The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-08-24
DIR. ChancellOr's Report.

mtted report TO Governor Carroll of his
recent inspection of the prisons, almshouses
and charitable institutions of the State, made
by direction of the Governor. He was
charged with the inspection of all aims
houses, prisons, refolmatories and public in
situations in the State, particularly with re-
ference to their sanitary condition, the treat
mcnt of the inmates, and the number of
pduper insane who are confined therein at
the public expense"
The picture he draws of these institutions
is a terrible one, and if his statements are
correct, we have indeed gone back to the
eighteenth century mad-house system of
"Merrie England" His description of the
almshouse and Jail of our own county is as
follows:
HARTFORD COUNTY.
THE AhaSh0uSe is a substantial structure,
but not suitably arranged The general sani-
tary condition was good. The building is oc-
cupied exclusively by the white population,
male and female. The arrangement of the
room is such as to preclude the possibility of
preventing promiscuous association of the
sexes.
The colored female department consists of
Ill the TenT Oh
the main building, which contains but one
room, occupied by eight coored women and
three children; large stove and four rickeLty
untidy beds constitute all the furniture of the
apartment.
The male colored department is also small
one-story frame building, in the rear of the
female department. one room embraced the
whole accommodation for seven colorcd men,
one OF whom was confined 10 his bed by
inlyn Tl,n lol
and dirty.
Tile jul is not adapted to present wants or
to the use OF the separate SYSTEM 1t is inse-
cure Tor the custody of prisoners, carelessy
managed, defective in ventilation, and impcr-
feet in light.
The above, Willie it gives milder picture
of our institutions than is drawn of some
others, is far from the truth in several i'm
portant particulars, and an unjust reflection
upon our county. While the people of Har-
ford do not claim TO monopolize all the ad-
vancement in prison reform in the State, any
intelligent man familiar with our almshouse
and Jail, will freely acknowledge the great
outlay for and corresponding improvement
in the moral and sanitary condition of the
inmates of those institutions So much for
their general condition. Now for the facts.
Recognizing the need of more suitable
buildings for our county poor, the County
Commissioners levied and collected about
$4,000, and built Herewith one of the most
comfortable buildings in the State with
kitchen, dining-room, pantry and furnace.
room in the basement; large hall, with sit.
ting room for the paupers ; large room
separate and distinct for the tramps; four
bedrooms, capable of accommodating two
beds each, with movablc-sash windows, and
door transoms opening on large passage
These rooms are for the benefit of those too
infirm to ascend the stairs to the second floor
The second floor contains nine rooms, of the
same size rs those described, and ventilated in
the same manner. These are divided by
folding doors in the centre, to separate the
sexes, which is done as effectually as it can
be done in any hotel rprivate house. There
is no possibility of a "promiscuous associa-
ton of the sexes" as DR.. Chancellor asserts
DIR. Chancellor describes the apartment for
colored females "a dlapidated one story
frame" with four ricketty bedsteads for eight
pa'pels. Now the building is comparatively
new, having been erected about six wears
ago on the site of one burnt. 1t is 16 by 25
feet, two stories high, with two private rooms
and common one on the second floor No
males are allowed in this department. The
b.dslcads are of iron.
The colored male department is 10 by 36
feet in size, and neither crowded, dirty nor
uncomfortable, notwithstanding the serious
cases Ct disease received therein The bed
ding is changed once II week.
DIR. Chancellor argues that insanity is on
the increase in our Stale, and that increase is
due to the miserable condition of our tails
and almshouses. Speaking for Hartford coun.
fy we can say there has been no increase of
insanity here. Since the abolition of slavery
the insane slaves, previously supported by
their owners las required by law,) have been
sent to the almshouse, and of course make
show of increase. All the durable cases have
been discharged cured the incurable requir-
ing restraint are kept Mt the expense of the
county at Monte Vue Hospital, Frederick, on
account of its better adaptation to their COM
fort.
Why he should dwell with so much force
on the distinction made in the treatment of
the white and colored inmates of our aims
house, each receiving precisely the same treat
ment, we cannot conceive, unless he wishes
to fire the Northern heart" by appealing TO
their sympathes in behalf of the poor negro.
Ills report has created quite sensation
among persons who lose sight of the fact
that the poor creatures who are now recciy.
ing the benefit of public charity have been
inmates of private families and could be no
longer supported and kept at home, on ac-
count of the very mental aud physical mfr
mites which he attributes TO the pollution of
the filthy dens he represents our institutions
10 he. IfDr. Chancellor will suggest some
plan by which inmcrality, with its long train
ofevils, can be eradicated where this class of
people most do congregate, namely, in the
crowded city streets, under his own eye, and
inpnbIc institutions. he will have performed
N hercnlean labor, and merit the character of
philanlhropist indeed.
AS to The condition of the Jail, grand ju.
gies have time and again condemned its i'm
perfect construction, but we are assured by
he physician in attendance there that lis