New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-30

u
as much happiness as Is possible 70 indisence;-
TIRE buildings do not appear 20 have been fatndiiy
CONTRACTED although recently erected, they AREA
dv require important repairs
The peritentiary Department, under the cn,r5s
ofMy Keen. we found in an excellent COALITION
for Cleanliness, order ard discipline no institution
of he hind excels il in these essential qlahuss.I
Aun-isoners whose health will allow, are required
10 lsbor. but none are oveTtasked At presehs d
large number are employed in improving tne ls'snl
The whole number IN confinement = elsht huuuleu
ard fity-one. ,...,,,h
ern extremity OF the Island, Is nearly ready Or
cursrcv TIE plan Of this eiifce IS admirable bat
its construction reflects 10 credit or any person
concerned therein.
Although built on a foundation Of solid ROCK and
with water rails apparently the most enduring, us
walls already indicate insecurity and speedy diaP-
! idsfion In the erection oil public buildings d1ra'
biity should be regarded as the first requisite bat
! those Of recent construction, examined By u.s.
seem 10 have been built without the slightest a.
| tempt 10 secure quality so desirable.
The Hospital building at Belvue is in very d.
lspidsted condition The walls were faithfully con-
stfuced and need little or No repairs bat the en-
tire wood work requires renewal. Portions OF u
exposed 70 the weather, is ia state OF rapid de-
cav. while repeated scrubbing hss nearly worn the
foor out Notwithstanding these dlsadyansages
the Iustitutiop which is under the charge OF Col
Mann il in admirable order. We are especially
eratifed In being sble 70 commend the careful at
teniion bestowed on patients In TINS, ana the nos
pital establishments, by the medical lrce engaged
Ii was rarely we entered ward without finding
= medical attendant in waiting; and in every IN.
stance Of inquiry, the patients appeared satisfied
with the treatment they receive. There are hVe
hundred and thirty-iour patients low under charge
The City Prison, il the Halls OF Justice. IS lar
from being ia such condition As house OF deten-
II hot fs al III
and philanthropic keeper, Mr.. Edmonds, exerts
every means in bis power 70 keep It clearly aad
omfortable. The fault lies partly in its style OF
tructure partly in the lack OF dormitories and
ther Accommodations for It's crowded population
ut mainly in the quantity Of hlihiness oil which II
sdaily and unavOidsbly made the receptacle Ice
fwo former OF the se may be remedied BY the a1-
iboritiss; the latter, with population and cfim'
must increase IL is possible 20 make some alter
alton in the arrangements of the building, as 1t
row stands which will allow it TO be kept in some
what better order Among these changes, we
would enumerate the substitution OF grated iron
doors to the cells in lieu OF the present close wood
en- ones; iron bedsteadsi and the reclamation OF all
the cells within the enclosure for prison use.
We were painfully impressed while examining
the City Prison by the numerous and alarming in
stances of juvenile depravity. Mere children were
under confinement charged with crimes generally
assumed to require the nerve and desperation Of
persons long practced in vice. This evidence ofthe
increasing corruption OF our youth induced US to
request the keeper 10 prepare statement oil tue
aces Of all the prisoners. But our personal inspec-
zion had not prepared US for the uncomfortable fact
disclosed, that more than one third OF the prisoners
are minors.
The arrangements made by this city for the edu-
cation o. its youth are Just cause for pride, aud
laudsble example TO the whole country Tosup
port that system the wealth Of our citizens freely
avished and in its behalf the time and intellect OF
many OF them, generously given But all VIII oe
in vain if while we cultivate the youthful mind
we suffer the heart to be corrupted. Indeed, II
the juvenile depravity which is spreading IN our
midst is not Immediately arrested what 10 but par
italy the case now will soon be wholly so;-and
the child who knows not father or mother, ana VINO
is reared by the public bounty, IN seciuslon upon
RAndalls Island will be fortunate compared with
those WHO. having home within our ctys bounds,
and ENJOYING the benefits of its educational care,
are vet compelled 70 breath the masma which In
fec,s the moral atmosphere OF its youth NO one
can contern plato without emotion the legacy we are
about to leave the succeeding generation IN the
precOcious criminals we are now rearing. w nat
The future will be, if the evil is allowed to grow
until the great mass of our youth become deprav-
ed cannot be imagined without horror.
II does not seem to be within the power Of the
public authorities, under existing laws 10 DO much
tow ards curling the evil influence now working
upon our youth. We have not examined whsthcr
all that can be done he's been. Our attention 10
this point has been sufficient. however, to satisfy
US thatthe Of coniIing juvenile delinquents
at the City Prison and should be improved.
They should be seduousy kept apart from adult
prisoners This is obvious The failure to sepa.
rtte them heretofore, is mainly 70 be ascri0ed to
want of necessary accommodation. That part OF
the City Prison occupied by the Sixth District Pc
lice. was intended for juvenile denquents, AMI
should be Immediately restored to its original pur
pose, and quarters elsewhere provided for the po'
lice.
Official rest amt. however, must be exercised for
tie protection of youth and to that end further
eisston is necessary. IL is held that society has
rover 10 compel the education Of children. Has 1t
not equal power 10 shield them from vice Ii we
admit that lille at home they are only liable 70 the
authority which governs there is IL not neverthe
less 10th the right and the duty of society to guard
them from evil associations and corrupting inhu-
ences when abroad Clearly is. We find in the
CITY Prison, children confned under the five day
act for being drunk This fact suggests forcibly
the necessity for law inhcting severe penalty
uuon the sale or public delivery OF intoxicating
liouors 10 minor. Whatever weight may be at
tsched to the position that the sale of liquors to
! adults cannot be prohibited without infringe
ment of personal rights, none will assume that the
! objection applies 10 such prohibition in regard 70
children. So, Also penalty should be affixed to
the admission Of youth into houses OF intamy and
also 10 the admission OF chi ldren under fixed age
utotheaters and some other places Of public amuse
merits. unless accompaniedby relatives o. masters
such provisions of law it should be the duty OF the
Police 10 enforce; and that power should be imper
stiyev required to disperse all congregations OF idle
! boys and especially street gamblers, and those
around street corners and places Of public resort
Idlepess is n fruitful parent oil crime, aud no
where is il more prolific than among the crowds OF
youth who gather in our streets aad spend hours in
the ruin Of each other, and the annoyance of pass
ers by.
Bnt all that the public do to improve or to re-
strain children will be inadequate, unless aided by
those nearer to them. Parents and masters have
fearful responsibility, which is now very often too
sadly neglected. Upon their own shoulders viii
mainly rest the guilt if children committed to their
guardianship enter upon manhood with corrupted
hearts and uncultvated faculties. The influence