The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-11-03
CRIMINAL. COURT.
Grand Jury's ReDOrt-Clear and
comprehensive Document.

tained in the charge ot your honor,
given to the grand jury now sitting, the
grand jury have the honor to report that
they visited the poor house otthe county
and found it generally speaking in good
condition.
The grand jury, however, call attention
of your honor to the fact that there are
thirtv-seven inmates at the poor house.
and but one responsible officer. This
officer, the matron, has all the work, all
the property, and all the inmates them
selves, to look after, and states that she
has much of the cooking and serving to
look after, and direct attendance to the
sick
The grand jury have the honor to
recommend that a system be adopted
which shall require the inmates Of the
poor house to do daily and regular work
according to their capacity, and that the
matron shall have less manual labor to
perform, and be instructed to devote
more time to the supervision of rooms,
bedding and the general welfare OF the
inmates.
The grand Jury have the honor also to
recommend that new ticking be provided
for those beds in the inmates rooms
which are old, torn and beyond repair;
also that new waste pipe be run from
the kitchen as the old one is stopped up
and out of use also that a rule be estab-
lished allowing relatives and friends
visiting inmates to remain a definite
length of time. Able bodied persons thus
live upon the supplies of the poor in cases
of several days at time.
The grand jury found the matron, nno-
Gently, however had been feeding hogs
at the expense of the county, and when
fat and tull grown, selling them to her
own profit and gain. The grand jury
have the honor to recommend that the
| practice be stopped at once, and that
hogs be bought. fattcned and butchered
| for the benefit of the inmates of the poor
house, and that ground be set aside, and
that first class hog ground be made OF
same.
The grand jury have the honor to re-
commend that the buildings and benefits
for the poor be so extended that econo-
mical farm operations can be carried on,
thus securing employment to the needy,
and the product of regular crops for the
part supply of the poor house.
In the opinion Of the grand jury sutfi-
cicnt care has not been exercised in sep
arating the sexes among the inmates and
in giving each appropriate quarters III.
dividually and collectively. The grand
jury have the honor to recommend that
this matter be properly adjusted as soon
as possible.
The grand jury found an inmate ninety
years Of age, feeble and intirm in body,
but clear and reasonable in mind. This
poor old man pathetically pleads that he
may be sent home to spend the last few
remaining days with his grandchildren
The grand jury have the honor to recon-
mend that an investigation be made by
proper authorities as to the request re-
lerrcd to, and that if possible
the old gentleman be granted his
desire and that he be paid a monthly
allowance for his individual subsistence
The grand jury have the honor to further
recommend that cases of the kind arising
in the future be provided for in like man
ner.
The grand jury have the honor to cal
special attention to the case of Becky
Northic, recommending that she be sent
to the Insane Asylum, if in such condition
professionally determined as will war
rant that disposition of her. She should
not be at large, and she is not and can
not be properly cared for, If continued il
confinement of a room or cell, hardly
lighted or ventilated at all. The grand
Jury have the honor to urge special at
tention to this case.
The inmates of the poor house sale
they were well treated and abundantll
fed and the grand jury found the stort
house i'll good and well supplied condi
ton, and take great pleasure in so re
porting the same.
The grand Jury also visited the COUNTY
jail and have the honor to report that i
is in good general condition.
The grand jury finally examined TIN
court house, and have the honor to re
commend that the benches on the iron
portico be removed, as when they are oc
cupied, and persons are standing abou
conversing, or otherwise engaged there
on, there is by no means sufficient room
: for convenient passing i'll and out with
out hindrance and annoyance. Also, ina
; ample bench room or seats should b
provided at suitable places ill tn
grounds of the court house; and alsC
, that suitable benches be provided i'll tn
hall OF the second story of the cour
house, affording ample room for wit
, ncsses expected to be in attendance betor
the grand jury OF any court. Thepresen
! grand jury experienced great incor
: venience from the absence of witnesse:
and firmly believe that the changes her
. recommended would expedite business
as we'll as improve the approach to til
:; court house, and make the thoroughfar
= at the front door more available tor II
:, legitimate use.
The grand jury have the honor to r.
i. commend such minor repairs, as are ho'
> necessary in the court house door
9 lights, etc; that spit boxes of woo'
u containing sawdust, be placed aroun
the building, especially in the corners
the halls, and finally, that gas lights |
extended to the inner vault of the rcgi
ter's Office.
d Respectfully submitted in behalf of Il
grand jury.
=, PARIS H. FULSoM,
Foreman of the Grand Jury.