Evening journal., 1916-11-20
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1916.
An ADMIRABLE GRAND JURY REPORT.

AN ADMIRABLE GRAND JURY REPORT.
n ALLEN HILLEs, foreman, and his associates on
. the New Castle County Grand Jury that just
has completed its service distinguished themselves IN
the closing up Of their work by presenting to the court
report that is unusually comprehensive in makeup
and constructive in purpose. It is dry perfunctory
document destined to be filed away and forgotten, but
one which raises many live issues which VII linger
and grow in the public mind.
The declaration in favor of an equalization of our
county assessment is which will with favor.
especially in the cities and towns IN which taxpayers
feel that they being Disseminated against in favor
Of taxpayers in the rural districts.
Many persons doubtless will be we'll pleased with
the suggestion that some letha form OF capital pun
ishment be substituted for the hanging method
employed m this State. While electrocution has found
favor in many States there are scientists who do
hesitate TO assert that there letha puttingto
sleep" methods which might be used with less mental
and physical pain 20 a condemned person and less
shock to the sensbllities Of the community at large
We take it that there exists in state radical
div sentiment with respect the suggestions
that separate buildings be provided for and
men inmates OF the County Workhouse; that adequate
financial and moral support be given to the Ferris
Industrial School for Boys and the Delaware Indus
trial School Girls and that the equipment Of the
latter be enlarged to permit Of the advan
tageous utilization OF the farm land surrounding the
present buildings
Il is with pleasure we note that the Grand Jury
makes plea for the establishment OF an institution
for the care or the feebe-mnded in this State. There
Is no institution in Delaware at the present time to
which Predetermined child may be sent and cared for
along scientific lines Mrs Selden S. Deemer, of New
Castle and other warm-hearted women have been
working earnestly for many months in behalf Of the
very thing that the Grand Jury proposes. They can
not fail to be well pleased to receive support from
such an influential quarter There is one suggestion
relative to the OF the feeble-minded which we
think should not receive favorable consideration by
the Legislature That is that the institution for their
m ght be made part Of some institution already
existing. Such course feel sure. would be a
mistake il anything of a really beneficial nature is to
be done for the feeble minded The State Hospital
Farnhurst is for the insane and the feeble minded
many Of whom ut subjects for curative remedial
treatment IL taken in time, should be kept Tar
possible from such constant atmosphere OF pro-
nounced mental abnormality as surrounds the Farm
hurst hospital The Ferris Industrial School for
Boys exists for the and reformation Of boys who
are criminaily inclined. The Delaware Industrial
school for Girls is for hayward girls who refuse to
respond TO home restraint in the matter OF observing
certain well-denned and fundamental social conven-
tons. There is constant atmosphere OF criminaty
surrounding the County Workhouse.
Our feeble-minded children should be placed in an
environment removed as far possible from atmos-
pheres OF pronounced abnormality, criminality and
waywardness. They should have normal surroundings
scientific and instruction and be gwen fair OPP
portunity cast of the mental clouds that surround
them. That certainly never can be done by bringing
them n daily contact with insane. criminal and
hayward classes. Being weak OF mind through
genital or other causes they must be inspired TO
work their way TO the normal plane. be carefully
safeeuarded from mental and physical harm while they
are doing it and not be exposed TO dangers which
possibly do not surround many Of them in their pres.
ent environments. We have doubt that second
thought will imre many OF the Grand Jurors 10 take
that view Of it. re that Il may. felicate them
upon having made the prime suggestion that nst-
tuition he provided the and treatment OF such
persons
The compliments paid by the Grand Jury TO the
agements Of the Almshouse the Ferris Industrial
School for Boys. the Delaware Industrial School for
Girls and Hope Farm arc well deserved There also
is merit in the suggestions bearing upon court fees
the better reguat on OF junk sellers dealers and
the suppression OF the traffic in habt-form ng drugs
Taken all in all il is admirable report