The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-07-28
prSsrMonA, CLrSros Co July ., is47

DRNSEMohA, CLINTON 10 July =, 1871
Two years since visited this vicinity, and gave your
readers brief account Of the Clinton prison. which
about that time, commenced ut this place Being
again in the northern part of the State Induced
to revisit it, and note the progress Of the work under
very efficient agent Ransom .ook, Esq. The change
which has taken place almost miraculous Then, the
convicts who had been recently brought here, were
housed In temporary wooden sheds secured ut night by
chains and employed in grading the mountain around
the mine preparatory laying the foundation for
raee prison, and other buildings connected with the
work Since that time the prison has been built two
hundred and ninety feet In length by y-nye In
BREADTH in the most substantial and improved manner
with cells to accommodate two hundred and any.two
conyicts and wing Of almost equal dimensions for the
hospital chapel kitchen eating room, SC These build
ngs the former intended to be continued in one drec
ton may in future be required built In the best
possible manner-srong convenient well ventilated and
supplied with water from II mountain near by and
kept In the utmost cleanliness and ord, -
About fifteen acres around the mine enclosed by
stockade within which mill furnace ma chine
shop, agents dwelling house, and large stone building
Immediately over the mine to contain the machinery
burning grinding and separating the About one
hundred and fifty convicts employed,
This work has from the hrst encountered q most
singular opposition, originating principally with the
contractors at the other State Prisons seconded by
those who disappointed In obtaining location
the Ausabir Forgetting or disregarding the psrensge
OF this work the mechanical classes no feeling the
injury done them by the competition against their busi
ness IN the Auburn prison forth In their strength
and demanded OF the legislature that other
ploymeut should be given to felons besides that which
gives them and their families breadforgeting every
tn but selfish and sordd they ha W.
circulated far and wide the most statements
concerning the condition and prospects Of the under
taking so strong this opposition that the cgsla-
e has ut every session been obbied by those seeking
to prevent the necessary appropriations for carrying
forward the work II was asserted there was
no ore In thc state niue worth mining aud this too
In the face and eyes OF tho opinion Of Prof Emmons
who made examination before tue mine purchased
by the State During the past year the has been
opened; seven thousand tons Of already raised,
and awaiting ths compet Of the separating machine
will silence ~ has already done the statements
OF the want OF ore. The mschinery viii be
pleed When the expediency Of emp yiDg convicts In
the iron business viii bs tested doubtess to the sxts
faction OF the friends Of the undertaking
This work let it be understood. concession to
the mechanics of this State the injury done them the
Auburn prison was immense ana they folt It, Many In
dustrious mechanics driven the interior OF the
State because they could not withstand the monopoly
Besides 1t was said that almost every branch Of mocha
nioal employ degraded by employing convicts
at 1t. This, with other consider atoms produced
strong feeling among the mechanics few ycars since,
the result OF which has been the establishment Of the
Clinton prison where the raising and separating iron
ore constitutes the employment IL Ia due 10 the
chanics Of the city OF New York aud of the State
rally to he informed OF tho result of the undertaking
which was produced mainly by their efforts and ,nnu-
ence. SARANAC.