New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-13
The City Prison,

aeainst which we must be allowed to enter our pro-
test. Go into the Female department OF the
Tombs at any time, and you win find the corridors
and stairs througed with all sorts of females, from
those who have been stepped in vice for years, to
the Young girl who he's been thrust there for her rst
alleged offence Here they all crowded ind!s-
crimnately together; and here the young yro'
when perhaps she is just beginning to trcHbe with
loathing, disgust and horror at the false step anu
It's consequences, receives encouragement, patron
age and instruction from those older and more
hardened in iuiqui,y. Here she is faniliarized
with the most undisguised infamy; here she hears
the highest encomiums bestowed on the least scru-
pulous; here she secs those apparently most happy
who are the most reckless in sin; here, IN short
every influence is polluting-her intercourse with
her fellow prisoners is so without qualification.
Some of these, too, have frequent visitors from
without, whose presence contributes TO AM thing
but order and better state of things, if we may
Judge from the oaths, blasphemy and filthy Jests
which are banded between them. We have seen
in these passages things that are commonly dess
mated gentlemen sometimes the counseioEs and
advisers of these miserable creatures, who seem
to adapt themselves with admirable facility to the
society in which they find themselves for the mo-
ment. Here the fumes Of rum and tobacco steep
the senses; foul atmosphere poisons the health
and cripples the better energes and altogether
we believe it would be difficult to pat in operation
more cunningly devised plan for corruPting the
mind and stimulating the propcnsties which lead
to crime. AS means of protecting communities,
the system is so near failure that we know Of no
other word which will SO well describe it. 1t
makes the bad worse-the worst no better; and IS
perfectly impotent to restrain by fear the largest
classes of offenders. This is every day demonstra-
ted BY the readiness with which great numbers,
who have once enjoyed its hespitalites, return to it
when they have been expelled. 1t is we'll known
that largo numbers of both sexes are the constant
inmates of this establishment, and of the Penlten-
tiary on Blackwell's Island. They are first sent
to the Tombs for some crime or misdemeanor, have
their trial, and if the offence is deemed worthy OF
it, go up TO the Island and spend from one to six
and twelve months. They are then discharged, re-
turn to the City, and remain sometimes week,
sometimes day, and sometimes few hours only,
before they are escorted back, where they find q
large circle Of acquaintance anS associates as de-
PRAYED and foul as themselves. Here, then, is
congenial society; food-if not the bcst-better,
perhaps than they could procure elsewhere and
leisure to enjoy these and whatever other pleasures
the place may afford Here they live in filth, foul
atmosphere, drunkenness, and whatever else Of evil
can be prosecuted; and here they corrupt each
| ~ Il folJ
the children of perdition
Now we have no objection to these poor wretch
es having comfortable place of refuge provided
for them, when they no longer safe members of
community; but we have objections to this place
being made q den of pollution, and to their con-
hnemeut therein being made the occasion of cor
rupting and making them every way worse instead
of better. We have, too, an objection to their be-
ing supported here in idleness at the public eS-
pense, when their industry might be made avail
ale to afford revenue to the City, and in cases
where it might be proper, TO furnish themselves
with means to go out and live, for few days at
least, independent Of prostitution and theft. But
VIC have said enough for the present. We have
few suggestions to make hereafter of better plan.
g Have We any Grand Juryin our city? There
was an editorial in The Sus of Friday relating to
the wife and child of Mr.. Bennett, which is more
horribly revolving than any thing We ever saw in a
newspaper before. We presume it is utterly false
and malignant every way; yet, if there were pos
sible foundation for it in TRUTH that would at
all excuse or palliate it. It'll not in regard to the
individuals assailed that speak though the fact
that woman is the wife of the editor of the He
raid does not put her of the pale Of the decen
cies of society. Of her we know nothing good or
or bad; but we do know that the Character of our
city, as well as its Morals, is outraged when
such an article as the Suns is suffered to so un-
whpt of Justice That article will fall into the
hands of the virtuous and innocent-the unfx-
ed and the impressible-it will be read by gentle
and guielcss children; and what must be the i'm
rived! VIVA, the ideas of modesty and decency of
eportrnent and language We have had lots of
poor Infamous rascas indicted for publishing filthy
papers which were only read by the impure, and
so could do comparatively little harm; but here is
Journal which makes its way into decent families
using language to clothe its beastly ideas which
would disgrace the vilest pureus Of our city, and
must exert corruptng and degrading influence.
Can it be that no action is be taken upon it in
behalf of outraged justice
| TEMPERANCE AMONG THE VICTIMS OF CRIME.-
Ga Wednesday evening last, a Temperance Meet
ing of the prisoners on Backwell's Island was held
in the Chapel Of the Prison, which was addressed
with eloquencs and effect by Messrs. Peck, w.
Edmonds and Gilbert of the Washington and Mar