Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-23


THE DILAPIDATED PooRHoUsE-
On April 18th we visited the county poor
house, without having given any previous
notice of our coming. We found DR.. Dun
tan, the superintendent, on the premises, and
we gave the place full examination. There
are 1l6 inmates in this institution, classified
az follow: Insane persons, 60; Of whom there
are 16 white males, Is white fem ales, -
black males and IA black fvmales; there
Sc INDECENT persons, of whom there are "a
white males, 10 white females, IL black
males and 10 black females. While We can
truly commend the care, diligence and
efficiency of DR.. Duncan in his mausgem MT
of this institution, We found the present
| quarters old and dilapidated, and it gives Us
very great pleasure to report that large
| brick building is nearly completed, and will
| soon be ocen pied We learn, however, from
| Dr. Duncan that il is not contemplated to
| accommodate the insane inmates in the new
building, but only the INDECENT sane persons,
| aud we therefore feel il our duty to recon-
| mend that at the earliest possible time suita-
| bic quarters be provided for the insane who
surely stand in as great need OF comfortable
| apartments as the sane, aud whose claims
| upon our charity are az great. The insane
can be very well provided for until winter in
their present building. hut at that season of
the year they will sud-r greatly from cold,
if soule other than the present arrangement
is not made for them. 4 he general health of
the inmates is good and those who are able
to work are provided with employment,
which in measure pays for their support.
THE CITY HosPITAL K.
We next visited the city hospital and were
kindly received by DR.. Laurence, the super
intendent in charge. We found the entire
pIsce marvel of Beatness and cleanliness,
and we have nothing but words OF praise to
speak in reference to the management OF
this institution. We found 81 patients, Of
which number q are colored and 63 are
white. They all spoke in the highest terms
of DIR. Laurence and assured US that they
were treated in the kindest manner.
DorHEBoYs HALL FARE AT THE ISLAND.
We next visited the county workhouse on
Presidents Island, which we found III charge
of Mr.. w. II. Drummond, lessee. There are
IA prisoners confined there, of which number
SO are n ales and females, c. assifed as fol-
lows: 10 white males and l white female; 80
black males and 5 black females. One OF
the prisoners is a white man committed by
he Circuit Court OF Upton county.
Mr.. Drummond makes quarterly report
to the County Court. These prisoners are
tmployed in general farm work. They
labor during the day under the surveillance
| of guards, and are confined at night in
| quarters provided for the purpose, the
| blacks being separated from the whites.
We think the food furnished the prisoners
improper in quality and insufficient in guam
lity for laboriDg men. We will state what Is
given them, and your honor can form a
Judgment for yourself. For breakfast they
are given corn. bread, made of plain and not
kiln-dried and slightly musty meal, and a
piece of bulk pork: also coffee, and that
without sugar No knives or forks are pro-
yided. The food is given them in a tin
plate, and many of the prisoners not being
furnished with cups are compelled to
drink what Is called coffee, but
which they declare is merely colored
water, from their plates. While We do not
expect high living or fine tableware in a
prison. sill we can see no reason why thu Sc
unfortunate persons should not be furnis he'd
with wholesome food in sufficient quantities,
| and the proper table ware. We will state,
however, that Mr.. DiuumoDd assured us
| that cups would be furnished the prisoners,
| aud that he was not sware that they had not
been provided with them. For dinner the
same amount and kind Of bread and meat is
| given them, and in addition thereto small
| quantity of turnip greens. For supper, only
| corn bread and moiasses. This, IL seems to
us. is insufficient for laboring men, and We
can speak with greater certainty for The rea-
! son that we were present when dinner was
eaten and had ample opportunity to see
| what and how much food Is given these per-
| sons. We found about half a dozen pris-
oners sick, and several Of these were physi-
| cally unable to perform manual labor We
therefore recommend that medical inspec-
| ton be made of The prison at once by some
| competent physician, and especially so, as
| Mr.. Drummond advis US, that some OF the
prisoners should be discharged because OF
| their physical iufirmities. The general ap-
pearance of this prison in point OF c'eanli-
! ness il unfavorable, and while we appreciate
the difficulty of caring for this class OF PEG,
| pie, still we think they are entitled to a
plentiful supply of wa.er, soap and towels
| with proper facilities Tor their Tree use, we
| resret to state that neither soap, towels
nor basins of any kind are provided. The
comp aiots of the prisoners, with one ex,
| ception, are directed princip aliy at the foes
| and the matters which we have just stated
| They have nothing to say against their
| treatment by Mr.. Drnmmopd or his guards
who, We think, are humane men.
THE DAISY JAIL.
We have visited, also, the county Jail
under the care Of Mr.. J. J. Mason, deputy
sheriff. We found it in a remarkably clear
and good sanitary condition. There ART
confined in Jail only fourteen prisoners
of whom eleven are black and tire
white, one of the latter being United
States prisoner. 1t affords US pleasure
TO state that no female is imprisoned in the
Jail The prisoners made no complaint
either as TO their treatment or the food fur
nishtd. We are convinced that Mr.. Masor
discharges his duty with fidelity and iii
cheney. 1t is certainly remarkable that 81
few prisoners are in Jail, AID we think thu
unparalleled by any city OF the size OF Mem
phis in the United States. This fact aion'
speaks volumes for the promptness and yea
NH oh executes
criminal Law.
THE OLD WORN OUT STATION.
| We closed our tour Of inspection with
visit to the stationhouse. 1t is an old ant
WORKOUT structure, on Adams street, and |
wholly unfit for city prison and recorder
court, and il affords Us pleasure TO state tina
we were inform OF the intention OF the cit,
officials 10 provide more suitable building
in the near future.
THE wIND-UP.
In closing this report We desire to unit
cur testimony to the general Judgment
the entire community to the rigorous ant
prompt prosecution of all criminals and tn
iulI enforce ment of the laws, which justl,
entities your honor 10 the very highest com
| meuda ION and the universal esteem ant
good will of the whole community. We ais
desire to CONNIE nd Aitorner General Turne
and his de young assistant, Mr.. Weakley, 10
|
and the full performance Of their onerou
duties. They are certainly most vlgiiani
active and able officers of the law, and Grim
| of every 81 ass and grade meets with speed
prosecution and merited punishment at thel
hands. We also wish to speak IN the highes
terms of praise of General Vaughan. th
clerk of the court, and his able assistants
Mes-rs Capers and J. F. Hunter, and o
Sheriff Ably aud his deputies. All ar
sipgularly capable and most faithful in tn
| performances OF th-ir duties. Indeed, v
ieeI il but Just to remark, that our county
| most fortunate in all her officers. and III
puhlie service is in the YeryAbest hand!
/ Lastly, we desire to thank our own sspscIs
| deputy sheriff, Mr.. Eli E. Colby, for his clos
ana faithful attention in waiting on ihI
grand Jury. He has performed bis dutie
yerv faithfully and is entitled 10 our thanks
which we hereby tender him: -
L PAR IN,
". J. KENNEY,
4 c. KUNKLE
W. t. KENEDAY,
]. SARTORIUS,
c. W. WEST
w T. DONALDSON.
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