The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-10-26
Body Recommends the
Abolition OF Pen.
System.
SHOULD NOT COMPETE
WITH HONEST LABORER
Grade Crossings Also Scored.
One Hundred Indictments
Returned.
COUNTY INSTITUTIONS
in GOOD CONDITION
Recommends Construction of a
New House of Detenti0n-More
Room at AImshOuse.

That it is the sense of the first Sep
tember grand jury, which was formally
discharged by Chief Justice Gummere
in the Court Of Oyer and Terminer
this afternoon, that contract labor
should be abolished in the Essex Coun-
ty Penitentiary, was part of the pre-
sentiment submitted by that body. The
dangerous grade-crossing at Fairview
avenue in Caldwell was also touched
up by the grand jurors The rest of
the presentment. which was not even
read in court, merely related to the
condition Of the several county insti-
tutions. which, on the whole, We're said
to be satisfactory.
The chief Justice on appearing on the
bench at 1920 o'clock apologized to the
jurors for the lateness of the hour, say
Ing that he had 1t in mind that they
were to be discharged at noon. The
jurors expected to get out at II o'clock.
! Aftersthe presentment had been given
the Justice thanked the twenty three
"on behalf-of the court and county for
their faithful services and then turned
over one hundred indictments to County
Clerk John B. Woolston for record
Convict Labor.
This is what the jurors had to say
about contract labor: r.
''It is the sense of this grand jury
that contract labor should be abolished
in this institution and system incor-
porated whereby convicts would make
clothing for inmates OF the county in
stitutions only, and thus not issue a
product which is in competition with
paid labor. The fire extinguishing
plant could be improved and should be
used occasionally in drills to test its
efficiency The kitchen should be reno
waited and better ventilated. The
women prisoners should be housed In a
separate wing from the male prisoners,
since, as present quartered, they are
divided only by a board partition"
The grade crossing comment was
this
"Fairview avenue, a county road des-
tined to have heavier traffic, snd pass
ing the City Home and the Overbrook
Asylum, crosses the Caldwell branch of
the Erie railroad at grade. This cross
ing is shielded on both sides by small
woods, which make crossing very dan
gerous, since approaching trains cannot
be seen. A contract has been awarded
to pave the road at grade. Before this
is accomplished the road should be built
to go under the railroad, which will not
only abolish the grade crossing, but
also improve the City Home property.
which is adjacent to the railroad at
Il i,af ha hnfv,u n
the grade of the county road at present,
the depression of the county road is not
difficult. The abolition Of this grade
crossing, by depressing the road, would
also take the drainage from a stretch
of territory, which drainage now flows
toward the City Home property"
The jurors recommended that the sal
larry of the clerk of the grand jury be
tim is not in keeping with his present
arduous duties"
"The City Dispensary is a well-con-
Quoted institution. but is not properly
housed" say the jurors, "as at present
leeated in Centre Market, and should
have new quarters. Contagious dis
eases are taken In close proximity to
food supplies and the danger of con-
IaRlO1l Is GREAT iiC uillOhiit VI SOoA
done at this dispensary is inestimable."
The institutions were referred to in
detail. as follows.
Newark City Hospital-This hospital
is in good condition and is under COM
petent management
"City Home for Boys-The admins
tration of this institution is excellent,
and the results apparent among the in
mates are very gratifying
"Almshouse-The almshoIse is we'll
conducted, but needs a new building,
since the ventilation and light in the
present structure is very poor.
Essex County Jail-This institution
is in good condition., except the witness
room. A house of detentio'- separate
from the prison is needed. and the
sheriff is commended for his efforts to
secure such structure.
Essex County Hospital for the In
sane and the Overbrook Asylum-These
two institutions are administered well,
so far as the jury can determine"