The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-12-02
A GOOD RADIANCE.
The Packed Grand Jury at
Last Discharged
Hill WhitewaSh.

The Grand Jury were discharged by
Judge Lipplncott yesterday afternoon.
Before this judicious action took place.
the Grand Jury announced that they had
another presentment to make 70 the
Court, and the following was handed to
the Clerk, who was directed by the Court
to read it,
To the Honorable the Court Of Oyer aud
Termfner and General J0u Delivery
of the County Of Hudson:
In npursuiug the line or their duties, the
Grand Inquest of this September term.
1890, made official visits TO the County
Jail and the county institutions at Snake
Hill, such visits being made without
prior notice having been given to the Of
ficials in charge. 1t being deemed best for
the purpose of proper Investigation that
such course be pursued.
At the jail was revealed deplorable
lack OF sleeping facilities In many cells
but one cot was provided. and even that
one In the last stages Of dilapidatiou.
becomes often necessary TO people one
cell with three prisoners, the extra two
being provided at night with thin straw
mattresses placed on the floor, thus Civ
ing to the Jail an appearance Of over
crowding. There might be. with proper
now incarceraIed therein.
IL is but fair to state that the RESPONSE
bility does not rest with the iailer. His
duty ends with the fling OF a requisition,
and we find that he has complied with
that duty. The Committee on Jail Of the
Board of chosen Freenolders admit the
facts, but show conclusively that not
withstsnding any economical expendi-
ture of their appropriations, they are met
by dep.eled treasury. Thus the condi-
tions still exist
TO allow further continuance of the
same would be a lasting disgrace to our
county.
The practice of postponing Jail deliver
les meets with our disapprovai, successive
grand juries may fail to find true bill,
but detention still continues. In one In
stance we found prisoner who had been
confined some months waiting exarnina-
ton" by the magistrate who committed
HIM. No time had been set for such
examination, and but for knowledge ac-
cidentally acquired by Us, be would still
be undergoing imprisonment.
At Snake Hill the AImshouse and
Asylum were visited and heir condition
leaves us nothing to suggest. The In
mates seem 10 be properly cared for,
discipline Is maintained III an intelligent
and humane maHner. The Penitentiary
was found to be a marvel of cleanliness
too highly commended.
Dietaries are very well calculated and
afford ample nutrition
We condemn the practice Of keeping
persons detained as witnesses in com
pany with others charged with crime and
suggest that suitable places OF detention
be provided tor them We believe that
those not versed In crime should be KEPT
apart from the older and more hardened
prisoners. Such a course would be both
deterrent and reformatory and we find ID
carried out in the Penitentiary. A pos
sible criminal is thus removed from evi
associations while still amenable TO bettel
influences.
tSiGred! Z. II. McDoyALD.
Foreman.
Wnen the presentment had been read
Judge Lppincott said the recommends
tions would receive the attention of ths
Court and Bob Davis last Grand jury
was discharged.