The sun., 1901-02-09
GRAND JURY REPORT.
Recommends Improvements at the
Court House.

Recommends Improvements at the
Court House.
The grand jury made its annual re-
port TO the Court of General Sessions
yesterday as follows:
The attorney-general presented 17S
bills,of which number 168 were returned
as true bills, and III We're ignored.
In our estimation of these bills, we
found q great many of them for minor
offences, and would recommend that the
General Assembly make Il provision for
the transfer OF such cases TO the NUM-
cipal Court, where speedy trials could
| be had at a small expense, compared
with the present system.
| The grand jury have made examina-
ton of the Court House building and
would recommend that the inciosure
within the bar, and also the Judges room
| be recarpeted, and that additional chairs
be provided for the use of jurors. We
also recommend that Che sanitary ar
rangements of the building be attended
to. We desire also to call attention to
the rooms on the third floor, which are
assigned for the use Of Jurors. The
rooms should be heated and ventilated,
and some one directed to look after them.
We would recommend that the building
be thoroughly renovated and cleaned.
The sleeping accommodations for prison
ers in the basement, should also receive
attention. While the officers in charge
of prisoners were found attentive to
their duties. they are seriously emhar-
rassed by the large number of visitors
who are permitted to visit the prisoners.
while they are detained there awaiting
trial. This privilege should be restricted,
and more discretion should be exercised
in allowing people to visit this apartment
while prisoners are confined there.
The grand jury also recommend that
the court bailiffs and tipstaves be uni
formed, while in the performance of
their duty, in order that persons visiting
the courtroom may recognize their au-
, thority. We recommend that an Office
be provided for the coroner in the Court
House building.
We are of the opinion that some place
other than the courtroom while the court
is in session, should be provided to pay
witness fees.
= In pursuance Of our duties, the grand
:, jury visited the almsbouse, at Farnhurst
md the county jail; also, the new work
: house, and the Ferris Industrial School
The visit to the workhouse was made
: on November q, 1900. The trustees
under whose direction the buildings az,
being erected, We're present and accom-
panied the grand jury in the tour of in
. spection. The various details and ar
y rangements were pointed out and ex
" planned, and the judgment of the mem
bers was that the buildings are splendid
.e !. ly adapted for the purpose, and .woul
!, !, fully meet the expectations of the people
~ who have repeatedly expressed the desir
'e that proper institution be provided fo
the care and custody of the county pris
- oners. This institution will not only pro
- vide for the detention Of criminals, bu
i is making arrangements whereby prison
&c ers will be obliged to work. We, there
fore recommend that stone-breaker b
70 erected on the premises and the crushe
70 stone be used to improve the public road
= of the county. After an examination O
u the building and premises, we approx
Of the request of the trustees for a
\ additional appropriation for the compile
&c ton of the buildings and furnishing tn
is same.
~ The visit to the county almshouse wa
IN made on November 2Sth. This institutio
+" was found to be in splendid condition
ana evidence of careful management 0
pc the part of those in charge was apparer
ie ~ in every department. We desire
~ state that the effort of the trustees in e
!, tablishing hospital in connection wit
" the institution, meets our approval an
should prove a great benefit.
" The grand jury visited the county ia
at New Castle ON December 18th. w
" found the place in as good condition q
y it is possible to make it, under the ci
cumstances, but as has before been e.
" pressed in previous reports, it is entire
inadequate and unsuitable for the nun
Der of prisoners confined there. III
ne condition of the Jail fully justiies Il
w. erection of the new ,workhouse, and
our Judgment, the change cannot
- >, made too soon.
Oh On December 20 visit was made
The Ferris Industrial School. This i
ne stitution was found to be in excellei
" condition, and reflects credit upon Il
!, management. The boys had every a
~ pearance of good treatment, and besid
hs well conducted school for their educ
81 ton and advancement, they have e
celent opportunities of learning usef
NY occupations in the manual training
~, ,ot accommodate the increasing number
ny inmates, whereby the trustees could mo
au efficiently carry on the work. In o
10 Judgment an institution of this oh;
III acter, when properly managed, should {
Vi complish great good in the communit
During the past year complaint W
rs, made to the grand jury of gross IRE
ularities of expenditure by the lie
Court Commissioners. The matter W
carefully considered and the grand ju
lad are of the opinion that such chang
leb should be made to the Legislature, viii
an has full power and authority to ma
of thorough investigation.
p. A. Horty, Foreman
the F. B. Watkins, Secretary.
ing -
He Pow-wow and Carnival next week.
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