New-York daily tribune., 1844-07-02
x, TUESDAY MORNING. JULY =. isaa.
General Reform.

General Reform.
The following Memorial gives promise of bet
ter era in City affairs W;l the Cooperation re-
spond to it Ii they do. let them DO it thorough
", not By halves Let US see if New York can.
not be the first great City to extend the Charity
Of work and wages however inadequate) to all
who need them
To The Mayor and Common Cozel Of .ie City e Veg York
The MEMORIAL of the Undersigned members Of
different Societies. organized for the SUPPRESSION Of
vice, and others who synpathze with them in
their desire to promote pubic morals
Sheweth, That among the deserving poor Of
this city, hundreds would gadly gain livelihood
by honest industry if they tould obtain employ
ment but no public provision being made for
them. other than the Aims House, that common
receptacle for beggars and persons from the lowest
dregs of societv-priGe OF character often drives
them to suffer long without complaining, then
resort to theft, or TO dens OF same, and finally to
the deepest degradation.
That among this class of persons, there are
many, who, were the charity ot ,nork," with
a Just equivalent, given them at the proper
time, might become an ornament to society H.
stead Of loathing and curse.
distribute aims amo,.g the destitute ef our city,
panied by the remark. :" We do not ask for chari-
ty, we do not wish it, only give US employment,
let us earn the means Of subsistence, and we
shall then be happy"l
That there are several thousand fallen, de-
graded beings in this city who dcpredate upon
society at large. pursue no regular employment,
annoy the respectable portions of the community,
ensnarc the exposed, corrupt the unsuspectIng,
carry misery and wrctchcdncss with them at
every step, and leave desolaton in their blood
stained track. If these persons were arrested
and placed in an institution where they would be
compelled to labor not only would their own
well being be greatly promoted, but multitudes of
the young and uniriended would be saved from
their deadly influence.
That among these fallen ones are many who
are the victims of oppression and wrong-who,
if placed in other circumstances, with regular
employment and such supervision might be
dictated by the law of kindness, would be re
stored again 10 the paths of virtue, to their
friends, and to Society.
That the best interests of our City, as well VEL a as
u Jul common nuInnH''y, "di' iouuly ioi ',ie .'
tepostion of It's constituted authorities, to devise
means to remedy these evils
That the provisions of both lnac and mercy are
,s much demanded in behalf of this class OF per-
sons as in The case OF the insane, the burglar, or
the assassin.
1t is confidently believed that one or two
Houses of Industry, under ludicious manage
ment, beside driving unnumbcred streams OF
misery and death. might be made matter oil
economy to the financial interests of the City, by
greatly diminishing its number of ptupors, It's
criminal prosecutions, and the number Of cnml-
nails to be supported from the public treasury.
Your memorialisls therefore earnestly solicit
that your honorable body Will give the sub ect the
attention it merits and take such measures rs will
effect the desired end, as soon as may be practI-
cable.
Your memoriaIists also beg leave 10 add, that
their petition in relation TO the appointment oi Il
-Matron for the female department at The Iombs
and penitentiary. is presented in consequence OF
crying abuses that have been long known TO exist
An ,vrraus -i some Go or 20 v-oneIi are usually
TO be found IN the City Prison, Without any en-
ployment rohatercr-oten at liberty 10 pass from
cell to ceIl-under the sole care of men, and daily
coming IN contac; with those Of all principles
and of no princiDi detained in this situation,
from week to week, and often from month to
| month till they shall be proved guilty or acquit-
ed. If condemned and sent to the Penitcntiary
although they may have there some employment
vet the influences are for the most part the same
A great rant existing in either case IS THIS the
counsel, care, and protection of one who could
speak to them as Il m0fher; by her countenanct
and words inspire hope, awaken new purposes
stimulate and fan the latent spark OF sell-Tespect
and teach them that by repentance, right lnten
tons, industry and application they may agar
rise in the scale of being. This same Dant once
existed at Sing Sing, but has been met and with
good results That it may also be met through
your kind agency in the TWO criminal institutions
now under your jurisdiction, is the earnest desire
and prayer OF your mcmoralS's.