The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-09

Meeting or ne Ten osvssnsrs. I
The weekly meeting Of the Aims House Governors was
held ct four o'clock last evening, in the ONCE City Hail.
Park. Nsssrs West, Dugro, Mclaughlin, Townsend,
Smith, Herrek and Pinkneyw were present. Mr. Williams
was absent on Of serious accident in his family
and Mr. Draper from illness.
The chair was taken by Governor West
The minutes Of last meeting read by the clerk
and approved The usual acquisitions for supplies Of
food clothing medicine and other articles necessary for
the use OF the inmates Of the various institutions in
charge Of the Governors read, examined and the
necessary orders made thereon. Some of the demands
from the medical Offices referred to committee to
report upon the quantities Of the articles asked for.
The reading Of the rsquii ons suspended in order
to take up communication from N. B. Blunt, Esq Dis
trict Attorney, relative to the different prisons in the
city-her condition. the classification of prisoners con-
evils resulting the unavoidable admixure of hard
ened criminals with confined but innocent OF the
charges preferred against them. The document con.
apart CELL cells in the penitentary for the confne
ment Of criminals condemned to capital punishment in
order that they might commune with their God apart
not had within the walls Of the penitentary the City
Prison might be arranged to carry out the intent Of
the law We give some extracts from the document
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE Feb. 8, 1853.
GxNrEMKS-In accordance with the suggestions Of
honor to submit in writing my views in relation to the
City Prison, and the proposed change Of location
this city constitutes an anomaly in our State urispru
dence. 1t lie full Of defects and devoid Of harmony, eff
M an Of Il
prisons in the city and county, The communication
went to say The City Prison was intended by law
to be devoted exclusively to the confinement of persons
charged with criminal offences and awaiting trial. and to
the imprisonment Of those convicted Of misdemeanor who
It never was intended that persons under sentence
felony any other crime and not sentenced to that
prison. should be confined while waiting the execution of
their sentence with those who until conviction pre-
sumed to be innocent, and in large number OF cases
1t is at variance with the true spirit of prison sys
tenn, and repulsivc to every feeling Of morality and
humanity Its visible in the overcrowded state
Of the prison. the nermngng Of all classes Of criminals
and all ages the exposure of the innocent and the
young the corupng influences Of the hardened felon
The report recommended that place be set apart at
the penientary for the execution Of criminals and con-
The whole island, (BlackweIs) is within the control
of the Board and danger should be apprehened ofany
attempt TO land by those whoare not SO authorized to de-
let ample police force be stationed around to prevent
intrusion let all the prisoners be confined to their cells
the day of executon and unauthorized persons
should land upon the island ITSELF it does not follow that
they procure admission to the prison Thus, while
the hand it simply relieves the prisoners from
from the heart Of the city, and the observation Of the
citizens the great moral evil complained Of and fully
carries out the law in its spirit and intent have thus
subjects 10 the department which you the head
know may confidently apply for all the relief in your
| To the Board of Aims House Governors.
Mr. Blunt said-Gentlemen, with regard to this COM
municaon, have to remark that the law says the
ecuton Of criminals convicted of capital crimes shall be
private-that it shall take place within the walls Of
prison in the county The law demands this but has
granting permits to 70 witness the execution
in the capacity Of special constabes Of the Sheriff This
is clearly contrary to law. do not think 1t will
|
Your city prison is merely one room, with number OF
cells. would suggest that it be at once relieved by
throwing a to separate persons
and those sentenced from each other. The Ten Cover
grounds under their jurisdiction provided the expense 90
not exceed five Thousand dollars. would recommend
build prison in which persons about to undergo capital
| punishment can be confined and executed am aware
M do u yGa s IT ssiG
ary to apply for legislative enactment in order that
reputable citizens may not be hoci by the outpourng
solemn and melancholy occasions lido not wish to be
understood throwing blame upon any officer person
in connection with the prisons as am aware that the
evils which have alluded to have grown to such height
that they now be removed only by change Of the
| After few remarks from Governors TowssrSD and
the Ct the ne and Pen
The Board thanked Mr.. Blunt for his letter and at
The reading of the acquisitions was then concluded.
The Committee upon Randalls Island reported upon
subject Of erecting 10 S. in .. the
The committee reported in favor Of putting one build
ing as test at cost not exceeding 1923 II that sue
ceeded, the members recommend that others be imme
diately erected.
The report accepted, and resolution adopted in
accordance with the Recommendation.
Mr. DuGRo seggested that the work be duly advertised
| for.
ing in this matter Some member should attend to
plain to al sending IN proposals. the nature Of
the work the plans and The hitter should
the work, at "a fixed sum, the saving will be than
any which would result from advertising here. There
ks a he
but he agreed with the committee that the cost
| any aving which would accrue from competition.
Mr. TOWNSEND said that the want Of the water closets
The crowded state of the rendered the euvia most
Mr. SMITH said that, in his opinion the Board should
reconsider the resolution of last meeting fixing $3.50
the maximum at which all expenditure to be incurred
should be advertised for.
The Finance Committee reported that they had effected
insurance upon the stores at Randaps and Backwe
| Islands.
number of communications from .wardens and
officers, relative to the purchase of prison clothing plank
and other necessares read and referred acted
| upon Immediately, as deemed prudent
A Communication read from DR.. J. r. Wood Chair
Of the Executive Commit zee at the Bellevue Hos
pta relative to the examination Of medical for the
Office of Junior Assistants in that institution Ordered
| 6le.
The reports Of the wrdens and officers Of the nstu
ton read showing the state of each to the end
OF last week. and ordered upon file. The following table
shows the population Of each last Saturday night,
| viz
Bellevue Hospital ... COZ Small Pox Hospital. 16
.Luuatic Asylum . 528 RandaI's Island. :. / us
Almshouse ...... L. 47 Do. Hospital. 1877
Tenitentary Hospital 500 =
Total. 5;2S1
Upon motion Of Governor SMITH the resolution passed
the last meeting, to the effect that each outlay
ceedng two hundred and fifty dollars should be adver
tised for, amended so to read exceeding FIVE
hundred dollars, without the sanction Of the Board.'
Mr. TOWNSEND offered a resolution for the adjustment
Of two watchmen-one for night and one for ID f Ran
dals Island He said the salaries to be fixed by the
Board In his opinion watch necessary, in order
| ioguard against fire and to protect property.
j -asa oa..4ol H.