Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-14
REPORT or GRAND JURY.


Recommends References of Minor Cases TO
the Municipal Court Other suggestions.
The grand jury returned to the General
Sessions Court at 1915 O'Clock, Friday
afternoon, with Its last batch OF indictments,
and ita annual report, which was as follows;
The attorney general presented 178 bills,
of which number 1863 we're returned as true
bills, and 10 were ignored.
In our examination of these bills, we
found great many of them for minor
offences, and would recommend that the
General Assembly make provision for the
transfer OF such cases to the Municipal
Court, where speedy trials could be had
at small expense, compared with the
present system.
The grand jury have made examination OF
the Court House building and would recon-
mend that the Enclosure 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 the
sanitary arrangements of the building be
attended to. We desire also to call atten-
tion to the rooms on the third floor, which
are assigned for the use of jurors. The
rooms should be heated ard ventilated
and some one directed TO look after them.
We would recommend that the building be
thoroughly renovated and cleaned. The
sleeping accommodations for prisoners. in
the basement, should also receive atten-
ton. While the officers In charge of prison.
they are seriously embarrassed by the large
| number of visitors who are permitted to
| visit the prisoners, while they are detaind
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 recomend that the
court bailitfs and tipstaves be uniformed,
while 10 the performance of their duty, in
4 ofder that persons visiting the courtroom
| may recognize and respect their authority.
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, willis the court
is in session, should be provided to pHy
witness fees.
In pursuance of our duties, the grand
jury visited the alrnshouse, at Fatnhurst
and the county Jail; also, the new work
house, and the Ferris Industrial School,
The visit to the workhouse was made on
November 22d 1900 The trustees under
whose direction the buildings are being
erected, were present and accompanied tht
grand jury in the tour of inspection. Thu
various details and arrangements were
pointed out and explained and the iudg
ment of the members was that the building'
are splendidly adapted for the purpose, ant
would fully meet the expectations of tn,
people, who have repeatedly expressed thu
desire that proper institution be provided
for the care and custody Of the county pris
oners. This institution will not only pro
vide for the detention of criminals, but i
making arrangements whereby prisoner
will be Obliged to work. We, therefore
/, recommend that stone-breaker be erected
on the premises and the crushed stone b
used to improve the public roads of tn,
county. After an examination OF the build
ing and premises, we approve of the re
quest of the trustees for an additional ap
! preparation for the completion of the build
! ings and furnishing the same.
The visit to the county almshonse wa
made on November 18th. This institution
was found to be in splendid condition, AM
,, evidence of careful management on the par
OF those in charge was apparent IN ever
= department, We desire to state that tn
effort of the trustees in establishing a hos
! pital liz connection with the institution
|. meets our approval and should prove
. great benefit.
The grand jury visited the county Jail a
: New Castle on December 18th. We foun,
(, the place in as good condition as IL Is pos
u sible to make it, under the circumstances
but asihas before been expressed in preyiou
: reports, 1t Ia entirely inadequate and un
suitable for the number of prisoners con
9 fined there. The condition of the Jail full
Y 1ustiiies the erection of the new workhouse
= and in our Judgment, the change cannot b
5: made too soon.
9 On December 10Th visit was made d
g tuition was found to be in excellent con
9 dition, and reflects credit upon the manage
7 ment. The boys had every appearance o
u good treatment and besides well
/ conducted school for their education an
I advancement, they have excellent oppor
: tnnities OF learning useful occupations il
J the manual training department, Nor
= buildings are needed to accommodate tn
!, increasing number of inmates, whereby til
trustees could more efficiently carry on tn
J. work. In our Judgment an institution O
: this character, when properly managed
. should accomplish great good in the CON
l. munity.
During the past year complaint was mad
X to the grand jury of gross Irregularities q
" expenditure by the Levy Court Commits
u sioners, The matter was carefully cor
sidered and the grand jury are of tn
L opinion that such charges should be mad
J. to the Legislature, which has full powe
}, and authority to make thorough invest
a CATION. +. A. Horty, Foreman.
., u. b. Watkins, Secretary.