The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-14
Grand Jury's Unexpected
Visit at the Jail
Scurry for the Boss.
WHAT THEY DISCOVERED.
Rumors of a Worse State of
Affairs There Than Thought
Possible-Prisoners Dis
charged.

There are strong indications that there is
considerable trouble ahead for Jailer Davis,
and that the Grand Jury will be the prime
mover in its creation. No Grand Jury in
decade has evinced such an anxiety concern
ing the Jail as the present one has done. On
the first day of the Term, and very soon after
the stirring words of Judge Lippincott'S
charge began ringing in their ears, the
Grand Jury in body paid its respects to
Jailer Davis and his institution. The
visit was an unannounced one and was very
Ill timed SO far as the jailsr was concerned.
He was not on hand to receive the august
body in person, but vigorous onslaught on
the telephone by his keepers caused messages
to be sent to all quarters of the city, and one
of them reached the jailer, who, pale and
breathless, hastened as fast as q horse and
wagon could convey him to the Jail.
HAD NO TINE FOR PREPARING.
The Jaller was not in good hunlor when
he reached there, for the visit of his official
guests had been too unexpected to enable
him to prepare for it. The dirt in the Jail
had not been removed, the walls had not
been newly white washed, the prisoners had
not been given bath and cleaned up to en-
able them to make a presentable appearance,
and the general disorder in the Jail was not
disguised and the Grand Jury was afforded
an excellent opportunity of Judging whether
the Jail is properly or improperly kept.
1t Is believed that the impression made by
the visit to the Jail was decidedly unfavor-
able, because last night DR.. Edge and DR..
Gordon and six other Grand Jurors made
another official inspection.
PRISONERS INTERROGATED.
These gentlemen interrogated number of
prisoners, and some of the questions asked
were concerning the treatment the prisoners
received, the quality and quantity of food
received, the opportunities afforded
them to take bath, and in fact ANYTHING
that would give the Grand Inquest a fair
chance of ascertaining the true condition of
affairs. What conclusions these gentlemen
reached will probably be made known later,
but 1t is suggestive that no one has been
found by The NEWS reporter who heard any
Individual member of the visitors express
satisfaction at the condition of the Jail and
prisoners.
RUMoRs OF COMPLAINTS.
There is ruInor going the rounds of the
Court House that prisoners have complained
that they are confined in cells filled with
Vesnin, and that it requires extraordinary
persuasion on their part to be changed to diff
ferent quarters. 1t is known that prisoner
named Stein and companion who were
being taken to State Prison by a constable
told the official that they had been placed in
cells overrun with vernin This story if
true, shows that portions of the Jail
mist be in a horribly filthy condition While
it is NOS known for certainty that these
stories have reached the Grand Jury, yet
the impression is left that such is the case,
and that the truth will be ascertained, and
Gated.
Another action taken by the Grand Jury
in its brief life, which will have the effect Of
diminishing the income of the jailsr,
IS the orders given him by the Grand
Jury to send to the Prosecutors
held for investigation by the Grand Jury,
as soon as the prisoner shall be received by
him. Many unjustly accused prisoners have
been frequently detained in the jail for
months because Grand Juries did not know
OF their cases, and for every day each pris-
oner is in the Jail the jailor receives thirty
cents from the county for boarding him
An unscrupulous jailer would be induced to
keep prisoners as long as possible for the
profit made thereby.
PRISONERS DISCHARGED.
While the Grand Jury was at the Jail last
evening 1t Sumlnarily discharged from Gus
tody Dennis Mulqueeny, charged with break
ing, entering and larceny. He was a hold
over from the September Term Grand jury.
which did not indict. The grand jurors
also closely questioned Freddy Rich and Will
he He9ges, alias Wagner, two small boys
eltioE OF these two boys was
such that the grand jurors took
up a collection and purchased articles of
clothing for Them, which in itself is a re-
Duke to Ja1lsr Davis. Prisoners whom the
late Grand Jury failed to indict and who
have been discharged after investigation by
the present Grand Inquest, were: Patrick
Boxley, alleged wife bsater, committed to
jail November %; Kate Donnelly,
charged with petit larceny, com
1nitted to jail December 3; Sylvanus
Elliot, charged with assault and battery.
committed to the Jail November 8: John
Molloy, charged with grand larceny, com
mitted to the County Jail, October IL,
Michael Manning charged with assault and
battery, committed to the County Jail.
October 2S; Nellie Walsh charged with as
sault and battery, committed to the County
Jail, December 8; Williams Winkels, charged
with breaking and entering, committed to
the county Jail, December