Year: 1866




which it is dedicated. In appearance i
size, in comfort and in every desirable requ
site it was defective; and when the Coui
Room was crowded, as was frequently III
case, the want of more space and ventillatio
was injurious to the health of all who wer
compelled to be in attendance. The Chic
Justice very properly remarked, that III
present Court House was disgrace to tn
County, that Kent and Sussex both provided
much better accommodations for those VIII,
are charged with the administration of JUS
tlce, and it was time that the people of I
rich County like New Castle should demand
of those in authority some action in the premi
ses, AT the same time, he suggested to the
Grand Jury, should they take any action in the
matter, whether a change in location would
not he of advantage to all the people of the
County. The place for the Court House
was at central point of travel and popula.
tion, and the convenience of the people
should be subseryed in this respect.


The Grand Jury gave the subject due con-
sideration, and made report to the Court,
favorable to a removal of the Courts from
their present location Although we have
once published this report, we think its i'm
porlance justities us in presenting it again
to our readers:
To The Honorable The Judges Of tie Court Of


General Sessions cf the Peace and jail De-


hUery.-


The Grand Inquest of the State of Della
ware, for the body of New Castle County,
beg leave TO report that they have had pre-
sented to them for their consideration three
hundred and thirty-tive indictments, of
which they found two hundred and fifty
true bills, and ignored eighty-iiye. A very
large proportion, to wit: two hundred and
eleven Of the true bills, and seventy-nine OF
those ignored, were violations of the license
laws. The Grand Jury have also passed
upon thirty-two petitions for recommenda-
tion for license TO retail Intoxicating liquor,
of which they granted twenty, and refused
twelve


In the course of our official duties we visit.
ed the County Jail, which we found in the
highest state OF cleanliness and order. In
this connection we wo I'D state that the
Sheriff complained that many persons were
committed TO prison, and laid there for
months, awaiting trial, who had not change
OF, nor IN TACT any, proper clothing. Under
such circumstances it was impossible to
Keep the persons and cells of such prisoners
clean.


As suggested by the Honorable Court, the
Grand Jury desire to call the attention OF
the Levy Court TO the utter insufliciency
and unhealthfulness of the present Court
House That new and commodiaus one
should be provided, with as little delay as
possible admits OF no doubt; but we cannot
recommend that so great an expense should
be incurred on the present site, in view OF
the increasing desire on the part of the COM
munity at large to have the scat of Justice
Tor the county more convenient to the centre
OF population and business.


But inasnluch as the consideration of the
question of removal, and the erection of new
buildings in case the removal is determined
on by tile proper authorities, would involve
considerable time, while in the interval, all
persons having connection with the Courts
would still suffer in health and convenience,
therefore the Grand Jury earnestly urge on
the Levy Court the absolute necessity of
prompt measures for the better ventilation
OF the present Court room.


All Ot which is respectfully submitted.


We have good grounds for the belief that
large majority of our citizens are in layor
of removal of the Courts to Wilmington,
and this change should be made for many
reasons, and among others;


I. The City OF Wilmington is a central
point Of travel and population; more than
one-half the population of the County reside
within the boundaries OF tho City, and more
than tllrec-fiths reside north of the Chris
tana River; all the Railroads, East, West
and South centre at this city, and it is more
convenient to the people of Christiana, Mill
Creek and the western part of Brandywine
Hundred, who have no Railroads


g The population of the northern part of
the County largely preponderating and the
people being engaged in other than agricul.
tural pursuits, it follows as matter OF course,
that most OF the business in the Courts comes
from this section. Why should jurors,
suitors witnesses, judges and other officers
Of the Court lie compelled to so to an incon-
venient place, in order to perform their du-
ties and attend to their interestsg


g. Those in attendance on the Courts
should have ample accommodations during
their absence from home, and not be sub
jccted to the crowd and confusion, which is
now frequently the case at New Castle.


i. Not only during the sessions of the
Courts is the inconvenience of the present
location apparent, hut throughout the year.
the people Of this County are put to trouble
and expense in consequence of the situation
of the public records and all the County
offices.


Many other weighty reasons might he
assigned in favor of the change recommend
ed by the Grand Jury and we may notice
them at some future time


In order to change the County seat an act
of the Legislature is necessary, and the mat
ter should be presented to them at their ses-
sion next Winter. The Legislature may
either absolutely pass a law making the
change, or subject the law TO ratification by
the people of the County at special cleo
ton. In case the latter course is chosen
we object in advance to any such law as that
passed in 1888, when this very matter was
agitated. We believe the expression OF
opinion by petitions will be sufficient to
satisfy any Legislature of the desire of the
people for action without the forms of an
election, but if those who may be in power
at that time think otherwise, the least we
ask of them is, that no farce of one-sided
election shall be palmed of on our citizens
as was the case in 1880. Let the voting be
fair and square, for or against removal.


1t is natural that the people of the town
of New Castle and its vicinity should oppose
any change, 1t is very convenient to them,
or at least to those of them, who have bust
ness in the Courts to have them located in
their midst But should the whole County