New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-20
THE NETWORK HOUSE OF REFUGE.

WHAT 1T is AT THE PRESENT TIME.
To ne Edtsr Of The y. Y. TtiIrse
SIR There are fannd in every community certain
persons unfortunate than others. Not the lest
interesting Of these are the misguided youth of
people. In our State well in others special
attention has been given to these-tbe law dealing
ore tendeny with them in misfortune than with men
in maturer years. This shows senstiveness on the
part Of the community for their youthful members.
They wish them guarded well. They have provided
for such of them may have committed an offence
against the laws of the State Aud what is this pro-
visicn7 Who is acquainted with it DO the people
generally know any thing definite 10 regard TO it
How many Of the voters OF this State, whose money
goes 90 freely to support the New-lork Honse OF
Refuge, know what it is accomplishing And as the
Refuge ia house OF Reformation" how manypa
rents who have ering sons and daughters would like
them to 90 there to be reformed! DouS the
greater part of your readers are not at all well in
formed in the matters Of the Refuge, though they are
contributing sbundanty of their treasures to its sup
port, and maybe their sons and daughters or their
neighbors Sons and dssgkyers going there to be
reformed" 1t Is but recently that heavy appropria-
tons of many thousands sl25, 600 OF dollars have
be. made by the Legislature to support this institu
tioE-and probably the next Legislature will be asked
TO make similar contribution. little then, OF the
object and workings and prospects of the New-York
House of Refuge cannot fail TO grany and interest the
public.
The ostensbls object of the House of Refcge 10 the
"moral reformation OF its inmates. Herein 1t diies
from the State prison. The latter seeks not the
on Of the convict but becomes his publisher.
In his case there is deemed to be excuse for his
crime, and the prison Furnishes him. But youth mas
its palliaves, and the public have wisely decided 10
give 10 the erriDg young chance TO retrieve their
Characters by reformation. True they are taken from
their friends to whom few ever return again; rde,
they are carefully kept within walled Enclosure during
their stay at the Refuge, but this rs because II
thoue ht 10 favor their refomation is not to punish
them In far then, as such an institution fails 10
reform the characters Of those inrusied TO is keeping
il fails 10 accomplish the object for which II Is set
apart. Whatever else IT may do, 1t II tau IN ton par
tioulsr the institution itself In is specific character,
TO al fame. In such case 1t Is SCARCELY II any
better than the State prison for the youth, whether
male or female put TO bard labor for period not
less than ODE year may be five, or ten or more
and then, when they sre sent out, they are not as
char ed TO go freely to their enos or wherever taey
choose but are inc entured TO those who may chance
to come for them, TO do their bidding TIL the boy or
sill arIive at msjorify. Not 80 with the convict He
having served his time out" is then discharged 10
20 whore be pleas they TO whom he is dear can nov
eIjoy his scciety, be cheered by his presen1s ana
| msy be- supported by his stronger ana msnlsr arm
The Refuge inn aztec, on the coatrsry, are indeotured
till the sge OF tweniyone ana. when arrived AZ inst
age few Of them ever again fnd theiI parents or
fieuCR 10 COns6QuS nee Of removals or ueatt<. NJ
| item would not rather 20 b. the Prsoa than the
! Refu.e if The Refuge fail 10 "reforn him Aud 10
the Refuge ihus pin ary working out the reforms
ton Ct is IL macs as il nos conducted ms Is
tie question propose 10 consider And IN treating u
| shall speak Is one who knoss whereof he sirns
There are tsose Hho osy not be pleased with what
nav rave 20 say. | would 10. however wiliogly
| ofrrd. Oue.s | hope may gain Instruction, and
! oIer. viii derive plessGle.
The buildings Of tie Refuge soroe OF your readers
msy not be aware are not IN the city az f'fnec-
| ". but on Rsndalis island, 10 East riyer, above
black wells and Ws.ds islsncs- The House Is easily
and PIE ssanily reached by taksg SCAT In Sc coao
OF Third avenue Not the eest agreeable poitloa
Of tie Trip Is the row across Hsrem river 10 On open
boat With Jolly oarsmen The present bail iings were
| outned about q wear ago. TIE principal one Is hye
hurdred a. nirstv feet In ength, four stories hiso
ARD is built of brick in the Isao style OF architecture
II Is divided in elsgsn proportions into center and
| two wings surmounted with three cores 81 cen'e:
| and ext,emies. The soAeo-rcous, dining rooms ana
baths sre spacious ard oommendaoe IN then sPPonI-
| msn,s II bss q well provided bospna fof the dis
esres of the boey aud pretty and pleas .nt cnape IN
which tbs inmates assemble twice on the SAooetn LOT
| hssliog The diseases Of the sou. The outoul1ias
,,e Two chops and q kitchen, convenient and airy
The rrounds a.s new but rspidiy ee.uifyi3s
Ibaye bee3 thus particular anc TEDIOUS IN DC A--I
tia xtsfu ais of the institution, IN ofosf tnst tns
,o nav know xhs. has been dore tor The convsnence
I'D csm.oi. of TIE youth whom they send there 70 .
-sd, n. ier: hop;ng also thst scme may be induces
ss,sbs n yisit tie Refuge who Otherwise m1a' sh.ns