The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-04
The Prison Association Report.

The regular monthly meeting OF the Executive
Committee Of the New York Prison Association was
held at the Committee Room, Clinton Hall, ON Mon.
day last
Tue minutes Of last meeting were read and con.
6rmed. The agent of discharged convicts and Dc.
ention Committees submitted his diary, by which IL
appears many persons have Been aided. We select
he iollowiDg:-
had served out their whole term in Sing Sing, g.
procured situations for discharged men from Sing
Sing cases carefully examined prosecutors friendly
influenced, defendants reproved and counselled, 81;
persons discharged from our city courts through
our Interpolation and recommendation, 81; pecunia-
ry aid to discharged cOnvicts, and to persons fro
Biackwells Island, II; clothes given TO discharged
PERSONS 3, boys 4; counsel provided at trial,
2. The following are extracts from tho diary
A. i. was sentenced TO Sing Sing for two years
and six months. His wife and family were left I'M
provided for. She was advised by The Agent TO seek
her friends and induce them to take her children,
and then TO take situation honelf at least till her
husbands return. She subsequently called TO say
her sister had taken one, o neighbor another; the
youngest she had placed ont 10 board, at twelve
slnllings per month. situation was Immediately
provided for the mother. She is now doing WELL
Her children all provided for, and as comfortable
a3elrcumstaBccs will admit
G. ID. was charged with dsorderly conduct. He
appeared deeply humbled on account OF his past
irregularities, and promised to mend his ways"
The Ten Governors were momorialized and he dis
charged. lie has since boon placed in decent
situation, where it is-conGdenty hoped he viii 60
straight.
Ell was committed for stealing. He appeared
very pcnitent. Diligent inquiry was made into his
case; IL was his first offence. The prosecution was
seen and subsequently urged to recommend this poor
man to the mcrcilul consideration OF the court. He
had been in business and failed; he became dis
couraged, and gave way to habits Of incompetence.
Tbirsting for rum, he vas tempted to steal The
employer appeared IN court not to prese the charge
but to solicit his discharge. He pleaded guilty
Judgment was suspended and he discharged. ] met
him at late hour OF the day nc the store of his EN-
pioyer. who gave him money to procure food and
bed, and, like the Good Samaritan, cheerinlly lent
him six dollars to pay his expenses home into the
country. where he could avoid city drinking tempt
alton. This poor fellow wept with grateful emo
ton at what had been done for him. ] have strong
hope his sincerity viii be manifest in his future life
g.. H. was sentenced to the City Prison, for pet
~ fhcit Cor two months. He Was discharged:
situation was obtained for him In the country;
clothes given him. He Is now doing well, grateful
and happy.
!. j. was arraigred for petty larceny. Ascer-
tanned this TO be his first offences interceded with
the Judge. He was admopished and discharged
X. I.was sent to City Prison for alleged abandon.
ment. To this charge he says:-"I never married
the woman; II was altogether joke; we had been
drinking; ] was rather high; ] never meant, she
the lady. If she win Let me alone. will give her
few dollars now and then, but 10 live with her my
wife cannot, because never married; II was only
aloke, no ceremony, no. nothing and she knows it,
His discharge was obtained.
M. u. was committed for trial on charge of q. T..
round Nun IN prison mentally distressed; his heart
condemned him; he was ashamed Of himself, and
could not assign motive for this his first depar
ture from right paths. The most diTigent aud i'm.
partial investigation was made Of his past character
habits, and associations. Those who know him
best say be has always lived above reproach and
suspicion--sober, moral, and industrious.
The agent says, out Of about al2 charges made
against persons in our City Prison, which he has
carefully examined, this Ia the only one met with
who was q member OF any temperance organization
mp to the hour OF his alleged misconduct
q. T., sailor, was sentenced at the lombs for ten
days TO city prison and fined one dollar for stealing
bottle of champagne from the ship stores when al
sea. The agent urged him TO signthe temperance
pledge and keep u, then he need not stea cham
payne or make 20 himself real pain. lie promised
20 do this and drink no more. The Marshal OF the
United States Court was seen, aud solicited 20 remit
the fine. The President Of the United States alone
could do this. lrepel, rather than this sailor should
% Kept In prison for the non-paymcnt OF the flne
would pay II myself; Uncle sam being rich myself
Bong poor should reluctantly pay II. The gentle
men IN the Office kindly volunteered 10 pay the lnc,
al q tho man was discharged.
o. X. was committed 10 the Tomhs for disorleely
eoaduct. This man slipped over thc chain on to
tho grass in the Park. police officer seeing him
y ere ordered bin on; bc olcycd, but m sooner
va h' 'e't On thc wax than he WIS very pctgmp.