The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-05
THE GRAND yURy's REPORT.

Condition of the Home of the Aged ant
| Jnarm I'm New Orleans.
| For long time past it has been the habit o
our grand iuries to commend, without guarded
measure Of terms, the management of our sev
eral charitable institutions. From the repor
given below IL will be seen that the presen
grand inquest has carefully performed it's duties
as instructed by Judge Whitaker. The CRANE
| jury is one OF the most important bodies con
| nected with our system of judcature, and I,
them are intrusted matters of the greatest i'm
| portance to our city. Their recommendation
ought to be considered carefully and re garded b,
| the authorities. Disinterested as the member
are, their opinions ought to have great weigh
| with the authorities.
The following report was yesterday made b,
the Grand Jury:
| To the honorable the Judge Of the guperio,
Criminal Court for the parish Of Orleans:
Your Grand Jury in the fulfIlment OF further
duties devolving upon them, as regards vista
tions TO the public institutions which are depend
ent upon patronage or assistance from The cit,
treasury, respectfully beg leave to submit this
additional special report, which has reference to
the Home of the Aged and Infirm, situated Al
the corner Of ADnunclation and Calliope streets
which we have formally inspected as body an i
mend the assiduity of the matron in charge + I
maintaining order and cleanliness, we regret the
necessity which eonstraips US to reflect upon the
absence OF that comfort with waich fellow
creatures Frustrated by the heavy hand of de-
crepitude and nfrmity should be provided,
We found here, according 10 the report of the
Mstrop, 68 inmates, comprising 45 males, IA fe-
males tadults) and children. OF the adults 4
are blind, l is psrayzed. is thought to be in
sane and are ILL., OF the children, Q are idiotic,
rf hnnn IcH n
iects for this institution, but should be provided
with more salubrious quarters where careful
nursing and medical treatment might tend to-
ward assauging the severity Of their respective
ailments, which seems impracticsble there.
The building is dilapidated and in it's appoint
ments is far from being suited for the uses to
which it is applied.
The sleeping accommodations are not such AZ
would be likely to promote either health or com.
fort, some OF the beds being devoid of mattress
es, and many OF them thus provided are no able
for the inferiority of these Injuries.
The apartments used ss dormitories are gen.
orally overcrowded, but this defect can be over
come in measure by the removal of certain
temporary partitions, thereby affording to the
Occupants thsbeneht OF fire-plsces, which can be
made common to s.
large and well-ventilsted apartment. now
used as sitting room for visitors and az A
chapel, should be converted into dormitory,
which would serve to relieve some OF those at
present overerowded.
The attic, in which few were found chartered.
is not desirable or fitted to the purpose of a
sleeping apartment; is cheerless and eomfort-
less, besides being difficult of access BY reason
OF the unsuitable stairs
In an outbuilding on the premises, which is
deprived of all proper qualities for human habi-
tatlon, we found seven OF Gods creatures min
gled together regardless Of sex land said to be 30
from preferencel, four OF whom, though colored.
are nevertheless worthy Of more comfortable
accommodations. and should be removed into the
main building.
Wherefore, we suggest that said outbuilding be
substituted for the kitchen. and the latter apart
ment then utilized as place Of abode.
Finally, we respectfully recommend that the
authorities see to it that the blind and sick be
removed to more appropriate receptscles for
their comfort, and that the children who are con-
traband here be provided with homes in proper
asylums, and that such relief ne afforded to the
unfortunates as will tend toward the
smelioration OF their necessitous condition.
Oourteously submitted,
D. r. GRAHAM, Foreman.