Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14


The jail has also been visited, and we were
pleased tn observe that everything connected
with the corridor and cells appeared to be
kept clean and in good ord r. The prisoners
generally appear to be satisfied with the care
taken Of them, and it seemed to us that they
had for the most part a sufiiciency of goo
food. In two respects we would recommend
an Improvement. On Sundays the prisoners
receive only pound loaf OF bread and a
little molasses and coffee. We deem
this insufficient for their proper support and
do not .hink this day OF the week should be
selected for meagre supply Of food We
also notice that some Of the prisoners do not
seem TO be furnished as often as should be
with change Of clothing. While upon this
subject we desire to condemn in the strongest
terms, the present practice Of bringing the
prisoners whether untred (and therefore,
perhaps innocenD or condemned through the
streets of New Castle and Wilmington on foot
in gangs and chained two and two together.
1t ID most repulsive and demoralizing
spectacle, and il, in addition, an unsafe way
of conveying them, as the sheriff has not a
force sufficient to prevent their escape. We
recommend that one or more prison vans be
at once provided.
1t is our impression that the present tramp
law is not enforced AZ it should
be, or, if it is, that more stringent
measures should be adopted to abate
this dangerous and demoralizing NUS
ance. We would earnestly recommend that
those measures which have been found
efficient in other parts OF the country,
especially such as relate to making vagrants
work at breaking stones or some other labor
ious occupation should be adopted, The
usual sentence, that OF 20 TO 80 days in the
county prison, is, for them, no punishment
at all.
We deem this a proper opportunity to
recommend that immediate measures be
taken to provide a true reformatory institu-
tion or house OF correction for juvenile dc.
linquents. II is an especially favorable time
for this, as public attention has been called
to it by munificent bequest for some such
purpose by our late esteemed fellow
citizen John Ferris. II does not seem
to be in consonance with the
spirit of Christianity or civilization that
youthful offenders, tempted beyond their
power OF resistance to commit some compare
lively trifling offense, should be kept in con-
tact with hardened criminals. In such cases
it Id rare that they are not completely
spoiled for future usefulness. We heartily
commend this subject to the proper authori-
ties. WILLIAM M. CANDY,
Foreman,
Immediately after court reconvened
Thursday afternoon Harry Emmons, Esq,
counsel for Charles Blake, indicted for
burglary and larcsny, made application
to have his trial continued until the next
term.
The court directed that Blake should
be brought in, and upon being sworn he
stated that there were two witnesses that
he desired to have summoned and that
he was unable to have his trial without
them that he had made every effort to
secure their attendance at this court, but
had been unable to do 30, and could not
safely 90 TO trial without them. The
case was then continued until next term.
As soon as this matter was disposed Of,
argument was begun in the case OF the
State VS.. the Baltimore & Philadelphia
Railroad Company, by Walter s. Hayes,
Esq., who made brief address to the
Jury in which he oontended that II the
company was allowed to build the walls
and abutments as proposed, IL would
have the effect of rendering travel on the
roads crossed by them extremely danger
GUS. He maintained that unless the
abutments, was greater than l6 feet in
width they would cause the road to be
impossible for loaded wagons. He
thought tine abutments should not be less
than "a feet apart, as asked for by the
road commissioners Of Mill Creek
hundred,
When he closed, Levi C.. Bird, Esq,
opened for the railroad company and
claiu- ed that it was strictly complying
with the law in bui ding these abutments
80 as to leave roadway 16 feet wide in
the clear. After addressing the court
about Is minutes on the law questions
involved, he began his remarks to the
jury. He said that he was well aware
that among those living in the country a
prejudice existed against railroads. He
would not blame them for that, but
wished to call their attention to
the fact that this company had
tried al far as possible to build its road
80 that it wOnld contribute to the public
safety and with that end in view, had
i'll every instance, where it was possible
constructed It's road 30 that it would
cross below or above grade, at all publio
roads. Mr.. Bird closed by urging the
Jury to carefully weigh the matter, and
render a verdict in accordance with what
they considered right aud just to the
company aud the public.
Attorney General Gray began his argu-
ment at a 40 O'Clock. He had no doubt
that the railroad company, in acting as it
had, thought it was complying with the
Law, and also consulting its own interests
in Sc planning these abutments that the
road would only be l6 feet wide. The
counsel for the company had claimed that
it WAS brought into court, and II this case
went against 1t, it would cost the com.
paDy thousands and thousands of dol.
lars, hut he wanted the jury to under
stand that these sbutments were not yet
built, and that the road commissioners oi
MIL Creek hundred could not have
brought the company into court until
they were built, had it not elected tc
come and have the case settled before
proceeding with the work. If the WALL
were built, he would be very loath tC
drag the comp my into court aud put II
to all the expense and Inconvenience. He
could have brought anyone into court
that travelled over that road, to prove
what all obstruction these abutments
would be, but he chose 10 call residents
of Mill Creek hundred, people who use
the road every day, in preference tc
others He claimed that if the company
were allowed to proceed with their cree
tion, and only leave the road l6 fsst
wide, it would ruin the road for pablo
| travel.
Mr.. Gray concluded his argument a
| $50 O'Clock, when the court withon'
giving the case to the jurors discharged
| them until 10 O'Clock Friday morning. A
fsw minutes later all the other juror
were discharged until the same time
The German boy arrested some tim
ago near Stanton on q charge of placing
distinctions on the p, w. & b. railroad
track, and who has been in jail ever
since, was on motion Of ]. X. Bradford
E.q,, discharged, there not being sutfi
cisnt evidence to convict him.
A nolle prosequi was entered in thu
second indictment against George Little
charging him with the larceny of sn over
coat and pair of gloves, the property o
Peter Wilson.
The attorney general stated that Ia,
would retire the case against Elliott, tn,
oolored man who was turned out OF jai
by the sheriff while he WAS awaiting tria
on account OF having the smallpox.
A number OF prisoners were thei
brought In to be arraigned on diffsren
charges. Charles Blake, whose trial hat
already been continued until next term
pleaded not guilty to two indictment
charging him with feloniousiy entering
the houss of Js,ob Pusey on the night o
the 18th OF November, and committing
larceny.
Thomas Purnell, colored, was arrsigne'
on two indictments g; the first charged
him with the larceny on the 18th OF las
December of wagon valued at $50, tn