The New York herald., 1845-03-25
CoURT PRISONERS.


Ihave in addition, the report Of Society, signed by
six gentlemen who have associated for the purpose of
efectng some reform in prison discipline, taken in Fee
bruary last They report in February as there were r
the prison Blackwel Island 1886 fprisoners and out
of these vast proportion had got in for the purpose Of
getting rid Of oathsome disease These number Of pri
had accommodation Of only 496 cells some by
4, containing bunk, which two prisoners each
septhe feet Of one the head Of the other There
was no classification and 1t singular fact, ma ter
OF SURPRISE that there mstron The hos
pita contained 233 invslids, who were visited
teaching appeared to be rather carefully attended to-
there good supply Of bibles but ordinary educa-
ton appeared to be totally neglected The Report
set out these facts. Gentlemen have before me
communications from others who philenthropsts and
take deep interest in the reformation of these crying
what You can do. There are three different modes by
which you remedy the abuse You may prefer an
indictment against the Common Council the Com
you will discharge your duty with irmness in compli
ance with the terms of your oaths for gentlemen
this respect and 20 not against but against the
TEN which has and let the administration Of the
law, the only remedy, abate an evil which all must
deplore. 1t is not necessary to doubt such mea.
sure, and you must make such a representation ss
will enable you to efect such desirable change.
You can recommend various measures TO bring about
this reorm--I myself would suggest two.
There ought to be system Of periodical inspec
tion, by which could 90 into these prisons
could be found, who would be most willing to act
without fee or rewardfor we have many pure minded
phlanthropsts amongst us, VINO would willingly serve
such duty. we'll know that those public officers
who are clothed with arbitrary power often in the dis
charge Of official duty when in charge Of prison. abuse
that powe and there ought to be remedy which nqn
would at once suggest But there is another remedy
that should be appieaa remedy that would strike
At the root Of fevond that remedy is, gentlemen to d
connect the Of your public prssns with the
party pslcs Of the dayto detach them from the blasting
Of party They have been ,r the place
Of party and the discipline and abuse have changed with
every change party This, gentlemen, 10 the manner
In which the public prisons have been conducted
Look 10 your private charities the last consdera
uon is that OF any alb bises amongst the hospitals
snd other departments that supported by phi
vae charities. Now, IL cannot be that these great
institutions In which the well being Of the State is
involved will be allowed to continue in deplorabIe
condition n-and call your attention to these matters
gen'lemenso that you find by your investigation the
abuses which have pointed out do exist you will adopt
such measures will remedy them In the discharge o.
your public duties under the solemn oaths .you have
taken, yon II TO the people--you owe 1t to your
couutrv--you owe II to your God-to discharge those
duties firmly and faithfully ond 70 decide whether or not
those evils which prevail 10 alarming extent shall
any longer continue. apprehend, gentlemen, that ycu
viii! not be venting In duty on this important matter