomery County.


Upon examination of the Report Of the
Grand Jury to the November term of the Cir
cult Court, find that it contains grave errors
in regard to the onditon of the Jail. The
report states
We find the beds and bedding entirely
insufficient, and not in character and quantity
proper to keep the prisoners comfortable
Many without a single blanket, and none WIN
more than one. Some covered with an Old
and ragged quilt on but poor and small bed,
lying FLAT upon the floor
The fact is that some Of the rooms are not
supplied with beds and bedding because they
have not been occupied during the past sea-
son those rooms that are and have been oc-
cupicd are supplied with beds, made of sound
strong ticking, of good quality: well filed
with straw, and provided in no case with less
than double blanket, new, and of good qua
lily. No prisoner confined in the Jail since
the November Term of 1871 has, TO my know
ledge, suffered for want of bedding, clothing,
or food and if there have been any old dirty
ragged quilts about, or in the cells, have not
seen them. Again. the report says
Iue hluuONs III lut u pHGI lltt vi NSiic nv
without frames, glass, or bars with nothing
to keep out the Weather but old comforts and
rags nailed over the openings"
Now, there are seven upper cells, with
window in each, and two in the hall, making
in all, nine; but two are without sash and
glass, ard all have bars the frame Of one
other window does not fit up SO as to exclude
the air, and over fiat and the two open win
dows the jailer has nailed up pieces of carpet,
and these are the rags that are nailed up about
the house. AS to the furnace in the basement
it had fallen into dsuse before the Jail came
under my supervision but there's placed about
midway inrhe hall large cylinder stove, fell
ply sufficient for imparting necessary warmth
to the building.
AS for the windows being open and other
necessary Improvements neglected, il is be-
cause Mr.. John 7. Benson had contracted
with the County Commissioners 10 dos th4
work, which, in spite of their and my import
tunilies, he has failed to do. The reason thd
Commissioners assigned for Withholding FROM
me authority TO make these needed repair]
was, that Mr.. Benson had public funds in bib
hands and they thought it the best way TO gel
them. But lie stands in the back ground
with this money in his pocket, while stand
in 'front.' with money out Of pocket-aavanced
TO the county-to receive the blow and feel
the sting Of report which holds out to publid
view all officially connected with the managed
ment of the Jail Except the jailor) as cruel
and inhnman monsters. The report sayj
(,ohat admit) that the beds lie FLAT upon thd
floor but was not aware (till informed by|
the Grand Jury) that it had been the custom
to provide bedsteads and feather beds for these
halls of repentance.
/ will venture the assertion that many with
in the borders OF our Commonwealth, whose
exemplary lives have kept them beyond the
reach of courts and jpres, have lodged their
children and servants upon the floor, and have
not disdained to call into requisition m old
ragged quilt in an emergency, nor hesiiated
to nail piece Of carpet over an open window,
when sash and lights were not at hand.
| do not wish 10 be understood as arraying
myself against the Grand Jury as a body |
believe then above reproach, many of them,
my personal friends 6M ask 10 knoc how
many of them went into the cells and made a
careful examination Of the condition Of the
beds and prisoners, and are now prepared to
sustain the report as it stands upon record
and appears in public p7iut; with them take
direct issue, and challenge investigation before
courts and juries, churches and people.
Very respectfully,
TH0S. WATERS, s., Sheriff.