Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-13

mer trustee OF the poor to ascertain the
expense OF maintaining the inmates OF the
county almshonse and insane asylum 1t
embraces much more than the food fur
nished, as quotations from his letter OF the
Atm instant, In reply to our inquiry, will
show. He says:
"The cost of food, medicine, Ice, fuel for
cooking purposes, soaps, &e., for washing
and cleansing, food for cattle and horses,
menures. repairs OF carriages and farm I'M
plements and harness, advertising and
printing, wages OF superintendent, matron
and OF all other employees excepting the
Visiting physician and engineers, for the
nine months beginning April 27th, 1897,
and ending February 25th, 1888, amounted
to $i8,20o. The number of meals furnished
during the same period was 267 ,623, max
ing the average cost of each meal IL cents,
assuming that all tho above mentioned
items entored Into tao cost Of meals.
"Hed the cost OF medicines, the wages
OF employees, tho maintenance OF horses
and carriages not used for farm purposes
been lett out of the above statement, tho
COST per meal would not have exceeded ~
Cents"
calculation made by the secretary OF
the same board, at our request, proved the
accuracy OF the contents OF the above
quoted letter. Some credit would have
bsan given for the products Of tho farm,
had mot the meals been charged with 20
many items otproperly chargeable TO that
account, and hurdened them -npre heavily
than The profits Of the farm worij havs re-.
lleved. ALI supplies were furnished by
connecting blddsrs and the county re-
| cefved the benefs OF that competition.
For many years tho prisone at New
Castle have boon furnished board by con-
tract with tho sheriff, who now receives for
each inmate so cents per day for board
alone. We thtnk II open competition for
feeding these prisoners wGs adopted. the
county would save one-half OF tho present
expense. Ia Chester county, Pa, Its
county commissioners last report states the
cost to be 8 1.6 cents for each convlct's
board per day.
We alao visited the almshouse and found
1t In tho best condition possible, thor
| oughly clean from cellar TO gRrret, and re-
hecting Rreal credit on the management
| throughout.
Among the permanent improvements
there we noticed two roomy etairweys.
lately erected, as additional means of
escape In case of fire. We also visited the
cells In the ba ement OF the court. house
and found them In excellent condition, and
provided with ample accommodations.
| The recent sad death of one OF our mem
bers tGhrdner l.. Jemison OF New Oastle]
has deprived us OF hla counsel, and the
benefit OF his experience; while the county
has lost one OF Its honored citizens, whom
1t can Ill afford to lose.
We desire, In conclusion. to thank the
court, the attorney.Reneral and his deputy
for the uniform courtesy shown us by them
during the year. Very respectfully sub
mitted, WILLIAM CoooH, Foreman,
The chief Justice, after the reading Of
the report, said IL wGs a very valuable
one, containing important recommends
tions. He ordered it to be spread upon
| the records of the oourk and a nopv
thereof to be sent to the levy court.
The grand Jury was then discharged
from any further attendance upon court.