Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-07-18

LAND OF LIBERrY-HALLs OF Justice" 1.-THE
prisoners confined in the debtors department Of
this deplerable prison, are principally strangers
from other sates who have been logged by theirun-
rslsnng and prosecuting creditors 10 this city, where
they have been betrayed and trapped, and doomed to
suffer the penalties of elons, because they had net
the immediate means Of satisfying the cupidlty Of
their pursaers.
There is nothing in these observations which we
intend apply TO the keepers of the criminal depart
ment. The cells in that section of the building be
ing perfectly clean, and the place in as good con.
dilion as can be expected. In addition TO which,
from personal observation are assured that Mr..
Coggeswell does every thing in his power TO make
the prisoners comfortable that consistent with his
duty to do. The watch house cells, over which ne
has no CONTROL and which ere used to confine prlso-
ners previous TO final examination, are IN the worst
order of course from the nature of its occupants du-
ring the night of any within the enclosure and 1t IS
in these where the greatest mortality will always
prevail.
The cells appropriated TO the use of the Debtors are
in fac, nothing else than wafer closets-and devilish
mean water closets too. One might as well try to
ist in corporation prvy, as in one of those nauseous
holes. large iron pipe runs through all the cells,
with the apparatus of very imperfect and nconven-
lent drain; consequently the FL h from whole range
Of cells pass under the nose of every prisoner,
the slight covering to the sinks being insufficient to
keep out the sitting effluvia The walls Of the prison
are SO damp during rainy weather. as to saiurae the
blankets and clothing of the confined debtors with
water, and mould the bread that chances to lie ever
from one day TO another in a manner Sd as to make
il unfit for use.
We had a sample of this horrible food in the office
last week, but il became so offensive, that we were
soon compelled to throw it out of the window
The unhealhness of the internal dens into which
these Unfortunate men were thrust by the Sheriff, and
the unprncipled and low lived rascas who attend the
prison. induced the prisoners offer the turkeys
bonus to be allowed sleep upon cots in the cell al
lottea for taking their wretehed meals. This propo-
sltion was acceded TO, and things went on little
more comfortably, until it was ascertained that they
had to pay a dollar week each for the Indulgence,
which being unable to afford, the sordid wretch
es took away the COTS leaving the prisoners TO take
up their old quarters in the waterclosets Any citizen
may satisfy himself of the truth of this statement in
the same manner did, by visiting the prison, and
making enquiries from the prisoners personally.
The mnions who occupy the snmanly and degra-
ding situations of kesping watch over these unfortu-
nate men, will do nothing TO oblige them without a
fee One of the prisoners whose word is worth all
the Internal owved raseally turn-keys thatever dis
graced their nature by following SO base profession,
stated that he was obliged 10 give of the pale ia
ced pimps quarter of dollar, for the trouble of
bringing in pitcher of beer that some kind hearted
visitor had furnished for them out OF doors.
One of our precious members of the Corporation
said. the other day. in passing through the gloomy
corridors that the prison was good enough for many
of those that occupied it. For many that occupied
it, he was undoubtedly correction the villainous
mercenares il is even too good place.
In land of freedom and equal rights, that such
things should be tolerated but for instant, is mon
d-blasphemous. Down with the Bas-
tile la lanterne with the supporters Of IT.