Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1892-08-18
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
A Terrible State Of Affairs at the
County Poor House.

ETC., presiding:
We, the undersigned, grand jurors,
in session at August term, 1892, of the
circuit court of Washington County,
hereby submit our report, in conform
ity with the usual custom and usages
of grand %juries, pertaining to the pub
lie condition of affairs of the county,
to wit:
We have made personal inspection
of the various county offices and have
examined the records generally, and
find them well kept by the several
clerks lin fact, we consider them ex-
ceptionally well kept, and that the
bonds of the officers of the county, COM
prising the clerks of the courts, sheriff,
trustee, register, ETC., and that of the
%constables of the county, sufficient in
form and ~solvency. We failed to find
any bond executed by the tax attorney.
We are pleased to note the fact that
very considerable progress has been
made within the past year in the way
of public improvements. The court
house has been generally overhauled
and very much improved in every re-
spect, and presents a much more cred
table appearance, and besides its con-
veniences has been greatly improved,
and its durability and lasting qualities
largely enhanced, which we consider a
good investment of public funds.
The erection of the county vaults
adds very materially to tue permanent
cy of the court house building and af-
fords a security for the preservation of
our public records, which we consider
a proper and necessary public improve
ment, and endorse and commend the
action of the county court in appropri-
ating public funds for this purpose.
The county Jail we find in good con-
dition and as well kept as its convent
ences and present arrangement of the
Jail building will admit, the arrange
ments of the inside being in most every
respect so constructed as to prevent it
from being kept in better condition,
and we believe that the interior of the
building should be generally remodel
ed and shaped up for the general well
fare and security of the prisoners.
CONDITION OF THE POOR HOUSE.
W. made a visit to the county poor
house and made an inspection of the
premises. We find some portions of
the buildings in a filthy condition and
some portions of the bedding infested
with vermin, and that the old and help
less have been improperly treated and
ill and cruel usages have been resorted
to by Mr.. White, the superintendent in
charge, and that the allowances of ra-
tons to some of the inmates have been
limited and not suited for their condi-
ton and ages. Some of them are very
~scantily and insuficiently clad. We
also find that there is not a sufficient
supply of vessels for general cooking
purposes, and also a very limited
amount of table ware and a general in
sufficiency of various articles about
the premises that are necessary for the
reasonable care and comfort of the in
mates. We find a blind girl in a state
of pregnancy, and we unhesitatingly
condemn the name of treatment of
at least some of the inmates, and as to
the responsibility for these abuses we
are bound to conclude that the COM
missioners of the poor have failed
measureably to perform their duties,
and that the present superintendent is
not suited for the position entrusted to
him, and we recommend that the
county coult take all these matters
under consideration, and that a gen.
eral revision of affairs he had for the
betterment of the condition of the in
mates, for the perpetuity of the good
name of the county, and in behalf of
helpless humanity, these recommends
tons are made.
Please accept our thanks for the
uniform kindness and courtesy extend
ed us upon your part during u session,
and now, having concluded our labors,
we request that you discharge us from
further service. All of which is re-
spectfully submitted: j. M. Erwin, for
man A. N. Dove, j. NJ. Mitchell, E.
E. Shipley, Jonathan Bacon, Joseph
Gray, j. H. Crouch, ]. A. Sherfey, G..
B. ~Armentrout, S. b. McAdams, jr., A.
f. Gillespie, j. A. Huffne.