Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-24
FIRST EDITION.
Report OF the Grand Jury.

huBMirrAh or IT'S WORK TO THE CouRT-ACTIOY
ON INDICTMENTS OUR ovfH-CRowDED JAIL AND
REMEDY.
The Grand Jury rose, yesterday afternoon at
A. 30, and descending to the Court-room presen-
ted the following report:
To The Honorable J,uiges of ne GeaeTal Ses-
sions Of ute Peace anl jail D,iiuey'y:
The Grand Inquest for the body of New Cas-
tlo County respectfully make report that at the
present term, they have acted on 3O5 bills, of
Which 2J5 were found true and 50 ignored or
the true bills, SO were for felonies aud go were
for msdemeanors OF the latter 1iG were for
violations OF the liquor laws, and 60 were for
violations of the revenue laws.
The attention Of the Grand Inquest was drawn
by the Court at tho May term to the deplorable
increase OF crime in this county, particularly to
the alarming crimes OF arson, burglary and high
way robbery, and, although the calendar at the
present time ia very large, it is some enjoyment
TO good citizens to be able TO state that no bills
for arson, burglary nor highway rubbery--an
but one for bousebreaking We been laid before
us--which result may he ascribed TO the speedy
arrest and punishment OF the perpetrators OF
these crimes.
But it is q matter OF very serious regret that
the Court was compelled at the present term to
again call our attention to the great number OF
criminal charges and that of those, u number
were unprecedented in the history OF the county
were of the highest grades known to the law.
IL il to be hoped that this state OF affairs will not
continue and when consideration IL given to the
fact that during the summer months, hundreds
perhaps thousands OF unemployed persons, not
citizens OF the state or county, comprising among
their number great many Incorporate and de.
praved persons gathered from all the large cities
near us we're wandering over the country, the
community may perhaps be thankful that grea-
ter number OF serious crimes were not commit
ted. N s
In visit to the Jail the Grand Inquest were
struck with its crowded condition. They would
suggest that this could be aleviated in some
measure, il committing magistrates wond die-
pose finally of small misdemeanors instead of
sending tho accused person to jail which lat
ter course in many cases works injustice, be-
sides considerable expense to the countryand oil
parties concerned. Despite the crowded state
OF tho jail it was found very clean and in excel
lent order and the prisoners in very good
health.
A commttee.of the Grand Inquest visited the
Amshouse during tho month of October The
committee report that the institution is excel
lently managed; that the inmates are healthy
and well cared for ip every respect and that the
grounds and buildings are in good order except
the apartment for colored persons, which the
committee recommend should be put in proper
repair at once. The inconyenient, badly lighted
and ill ventilated Court House. and the cramped
condition Of the county officers, force themselves
upon the notice of the Grand Inquest yet they
cannot recommend any expenditures whatever
for the erection of the new county blnldingsnor
for the alteration or repair OF the old ones, nor
for the enlargement OF the jail, while the proper
location of the Court House il an agitated ques-
ton with the people of tho county. All of which
is respectfully submitted.
N WILLIAMS, Foreman.
CHAs. G. ASH, Clerk.