Evening journal., 1905-02-09
GRAND JURY
SUBMITS REPORT
Makes Good Suggestions and
Commends Management
of Institutions
THANKED FOR SERVICES

judges of the county court Its report
covering a period from May, 1904, to
February of this year. The jury in
that period found 224 true bills and ig-
nored six. 1t makes several good sug-
gestions and commends the able man
agement Of the various institutions In
New Castle county.
In ccepting the report of the jury |
the court thanked the members for
their efficient services and informed |
them that copies of the report would
be furnished to each branch of the Leg !
islature and to each county institution.
The report follows:
To the Honorable Chief Justice. and
Associate Judges of the State of Del
aware:
Gentlemen: According to a time hon
ored custom this grand jury of New
Castle county would most respectfully
submit the following report:
During our term Of service, cOmmenc-
ing May. 1904, and ending February,
1905, we have carefully considered in
dictments, and found 224 true bills and
| ignored bills.
We as a jury would most respectfully
recommend that our Legislature take
such action, and enact such laws as
will compel all small and thrilling cases,
such as assault and battery. petit lar
ceny and carrying concealed deadly
weapons, ETC., be settled by justices of
the peace andby the Municipal Court
OF the city of Wilmington, and thus
save the valuable time Of this honorable
county In view of the established
precedents and by invitation of the
Trustees Of the Poor this grand jury
did visit and inspect the eNw Castle
County Hospital at Farnhurst ON No
vember 80. We were very much pleased
with the management, and found ev-
erything in and about the institution
in first class condition. There were at
that time 1O5 occupants who were well
and kindly cared for in every respect,
and we have only one recommendation
to make, and that is, while rve found
that the hospital buildings and inmates
were well protected against fire, yet
we do not think the safeguards sufii-
lcient and would suggest that better
protection be provided by a more eff
cient water supply and by the latest
improved pumps, also by substituting
metal pipes in place OF gum hose to
carry the water from the tanks 10 the
loutslde OF the buildings. We would al
so suggest that wire screens be placed
on the outside OF the fire escapes so
that the inmates may be protected from
accident while descending the fire es-
capes.
On December the grand jury visited
and inspected the WorlIhouse; we were
all very favorably impressed with the
excellent work and perfect discipline
of the convicts. According to report
of the warden, the number of prisoners
received and discharged during the past
year was about 400, the largest num-
ber of prisoners on hand any one day
was 274, and the average for each day
during the year was 233 We believe
too much praise cannot be given in
approval of the management of our
county workhouse, and the perfect sys-
tenn practiced in this institution in re-
gard to the management and care of
the prisoners; also in regard to its ex-
cellent plan of bookkeeping. This jury
thinks that the trustees and warden
are to be most highly commended on
the results of their administration, and
= surely New Castle county is to be con-
! graduated on having such men of ex-
} lperience and ability who are willing to
give their time without compensation
to such a noble work. Owing to the
constant increase dn the number of
s prisoners, we would recommend the
absolute necessity of enlarging the
building so as to have ample room for
their accommodation.
We also on December 2 visited the
{ Ferris Industrial School, and were very
d much gratified with our visit; and de-
sire to earnestly commend the manage
ment for the good order and the ex-
cellent condition of the school, and for
the efficient work it is accomplishing
in training up these wayward boys to
be honest, industrious and useful citi-
= zens.
We as a jury have also inspected the
various departments of the court house
and would respectfully recommend that
more careful attention be given to its
sanitary conditions, and most especial
, ly to the comfort of the court, the Of
icers, the jurors and the prisoners 50
that their health may not be nedanger-
ed.
o During our term of service as a
n grand jury we have been called to pass
Il through the deep waters OF affiiction
: by the death of Walter d. Bush, who
e was held in very great esteem by the
o members of this jury, whereupon the
n following resolutions were unanimously
:. adopted:
e Resolved, That in the death Of Walter
k d. Bush this grand jury has lost an
o active and efficient member, one who
: was always ready to express his besi
judgment in all cases that were pre-.
sented to this body.
During his hfe-tim work among
the citizens OF Wilmington. Delaware
he had been closely associated with
many OF its activities. and had endear.
cd himself to a large circle Of bushes:
Z and social friends. In his public func.
4 tons he had given the full sympathy
and free service OF his heart and'han
, and his genial temperament made hin
: ever considerate Of the feelings Of hi.
( fellow men. We can truly say thai
'the world was better for his having
I lived dn it,"
4 Resolved, That a copy of these reso-
buttons he mailed to his widow with ths
4 sympathy Of this grand jury.
I The members of the grand jury desire
4 to thank the court for the many cour.
( tesies dt has extended to them during
: our deliberations of the past year; ans
we also desire to express our apprecia'
I ton OF the faithful service rendered bl
4 the Attoruey-General and his worthy
{ assistant.