The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-10

operation on part Of the keeper Of that iusttu
ton
Tho aims house proper and nursery being in process
Of removal to1thc new buildings Blackwclls and
Randalls island opportunity was afforded OF form
ing correct judgment of their condition,
Tho two buildings and chapes authorized by for
administration to be erected on Blackwell
island for the accommodation of the aims house pro-
per, have been completed. An addition has likewise
been made to the lunatic asylum which with the new
mad house, now nearly finished will furnish ample
room for this class Of unfortunate persons who may
become n charge upon the city.
The plan for tho new aims house as originally pro-
posed contemplated the erection on Backwelrs island
to which the whole establishment to be removed Of
two additional buildngs-onc as a workhousc and the
other as hospital for the sick No measures have
been taken for erecting these buildings and it has
been determined by your prcdeccs to retain
the present aims house at Bellevue az hospital for the
sick poor 1t is presumed that such provision will for
some time to come meet the emergencies Of this estab
lshment.
would, however, recommend that tho original de-
sign be carried out by erecting additional buildings
the Aims House Randas Island, where the nursery
buildings are now located and by appropriatng the
present buildings Blackwels Island for tho pur-
poses of work house There is still remaining of the
amount which has been authorized to be funded for
the erection Of the Aims House buildings, considcra-
Bile balance which may be applied to this purpose.
work house Is important and necessary adjunct to
a well regulated Aims House establishment The sys-
tcmatc employment Of able bodied paupcrs not only
tends to diminish tho burden OF their support to the
city but dscourages disposition to DO maintained at
the public expense.
OF committing to tho pcntcntiary for yagrancy, in
common association with felons many who, although
temporarily helpless from disease intcmperance
yet untainted with crime Larger and better accom-
modations for persons sick with the small pox also
required The building used Is unsuitable for the
purpose. In its present condition. tho separation of
the and Of the viruous from the vicious, il inn
practicable. am informed that "a building might
be erected by labor of the prisoners Mt small expense
and trust that this subject will receive your mmcdi
ate attention
The ordinance organising the aims house depart
ment substituted in the place Of the vo commission
ers who formerly acted, one commissioner with saa-
ry, and with tho power, who should devote his
tire time to the superindcntencc and direction Of the
department This ordinance likewise provided for the
appointing mt OF the supcrintendcnts by the Common
Council the appointment Of the subordinatcs being
the ordinance the latter appointments conferred
upon the cammittcc Of charity and aims, and have
been more recently assumed by the Common Council.
BY dcprving the commissioner Of the selection of his
officers and practically exempting them from ac-
countabty to him. his power to enforce discipline and
economy must be greatly weakened, II not destroy
ed and the purposes for which the ordinance was orr
gnally framed measurably frustrated.
The ordinance also provides that the affairs of zach
branch of the department should he conducted by a
separate head superintendent, under the direction
Of the commissioner, and not, formerly. by the
perncnden of the aims house and requires that the
bills of supplies should be certified by the superin
tcndont Of the particular branch for which the supplies
were purchased. In most this requirement In
literally complied with, but in many instances the
articles required reccptcd for at the aims
and distributed from that place TO the different inst
buttons To carry out the ordinance in its spirit tho
supplies should be purchased or contracted for with
reference TO each particular establishment 50 that the