Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-07-28
GRAND JURY REPORT.
The POOrhOuse, the County Jail, and
County Affairs Generally.


the following report from the grand Jury
and then adjourned to the next term:
To Hon. John D. Adams, Judge Criminal
Court:
DEAR SIR efore adjourning, we de-
sire to report having visited the county
Workhouse on President island, the
county pOorhOuse, the county pesthouse,
the county jail and city stationhouse.
We found the ststionhouse, county
wOrkhouse and county poorhouse III ex-
cellent condition and under splendid
management. We regret to say that We
did not find the county Jail in Su3h con-
ditiOn as it should be kept. TIE larger
portion of the cells Snd the bedding were
in very filthy condition, and the prop.
er authorities should see to it that new
and decent bedding is furnished, and
the cells be required to be kept clean.
The grand jury would also call the at
tention of the proper authorities TO the
cage or cell used to keep prisoners in
during the setting of the court. This
was found to be in most terribly filthy
condition. disgrace to any commun-
ity, and should be improved or removed.
The county pesthOuse buildings are
well arranged and in good condition;
but the grand Jury, being imbued with
the prevailing spirit of reform, feel COM
PEELED to call the attention Of the proper
authorities and of the taxpayers Of this
county to some extracts from the official
report Of w. 81. Hoegel, Esq., superin-
tendent OF this establishment. From
said report 1t appears that, during the
past quarter, this Institution he's had
four pRtients-three males 6Dd one fe-
male, all colored-aIl of whom have
keen discharged, the average time OF
each being about 35 days. The expense
Of the institution for the quarter, IS per
bill to our quarterly court, for supplies,
is 1857; to this must be added $500, sal
airy of superintendent and physician,
making total of 1887 for the quarter,
or 1921 rs for each patient admitted that
this establishment he's cost the taXpay-
ers Of this county. Among the Items
comprising said bill We find 232 pounds
bacon, 1SS pounds beef, IA chickens, at
SIS per dozen; gallons whisky, at 81
per gallon; $50 pounds sugar, so pounds
rice, so pounds coffee, barrels -four,
barrels meal; butter, eggs aud milk,
bought from w. 81. H0egel, $14; cords
of wood, at 81 SO per cord, bought from
w. II. HOegel; l female nurse at $50
per month for 2 months; l male nurse,
at $45 per month for II months; 1 cook,
at $35 per month, for three months.
The grand jury, realizing the great de-
sire of all our citizens for reform, think
it useless to make further comments on
this subject.
In our examination of the magistrates
dockets we found Esquire P. J. Quig-
ley as showing no date of the ceses
tried from December IS, 1875. Esquire |
Spellman's docket is in such condition
and go indefinite that the grand jury |
could make nothing of it, nor could Els. |
quire Spellman, when called upon, ex-
plain it himself. Esquire MiIIer's docket |
is not kept written up in such order as |
the law requires. The grand jury would |
ASP report that Esquires Miller and |
Spellman are in default es to their re- |
ports and settlements with the State for |
revenues collected by them. They would |
also report that, from an examination OF |
the magistrates dockets, they find the |
county is compelled to pay large
amounts to the magistrates and special
cOnstables a. costs on ceses brought uu.
der the small ottense laws. For example:
the allowances on this score at the Sep
tember term, 1875, and January term,
1876, were $2l12 20, while the receipts
from the same source and time were
1929 15i sho wing a clear loss to the
county Of $l5SS So.
Before closing our report, we beg leave
to call attention to the following con-
densed report OF General N. B. Forrest
for the year ending July l, 1875: Num-
Der Of pris )ners received at the work.
house for the year ending July /, 1876,
"a; average time of sentence and m
hnement, lF5 days; cost to the county
for boarding 224 prisoners rs days, each
at 4Oc per day, SIS $50; amount due the
county for lease of convicts for the year
ending July l, 1876, IA. 783 days labor at
Zoe, Sl478 80; actual amount saved to the
county, ST., l58 80.
The grand jury desire to return thanks
70 your honor, Attorney General l.. E.
Wright, Assistant Attorney. General
Cannon, Clerk Perkins and Constable
George Williams, for coUrtesies and al
,ention shown them,
(. j. b. L. Wiun, RI. Steal
Foreman; James Holmes
I. - /