Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-02-10
REPORT OF GRAND JURY
Result Of Its Work for The Year Pre-
scented to the Court.
VISITS TO JAIL AND ALMSH0USE
improvements to the Sheriffs
Residence Suggested.
TESTIMONIAL TOA DECEASED MEMBER

At Yesterdays session OF the General
Sessions Court, the grand Jury, having
finished it's work for the year, made its
report and was discharged. The re-
port is as follows:
The grand inqueBt, having completed
their laburs, would most respectfully
submit the following summary of the
husinesa presented for their consldora-
ton for the year ending with this
term, viz:
May term, 1897, 81 bills presented,
s ignored; September term, 1897, %
hills presented, II ignored; November
term, 1897, 81 hills presnnted, b ignored
February term, 1893, SO bills presented,
I ignored; total for the year, l79 bills
presented, 81 ignored.
We feel that 1t ia our duty to give
special emphnsis to the fact that very
large percentage of the work OF the
grand jury is occasioned hy present
msnts for petit larceny, carrying cun-
| cealed deadly weapons, and buying and
selling stolen goods; and whilst we
recognize the fact that larceny OF small
values IS none the less larceny. yet we
feel that under our more modern and
progressive Cons titution some laws
should be enacted whereby such cases
could be more promptly met and dis
posed of. thus saving vast expense to
the county and much annoyance to the
court and it's officers.
| With deep sorrow we note tho death
of our fellow member, MIR. Amor q.
Forwood of Brandywine hundred, who
died November 18th, 1897. having been
stricken with apoplexy whilst returning
a. a. 81 - ~ lab M n
member of this body. His yeara OF OK
perience in public matters. his honesty
nf purnose, his lofty ideas of right.
his ever watchful care that no wrong
be- done, made him most valuable
member. His generous nature, his
bright sunny disposition, with the
many other manly qualities that charac-
terizsd his every walk in life makes his
death public calamity. The family
circle, neighbor, friend and State have
all suffered au irreparahle loss.
On December 18th, the grand inquest
made the annual visit Of inspection to
tina county Jail, where we were re-
ceived by Sheriff Finn and his war
dens, and accorded every opportunity
to thoroughly ipspsct each portion Of
this institution. 1t ia needless to add
|
but most cheerfully hear testimony to
the fact that Notwithstanding these
conditions, there is every evidence to
prove conclusvely that the jail and itt
inmates are entrusted to most competent
hands. In the sherilf's private apart
ments, we were most Hospitality re.
ceived and entertained by the sheriff
ard Mrs. Finn and consider il not only
our privilege but our pleasure to heal
testimony that this portion of th I
county property is under most efiicien
management. Ii was noticed that som,
portions OF the woodwork nesded re
pairs and that the house was sadly il
need of coat of paint, both upon til,
inside and outside, and would so recon
mend to those in charge, believing tina
|. not only from sense of county pride,
but that it is the part Of public
economy Ia keep all county property il
good repair.
On December Goth the grand jur,
, visited the county almshouse ut Farm
hurst and thorough inspection wal
made. We are pleased to note tina
, everything connected with this institu
ton gave unmistaKable evidence tina
the trustees have made no mistake II
placing this property and the care o
the county's unfortunate poor in tn
handa of such competent officials as tn
superiutendpnt ana Mrs. Mccoy.
, 1t was considered by this body, ami
discussed with some members OF tn
Board OF Trustees. that il a cupola wa
placed upon the building, similar +
the one upon tho Delaware State Hos
pital, the building would be much NOR
, slightly in appearance and do mucl
good as means of ventilation, AM
! would 30 recommend to the members o
, the Board of Trustees, in whose Rbilit
as guardians Of this portion Of tn
: county property this body has tn
utmost confidence
, We arc pleased to note that the jur.
! and sleeping rooms in this building ar
clearly and comfortable. Due car
seems to have bean exercised to provid
those held on public business witt
pleasant and healthy accommodations
We desire to call attention to tb
cells provided for the accommodation o
prisoners in temporary quarters in thi
building, and would most respectful
recommend to tho Levy Court thu
additional cells be provided for fsmal
prisoners and be made mora priyat
4 and separated from those now in use
and that each water closet in the cell
be provided with flushing attachmen
for purely sanitary reasons. We con
A slider this recommendation urgent, an
a should be met with prompt attention
{ In closing our report, we desire I
express to the honorable court our higl
, appreciation for tho uniform courtesie
and kindnessas extended to us durIn
7. our entire attendance; also to the clerI
of the court and his worthy assistants
i ns we'll as to all other officials of th
i court, and especially so to the lvarne
/ attorney. general and his genial deputy
I who have rendered to us most valuable
. prompt and kindly assistance
0 Rospoctfully submitted,
| Al