New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-30
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Prerentment oil the Grnnd JsrY.

The Grand Jury for the May term, made the FOL
lowing presentment, when they were dismissed by
the Court
To 1he Cont Of General Sessions offhe County
IF Netc- York The Grand Inquest Of the City, aud
County Of New DIRK have been so engrOssed by
their duties in the jury room, that but little atten
ton could possibly be given to the various subjects
embraced in the special charge Of the Court. We
have however, visited and examined With some
care the public institutions under the direction Of
the Governors Of the Aims House So far as our
observation extended, those devoted and patriotic
citizens are entitled 10 high communication forthe
faithiulnefs with which they have discharged their
duties to the public.
The Nurseries on Randalls Island, under the
charge of Col. Stearns, appear 10 be conducted in
man er deserving of great appreciation The large
number OF twelve hundred children, mostly the OIL
spring Of crime or misfortune, have, By this noble
charity, been rescued from impending ruin, and
their temporal and moral wants amply provided for
ere the force OF evil example could impress neir
tender minds, and by appropriate training and edu
cation they are being prepared to I'LL respec'a
bic position in society. Additional accOmm)da
tons are evidently required for the constantly IN
creasing number Of inmates. These should be
promptly provided, as the expense Of this institu-
lion will be cheerfully met by the City while the
evidences Of its benefits continue gratifying and
abundant
We deem it cur duty, however not to cave
Randars Island without pointed condemnation OF
an establishment which is disgrace TO the City
and reprosch to the humanity Of the age. We
refer 10 the Potter's Field. Heretofore the great
object appears to have been to ascertain the great
est number ofdead bodies which could possibly be
dispose ed Of within given area We understand
that this problem has been satisfactorily solved at
eleven thousand to the acre. This being accom-.
pshed, as our globe is not yet crowded that men
lack elbow ROOM it will be well hereafter ia the in
terment of the dead by the city, 10 pay some regard
10 decency even If the voice OF humanity isto be
stied and the health of the living uncared for Tue
present Potters Field is rocky foundation. COW
cred by very few feet of earth, hardly sufficient
for single graves This thin soil is trenched for the
reception Of the dead, and tiers of seven or eight
coifins are piled one on another up 70 and above
the surrounding surface. Over the tops and ends
Of these little earth is thrown, but so partially
that frequently the ends, and, in some cases the
tops Of cofiins are left exposed to view. 1t need
hardly be added that these mounds Of putreiactoD,
spread out upon the face of rock TO the action of
the SUM- infect the atmosphere with pestiential
efluvia highly injurious not only to the fourteen
hundred persons in the public institutions on the
Island, but to the surrounding neighborhood TO q
great distance.
We are informed that the Potter's Field has but
recently been put under the control Of the Cover
nors Of the Aims House. and that these gentlemen
mediate some improvements. We do not hesl-
tate, however to declare that the locality is utterly
unfit for the to which it is assigned and that no
improvement will be substantial unless the Potter
Field Is removed to locality where the soil Is
deep or else by the construction Of large number
OF vaults, the necessity of continually opening the
same vault is obyiated Any slighter change will
be not only inadequate but in the end less econom-
ical
The Lunatic Asylum on the North end Of Black.
wells Island, under the management of Dr. Ran
ney, Is credit to the country, and speaks well for
his skill and fidelity. The apartments occupied by
the patients are in admirable condition, while eve
ry care seems to be bestowed on each individual
case TO restore when possible. but at all events to
alleviate. The surrounding grounds are undergo
ing needed improvement; so as TO allow gre ater in
diligence and qualification TO the truly unfortunate
class In charge, who, on our visit, numbered four
hundred ard fiiy-two, Of whom about three hun
bred and sixty are free patients.
The editces Appropriated 10 the sane poor of the
County sre ehgiby located ia the center Of Black
wells Island. The Governors are now construct
ing high stone walls 70 separate this portion of
their charge from the Lunatic Asylum on the
north, aud the Peniientiary establlshment on the
south, as well as suitable barriers between the
edihces allotted 20 the sexes respectively The
grounds within the limits defined for the Aims.
Houses, are also being laid out on principles cacu
lated 10 combine the useful with tue oraamentaL-
These several improvements are effected m ainly by
prison and workhoUse labor; ihas bene6iing the
pubic property, without increased burden to the
tax payers.
The condition OF the Aims House Department IS
highly creditAble 20 the efficient and capable war
den, Mr.. Fitch, who seems peculiarly fitted for the
station. The aged and inhrm. who Constitute the
larger par, Of the inmates receive az his hands the