The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-05-11
REPORT OF TERRITORIAL GRAND JURY.
Second Judicial District, Montana, May
Term, 1888.
GRAND JURY Rooms,

| GRAND JURY Rooms,
DEER LODGE, Montana.
To the Hon. W. J. Galbraith, Judge Second
Judicial District, Montana
We, the members of the Territorial Grand
Jury, for the May term, 1883, beg leave to
submit the following report:
| We have found ourselves and the county
fortunate in the fact that we have had no i'm
portant business in the criminal line to initi-
ate or continue in the line Of legal uncertain
ty.
We visited the United States Peni-
Tertiary, in charge Of Warden Botkin, and
found the prison proper containing twenty
eight cells, with eighty-six prisoners to be
provided for. By doubling up prisoners, the
| Warden had provided for fifty-six prisoners
/ within the prison, the other thirty being cor
rallied in outside shauties within the board
| fence of the prison enclosure, portion Of
which blew down short time ago during the
prevalence Of n storm. The kitchen depart
,, ment is entirely too small, and inadequately
i! furnished. With this large number Of pris-
oners we found only five guards who have to
guard day and night, and with this statement
of facts we would respectfully call the atten-
L
the Attorney General to the necessity of in
creasing the guards until the prison can be
enlarged. We refer to this matter In all seri-
business, as we fear that criminal negligence
on the part of the officers Of the Government
who have the management Of the Peniten-
| tiary in charge in net supplying sufficient
guards. for the safe-keeping Of convicts, seri-
ously endangers the lives and property Of the
citizens Of the locality in which the Peniten-
tiary Is situated. So far ~ the management
of the prison, with the facilities for careful
guarding Of the prisoners is concerned, the
best is now done that can be done, but the
lives Of the Eve guards are In constant peril,
and should nothing be done by the general
government the Territory should provide
some measures to insure the safe-keeping of
the constantly increasing number Of con-
| victs.
We visited the County Hospital, In charge
of the Sisters Of Charity, and found 1t neat,
clean, commodious, and comfortable and
everything needful provided for the care Of
invallds.
The County Jail management was found
satisfactory In all respects.
The Board OF Health-A recent statute
gives this Board absolute power to enforce
| all needful regulations and rules to ensure all
sanitary requirements, and we would urge
upon said Board lin view Of the fact that
neighboring towns and cities are threatened
with contagious diseases) the necessity Of en-
forcing the law in regard TO cleanliness In
its minutest particular.
The attention Of the proper authorities is
called to the recent law in reference to the
location OF Powder Houses within prescribed
limits.
We would also cali the attention Of the
| several Road Supervisors to their duties In
reference to the removal Of distractions frem
the public highways, and especially to those
on the roads between Deer Lodge aud Cable,
and Deer Lodge, Warm Spring, and the
county line south, by bitches and overflow
of irrigating water.
We would also repeat the recommendation
Of former Grand Jury, "that no roads be
changed unless shorter or better road bed
be secured, or by legal authority and believ-
ing IL to be the province Of the local officers
to enforce the removal OF obstruction OF
whatever kind from the highway, this Grand
Jury believe said authority should be exer-
cised before presenting such matters here"
We would urge the working Of the prison.
ers In our county jail whenever possible on
the streets and roads.
All Of which IL most respectfully submitted,
ADDISON SMITH, Foreman
J.E. DrcKEv, Clerk.