"GRAND JURY GAVE PRESENTMENT TO THE COURT TODAY," Sault Star. June 26, 1913. Page 1.
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Put Blame for Escapes on Fact Gaol Has Not Been Put in Shape.
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SAY IT IS CLEAN AND WELL KEPT
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Congratulate Judge McFadden on Elevation to the Bench.
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This morning at the assize court the grand jury presentment was given to the court. Following the habit of former grand juries for some time they condemned the present gaol as inadequate for the needs of the community, and were inclined to lay the blame for the escape of the prisoners not on the gaolers but on those who neglected to remedy the condition of the gaol.
The presentment read as follows:
To Your Lordship Chief Justice Brit- ton, of the High Court of Ontario, held in Sault Ste. Marle, Ontario, June 24, 1913.
We, the Grand Jurors, take pleasure in presenting to you the following report.
We wish, in the first place, to congratulate Your Lordship on your continued health and strength with which kind Providence has blessed you, fitting you for your arduous duties. We trust you will be long spared to attend to them.
We wish also to approve of the elevation of Crown Attorney Moses McFadden, K.C., to the Junior Judgeship of the District Court of Algoma, and convey to him our congratulations. We also hope he will be spared to administer justice to the people of his district.
We regret to find the crimes of rape and attempted rape taking up such a part of the docket before the Grand Jury. We believe that when proven these crimes should be severely punished and a determined effort made to stamp out this too prevalent evil.
We have examined the court house and gaol in this city. We understand that former grand juries have made repeated efforts to better the condition of both, but no attention has been paid to their presentments. It may not be much use for us to make further complaint as to the inadequacy of these buildings for the needs of the community, and our report may probably be treated as many others have been.
We found the gaol clean and well kept. We were greatly surprised to find paupers, old men, one of them unable to move with rheumatism, confined in the cells meant for ordinary prisoners. We are glad to know that this condition of affairs will soon be rectified by the building of a poor-house in the district.
We cannot but wonder at the number of escapes made by prisoners, but we believe that the responsibility rests less with the gaolers than with those neglecting to rectify prevailing conditions.
All of which we respectfully submit.
(Signed) R. M. GARRIOCH, Foreman.
