Year: 1869

So"Et Va OJei "'" S""sOo O"N w ''N"


THE SEYBBRT MURDER.


In the case OF the Commonwealth vs. Philip Flan-
nigan, who was tried for the murder Of Colonel
James j. Seybert on the night OF September IL, the
jury came into court this morning, having been out
since Wednesday afternoon, and rendered verdict
Of guilty Of murder in the second degree. motion
for O new trial was made


This morning the Court took up the case OF James
McGarrigle, charged with the murder OF his WIFE
In this case the prisoner, while drunk, inflicted
kick upon the side Of his wife who was also under
the influence OF liquor, and she died few days
afterwards. The diniculty is to ascertain whether
death was the result of the violence OF pneumonia
which set in after the occurrence. The trial
has not been concluded.
Presentment of the Grand Jury.
AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT.
The Grand Jury for the November term this morn
ing made this their final presentment which the
Court considered OF such interest that it directed
to be read aloud in open COURT


To the Honorable the Judges OF the Court OF Oyer
and Terminer and Quarter Sessions of the Peace for
| the City and County Of Philadelphia:-The Grand
| Inquest of the Commonwealth OF Pennsylvania in
| quirng for the city and county OF Philadelphia for
the November session, 1862 respectfully present.
That they have discharged all business brought
before them, in accordance with the obligation
which they took upon them at the commencement Of
| They have acted upon three hundred and ninety
four bills, of which number two hundred and thirty
have been returned true bills and one hundred and
| sixty-four have been ignored.


In the discharge of their duty the Grand Jury have
visited the County Prison, Almshouse, House Of
Refuge, and Grard College. Under special instruc-
tions from the Court, close inquest was made into
|
quries also instituted into the treatment OF the
prisoners and into the employment of their time.
| The County Prison was constructed for the pur-
pose OF retaining prisoners in separate confinement
in accordance to the laws Of the State. In the
number of prisoners is nearly double the number OF
cells, and as some of the convicts are from circum
and sometimes three are kept in one cell.
This is violation OF the act OF Assembly. The City
The court continues to send convicted feons thther,
and the superintendent receives them and.does by
them as well as bis means permit.


Most Of these male convictS are employed in some
kind OF work. Those whose term exceeds six months
are usually taught to make boots and shoes. From
that branch or business alone few years since, the
prison paid into the city treasury 900, and this
year it viii pay about $4,000; while the shoes sup
| piled the prisoners, and the amount remaining on
hand at the close of the year, will he about $4,000
more.


| prisoners is woven in the cells by male conyicts.
Male convicts on short sentences are, far pos
| labor"


The carpenter work, the tin work. painting,
on the grounds, are performed by prisoners, gene


In the second and third stories OF the south book
| are the male prisoners awaiting trial. OF course
they do not work. Here are also placed the males
! who sentenced TO Imprisonment not including
hard labor These prisoners cannot be compelled to
| work.


| Investigation showed that while House OF Cor
| establishment would not relieve the County Prison
| to any great extent; and there can be no remedy
| proposed but an enlargement OF the part OF the
| prison devoted to male convicts.


Under the instructions of the court the Grand Jury
felt 1t a duty to inquire whether Snch enlarge
ment as would ensure separate confinement to each
convict would work for the public good, or only for
the greater or less punishment OF the criminal, and
on visiting the female department OF the prison
satisfactory answer was obtained. A few years ago
the cells Of the female department. were more
| male convict block. BY an appropriation OF City
Councils the department was enlarged by the add-
ton of forty 1.-TWO 42) cells, and for year past the
number OF female convlctS has not exceeded thirty
one average fully nfty per cent. less than be-
| lore the department was enlarged. This is one
result OF separate confinement OF prisoners accord
| ing to law, and Of that treatment and instruction
then, reason to doubt that the enlargement Of
the building for male convicts so as to give each
males similar to those that noticeable in the re-


1t is proper to state that the female convcts are
constantly employed In making mendng, and wash


ing clothes worn by all the cony ITS in the whole es
sex While they profit in the way Of school learning


The female department, freed from the inconve-
nence OF crowded cells, was found scrupulously


The Grand Jury were unable to give the male de-
partments OF the Almshouse the proper examination,
the day OF their visit happened to be cleaning day
but generally well pleased with other parts OF
the institution, especially the Insane Asylum, which
they found clean and comfortable, although greatly
crowded. The demand for more room in this de-
partment is apparently very urgent The population
the day OF their visit was IS9 patients Extension
OF the building seems to be absolute necessity for
the protection OF the quiet patients from their violent
| companions.


In the House OF Refuge the Grand Jury found
everything as it should be. The inmates are well
cared for, all engaged in employment OF the most
profitable kind, and discipline 80 ordered that while
the hands are taught TO accomplish tIade OF pur-
suit that will be profitable TO them after their resto-
ration to society, the mind and receive at
the same time such wholesome training as cannot
fail to produce good impression that should last
during their lives.


In their visit to the Girard College the Grand Jury
regret to say that they did not hnd 1t in as ceany
| condition as that, IN their Judgment IL should be
kept especially in the rooms devoted to school pur-
| By invitation OF Hon. Richard vaux, the Grand
jury were permitted TO visit the Eastern Peniten-
tiary, and they take pleasure in testify
that institution Is conducted and would take this
casion to thank the superintendent, Mr.. Halliwel,
| for his kind attention


The Grand Jury, at the solicitation OF his Honor,
Judge Pierce visited the locality OF Bedford street,
and can therefore, without hesitation fully coincide


in the views he expressed on his special charge to


them, and only regret that so little time was left
them of the present term they have, however, done


In the matter all that could be expected OF them. In


this connection we would call the attention OF the


Court to the following parties and houses, which, In


the opinion OF the Grand Jury, should DE indicted as


disorderly houses and public nuisances:-


Michael Kelly, No. 6l3 South seventh street.


Michael Boyle, No. sl7 South Seventh street
gToggeTy.