Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-16

The grand jury concluded its duties
vesterday week both for the term
and for the court year and was dis
charged with the thanks of the court.
The Jury handed in its last batch OF
indictments about 10 minutes OF
o'clock. Its report was as follows;
The grand jury of New Castle county
respectfully reports that for the year
ending with the present term $50 bills
have been submitted by the attorney
general; of this number 32 have been
ignored, and 218 returned as true bills.
As usual a large portion OF them were
for minor offences, and some provision
should be made by the present General
Assembly to have these trivial cases
settled elsewhere. In pursuance of our
duties, we have visited and inspected
the almshouse at Farnhurst and the
jail at New Castle. We found the in,
mates at the almshouse well cared for
and great credit is due to tho manage
ment. While at Farnhurst our atten-
tion was called to the lack of q proper
ward for serious cases, where they could
be isolated and have more quiet than
In the general hospital wards. The
members of the Board of Trustees, as
we'll as the physicians in charge, re.
auested us to call attention to this
matter in our report, which we cheer
fully do, trusting that the Levy Court
will grant the small appropriation
needed, and which will add so much
TO the comfort of these unfortunate
wards of the county.
We regret we cannot say as much for
the county Jail. Amply largo as it was
for the time in which it was built, it
has long since proved too small for the
growth of the county. While the
sheriff seems to have done everything
in his power to take proper care of
those committed to his charge. yet
with often from $50 to 200 prisoners,
and only 3S small cells, besides the one
larger room for the short term prisoners
and tramps, it is necessary to place
from six to eight in one cell. Thest
cells are but IA feet inches long, an6
s feet, 3 inches wide. With these facts
staring us in the face, comment seem:
unnecessary, and it cannot be other
wise than school of vice and a hotbeC
of disease, the only wonder is that nj
epidemic has broken out. \ bill is be
fore the present Legislature to estab
lish State worlShouse, and n question
of a stone quarry for the prisoners i
also being agitated again. While oh
lection might be made to the first O
the ground OF expense, the cost OF Tn
latter would be comparatively light
and be step in the direction of i'm
proving our roads. 1t has also come t
our notice. that during the last punish
ments inflicted at the post and pillor
the culprits were subject to severe IN
Fiction from exposure to storm
weather, we would recommend the ii
closure of the post and pillory. W
would also recommend that all minoi
be prohibited from witnessing sue
public punishment.
All of which is respectfully sui
mitted, }. Wilkins Cooeh, Foreman,
After Clerk of the Peace Foard hs
read the report, Chief Justice Lor
for the court, ordered the report whiC
was very satisfactory, spread upon Il
records of the court, and that copies
sent to both branches of the Legisl
ture, and to the Levy Court. I
thanked the jury for the phenomen
facility, rapidity and accuracy wi
which it had discharged its dutie
.We never had grand jury that h
discharged its duties so well, = said t
chief justice, and he thanked the in
for the court. and through the coul
for the county.