Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-27
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Specially Reported for the Daily Globe
GRAND JURY.

GRAND JURY.
Report on the Poor Fd,'na---some Remark.
about the Hotei Ge 1ho7noson---If0UinI
the Pauper Dead--RenlOvnI Of S,lnt. Lock.
scood--Sonee Good Recommendation.
The grand jury came in about 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, and instead Of making
q presentment against the board of county
commissioners, make, in many respects, 6
fattering report of their action in relation
to the management of the poor farm. II
may be as we'll to say that in all human prob.
ability, if there is anything further SAID
about the poor farm business, it will not be
in relation to the action of the county com
missioners, and it will be to show up fully
and completely the management of the farm
during the past few years The report as
submitted by the grand jury, is as follows:
The committee appointed on county affairs
report that the grand jury of Hennepir
county having visited the county jail find
the same in good order as regards cleanli-
ness and general condition of the prisoners
and the food furnished is reported by the
inmates to be of good quality, and in suf-
ficient quantities. The jury are of the
opinion that the jail should be improved il,
regard to ventilation, as under the present
arrangement the upper cells are uncomfort-
ably warm, while the lower ones are too cold
and recommend that an expert be employed
to remedy the defect. Also recommend that
the county commissioners, at an early day,
take steps to establish county workshop for
the employment of persons during their con-
inement in the county jail.
The jury also visited the county poor
farm, and fud by inquiry ana observation
that the general success of the farm has been
good, and that the management OF the super
intendent IS regards crops, stocks, ETC.,
has been entirely satisfactory to the county
commissioners.
The jury also find the inmates co1nforta-
bly, situated in the new building, and from
their own evidence and that of the county
commissioners, are of the opinion that the
quality of the food is az good as it should be
in such Institutions, and is supplied to
them in sufficient quantities, also,
that their clothing and bedding
seemed to be fully but iudiciously supplied.
The jury are of the opinion that the new
house is convenient and substantial and that
the county commissioners should have credit
for building the same for the very low figure
of $11, 500.
While there is some division of opinion in
regard to the change of location, we think
upon the whole the change is judicious.
Our attention has been called to the mat
ter of moving the dead at the poor farm
and from evidence received are of the opin-
ion that one or two bodies were covered up
and left, and that it is the duty of the county
commissioners to see that the contractor fills
his contract in FULL also recommend that a
suitable stone be placed at each end of the
trench in which the dead were buried.
In the matter of the removal of Superin-
tendent Lockwood the jury have carefully
inquired of the witnesses they have called
before them and find that he is careful
and efficient superintendent and regret that
the county commissioners saw fit to remove
so efficient an officer, and from allsthe infor-
nation we can gather such removal is great
ly to the detriment of the best interests of
the county and the successful management
of the poor farm.
Also, that we approve of the new system
of keeping the accounts of toe poor farm
adopted last spring by the county commits
sioners, as in our opinion all the affairs of
the county shyuld be held to the strictest &C
ccuntabiity, and we recommend Mr.. Lock
woods reappointment upon the condition
that he obey the orders of the county COM
missioners.
The jury are of the opinion that in appro-
priating and expanding the money for roads
and bridges that hereafter all such work
amounting to 800 or more should be adver-
tised and let to the lowest bidder, and all
amounts less than 800 be expended by the
town supervisor, and would recommend
that the same course should be taken in pur-
chasing supplies for the farm, and that no
money be paid out Of the treasury until all
work on such contracts has been accepted
and approved.