The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1909-01-21
BOARD OF
VISITORS

Logan, Ohio. December 81, 1905.
To the Hon. F. p. Martin, Judge OF
the Probate Court of Hooking
County, Ohio:
We, the Board of Visitors OF Hook
ing county, Ohio, made our annual
visit 10 the Penal and Benevolent In
stitutions of the county on Thursday,
December 3, 1908, and beg leave to
submit for considerations our obser-
vations and suggestions in regard to
the said institutions. &.
We first made an inspection of the
County Jail. This we found in as
good condition as it can be placed
and kept while the present inconven-
lent and unsanitary conditions con-
tinue, and we think that much praise
is due Sheriff Williamson and his eX-
cellent helper, Mrs. Williamson, for
their efficient management of this in
stitution. The Board of Visitors has
condemned this Jail building so often
that We do not deem it necessary to
say anything now in addition to what
has been said in regard to it in former
reports. Surely the ease with which
prisoner recently dug through its
walls and escaped is an evidence of
its weakness and a glance through it
at its toilet arrangements will con-
vince even the most skeptical, of its
unfitness for the confinement of any
human being however hardened a
criminal he may be.
The Village lookup was found in
fairly good condition, owing greatly,
no doubt, to the fact that it has had
no occupants for several weeks We
have no fault to find with those haS
ing 1t in charge, for the reason that
when occupied it is almost impossible
to keep it in good sanitary condition.
Like the county Jail, it is an unfit
place, owing to its lack Of sanitary
appliances. TO conflne any human be-
ing over night and therefore we urge
the village authorities to take prompt
action In improving its condition,
for the reason that the good name of
city or town Is marred by the lack
pliances in its penal institutions.
The Children's Home, under the
general management of Superintend-
ent Wright of the Infrmary and the
direct management of Miss Hutton
as Matron, and Mrs. Banter as mar
ager of the culinary department. was
found To be IL model of neatness and
cleanliness. We do think. however,
that more help should he employed,
so that the matron could give her en-
tire time To the supervision of the
work and management of the chill
dren. Her duties are chiefly with
the children. in other words TO be a
could go and would go with its conf
plants and grievances as freely as it
would go to its own mother and with
the confidence OF child that she
could and would smooth away the diff
ficulties. She should be with the chill
dren and direct them in their plays
and amusements, in other words, be
a companion to them as well as a
mother.
The above Is the commuters idea
OF what matron should be and do,
briefly expressed
In this connection we wish 10 call
the attention OF the Superintendent
and Matron to the fact that In the
children's play-room there was not a |
picture anywhere TO relieve the mon.
otony of bare walls or a plaything In |
sight with which the little children |
nould amuse themselves. Dolls, |
building blocks, hobby horses, mar
Dles and other suitable playthings
should be furnished for the younger
'huldren. and reading matter such as
Little Folks" "st, Nicholas and
Youths Companion" to furnish
amusement and instruction to all.