The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-12-18
REPORT
GRAND JURY.
ON THE
Condition of the AlmshOuSe and
Jail.
NOVEMBER TERN, 1874.

TO tue Honorable tie Judges
Of the Circuit Court for HaiJ0rd County.
The Grand Jury, for November Term,
1874 have the honor to submit the following
report
That, in pursuance of the requirements of
law, they have visited the Jail of the County,
and although they cannot but entirely en-
dorse the representations made by previous
Grand Juries, of its entire unfitness for the
purposes for which it was intended, still, they
cannot at this period Of depression in all the
industrial pursuits of the country, and when
the burden of taxation borne by our citizens,
for things absolutely necessary, is so heavy,
recommend the construction of another Jail,
and to undertake to repair or remodel the
present one would be money thrown away.
Such as it is, however under the charge and
direction of the present Sheriff, Mr.. VIM. B.
Jarrett, it is made to. subservc the purpose
for which ii was erected, in the care of and
sate-keeping of the prisoners, in as satisfac.
tory manner as possible. 1t is evident, that
every precaution is taken to promote the
health of the prisoners, by enforcing the ne
ccssary rules for ensuring the cleanliness of
the cells, and the clothes and persons of the
inmates, and furnishing them with a proper
diet.
tanning, according to the Sheriff's report to
the Grand Jury, the following prisoners:
One man (negro) awaiting sentence for
murder, two men (negroes) awaiting trial for
murder, one man (negro) awaiting sentence
| for assault with intent to kill, one man
| (white) awaiting sentence for larceny, one
man (negro) awaiting sentence for larceny,
eight men (negroes) awaiting trial for lar
ceny, one man (white) awaiting trial for lar
ceny, one man (negro) serving out sentence,
two men (white) for action OF Grand Jury,
one man (negro) and woman and child me
groes) ditto, one boy (white) awaiting trial
for assault and cutting, one boy (negro) as
State witness, one man and woman (white)
| for breach of peace, one woman and child
| (negroes) ditto.
A committee of the Grand Jury, consisting
of Messrs. VIM. r. Martin, Alexander AID,
ans and Samuel G. Scarf visited the Aims
House, and report that there are now TWEEN.
ty-four inmates, dependent upon the charity
of the county, and the committee were truly
gratificd to find that the institution was
most admirably conducted, in every respect
by the overseer, Mr.. Smith. Under the I'M
mediate direction of the matron, Mrs. Smith
wife of the oyerseer the rooms are kept in
complete order, the beds and bedding arc
clean and comfortable, and the entire man
agement of the household matters reflects tho
highest credit upon this estimabc lady. Al
the inmates seemed to be happy and comfort
able, they were all cleanly and appeared tt
I've comparatively healthy. Nothing coult
be seen, in the judgment of the committee
that they could recommend to be added to TIT
improvement of the building, or comfort o
the inmates, except that curtains or blinds
should be furnished for the windows, and
larger range placed in the kitchen.
The Grand Jury regret to have to inform
your HonorS that while most of the witness
cs summoned before us have promptly ap
peared, yet there are many who were no
thus prompt, some not appearing for sevcra
days after the summons was returned "scrv
ed" some requiring an attachment to bring
them, and some have not yet appeared BY
such negligence or design on the part of wit
nesses, it can readily be perceived that the
public business has been delayed, the cours,
of justice DISTRACTED, and our session pro
longed. Our attention has also been callet
to the fact Of how little many of the witness
es know of any presentable matter, and how
many witnesses there were who knew abso
lutely nothing nor could they imagine fo
what purpose they were summoned w,
are aware that such occurrences are not me
with at every session of Grand Jury, but q
this term they have been unusually numer
ous so much so, that we are forced to be
lieve that there were some, who by false rep
reservations to those authorized to order ,
summons, got themselves placed on the lis
of witnesses, and then delayed appearing Il
our door for the mere purpose of increasin!
their days of attendance. We respectful,
call the attention of your Honors to thi
matter, resting assured, that if the evil cai
be removed by any action of yours, that tn
remedy will be applied.
In conclusion, we would recommend tina
more attention be paid to the preservation O
the Court House, and the grounds surround
ing it. The woodwork and interior wall
of the building require painting and white
washing, and the paling enclosing TIN
grounds is in sadly dilapidated condition
There are a few other necessary addition
needed to the Court House, which will ad,
vastly to the comfort of the officers of, an.
those attending the several Courts, whc
will naturally present themselves to the con
sideration of the County Commissioners, an,
it is TO hoped that the small outlay requsit
for these repairs and improvements will b
promptly appropriated by that Honorable
body.
Submitted by order fthe Grand Jury.
JNO. CARROLL WALSH,
decd Foreman