New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-05
Ey-SHERIFF BRENNAHS CLAIMS.

PRFSENTNfENT BY THE GRAND JURY-TIiE COUNTY
INSTITUTIONS.
The Grand Jury of the Court of General
Sessions made presentment Saturday before their
discharge on the condition of the city and county ns-
tuons and Sheriff Brennans bills They reported that
Bellevue Hospital III excellent condition In the
House OF Detention there was general cleanliness nut
the atmosphere OF several of the dormtories was very
impure In this building observed two girls, one
foreign subject who have been held in custody AS wit
nesses in homicide for six months The jury con-
slider il not only a hardship but great wrong and an
infringement OF individual rights to keep the innocent
in on ,tody for so long period Notwithstanding 1t may
be for a public benefit 1t must not only nave oe-
moraizug eject upon the Young but must lead 70 habits
of denes aud possibly 20 vice also, IRON assOclathg
necessarily with the many of the lower Glass; s,
who are also confined there as witnesses. Inc
inmates are obliged perform all the menlal serNl
ces ppertainng to their dormtores. The jury protects
against tins The Ludow-st JAN was generay cieah,
although several cells were lthy The CIV fflson wa
in good clean condition, but for want room many OF
the ccls;were overerowded there Deng Two or me-
of the great expense that will be incurred III Tue puI
chase OF ground, and in the destruction ana erection W
huildncs under the act for new city Prison venture
the opinion that healthy site can be found than
present block OF the CITY Prison, ana none more
convenient 10 the courts, and would recommend the
erection Of addition cell buildings the line OF Elm or
the side streets, which would leave ample YARD room
They recommend the Common Council the passage OF
AN ordinance asking the Legislature Tor repeal OF the
aforesaid act authorizing TIC ACQUIRING Oh gtounu nDt
the Jury say The Grand Inquest have had under con
sderaton the bills OF the Sheriff against the county TOT
supplies furnished TO the County jail from Jan 10 NOV
l. 1872 inclusive, amounting to s25.4j7 "a. ana WIN
view investigating the correctness ol te SAINT naNo
called upon Warden Tracy, directed through the DIS
rict Attorneys Office for the average daily NUMBER OF
prisoners confined therein for the period OF these DIS
and daily number or Uniteu states pronors
confined therein for the me ana the amount re-
ceved from United States for their support which
Information has not been furnished. IL appears tnat
there is no check whatever upon the Sheriff or his
warden in the purchase of such supplies and that the
general bills OF the warden Tor monthly supplies are
attested and sworn to by him rs correct; mat the
Seryices have performed by due authority, ana
that the prices just aud reasonable; ana the
the OF the jail that the services were
performed and that the prices just ana reasonable
And the certificate OF the Board OF Supervisors declares
the bills be audited and allowed, ana direct The Con-
troer 10 nay the same. Section chapter 49, laws OF
is47 reads ono shall be audited by any Board
of Town Auditors SUPERVISORS or Superlntendens OF
the Poor for any disbursements unless such
account shall be made out in items" Accompanying
the bills herein referred to- there are no receipts or
vouchers and many OF the articles named that no
stated simply gross without items quantity or price
DER gallon pound therefore, IN the absence OF
such items bills vouchers and the absence OF weight
or 0uanlty of the goods, not such auditing
fraudulent, wiful. and corrupt and where no compe
triton is had as IN the OF furnishing the supplies,
the Grand Jury taken (as they beleve) competent
Testimony that the prices charged IN These Dlis were 20
per cent above current rates and II the daily average
nuber OF prisoners had been furnlsned TINS DOdy az
ennred we should been able 10 ascertain the cost
per day for the support OF each I'D coneinslon Tue
Grand Inquest would recommend to the Board OF
contract system for the FURNISHING ana
preparing of all supplies and the household regulations
OF SAID County jail.