New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-07-31
Tb, ,I,.rerie, of New.York.

We give place 30 the following Memorial with
feelings Of beth pain and pleasure pain that such
den Of corruption as The Toznbs should De found IN
our Cirv-pleasure that the work OF reform hiss been
undertaken By men whose character and influence
can hardly fail 10 command success Citizens OF
New YORK read and blush
To lie Honorable Je Common Couaei Of se Ci;y Of Yer
The undersigned have been directed bv the Execut~s
Committee OF me Prison association o; NeSYork % ask
tho attention OF you: honorable 5ode. 70 The neglected
moral condition OF ;hc inmates Of the CRY Prison
On due inquiry they learn mat ne number OF
males IN confinement awaiting ,-la under sentence. sd
for examination II nc Prison, is n and Of females
the number swelling or some DAYS 70 80 ana tna the
total commitments Tor re last yea- we're over 1000 OF
which more than coo we're boys and -lr.s
Tho OF religions teaching gwen 70 ire mae.
or TIE sabbath almost literally nothing Occasionally
they are addressed b. phianthropic individuals put
these efforts very ra-e ard no reliance csa or ought
De placed them.
Tie females are somewha; better supplied. owing TO
the sedenying and per-cverins efforts OF small
Der Of Christian women.
The undersigned have not been able learn that any
other exer,ions made for me moral good OF the
prisoners excepting il may De, SUCH as are bestowed
under The direction OF the Association whom they now
FeP[e Pre- 5aLb,, .,,oo,, Of "a. =, .,o ,.o,sr. . Tho
perusal Of licen;ious publications smoking &C. while
the ri5ald jos; and HeavendArng profanity takes The
place OF the appropriate OF prayer and praise
BIZ whose connvance inc tabscco and me papers and
books are introduced the undersigned do not know
In sad truth me City Prison Is 70 rrurudes but the
gate OF perdition. Here De found the hardened
and reckless criminal the polluted and polutns wo
man the ragged .der; the boaed and del.rous drunk
ard and the srtfu and schemng villain Into sucn so
cietv this are unfortunately thrown poor but inno
Witnesses whose very souls revolt al these degrading
associations young boys and girls detected IN their first
petty offences against the lave OF society children OF
tender years guilty OF but those Of pgrery and
the loss Of parents awaiting heir passage 10 the City
Founding Institution on Long Island; the poor and az
fc,cd their 20 the Aims House; the oIgated
mind bound for the ASYLUM OF Lu1scv; and finally. the
honest immigrant who having braved the pers OF the
nome OF liberty and plenty Is transferred ;rom
the confinement OF the snip 10 Incarceration IN the den
Of feon and prostitutes thus saving by The loss OF MS
character md se!trespcct and the lInmolaton OF his
bright hopes, few patry shillings 70 his importer.
Our wonder az The increase OF crime ami the
unblushing exhibitions OF vice in city when we see
public Institutions which should exert moral
influence their cupsblc unfortunate inmates. thus
converted into instruments OF gross deprivation. For
th- state OF things there can DC no usrhcatlo oT ti,
remedy the hands OF the constituted authorities
The claims of common humanity, the wcl-oclng Of
endcarcd family circles, M honorable regard 10
the fair fame of city and the impulses OF larger
patriotsn-al start up arguments strong and number
less for the immediate action OF those having the power
to eradicate these fostering evils
We ask then OF your honorable bodies that these
things be inquired into and suitable remedies be pro-
vided. Particularly we commissioned now TO ask
the appointlnenf OF Chaplain for those only who
population that passes through these gloomy walls.
This measure would be the beginning Of better things
but tho beginning only for the perfection OF the work
will only be ATTAINED when the whole system radically
changed the young separated from the old the honest
witncs, from the abandoned criminal and the unioru
and the vile longer thrown together n one
common OF moral putrescence. We speak earn
csv for observation has made Us feel deeply.
With confidence that the facts need but be presented
for the consideration OF the Councils 10 insure their pro
pcr remedial action the undersigned respectfully urge
the appointment OF Chaplain at the City Prison and the
adoption of such other measures as VIII advance the
great end OF the mora! reformation OF Us inmates.
The Executive Committee OF the Prison Association
would gladly undertake the appointment and support OF
a Chaplain with the assent OF the Common Council
were then adequate the expense But the nu
erous aud urgent calls FOR their aid by those who
struggling 10 retrieve honorable position in society
and other demands upon them nearly urgent forbid
their assuming this burthen The undersigned new
erheless respectfully suggest that the appropriation
10 them by the Common Council OF q sum sufficient 10
compensate one competent FOR these important duties
the Executive Committee viii at nominate Tor the
station clergyman OF Christian character and attain
ments who will command the confidence OF our fellow
citizens.
Its however provision for the moral and religious in
structon OF the inmates OF the prison, that we seek
the mode in which il is made. is OF comparatively small
moment Which prayer IS respectfully submitted
f. n HAVENS, JOHN W. EDMONDS,
JOHN DuER RICHARD REED,
ISRAEL RUSSELL, WM C. RUSSELL,
GARRISON CROLlUS, Commune