Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-17

Another meeting in the interest of the
public good movement was held Wednes-
day night at the residence OF Mrs. A. D.
Warner 1t was called for the purpose of
discussing the bill which has been pre-.
pared for presentation to the Legislature.
The committee in charge Of il decided to
withhold its presentation before the Legis,
lature until after the impending oena-
torial contest is settled.
The measure in its present form provides
for the appointment Of Board Of Trustees
of the Delaware state workhouse. This
board will consist of nine members, three
from each county. One from each county
shall serve for the period of one year,
another for two, and another for three
years. When the terms of the trustees
expire, their successors are to be appointed
for the term Of three years. One trustee
from each county shall be woman. The
trustees are not to receive any Compensi.-
ton for their services, other than such
expenses as are incurred in attending the
board meetings.
The bill also provides for the appropria-
ton of a sufficient suru Of money 10 erect
a suitable building with complete equip
nents, for the purpose The said struc-
lures arc 70 be completed within two
years from the passage Of the act.
The bill further states that the shpriffs
of the respective counties shall deliver up
to the trustees, at buildings mentioned all
the prisoners at the several iatls, On or
before the first day of December Of each
year the said board shall make a report in
writing to the Governor, showing the con-
dltiGn of the wurkhouse, together with a
detailed statement Of all receipts and eH-
Penditures, with such suggestions Us the
| interests of the institution may require.
In thu fourth section of the bill the fol-
| lowing provision occurs "All persons
committed to the custody of the said
trustees shall be compelled to labor at
some suitable employment, at least eight
| hours each secular day, unless physically
| disabled. For all over work each person
shall receive credit. The money earned
| by Uverwork may at the option oil the
| prisoner be sent to his family, expended
| for such articles us he may have i'll prison,
| under the rules, or may accumulate, and
| be paid to him in lump ut the time of Ills
discharge. Tie cost Of the keep of the
prisoners shall he paid by the counties
pro rata per capita, each county paying
only for so many persons rs may be sen,
from such county and each shall be
credited with the value OF the labor OF
the prisoners SO by 1t sent. The said
trustees shall, on or before the first day OF
February in each year, submit 70 the
| Levy Court OF each county an estimate OF
the amount Necessary TO he paid by each
county for the keep of its cunylCts, and
the said Levy Court is hereby clothed with
| full power to provide for the payment oi
the same to said trustees on or before the
first day of August in each year.
a classification OF the prisoners is also
provided for. In the bill. The portions OF
the buildings in which female prisoner,
are to be confined shall be kept apart from
those utilized for the care of male pris
oners. Prisoners Of tender years shall be
separate from older and more hardened
criminals. A daily record of the conduc
of each prisoner shall be kept by tn,
board.
The communication system in vogue il
Ohio is provided for in the act. Five day
a month reduction from the period o
sentence shall be allowed for good cnnduc
during the first year Of imprisonment
Seven DAYS Il Month will be allowed durin,
the second wear, nine during the thirt
year, and after that the deduction shall b.
ten days for each month. Any violation
Of the rules or want Of fidelity and care il
the performance of work wall cause tn
forfeit Of all earnings during the mont
such lack of care has occurred. Tie bourt
also may deduct a portion or all Of tn
conyicts previously earned time or money
or both according Ia the nature of the Of
fence anu the frequency Of its occurrence
The last section of the bill gives the sol
, and complete control and management o
| the worIihouSG to the board of trustees a
| appointed. The trustees shall appoln
wardens, keepers. officers and other noces
snry servants, and fix their terms OF servic
as we'll as their compensation. The boar
also shall provide suitable food. tools
| implements falment and other neCessar
things. They shall keep accurate book
! OF account showing receipt OF none
and expenditures on account of the wort
house. These books shall be open al al
times to the inspection of the State auditor
and audited once in every three months
At no time shall all the members of III
board of trustees from any county be q
! the same political party.
In Il conversation with n representativ
: OF EVERY EVENING last night, Chief Ju.
! tice Lore, one Of the projectors Of tn
! movement in the interest of the publ
/ good, said that ii this bill is passed by th
Legislature, the money appropriate ia
4 the erection of the wurkhouse could
! saved III 20 years.
2 The present rate paid by the State fc
q the caro- OF prisoners, he said, is very hgl
= lii New Castle county the sheriff receive
9 % cents per capitaand in Kent and SUISSE
the rate is 30 to 10 cents. The Chief Tust,
cited the fact that III the Eastern PenitGi
4 tiery at Philadelphia, the per capita rate
:. lSt cents. OF this amount, however.
= cents are returned by labor. II is his oeli
that the cost to this State of the care of i
e criminals can be reduced to Il like amour
il the workhouse plan is approved by Il
Legislature. In the event Of favarab
decision by that body, he said, enOug
Hl~ney will be saved under the new syste
g ITO cover the sum which will be required
= put it INTO operation. Besides having
view reform among criminals, 1t is d
y !. object oil the proposed inst sion, he sal
r 10 break up the practice OF luleaess on Il
n part OF prisoners.
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