The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-24


Important Presentment to the Court-The City
Prison presented . Nuisance.
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before the Recorder and Aldermen Ward and Barr.
APRIL 23-At the opening Of the Court the foreman o.
the Grand jury Mr. Moet delivered their presentment
to the Court, which read by the Clerk follows
To THE CoURT GENERAL SESSIONS
In closing their abors the Grand Jury present the
result Of their investigations various matters of
public moment Foremost among these, the attention Of
the Grand Jury was specially called by the District Atsor
ney to the recent melancholy In the City Pr
son. resulting in the death Of four human beings and In
to the character and condition Of
subject developed the following factsThat the death OF
these unfortunate men was produced BY the inhAla,
arrangements of the City Prison are such as to re-
quire immediate action the part of those entrust-
ed BY Law with the control and management OF this
prison. At the request of the District Attorney,
after hearing of the Coroners inquest DR.. Chiffon in
company with that officer proceeded to examine the cell
ments to test the character and quality Of the atnos-
phere therein The result that with the cell vacant
the two apertures to the cell being open Dr. Chiffon an
ed several bottles with carbonc acid gas stream or
which was found to be constantly pouring into the ce
from hole connected with the ue OF the chimney. and
sufficient in itself to account for the deporabe results
which ensued This ce situated the north west
OF the lower corridor being eleven feet and six inches in
six inches in length. The only Of ventilation
two small openings in the outer wall, of which
Is oay IN
about two inches in diameter for the air to pass The
floor and walls very damp, and the water actually
collects under the flooring thus leaving it always moist.
At the time of the occurrence there raised plat
form of boards of three feet in height upon which the
prisoners slept Is usually appropriated to what
called five days prisoners Into this cell, on Sunday
afternoon, about 6S O'Clock, six prisoners, Of
whom had been than two days in prison. and several
two q fOur dav
fastened for the night The night watch at
o'clock, M and in about hour after the setting
OF the watch, on visiting the cell of the inmates
discovered to be dead. The night watch changed
at 20 o'clock W.. M and about II O'Clock, a second
visit to the CELL another in convulsions who be-
ing taken out revived and sent to the hospital No
suspicion appears to have been excited at this time and
the cell was again locked up for the night and not
opened until five O'Clock in the morning When then
opened horrible spectacle presened-one of the in
mates was dead and the her three in convusions and
before the return of the sent for medical aid
other had expired fourth died in OF the
day and night two of the six alone surviving The est
mony before the Grand Jury clear and unequvocs
deaths were the results of uocation produced
by carbonic acid gas one of the most deadly agents Of
human destruction On visiting the cellar Immediately
beneath the range Of cells the atmosphere found to
be tainted to render immediate retreat necessary
Other cells the corridor shown to be highly
ting with the various cells in all the corridors defective
that at times the euvia pervades the entire prison. The
the building ts in
mediate remedy be provided by those who charged
with this duty the matter be laid before the next Grand
Jury, with view to the indictment o. those who by law
responsible for the continuance Of so fou stigma
on the honor of the city.
In relation to the charge ofthe Court. esIicense
Laws" the Grand Jury are fully II the opinion that
the licenses, as now granted, are entirely q. vari
relation heqeo S ,ds OF
Grand Jury that pIesentments have been frequently made
by other Grand Jures the subject followed by action
these evils exist under the shadow of the law and that
hundreds Of dram shops in our city are kept open week
ance Of the law would be synonymous with reporting the
information that New York is an island that the
rises and sets daily These things are well Known and
only require the of laws to complete
w. great measure at least obviate the difficulty
Section 1876 of the Rnes and Regulations for the geno
New York, is amply sufcisnt Il properly and rigdiy
forced to close every Inn Or tavern In this city the
eating liquors except to odsrs in such inns or tav.
erns, or to PERSONS actually travelling on that day.
Why the requirements Of this 'ecton with b, many
public good and would merit the hearty approval Of all
good citzens) not fully carried out only be ac
the suirages of this great city elevated to power
and in whose integrity fellow citizens have deposited
their utmost confidence are sadly and cupaby deficient
these known volaors Of the law for selfish political
purposes than the esteem and commendaton Of an en-.
ghtened community by the fearless discharge OF their
The Grand Inquest the invitation of the Rev. Mr.:
school for destitute children on the Five Points and they
desire here to express their at the vast
amount Of good now being accomplished BY the truly
charitable work Of Nr Pease He deserves and should
ceye the hearty sympathy and substantial support four
citizens
ined the premises Nos. A. 5, and little Water
street which they found in Coz. lon on Of filth
defyng, description, The health Of that neigh
action be taken by the proper authorities to have those
premises thoroughly cleaned Any delay, especially in
view Of the near appearance Of the warm weather. may
be productive of disease and death.
In accordance with the suggestions of the Court tho
Grand jury dresed their attention to the tower OBJ
scrvatory, in If erection the Crystal
Palace number Of the jury being practical builders,
the matter submitted more particularly to their
structure in question is erecting correct principles
and will be perfectly safe for the purpose for which it
is designed At the request of the Grand jury highly
and scientific architect of this city ns peced
the tower, who fully confirmed the opinion above ex
pressed.
The Grand Jury visited the different institutions
Randars and Backweps Islands, under the supervision
Of the Governors of the Amshouke and happy to
that they found all those institutions in ceanly and
he1hy condition. and adequate to the wants of the in
mates, except the attic OF the building which in q
crowded state Of the hospital the Grand Jury believe to
be entirely unfit for the sick who may be confined there
in and earnestly call the attention of the Governors OF
JAMES G. MoFFET, Foreman.
The Recorder then directed that copy Of the emit
ment be sent to the Common Council to the Board of sg
Iervsors ard the Ten Governors There was some mys
tercus atmosphere that produced sickness in the Tombs
and he thanked them for their services that and
other occasions. lie then directed them to be dis
charged
The Court then adjourned until the first Monday in
May, there being no business on hand.
United States Commissioners Court.
Before Joseph Brigham, Esq
April "a charge Of Assault ,csth Dangerous Weapon
The United Stdes rs. Alfred X Spedr-Defendant is
master Of the American ship John Spear. The evidence