The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-01-21
EpIroR or MANeHnsTER Journal.

erist ans TO the point I'D
EDITOR or MANCHESTER JouRSAL;-
Dear Nj:
Relative 30 the new county bu,lding
for the south shire of Bennington
County, there are several matters which
have bearing thereon that with your
perinisson would like to bring befor,
yonr readers. You and others who
have contributed TO your columns, not
ably Mr.. NJ. j. Hapgood of Peru, have
questioned the need of such buildings
Now ! do not have to quote from any
citizens of Bennington 10 prove TO al
reasonably disposed:people that there
is an actual and pressing need for new
buildings to replace the one now in ust
at Bennington, which building is dis
grace to any civilized community, and
especially 10 one like Bennington
County, which aims TO be progressive
and public spirited.
The grand jury of Bennington
County on June 10, 1904, reported to
the County Court that it had made an
examination of the two county jalls
and in reference to the one in Ben
nington said as follows:
The accommodations are totally mad
eqate to the needs of the town of Ben
nngton, let alone the County. The
cells are dark and very badly ventll-
ated, in fact there is no ventilation at
all over head. There are seven cells
for males and one cell for females.
When this body, the grand jury, were
in there it was so crowded II was hard
work TO get around. We consider that
il would be a waste of time and money
to recommend any changes or improve
ments on this Jail The apartments set
aside for the jallor are in very little
better condition than the Jail, the light
and ventilation are both defective.
The Jail is situated in the basement
of the County Building which is locat-
ed between two high brick buildings
which almost shut off the light and
ventilation in large degree and neces-
state the use of artificial light.
We therefore recommend that site
be procured ON which suitable jail
shall be erected, sufficient land being
secured to prevent repetition OF the
evils of the present building. We sub.
nit herewith in addition, the profes.
sional opinion of DR.. G. A. Perry, a
member Of this body, which should
receive careful attention.
The Jail at Manchester we found in
filthy condition and SO damp that it
would be dangerous TO keep prisoner
there over night. We recommend a
change of location and new construc-
ton.
DANIEL 7. BATES. Foreman.
RICHARD M. CAMPBELL, Clerk.
REPORT OF c. A. PERRY, M. d.
The condition of the Jail at Benning-
ton, so far as the caretaker could make
it so, was clean and tidy, but its loca-
ton and construction are such as to
render it exceedingly unhealthful and
a place unfit to confine any human
being.
II is dark and damp at all times, as
no direct rays of light can enter it.
As result no person conld be confined
there for any length of time without
permanent injury TO his health as such
a polluted air would develop disease
germs and tuberculosis, rheumatism
and other diseases promoted by germ
organism, would be the result and
continued confinement in this perpetu-
ally darkened room would impair the
eyesight and be permanent injury to
the eyes; in fact it is an unfit place to
confine any being, man or animal.
The same can be said OF the Man
chester jail; this jail is not even kept
clean, water and dirt being allow
ed TO remain on its floors.
CROSBY A. PERRY. NJ. ID.
No longer ago than June s, 1908, the
grand jury for the County of Benning-
ton made up of citizens of every town
of the County, made another report on
the condition of the county jails, and
in reference to them said:
I'VE have also made personal. inspec-
ton of the county Jail ut Bennington,
and found it clean, well kept and in as
sanitary condition as possible until
more light is admitted and provision
made for better ventilation, the Jail
now owing to the lack of lights and
ventilation entirely unfit for prisoners
If they are required by their sentence
to remain any length of time. We are
OF the opinion that the eondition in the
Jail cannot be improved by repairs and
we therefore recommend that the
county provide new Jail building.
We have also personally inspected
the Jail at Manchester and found it
wholly unfit for the confinement of
prisoners.
Most respectfully submitted.
SHERMAN NICHOLS, Foreman.
q. b. SHELDON, Clerk.
June 9Th. 1908.
These are only sample grand jury
reports for the county. They have
been saying practically these same
things for years. and believe that all
citizens Of the county who are familiar
with the condition of affairs, except
possibly Mr.. Hapgood who refuses TO
be convinced, agree that the present
are reproach 10 county
that claims 10 be respectable.
The investigation by grand jury COW
ers only the county jails and does not
refer TO the rest Of the buildings for
the simple reason that the grand jury
is limited on this subject 10 consider
ing iails only. Ii is evident 70 any
man that the sanitary condi-
ton OF the jail in the basement affects
the entire building. Practically all the
prisoners Of the county are confined in
the Jail at Bennington. and that IL
therefore Of greater Importance to the
county.
The ventilation Of this Jail is up
through the rest of the building and
every part Of the building Is thereby |
have personally asked |
several Judges Of the higher Courts Of |
The State, their opinion as 10 the con-
iit.ons Of the County Building at Ben
nington. and they have zach and all |
declared that the building IL one 81 The