Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-06-19

IMPRISONMENT YoR DEBT.--The annexed Present
ment was on Friday made the Court Of Sessions BY
the Grand Jury Of the City and County Of New York.
The sentiments Of kindness and humanity which il
bres,heu viii be scarcely less grateful to the unfsr,u.
nate isdivd.als Tor whose benefit it was immedi
aieiy intesded than citizens generally. When
viii this bsrbsrous system Of imprisonment for msfor.
tune be bloed from the statute books Of the salion
Il essentially from hcse Of the Stale Of New
York and many other States!
The Grand Jury for the City and County Of New
York respectfuly present that they have recently had
thsr attention called alleged abuses in the situation
or irnpy,s debtors confined 10 the building re.
cen,ly erected the Sikh Ward OF said city and known
as the Halls Of Justice or House Of Detention.
Bcliev,ar IL early within the scope Of their duties
investigate the truth Of said allegations, with desire
the CORRECTION OF abuses that might be fownd exist
the memh~rs Of the Grand July In body visited the
prison.. They were shown range OF ~ cells ct the
dimensions eabout feet BY EACH occupied as
they we're Informed by the keeper. by % individuals
or about i~o 10 each cell The whole had been
previously dstrbutcd trosgh the cells thus inspected
and pasallel row OF similar construction mmedistey
underneath These cells originally designed for the
Occupation Of but one person. are obviously not su
cen,y veil ventilated for the accommodation Of two,
psrscalarly during the present extreme heat Of the
weather. In addition TO this, from the Of the
building and consequent dampness Of the cells, the
walls Of which are plastered upon stone, they are
deemed as Jet to be in vcrv unfit situation to be ten
antcd by individuals whose hives health Of the
least importance themselves, to families from whom
they may be separated, the community Al large
ftfs bat an act Of Justice say that the arrangement
~ Two persons In cell dictated by motives Of hu
manly N being the best that could be done under cx
sng circumsts ncesthe ground tier Of ces from their
excessive 1ampness, being absolutely sn,cnan,sblc
From The nature cf the laws cf State upon the
sobjecs If imprisonment Tor debt the persons thus con
6ned strangers, and certainly sst class who are
20 be considered having that account diminish
ed claim upon Dur sympathy. Among their compIsiats
of severe csds and various rheumatic affections re-
ouch A. being thus brought To the notice sf tho proper
solhori,ies, We persuaded viii not fail receive
that immediate and proper attention fer which the cir
wnile up-n this subject the Grand Jury came, With
hold an expression OF opinion upon the pepriey Of
c.pvins any portion Of building used mainly Cor the
smprisonment of persons charged with criminal e.
fences a. = place Of confinement tor debtors. They
besvs the practice be utterly repugwsn 70 the spirit
~ eur free Institutions and long the law author
i.nr Imprisonment for debt remain upon oar statute
books, at least should ~ the policy Of community
secoesnv the ere csrdissl pv,sciples Of justice. Tn
dissing1ish betwcer the individual whose highest of
fence may be the result of misoruncs wholly beyond
HIS CONTROL and the hardened felca whose whole life
has been spent in crime, and against whose deprsds
dous he wallis q State Prison peuitentary pre-
sent the only safeguard TO the Community. ~ ~ \
ctjert w view brought farwsrd before one branch al
our Guy Counci and they hut entertain coa6
desi hope that ssbect having suc strong CLAIMS apcn
ihc phisnnrcphy and sense OF Justice G oer consti-
tinted authorities, viii receive their favorable st,sn-
sics. ftey l.at aat t..# ftte.4 l.r 4 .
All 81 which = respectfully ,,s~irsd By order q
The Grand insvest 0i !
ooDsr =. RswAnps. ver.-s.. !
John " visce~G sec~~Ssrtl $3.50 ~. $500 !
GrssA Jsry ksesss sysse 10. tsss.