The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-10-10
THE PRISON QUESTION
Meeting Of the Delaware Union for
the Public Good.
EARNEST LETTER FROM DR.. BLACK
The Rev. p. B. caben Reports the Com
dition of the New Castle County Jail
end Makes Suggestions for
Its improvements.

The meeting of the Delaware Union for
the Public Good, held in the New-Century
Club parlors last night, for the discussion
of THE Prison Question" was largely at
tended and great deal of interest was
manifested In the discussion. The meet
ing was representative one in that 1t
was composed of those whose interest in
public questions proceed from the best
motives; whose judgment of public needs
will be the result of wise delberation and
whose activities will be persistent when
and after they begin. All the various re-
ligious denominations, all the charitable
and benevolent associations of the city and
nearly all the manufacturing industries
were represented in the audience.
The Hon. John C. Higgins presided.
Mrs. A. d. Warner and Miss Bissell were
the secretaries.
Mr.. Higgins made brief speech stating
the object Of the meeting and also express
Ing his interest In the movement for the
improvement of the prisons of the state.
A. ID. Warner, Of the executive commit
tee, presented draft of rules for the gov
ernment of the union, which were adopted.
The committee appointed to visit and re-
port on the condition of the county jail at
New Castle was then called on for a re-
pOi ne rev. ID. OdDeli, UI lHe CDHl-
mittee. reported the result OF his obserya-
tions during visit to the jail on Saturday
last. He described the prison in detail,
condemning its antiquated construction
and lack of facilities for proper discipline
of the prisoners looking to a possible re-
form of at least a good per cent. of the
prisoners and for its lack of facilities for
preserving their health by necessary clean
illness. He suggested the necessity OF pro-
viding more room in what is known as the
Bum cells" also that place should be
provided for the detention of prisoners who
are held under bail during the intervals
between court sessions; also the need of
laundry, bathing pool and a work-house.
He thought these apartments could be pro-
yided by additions to the present building
and by utilizing the old court house build
ing.
Mr. Cabell commended Sheriff Gould and
Warden Francis for the cleanliness and
order of the jail
Mrs. A. ID. Warner, also a member of
the committee submitted as a part of the
report the following letters which she had
received in response to inquiries about the
county prisons.
DIR. ]. j. Black. physician at the New
Castle county pYison. writes as follows:
Mrs. A d. Warner. secretary Delaware
Union for Public Good:
My Dear Madam: Your letter of Septem-
ber 10, inviting me to address the union
on October on the Condition Of Our
Delaware Prisons has been received and
l regret that l cannot be present at that
time. have been connected for number
OF years with this county prison at New
Castle, as physician, and l am well ac-
quainted with its short comings. l do not
hesitate to say that 1t is disgrace to
which the fine and costs people are con-
hned, technically called the Bum" cell,
Is worthy OF the honors OF the darker ages,
and in its usual crowded condition is abb
solutely unit as the abode Of human
beings. IL Is an aDldlng place FOR iniamy,
school OF vice and wickedness in every
form anu very stench IN the nostrlls OF
all good people. The present prison build
1hgs at the utmost are only capable of
accommodating under proper hy-
gienic conditions seyenty-hve pris-
onerS and when more than two
hundred are often within Its walls it
is easy to see how every rule in the hous-
ing of criminals must be violated, and l
can bear witness that 1t is only by the
best management and care OF the sheriffs
and their wardens that order can be main
tanned and the inmates kept free from Sc
rious epidemies OF zymotic diseases. Per-
sonally l favor an absolute change in the
treatment OF all victims OF the criminal