The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-03
To the Democracy OF the state OF New

rejected has become my duty self defence to state
the circumstances which led to the presentation OF my
for that Office and also those which induced my rte
| lection.
ject that penentary system and discipline still IN
its infancy, science branch Of political economy
that since the bold and original efforts OF Captain Elan
Lynds the founder of present system at Auburn IN
s2a system which, with all its defects attracted the
attention and general appreciation of the civilized world
no progress has been in but the contrary in this
state in particular it has taken retrograde movement
In this state OF things in similar cases. con.
likely make the best advisers in the of settled
theory and written rules, provided good use has been
that the adviser is not always the best judge. Yet, as
have given much attention to the subject, and resided
some twelve years in the immediate vicinity of the prison.
and been several architect of the stone department.
Qrom 1882 to 1886 inclusive) and the misera-
BILE and reckless policy pursued in its government,
the meflciency and imbeciity Of its oicers-their
disregard to public opinion and violations OF the laws.
would not, could not, honest democrat see the
party assume the government of that institution without
least suggesting to the heads of government the pro-
priey and importance Of pursuing different policy In
vigorous effort to suppress mechanical labor State
prisons New York city alone rcmonstrances to the
Legislature signed by nearly twelve thousand mechan.
land there was much excitement the subject through
out this State.
This effort the part those opposed to prison labor
vesgae the subject during the of the Legislature
and report the results of their deliberations to the next
session. Messrs Litchfed Moore and LOOMS were the
commissioners appointed for that purpose ard their
port demonstrates how thoroughly and faithfully they
discharged the duties imposed on them
These commissioners had not proceeded far in their
investigation when they discovered the momentous i'm
porance attending the result of their deliberations they
found that they had either to recommend the total
abandonment of penitentiary STEM the most popu
lar in the civilized world, devise of avoid.
and removing the objections of the mechanical COM
munity. Mr. Ely Moore president Of numerous
association ofmechancs in the city Of New York styled
faithful representative of the mechanical interest
| on these questions.
On an interview with these commissioners suggested
u
acture Of articles of which the supply for the consump.
ton Of this country was chiefly imported and was much
| by Others and met with their appreciation
1t evident that thel manufacture of such articles
would steer clear of any just of complaint the
part othe mechanics and be the policy of the State
government The commissioners recommended this pc.
Icy in their report, and deliberately set forth their
for doing See Assembly document 1885, No. 135,
the result of which was that law was passed at the
thus No mechanical trade shall hereafter be taught to
convics in the State prisons of this State except the
king of those articles Of which the chief supply tor the
consumption OF the couHtry is imported from foreign
The inspectors of the prison shall have power
employ citizens from abroad for the purpose Of teach
ing branches of business in the State prisons which
| are not pursued in this State"
Notwithstanding the prohibition of the 7h and the dis
creonary powers conferred by the 9Th section of this
law, all of the trades objected to by the mechanics with
emnoyed ut them with mnugiy and the old Contracts
either renewed extended subsequent 10 the passage of
prison still farther incensed the mechanics and in the
manufacturing districts of the State. anti State prison
monopoly" became a political hobby, on which candi-
| dates were to ride into Office.
In the great political campaign of $780, the odious repu.
ation and government of the prison turned with
much effect against the democratic party in this part of
the State and as by the political of last fall it
evident that the democracy would again assume its
government felt much selictude a citizen Of Sing
Sing-the county of Westchester-an as a democrat
that the institution Should be placed in the hands of per-
administration. was the more disposed to make move
in this when found that of the old officers
were candidates for reappoinment with fair prospect of
| success
In 1884, April eth, lew passed submitting certain
contracts for convict labor to the opinion of the Aor.
General the question Of their validity and making
tia msdemeanor for officer Of the prison to employ,
consent the employment of convcta trades prohbi
ment the prison since the law Of 1855 was evident
that the Attorney General would annul several the
contracts ascerained that others not submitted
to his examination would expire before required
to make his report in short it was found that by the
violations Of this lew by the officers Of the prison. that
half Of the convcts would be dle and that within the
over six hundred would be ont of empoym and
yet most of the officers who had produced this of
things clamorous applicants for appointment.
In this state of things what TO be done7 II the old
officers were reapponted it would require the whole
strength of the party sustain them and then
| would be working in a bad cause.
Retired as private citizen the products ofmy
industry was not disposed to NEEDLE with public affairs
but knowing that "what is every mans business. is in
ject perceived the necessity having least one mem
Der in the board Of inspectors who could comprehend the
| importance
would perceive the interest Oft institution and feel dis
posed to govern accordingly-who capable of de-
tending against the assaults of its enemies and conduct
| ing 1t out oil its present endorsements.
With view Ofsarting candidate for inspector of this
class called several prominent members of the demo-
cratic party ia the city Of New York. who united in
commencing John w. Edmonds for the Office. Mr.. Ed.
ronds first declined to serve, but afterwards consented
| Then and there requested to enter the field
another candidate. This suggestion was entirely
| new to me, and objected on account of my intend
| ed absence to Europe the coming Within few
n of
had been agreed upon by certain clique politicians in
county, that the honorable senior Senator Of
to their appointment and that the subordinate officers
were all promised to some Of his retaners doubted the
truth of this statement at first but recollecting that
honorable gentleman left his in the Senate Utica
last fall to attend county nomnaonsthat he pro
cured himself to be made OF the congressional dele
gates. and LETT his and public duties again attend
the congressional ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS with his general
probably true and on consult ng with many friends
the subject finally consented to become candidate for
the office Of INSPECTOR provided it could be ascerained
that the honorable Senator would undertake to effect the
| appointment Of his packed Board.
With view of keeping eye this matter repair.
ed to Albany at the of the session OF the
the Legislature and bad interview with the said
tor Hunter tae subject Of the prison appointments
which pressed upon him the Importance Of splitting the
difference in our local matters harmonizng the party
and the appointment of inspectors unpledged to any
ddaes for subordinate officers with the proprie,y oil
ing members in the Board OF eminent talents
He assented to my suggestions and left him under the
hope that he would take that course, resolving OH my
| part to abide the result.
Tive evenings after this the Senator invited inter.
view with the two members of Assembly from West
chester county for the purpose of agreeing nomi.
nations. Instead of private interview, expected
by the members they found the senator attended by two
ofhs political friends tho member OF congress elect,
for whose nomination he had shown much solctude
and the other candidate for the office Of loan commits.
sioner II soon became evident that these
were present for the purpose of sustaining the senator in
carrying his packed board OF inspectors "The honor
able senator OF the second who always begins and ends
with professions Of democracy, presented list Of
five names for inspectors, all good and true of his
political clique three of whom members of the old
board Of inspectors who had sanctioned the contracts
made in violation OF law lately unnuied by the Attorney
General Many efforts made to effect a change OF
of the for 9th less Objectionable but in
vain except one unmportan alteration OF new member.
This conduct Of the honorable Senator induced to
suspect what was before generally credited that he in.
tended to devote the patronage of the prison as formerly