The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-09-20
ssREST. GRUFIsFi'S REPORT
Condition of CeciPs Jail and
AImShOUSe,

G.. 5. Griffith, president of the prisoners
aid association of Maryland, of his recent
visit to the Jail and almshouse of this
county. Very much of what Mr.. Grif-
fifth says is true, though we think he is
too severe in some particulars :
81 have just returned from visiting the
iails and a:mshouses of Cecil and Balti-
more counties, and found in the Elkton
Jail 81 inmates. OF this number ten
were insane or partially demented, two
were committed on serious charges-one
for rape and the other for rape and muir
der also "A colored woman and two boys
| was shocked to find so many helpless
insane committed to this Jail, not for
crimes, but only for safe keeping. James
Anderson, an insane white man, has
been incarcerated here for II years, with
the exception of a short intervening
space that he was liberated, but soon re-
committed. as it was found too danger
Gus to allow him his freedom. Another
man, w. Mckeaver. has been confined
one year. We think that this kind of
treatment to such class of poor, irrita-
BILE fellow beings is inhuman and cruel,
especially as there are so many suitable
institutions where they could be sent
and their condition improved by proper
appliances and at no higher cost to the
counties than in a common jail, where
they are surrounded by criminals and
wicked, exciting influences. This prac-
tice is disgrace to any Christian com
munity and should not be tolerated in
this nineteenth century, with its wide
progress in reforms and charitable insti-
buttons. On the ground of economy
alone there is no advantage to the county
to send their insane paupers to the Jail,
as the amount of cost per capita is As
cents per day, or $l64.25 per annum, and
when the incumbent expenses are inclu-
ded of medicines, etc, it will average at
least to 5000. Such patients can be plac-
ed in Spring Grove Asylum, Mount Hope
or Montevue Hospital, near Frederick
City, for $50 per capita per annum. In
these institutions they have the proper
appliances to promote health and restore
the mind when possible. | had the
pleasure of meeting DR.. John II. lamar,
the attending physician at the Jail, who
went with me over the entire premises,
which we thoroughly inspected, and
learned the particular condition o. the
inmates. The doctor spoke cut in the
strongest and most decided manner
against the policy pursued by the county
in committing insane pauperS to the Jail.
He said emphatically that the grand jury
had again and again recommended that
some ether provision should be made for
their safe keeping and protection. am
glad to say that found the sanitary con-
dition of the Jail fair and the cells cleans
but | seriously object to its management
and discipline. The sheriff does not pay
the proper attention to classifying its in
mates as he should. When we entered
the corridor we found all the inmates out
and freely intermingling together, with
out any restrictions whatever being plac-
ed upon either the men, women or boys.
We have found all such license shame
fully abused and very demoralzing and
not uncommon i'll the county jails, and
thus they become like pesthouses of evil
instead of institutions for punishment
and the suppression of crime. The cells
are large aud the prisoners could be kept
in them the greater part of the day and
let out only at stated hours and in certain
classes for healthful exercise. This could
be done without the fear of escape as
very high wall surrounds the yard.
1--WE have furnished the institution
with bibles and other good reading mat
ter, as requested by the doctor and the
inmates.
The Cecil County almshouse is brick
building located four miles from Elkton,
on farm containing one hundred and
fifty acres, on an elevated point COM
handing beautiful view of the sur
rounding country, but inadequate for the
purpose, especially for the insane. The
present superintendent and wife do not
appear to understand the duties pertain
ing to their office, and are very inefficient
in their attention and management.
When | inquired how many paupers
were i'll the institution neither one could
tell or even approximate the number.
However, judge they have about forty,
including many aged, sick and deeply
afflicted, and two infants, one is only
three weeks old, the child of a demented
white woman the father is a colored
man both are paupers. This shows the
necessity and Importance of more
watchful and careful eye. We have rec
commended the appointment of an active
nation, one who has had some exper-
fence in the work. The entire discipline
very unsatisfactory the sick and aillict-
ed need more attention. We found the
want of more mattresses and the led
clothes dirty.
1--WE have addressed res pectful COM
munication to the honorable board of
county commissioners, calling their at
tention to these defects, which we trust
will speedily be corrected. When Mr..
and Mrs. Pluck had charge things wore
a very different appearance. They held
the position of superintendent and mat
ron for fourteen years, and it is always
to be deplored when good officers are re-
moved. When they prove themselves
acceptable and well qualified for the
place they should be retained, and not
lost to an institution through any politi-
cal or partisan motive.
Brick Meeting House Items.
The farmers have threshed their wheat
and oats and have the largest yield for
the past twenty years. Buckwheat is
looking well, although the dry weather
has been hard on its growth.
DR.. Jas. A. Mearns has been quite i'll
! but is now on the road again.
1t is reported here that Capt. O. G..
Kidd has permanently settled III Chester,
Pens. Why or wherefore the Captain
took his flight from this pleasant spot is
a question. Some say it was because he
was Eighty and wanted to fly away from
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