Milford chronicle., 1920-10-22
GRAND JURY WOULD
Sell THE ALMSHOUSE
SUSSEX GRAND JURY IN ITS REPORT TO
The COURT ENDORSES THE PLAN
TO SELL COUNTY FARM.

After discharging its duties by Wis
iting the Jail and county almshouse,
the Sussex County Grand Jury last
week made a report to the court in
open session, which endorsed the plan
TO sell the county farm and place
the INDECENT poor in the State Asylum
for the Poor, which is proposed to be
supplied. The report follows. and
should be given consideration by the
people generally:
According to custom and the re-
quirements of law. we have visited
the institutions owned by the county,
and with respect to the Jail we beg
to report that we find the Jail prem
ises kept in a clean and sanitary con-
dition. We desire to compliment
Sheriff William o. Johnson upon the
manner in which he has cared for the
Jail premises, and we believe that
they are at present in the best con-
dition that they have been in for a
great many years. The quarters for
the prisoners are kept clean and san
itary and are as comfortable as it is
possible to make them in a building
lacking many of the modern conven-
fences. We do find, however, that
some immediate repairs are necessary
because of the approach of cold wea-
ther, and would recommend that some
of the windows which are broken be
repaired Immediately we also find
that there is no fuel, either wood or
coal, on the premises, and are inform
ed that the sheriff is unable to secure
fuel at this time This being true, we
desire to call the attention of the Levy
Court to what we consider a very ser
ious matter because we feel that
these wards of the public should be
decently fed, clothed and kept COM /
fOrtably warm.
We also visited the almshouse farm
and while the present Overseer has /
been in charge only a short time, we
are glad to report that he seems to
have the affairs of the institution well
in hand, and he and his wife are Civ
ing excellent service in the manage
ment of the farm and in the care of
the unfortunate inmates.
Would Sell AlmshOuse Farm
While the farm connected with the
institution has been reasonably well
cared for and cultivated, yet we feel
that under existing abnormal cOndi-
tions it cannot possibly be made a
paying investment as an agricultural
enterprise, because of the scarcity
and high price of labor. machinery,
&c. We are of the opinion that at
this time a superintendent competent
to manage the farm and at the same I
time give proper attention to the in l
mates cannot be secured, except at a l
much larger expense than the Trus-
tees of the Poor would be justified in
assuming. We heartily approve of I
the growing sentiment on the part of
many people to dispose of a large
part or all of the land connected with 4
the institution and to establish State a
Home We find about eighty per cent n
Of the inmates of the almshOuse are n
feeble minded and should be trans n
'erred to the Home for the Feeble +,
Minded as soon as it is in a position II
70 receive them. The remaining n
.wenty per cent or about seven indi- r
liduals, could be cared for more prop N
erly and more economically in a State
and we recommend that "
he next Legislature take action look If
ng to the disposal of the county aims cl
louse property and the establishment III
# a State institution to take the place o.
f the three county institutions, fully fo
that the unfortunate poor VI
f the county as well as the mentally ~
effective would receive much better I'll
ttention and that the expense would of
kelly be less rather than more than do
nder existing conditions. ON
We wish especially to commend the tb,
resent efficient Board of Trustees Of rel
le Poor. They have given much time tb,
nd attention to the institution at ma
personal sacrifice, and iii,
I'VE added equipment and made chan mn
IS which have placed the institution Sb
a much more sanitary condition. err
hey have purchased and installed 35 etc
odern hospital beds, and bedding, orc
ectric lights and water system, both arr
the superintendent home and in COZ
e quarters of the inmates, so that nos
e feel. that at present time the in lar
ates are quite comfortable as is son
ssible to make them under present Tn,
nditions We do not believe, how Am
er. that conditions there can be mu
ide ideal without mourning much diti
lre expense for The purpose of mod CAV
Zing the buildings, &C., than they in
,uld be justified in incurring. his
Realizing the splendid service that wol
s been rendered by the Trustees of her
> Poor, we feel that they are very was
paid for their services, to q
d would earnestly recommend that 81
= proper steps be taken towards crat
)viding adequate compensation for due
members of the Board. mad
JOSHUA A. ELLEGOOD, Foreman paia
ANTHONY L. HUDSON, Secretary. tari
'opies were ordered by the Court Foil
be fc-;s-;G: :'!c5 70 the Sussex County bill
" Court, Feeble Minded Home toda
lrd of Managers, the presiding Of cent
RS of both branches of the Della Dem
re Legislature and the Sussex cend