New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-22
PYIsOS BhRpfPs.

PRE~ON 8hkf1EN'
A new country, before it is opened to the sun
ccntalns in it's rocking soil msternoxiOus 70 besith
ard disgusting reptiles; but when the land l.
cleared the deadly vspors disappear and the
loathsome creeping things vanish. We hope the
hricf and imperfect lsbOrs Of the Leg SiatiFe TO
lice Committee, in bringing to light facts con
uected with the administration of justice Mt the
Police Courts in this city, will have similar enect
in clearing out set Of hsrpies known as Shy
ters from our prisons.
The police force insbis city seems to be divided
into two classes, one Of which do regular duty In
psrolIng the city; the other consists OF those who
are detailed for special business Mt the Courts and
whO.e business il il 10 serve warrants and obey the
directions Of the Magistrate. Until lately they
were detailed during good behavior. Recently the
Mayor by the request Of the District-Attorney,
limited the period Of detailmcnt 10 SIX months
10 prevent the grievance complained o. untli
tIeu these officers made from II, $50 10 S2,OvO
year over and above their salaries in the way Of per-
Uaites. brides. andtfe like The principal source OF
ernolument arose from their connection with GER
tain clsss OF lawyers called ahysters-inen who
hang aroend the prisons to obtain suits. Inc
el,der ~ hi. name indicstes il the most desplsed
Of uen he il regarded with adherence by the
g immunity and is spoken OF with contempt by his
psirons-thc police-who, although they use him
a. q csfs-paw to extract money from others, never
employ him themrelyes when they happen to be in
trouble before the Police Commissioners lest bls
character should leopard their cause.
Tie receipts Of detailed officers business IL
cstnsted by The number Of warrants he serves
The value Of the warrant depends on the nature OF
the accusation and the character Of the accused.
If against some rich old person for rape or sednc-
lion. il worth from S2j TO 800. Such person
will IA, an cxorbitant sum not to he locked up,
upm which the officers let him 90 on parol and
tell him 10 call the next day and give BAIL Next
10 cases ike these, embeZzements, forgeries, and
false pretenscs for large amOunte are looked upon
~ lucrative There was formerly great strife
among the officers to Obtain such warrants.
When the officer makes an arrest he does all he
can to excite the fears Of the prisoner, mancstins
u socituGe for his welfare, and adyi ing him, if be
wishes 70 get clear, TO employ Mr. Such-a-onc-a
celebrated lawyer, who has great influence with
the Judges Lest he should send for other counsel,
,b,- officer allows 10 converse with him until
the SINISTER has Ind an introduction and arranged
for his fee. Should the prisoner have no money,
the Shysfer viii take brcastpin any other
article Of vblue he may have. He will also
obtain, if possible letter from the prisoner to his
mother sister, or wife, begging that money may be
raised for the lawyer, who promises to save him
A hoe haa tno
10 take blanket from widow and silver Ca
theter from a lapidc-cent old man. Boots from
your feet, stolen property, anything, no matter
what is taken rs y retainer or converted by the
Sbysters direction into money for his fee. one
third Of which goes TO the officer.
AS econ as the prisoner is committed to
prison he il then OFT Of The hands of the officer
that arrested him but other spectators await
him. Inside the walls he il beset once more by
persons wishing 10 procure counsel for him. Each
hands him the card of iavOritc Shy ter Prison
ers often enter into silent competition with the
turnkey in recommending counsel. The Shysicr
has no regard for The character Of his agents. He
would AZ soon employ the prisoner under sentence
of death ss any one else. The officers outside the
prison have often complained Of the unfair in
fluence cxertcd 10y the keepers within; while the
keepers on the contrary, grumble that their busi-
rese is spoiled Nv the officers c1cctiug arrange
mcnts with the Shysters without.
One means Of putting an end to this nefarious
system would be found in the establishment at the
FONTS and ut each of the Station.Houses Of
penny-pcst box, and in requiring the keepers
to furnish every prisoner demanding it, with
pencil and paper, that he may address note to
anv one he pcases in the city. As there is pen
ny-post delivery four times day the prisoner will
thus find no difficulty in communicating with any
lawyer, These regulations, together with such
other printed rules rs SIRE necessary, should be
hung mp in every cell.