The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-24


The Grand Inquest in and for the City and County of
New York take occasion to represent That after having
sderation by the proper officers Of the Court which
they formed they proceeded in the further discharge
Of their duty to visit the City Prison connected with and
forming part Of the building in Centre street called the
Halls OF Justicehat from their supervision well
have been able discover st u a.
time any bad treatment Of the prisoners any of
food or other suitable provision for their sustenance and
that 20 lar forth AS such term be applicable such
place the inmates may be considered in comparatively
comfortable condition They proceeded from thence to
visit place in Edrdge street. called the Jail Debtors
Prison, OF which Deputy Sheriff is the Keeper where
persons confined who alleged be contempt OF
Court who not will not pay militia fines imros
ed by Courts Msral-persons who are prosecuted upon
Civil Suits for Libel Trover &c-witnesses detained
upon trials pending the United States Courts for the
Southern District Of New York-persons who are unable
to procure Bail upon such suits and obliged to remain
II prison until their case; are finally disposed Of in the or
through the Court Of Law Equity The Grand Inquest
represent that many have been detained this
place for long time and Of opinion thar the
sy requires that should be imprisoned
ndor these circumstances they should be provided with
the period of their confinement than convicted murderers
and the worst Of felons.
ror to the tombs or to the penentiary upon Blackwes
Island There but three very small apartments about
who able for the luxury OF this Accommodations
while those who unable to pay confined in cells
with littlght and less airthe dimensions of which
about six feet by nine The building is upon lot IS by
100 feet and being in the centre of block incapable Of
ventilation except from the front and and within this
place is privy water closet which in the last winter
frozen up These cells occupy both sides house.
and there is passage about six feet wide, in
which the prisoners permitted to walk until the time
ofnight when the Deputy Sheriff chooses lock them up
and in of these small cells two and sometimes three
are compelled to sleep
The locality the Jail debtors prison. is in part of
the city not particularly well ventated-s
by reason of its distance from the courts and those who
unfortunate to be confined there especially in
urous in removing them TO obscure and distant region
where it is almost impossible to obtain professional advice
IanHfrn Vtrh. 10
ter except by appeal to the humanity Of the keeper
he Grand Jury believe that of fragrant outrage have
occurred through the agency of men who call themselves
lawyers, but who disgrace to humanity, well
an honorable profession, with view Of exorng money
have no reason to complain of the keeper but they think
the Commissioners Of the Aims House who the almon
es Of public charity should that persons of the de-
scrpton above alluded to- should have better food than
was tasted by of the Grand Jury who inquired into
their condition They beg leave to rresen, the place call
ed the jail or debtors prison, ntolerabe nuisance
disgrace to achrstian community dark spot upon
republican civilization Of the 10Th century in this par. of
l the United States.
The Grand Jury in the further discharge of their duty
proceeded to examine the Ams-Honse establishment
bellevue the Lunatc Asylum and Prison at
Island and the school and establishment for the education
oorphan and destitute children the Long Island farms
They accompany with this their presenment, statement
OF ths statistics OF these under the immed
| ate charge Of the Commissioners OF the Aims House.
appears from this report that there almost 100
persons sailed paupes within the precincts of Bellevue
some 400 convcts and Migrants at Blackwes Island
and unacs and poor children at the Farms and Black
exclusive Of those who paid for taking OF them
The expenses Of the and the various depart
ments under the charge ofthe Commissioners for the last
year. as ascertained from the Comptroers accounts
mnating upon the ist OF January. 1874 including 81 900
expended upon building is saSi ooo The expenses for
the year i642 were $23S, 900.
lnthe examination by the Grand Jury of the practical
operation and the executive administration of system
which they think their fellow citizens will condemn as
radically deiectiveso far forth those who have charge
OF them are concerned they saw little to find fault with
except insufficient ventilation aud want Of cleanliness
in he
at Bellevue which ID entirely inexcusable there is
abundant supply OF the Croton water flowing through the
/ grounds Of the establishment.
They cannot forbear, however to accord to the Naron
Of the Long Island FarmsMrs Lee-thc just tribute
assduoSs service in that noble charity Nor yet
would they do justice If they to fail place upon
public record far in them les the high satisfaction
they derived from careful examination OF the Lunatc
Asylum upon Blackwels Island under the charge of
This gentleman has adopted, and successfully pursued
the modern improvements and the more humane treat
ment, Of these most unfortunate Of And the
stitue itself-although requiring great enlargement
was found to be most remarkable for cleanliness neat
and order and is most fortunate in being entrusted
| to such intelligent superntendence. The Grand Jury
would fain hope that future events may DR.
Stewart from this field of useful and phsnhropic labor
They present among other things that the Corporation
ordinances daily violated by encumherng the public
streets with projecting signs temporary structures upon
sidewalks vsgrant children, male and female who
nit petty larceny upon the docks and wharves who
the Of being educated for the State Prison and
] the Pententary.
They present the Harpes around the Tombs and the
Vampires that exhaust the last drop of blood from their
victims, through the Laws delay and hope that the Le
gsators of the land may ntepose remedy for evils
which all feel and none yet have had the courage to
| redress.
The Grand Jury regret that the enormous frauds and
wholesale roberes that have lately been perperaed by
those who have been entrusted with the property of
dows and orphans in the form of stock in Trust Compa
MES and other monisd corporations have not yet been
brought under their notceand that while they have
been occupied in bringing the smaller offenders justice
men who have grown rich upon the spos of the plunder
ed, should escapethe Judgment OF the law.
By order Of the Grand Jury,
! GEO. w. BRUEN Foreman.
| RoBIRT CRAIGHEAp, Secretary.
| New York, 2ad Feb 1914