Wichita eagle., 1888-02-05
THE GRAND JURY
YESTERDAY MADE THEIR FINAL
REPORT,
And Are Dismissed---Fifty.f -four In
dictments Returned: Twenty.
Eight for Violations
OF the Liquor Law-Jones, Walker. Barrett
and Cone Indicted-The Police Com
mission Severely Denounced.

y
trusted to you. The report shows that
You have been prompted by nothing other
than desire to fulfill all the obligations
of your oath, without regard to anyone
whomSoeyer."
County Attorney Jones was sent for and
after putting his signature to three indict-
ments, the jury was dismissed.
They have been in session since January
3, and their action has been looked forward
to with the greatest interest.
In all fifty-four indictments were re-
turned: of this number twenty-eight were
indictments for violations of the prohibi-
tory laws.
County Attorney 6. w. c. Jones, JUS
tices of Peace Walker and Barrett and
Constable Rufus Cone We're all indicted for
official misconduct.
Charges of receiving bribes were made
against different members of the metro
politan police; yet but one, Officer Green,
was indicted
A memorial was also forwarded to the
executive council setting forth the cor
ruption and inefficiency of the police force
and alleging that while the grand jury had
succeeded in finding grounds for but one
indictment for receiving bribes, yet they
had good reason to believe that there was
great corruption and inefficiency in the
police of this city. This sad and deplor
able state of affairs, they considered, was
due to a great extent to the present board
of metropolitan police commissioners.
They also addressed the following COM
munication to the Board of County Com
misSioners:
To the Honorable Board of County Com missioners,
Sedgwick County Kansas.
GENTLEMEN:-We, the grand jury, set
ting in and for said county, in, accordance
with instructions of the court the Honor
able Judge Reed, herewith submit our re-
port as to the condition of the county Jail,
and recommendations in connection there
with, which VIC deem absolutely and i'm
perativly necessary TO preserve the health
and safety ofthe prisoners confined therein.
That the Jail is in very bad condition,
sanitarily considered, is patent even to a
causual Observer it remains the duty of the
grad jury to point out these and urge upon
the county commissioners the taking of
immediate steps to remedy the evils and
defects herein set forth.
First. The method of ventilation is very
more necessary, Oh account of the over
crowded condition that at present exists
there, and has for some months; also I'M
der the portion of the building occupied by
the sheriff and his family there it pool of
standing stagnant water, Shiny and thick,
of fifteen inches or more in depth. In cor
ridor of Jail where prisoners are compelled
to remain, water is standing on portions of
the floor.
There is no way provided for the carry
ing the sewage. The present cess pool
is entirely inadequate, all filth remaining
Oh the ground, and about the jail, to breed
pestilence and disease as the warm weather
approaches. The only practical and econ
omical way in which this can be remedied
is by sewerage, and we suggest to the
county commissioners they take immedi-
ate steps to connect with the sewer at the
corner of Market and First streets. This
will be necessary at least when new Jail
is erected, and would cost no more money
to construct Immediately, or as soon as
possible than it would after the new build
ings are erected.
We find that the foundation upon which
the iron cages stand are defective and in
secure. Their first construction was weak,
and on account of the continued presence
of water in the cell they have become I'M
safe, and at any time the cells are liable to
be precipitated to the cellar, in all proba-
bility causing loss of life. The cells have
already began to settle from the causes
above stated. Your immediate attention
to this matter is called for reasons that are
patent, for the responsibility of disaster is
with you.
In addition to this, the condition of the
Jail is so insecure that the prisoners have
made repeated attempts to escape, and
have in a number of instances nearly sue
ceeded. These attempts have caused the
sheriff to station extra guards about the
jail. at large expense to the county.
We think the sheriff should have the
power (Which is now denied) to purchase
locks and bolts, and make such small re
pairs as require immediate action, in order
to secure the prisoners and prevent a jail
delivery, and not be made the necessity OF
running down a county commissioner in
order to get authority to do the work. We
find there is nothing in the present con-
dition of the Jail that reflects any discredit
uporthe sheriff, as pertaining to treat
ment of the prisoners, on the contrary,
that with the means at hand he is doing
all that a faithful officer could do.
Now in view of all the facts set forth in
relation to the Jail building. it appears to
the grand jury that it is advisable 10 begin
the erection at once of a new Jail, and TO
use all diligence in its speedy completion.
This is of more Importance at the present
:, Sha, ba IF than oo,,,,
ty building And in our judgment should
have preference in erection, if you fail to
act promptly in this matter the response
biity will rest entirely with you
Respectfully submitted, this lst day of
February, A. d. 1883.
JAMES LoNGMIER,
Foreman.
When the grand jury had completed the
work of hearing witnesses, reporting in
dictments and were ready to adjourn, the
members repaired to the county clerk S
office for pay Mr.. Alley. chairman of the
board of county commissioners, did not
want to act so promptly on the matter,
which caused the jury to conclude they
would not adjourn until Mr.. Alley got ac-
ton on his mind They stood around the
office some time and finally Mr. Abey pro-
ceeded to make arrangements for paying
the largest grand jury bill ever contracted
in the county. The expenses Were near
800 per day and they have been in session
a few days beyond one month. The work
done, according to one of the members of
the jury, has been much greater than that
by any other jury
The Rapid Transit company has just re-
ceived another new passenger coach. which