Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1902-11-14
Kent County Grand Jury Recon-
mends That a WOrkhOuse be
Established.

In making their final presenta-
ton to the Court last Monday, the
Grand Jury took occasion to pro-
test against the prison system OF
Delaware, and unanimously en-
dorsed a workhouse for prisoners.
Chief Justice Lore paid a COM
pliment to the Grand Jury for its
promptness in transacting business,
and for the evident study given to
county affairs as evinced by the re-
port; by ordering it spread upon
the records of the court, and that
three copies of it be made and |
transmitted by the Clerk-of-the-
Peace as follows, /. e :-and to the
Trustees of the Poor, one to each
of the two bodies of the Legisla-
ture as soon as it convenes.
The following is the report in
full:
REPORT OF GRAND JURY
To THE HONORABLE JUDGEs:-
The Grand Jury of Kent County sui
NIT their final presentments for the
terms of April and October sessions of
Kent County Court.
During our term of service, COM
mencing April 1902, and ending No
vember 10th 1902, we have had presen-
ted for our consideration fOrty-six bills
of Indictment. OF these s8 were found
true and were ignored.
The evidence produced, in many Of
the cases before us, has proven conclu
sively that the primary cause of the
major portion of crimes committed is
the incorporate use of intOxicants and
gambling.
We would recommend that strenuous
measures be adopted to prevent the al
legged sale of intOxicants as now carried
!, on by hotels aud drug stores already
licensed by the courts, and that proper
Il restrictions should be judiciously en-
forced upon their lawful sale. This
;, we believe, would minimize to a grea
extent, the number of crimes commit
. ted.
+ During this session we visited tn
+, county prison and almshOuse.
a The prison we found in good cOnd
ton, 80 far as sanitary conditions aI
i, ply, and the prisoners well cared for
;s but we earnestly protest against th
--o....A ,..otI,od of harding oriaOnaru
the county Jail and maintaining thel
in idleness. During our visit to the ia
the prisoners, regardless Of length
their terms of imprisonment, implOre
IL some of the members of this Gran
nd Jury to urge upon the Court that the
be moved from the county prison, or pl
at some work to employ their time.
Therefore, we recommend that Il
ia prisoners be transferred to some wOr
ri house; and that the Legislature
NJ asked to provide State institution
oh that character for all prisoners sentenc
els in the courts.
H. Under the present system Of our jai
punishment is attained; but reform
M ton is an impOssibility. The harden
n.y. criminal and children for cOmmitti
petty crimes are herded together in id
at ness, at an expense to the taxpay
,f when they should be employed in Sol
,,n occupation at least useful to them
the not of profit to the public. For t
en- and other reasons, we recommend
wOrkhOuse for prisoners.
his While visiting the almshOuse,
ey- found the inmates well fed and hous
There were some conditions that wOl
ia bear criticism. The county has an
Tx vestment Of probably $4,000 in
r almshOuse and farm, and much of
fencing, roofing of the older buildiu
law aud the Outbuildings themselves, b
nest Outlived their usefulness; but the n
essary repairs are in process in N
e,s- of the cases. The cattle look well,
the hogs are a failure, and but Ii
meat from this source will be availa
g Hog cholera is the cause assigned
.,S this condition of affairs.
The inmates are as class part
larly helpless; and, in most cases,
So most unable to keep their own quar-
ne in proper condition. This has entai
unusual labor and care upon the
ILL., iron and supervisor.
,ar The fields look prosperous, and
: county should have a good reve
49, from the grain and other crops
duced thereon.
~ We have been the recipients Of k
49, attentions and courtesy from all
Gals and attendants during our vi
ro to the institutions and in our reg
49, routine of duty; which we greatly
preciate.
uest
TInifopU, Data AZ 0na ronf . WnaS p