The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-25
Laying or the Corner Stone OF she House Of
Refuge for Young Dciinquenfs ON RAN
dalPs Island.

dalIs Island.
Yesterday the ceremony of laying the corner
stone of the House of Refuge for Young Dlinquonss
on Randans Island, took place. At twelve o'clock,
(ncon,) the steamboat Ravenswood, which was
chartered for the occasion, conveyed the company
from Peck slip to the ground The boat arrived
there few minutes before enc o'clock Upon the
arrival Of the company at the ground they were
received with cheers by the RaEdalls Island boys,
who ranged opposite the building, in order to
give them an opportunity to witness the ceremony.
Among the distinguished persons present on tho
occasion, we noticed his Honor the Mayor Chief of
Police, Mr. Matsell, Rev. DR.. X rebs, Rev DR.. Fer
ret, DR. Barrett, chaplain of the institution Colonel
Warner, Z. Wetmore, Gen Bruce, Gcn II kyea,
and Judge Walsh.
The ceremony commenced with prayer, which was
offered up by the Rev. DIR Barrett.
Mayor KINGshAND then addressed the ssemblage,
as follows
The occasion gentlemen on which we are assembled is
of more than ordinary Importance and interest
importance in view Of the influence which ke result OF
the labor hs day commenced to have upon the rising
generation, and interest in view Of the truly aobe
phanthropic motives Of those associated In the enter
prise We not hee merely to lay the
spubc edifce with imposing ceremony-we here to
commence the foundation Of building which may in
time eeud forth to the world wise good vrtuous cit
zens, whose influence and example will be felt and
knowiedged far and wide need not advert to the great
good accomplished by the institution to which the build
ing-ths corner OF which about to lay-is
attached The records of the association afford abundant
and most gratifying evidence OF that But while
joce over the good that has been accomplished cannot
but regret the necessity which demands this addition to
the ccommodaton required and which is about to
be afforded 1t is duty good citizeuas conserva-
tors Of the public to check tendency to vice
and wckedness at the fountain head Vice orignat-
ignorance Of proper parental or
per may be checked by pt and early action
On our part; and in manner that check be
ehcacionsy interposed as through the medium of in
stuion like this. The youth growing up in midst in
md tnnlIf r.,,t 10
placed within the reach proper and culture habits
of industry and discipline acquired which will follow
them Into the world and render them good and useful
citizens, and many who otherwise might find n home in
prison cell, end an ignomnious upon the gal
lcvs may live to bless the day in which they thrown
under the kind and paternal influence which this associ
alton eeeks 10 impart am very happy, gentlemen to
have had the honor chief magistrate OF this city Of
taking an official part in these ceremonies private
citizen my warmes sympathies have been enlisted
on behalf of the association whose members now sur
round me, and am glad to lend my official operation
to measure which will tend to enhance greatly its
.ness, and enlarge the sphere Of its operation the
grSying results of which thrill Of pleasure
to every heart will now, gentlemen proceed to per-
form the pleasant duty imposed and desire to
press nv thanks for the honor conferred ON me and nv
earnest heartfelt wishes for the continued
prosperity Of an Institution having for its aim and OBJ
ject such noble, generous, and truly Christian pur
pose.
Mr.. LEvERIDGE then deposited the following ar
ticies In copper box, which was deposited in the
corner stone:-
Copy OF the letter of inquiry given to employers to
receive apprentices from the house.
Specification Of work and materials.
general description OF the building and premises.
Plans showing the locality Of the building, and point
Of elevation on Harlem river.
Copies of Herald, Tribune, Post Times. Courier and
Inquirer. journal qf Commerce Express, and Sun
number Of American coins, from a dollar down to Q
cent
The box was then aoldered up and Mayor Kings
land, tIowel in hand, laid the corner stone.
The President of the institution, ROBERT KELLY,
then delivered the following address,
Ladies aud GentlemenThis building Is erected for an
old and well known institution The New York House
Refuge the first institution of it precise character
ever established and In the extent OF its operations is
a T s0 = ~ Of
instituted In the year 1873 many ch
liable associations for which because of the number
practical ufefulnes and the quiet business like efficiency
with which they are managed the city OF New York
serves to be famous called The socety for the
ton OF Pauperism.n The managers OF the society in
the ninistraon Of It's benefcence had had their at
tenion directed particularly TO the subject Of the u
yenile vagTancy and TO the condition OF youth impr
soned for petty offences among the adopts
of crime committee OF the society appointed in the
year 1928 presented in q report OF nasterly ability
graphic picture those evils and proposed practical
remedy in the plan OF this institution. The Society
Tor the Reformation OF Juvenile DeDquents there
upon Organized which incorporated by an act Of
the Legislature passed May 90 1924 An appeal to the
beneyoence of our citizens responded to bv sub
subsequent years, by legacies, &C.. to amount
exceeding $4,000 piece Of ground contain
square, ~hcn had been ceded by the city to the United
States for Government Arsenal was obtained the city
transferring the same to the society for occupation
House Of Refuge. and the society paying the United
States sum egreed upon $4,000 for the buildings that
were upon it, On the first day of January, 1925 the
house opened with some public ceremony in tho
Of the Mayor Of the city the corporation and
large OF citizens Six boys and three girls
were the number Of children received int the house at
the opening Of it's doors In few years additional
buildings being provided the number increased to
averege of two hundfed- For several years past the
house has been constantyTfull So in the
Boys department--and accommodating in all. four
hundred inmates The whole numssr admitted to the
present date is $3.50 leaving over five Thousand the
number ot those who have received the benefit of its
forlnatory instruction and discipline few have been
removed IRON charge by death ssmsl number trans
erred 70 the himshouse department some given up to
friends and the rest indeusd apprentices during mi
nority. The first managers of the society -
Cedvalladsr ID. Golden, John H. Hyde,
Stepnen Allen, Anse w. Ives
Arthur Bnrtis, John T Irving,
Isaac Collins, Peter A. Jay,
Samuel Cowdray, Jamos Lovett,
Gilbert soutant, Robert H. Mott,
John Duer. Hugh Maxwell
Cornelius Dubois Henry Meade
Cornelius r. Dufie, Ralph Olmstead,
Thomas Eddy John Stearns
John Griscom, John Tarpre
James w. Gerard y M Wainwright:
Joseph Grinnen, Henry j Wyckof
These present array Of solid worth which it Is
exceedingly gratifying to look back upon of them
etu remain among but the greater part have beon
called from the scene Of their usefolness here to the
peace OF the eternal world May the city Of New York
want for such to be the representatives OF is
benevoence The affairs Of the society conducted BY
beard Of thirty managers elected annually by ballot
In addition large committee Of ladies Is annually
appointed sub committee Of whom visit the girls
house oveyJ week Some Of these ladies have served
ssce the commencement Of the operations OF the
ciety aad their counses and influence have been of in
calcuable value upon the hearts and minds and
Of the male inmates OF the House of Refuge during all
these years The annual income Is derived follows
First. s. Geo year from the State second bet seen
$1,000 and IS 0e0 from the city out Of the excise fusd
and theatre licenses two appropriate Of revenue
third like sum from the proceeds Of the boys labor
fourth about 81 600 towards the rchoo the school
moneys. The income has been found sufficient for the
support OF the institution upon its present scale. IL
will thus be that the society 10 private corpora
ton employed by the State the tsker educator
aud reformer Of It's juvenile vagrants and offenders But
though private paation is completely under
control Of the representatives Of the people All tho
inmates 1t admits 1t receives by law through regular
commitments by judges and police magistrates; and
when 1t all be found not to fnlh it's objects proper
y, the law can take away all Its subjects and put