Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-08-25

S0Os
public institutions. At the county prison
We were met by Keeper Burkholder and
conducted through that institution. We
found that the prison proper was kept as
clean as possible and the health Of the
prisoners good. Bummers' hall, the off,
cials informed US, it is impossible to keep
clean. During the last prison year 2, 100
tramps, drunks, disorderlies and train
riders were committed. In the months Of
January, February and March the average
number of commitments was 3SS. Tho
large number of persons in bummers' hall
during the winter months, all crowded into
one room, suggests to the jury the pro-
priety of dividing this building into cells,
both upstairs and down, which would make
it more comfortable for the inmates. By
making cells the keeper could control the
men and keep the cells clean.
Convicts, particularly those that have
served long terms, complain of the want of
light in their cells. There does not appear
to be any remedy for the complaint. If
the cell windows are made larger, the
chances presented for escape are in
creased, and a stronger reason why they
should not be enlarged is that the walls,
now in very bad condition. would be
greatly weakened thereby. In the walls
of the prison are a large number of cracks,
the mortar has fallen out from between
the stones, and stones can easily be re-
moved, facts of which the convicts arc
aware. There are 70 cells in the prison for
convicts. We found 1875 inmates. In some
of the cells are two or more convicts.
Sentences by the court at separate and
solitary confinement cannot be carried out.
The question of . new prison has been
much discussed of late and IN the judg-
ment of this grand inquest the time has
arrived to take the preliminary steps look
ing after the erection of a prison suitable
to tho wants of tho county, because of the
great insecurity Of the present structure
and it not being large enough to meet the
demands made upon it, and to prove the
latter statement it is but necessary to
state that at one time during the year
there were $50 persons confined there.
The large lot of ground occupied by the
prison building could be disposed of at
good price. The new prison We would
recommend to be built at such place on
the county farm, as those having the
authority would select. The advantages
III lOC6GluS buO pllSOu O1 Gu0 CUuhty AoJ Ia
are numerous, but the most important is
that proper sewerage could be had. That
is one of tho great defects in the present
building, and was the cause of the spread
of that terrible disease-smallpox-
the last few months.
As to the altering of tho building in the
prison yard 10 make it safe place for the
confinement of convicts in such an emer-
gency as has recently happened, the grand
jury are of the opinion that the money
expended would bo money thrown away.
The building cannot be made secure. 1t
is an ordinary brick structure and cannot
be made of sufficient strength to resist the
attempts of desperate ccnvicts to escape.
We have concluded that q new building
to be used for the purpose above men
toned should be erected at once in the
prison yard, if the prison is to remain at
it's present location.
At the county hospital and insane asy-
lum we were taken in charge by the resi-
dent physician and superinter dent, DR..
McCreary, and conducted through those
buildings. We found everything in CON-
plete order, ard considering that but little
hired help is at the institution, it was q
surprise to the jury that the buildings could
be kept SO neat. Since DR.. McCreary as
sumed charge he has made many improve.
ments, and judging from what we saw, the
jury believe that the poor directors acted
wisely when they created the Office of resi-.
dent physician and selected the present
incumbent. The resident physician and
his family occupy rooms in the hospital
building. In our opinion the services of
the resident physician would be more
effective and his ability to perform his
duties would be greatly improved If he
had a residence outside, but near the hos
pital. That official expressed willing.
ness to pay a rent equal to the interest on
the cost, and we recommend the erection
of such building at reasonable cost.
A petition, of which tho following is a
copy, was presented to US for considera
ton: The petition of the undersigned
board of poor directors of Lancaster coun.
ty represents that they are greatly in need
of building suitable for an infirmary or
contagious disease hospital in connection
with the present hospital and poor house
properties that there have been a num-
ber of applications made to tho said board
for admission to tho hospital, suffering
from smallpox and varioloid, and no suit
able and proper accommodations provided
for such cases, for want of suitable build.
ing.
They therefore respectfully ask the
erection at the most advantageous place on
the county grounds, a building adapted to
the purpose of au iafirmary or contagious
disease hospital.
(Signed JOHN EVANS,
JACOB 8. KELLER,
B. II. LONGENECKER,
HENRY MUssER,
MARTIN KREIDER,
r. w. BARD.
The grand inquest feeling the great i'm
portance of having such building, favor
its erection, at 2 moderate cost but be-
fore contracted for, would recommend that
other buildings intended for similar use bo
inspected by the proper authorities, SO
that we will obtain a hospital for conta.
gious diseases, built on the most approved
sanitary plan, and one that will meet with
the approval of the taxpayees.
A communication was also handed US
by your honor from the board of health of
Lancaster city, in reference to tho tran
sportation of people sick with contagious
diseases to tho county hospital. There is
not a conveyance at the county farm avail
able fOs that purpose. We would recon-
mond that an ambulance be built for the
transporting of sick to the county hospital
by the poor directors, after receiving
from the resident physicians
as to its proper construction.
At the almshOuse we were met by the
steward. We examined every room in the
house, from tho basement upwards, and
found everything in complete order, re-
fecting great credit on the management of