The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1902-02-24
REPORT OF
+. GRAND JURY.

InlueulateIy aIter tl0 opening OF
Superior Court this morning Chief
Justice Lore stated to the me mbers
Of the Grand Jury that Attorney.
General Ward had no more cases for
them and when they had submitted
their report they would be discharged
from any further duties at the present
session of Court. The Grand Jury
retired at once to Its rooms and later
returned with the following report,
| To the Honorable the Judges Of
the Court Of General Sessions for
New Castle County, Delaware.
The Grand Jury beg leave to make
the following report:
That We received from the Atror.
ney General during the May term TO
bills of Indictment, Of which we found
II true bills, ignoring s. At the
September term 80 bills were received
of which we found 90 true bills, ig.
norlng 6. At the November term So
bill were received, of which 50 true
bills were found and Ignored. At
the February term So bills were 70.
ceived, of which Al true bills were
found and ignored: making during
the year 263 true bills found aud Is
ignored.
We rave also visited the several
county institutions. Having an at.
ternoon to spare during the Novem-
Der term we visited the County Aims.
house at Farnhurst. without any
previous notice having been given the
Superintendent. Mr.. David Mccoy,
and after being shown over the ed.
tire building By him we are pleased
to report that we found 1t In frst
class condition In regard to cleanli.
ness and order. The kitchen and
wash.rooms being on the ground
floor. The flooring which Is OF wood,
needed some repairs. In the opinion
OF the Grand Jury, these floors should
be of cement ~,.
We would suggest that the hose
on the different corridors be over
hauled at regular intervals. so that
in case OF fire there would be no
doubt OF its efficiency.
The new pest house was also VI.
tied. We found the inside walls
very damp. they being Of brick and
only 9 inches thick. We learn that
since our visit the house has beeu
accepted by the Trustees Of the
Poor, but 10 the opinion Of tho
Grand jury, something should be
done to remedy those wet walls.
During the present term We have
visited the County Workhouse and
were shown over the building BY
Mr.. Meserve. the CHIEF warden.
Everywhere, in corridors. cells for
the prisoners. kitchen, washroom,
storeroom and elsewhere, we found
everything in order and the disci.
pline Of the institution seemed 10 b
good. The sanitary plumbing ar.
rangements are according 10 tho
latest and most approved plans.
The prisoners were at work in the
work room, each giving as close
attention 10 his work as workmen
do in outside factories. The re-
ports circulated OF the inferior
quality OF the food furnished the
prisoners and Of brutal treatment
we investigated and found to be
groundless.
We feel that as taxpayers Of New
Castle County our thanks are due to
workhouse Commissioners forthe time
they have devoted 10, aud the energy
aud faithfulness with which they
have discharged their trust.
We also visited the Ferris Reform
School. For most of the membera
of the Grand Jury it was their first
visit to this institution, and we were
all struck with the necessity Of PLACID
Of this kind for the reformation Of
juvenile offenders. Mr.. Alfred GawA
throp vino accompanied us states
that about 80 per cent Of tho boys
leaving this place are reformed and
lead correct lives. The boys all lookf
healthy and happy and are learning
to work and receiving common
school education. We therefore think
the Levy Court would be fully justi-
fed in an appropriation of 1925 pet
inmate, per year, feeling this money
would very materially help to put
this institution on Il permanent foot,
ing for good.
The Grand Jury desires to retnrn
thanks for the courtesy shown them
by the Court during their term Of
office. Signed, John G. Corblt, fore.
man: II. Harold Smith, Chairman.
Chief Justice Lore in receiving
The report said:
Gentlemen OF the Grand jury.
The court have heard Your report
with a great deal Of satisfaction,
and we will order it spread upon
The records of this court, and copies
Of it sent to the Levy Court, the
Board of Trustees of tn Poor, to
the Ferris Reform School, and to
the Board of Trustees of the New
Castle county Workhouse.
Before discharging you, we tle-
sire to say that your lubors during
your term have been of ia rather
exceptional chara cter You have
been called upon o discharge some
very important and so you, no
doubt, rather painful duties. Wa,
think that the record that YOU
have made will be an opochal one
in the history Of this State and
The result of your labors can do ng
other than help purify the admin.
istration Of county affairs along
many lines. And we therefore,