The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-12
THE TO M B S -.

Citizen as you sweer along the pavement OF the
metropolis in this weather. which seems to be an
importation from more torrd region; you wipe
the perspiration from your forehead with cambria
and remove your Panama to catch the cooling nfu-
ence Of any stray breeze that the lazy wind may
happen to send your way; as you move along at q
subdued pace and mutter maledctions the heat,
the dust and the sum- pause for an instant and think
that within few footsteps of your pathway, i'm
INJURED within walls Of granite that seem the Jail
OF all liberty, are OF human beings, male and
female who would willingly exchange lots with
you who would give up without the hesitation Of a
moment, all they own of this worlds goods to be
with you and share with you the freedom and light
of open day; who would sacrifice all, short Of life
ITSELF to be once more unshackled and at liberty to
go whittier they listed.
In the hollow, or low land, bounded by Leonard
Franklin, Centre and Elm streets within the City
Prison (or Tombs, as 1t is more famlliarly known,
dungeoned celed ana turnKeyed within its gloomy
walls OF Egyptian architecture are the unfortunates
who would make the exchange referred to. Ac-
cused indicted sentenced they unenviable
gathering in these days when a life even of liberty
has much in 1t that is uncomfortable Hard is the
lot OF honest toll at such time as IL perspires in the
blaze OF MONDAY: but harder, OH much harder Is the
lot of the prsoner-the felon and the criminal, who
must perforce bear the additional torture Of the
''still, small voice" that never ceases to speak.
visit the Tombs has, therefore, its lesson AMI
its benefit. His would be a stony heart that could
not feel compassion, and his unrenecting mind
that could not find contentment The prisoners
within the enclosure not so numerous al the
present time az they have been earlier in the sum-
mer for the courts, which have just adjourned, per-
formed the thinning out process very thoroughly by
transferring many TO more permanent confinement
attiv ,nf,a caf hat I'M Anna tn
mitigate the condition of those remaining has been
readily performed, and many poor wretch whose
narrow quarters have been ventilated cleansed and
whitewashed thanks Deputy Finlay for a kinder
heart than is generally the property OF those who
have the care OF misfortune and crime.
THE BOYS PRISON.
With the approval If not at the suggestion Of the
same gentleman, feature has Just been added 10
the instuton-vz., separate lock up prison, for
boys and youths. The philosopher In prison dsci-
pine aud the humanitarian who make the subject
Of prisons study will rejoice to know that this in
novation has been made The fret step in crime by
youth Is too frequently confirmed by association
with older criminals. Isolation OF the tyro leads to
that rejection which the mind cannot help and gives
an opportunity for the bossoming Of the germs of
| goodness which exist in the worst OF natures
The isolation contemplated in this structure is admi
raby followed up by the practice Of transferring the
boys who are unfortunate enough to be convicted to
| the House OF Refuge, instead Of TO The regular
| prisons where adult criminals are confined.
| YOUTHFUL JACK sHEPPARD.
Deputy Finlay relates a singular instance OF the
depravity OF youth, which may seem curiousy in
consistent with what has Just been said. Despite all
the good intentions Of bis Keepers despite all the
efforts which they were making for his reform and
conversion, q lad Of twelve years who was about to
| ha ovadt u, . ha ia a ron.
victon OF burglary, was detected with 'jimmyn or
wrench, which he had extemporized by removing
one OF the iron rungs Of his bedstead. The labor
which he exerted in breaking the rod from It's fasten
ings and afterward In bending II TO portable shape
must have been very great. He had II concealed
under his jacket when he was exami ned at the jail
door. and doubtless intended to use 1t when oppor
tunity availed to escape from confinement at the
House OF Refuge.
rue MuRpERERs' ROW.
The lowermost tier OF cells, or rather that portion
OF back Oft Keepers desk which renders escape
douby improbable, has been denominated the MUIR
derers Row, title given to II from the fact that
1t is the habit here TO connne those who are under
sentence OF death, and for whom naught remains
but preparation for the final tragedy OF their lives.
At the present time, fortunately for the morals Of
through which peered Hewlett saul stephens, Dor
sey, Rodgers, Crimmlns Ferris, Friery Wagner and
oBrien have no background save white walls.
| MAURICE LAsERGAN.
Above II, however, on the SET ond tier, where Dep
MY Hsgan Keeps watch and ward, are seven men
accused OF the crime OF taking human life. At the
top of the stairs-for his long confinement has made
him IKE one OF the turnkeys and has given him many
berties-is Maurice Lanergan, whose case Ia an Oft
rehearsed story 10 the public. lie has been In the
prison fifteen months and wears his confinement
well II VIII De remembered that, few weeks ago
the Court OF appeals granted him a new trial, and
he liz now awaiting IL. He Is a tall man-some six
feet two M heiRht-with short dark hair and light
mustache and goatee. HIS Imprisonment has MAIZE
him quite stout, hearty and apparently happy look.
ing. Dressed In blue overas, Ike workiagman
and brown negRee shirt, he wandere AT will along
his corrdor-a privilege granted him for the reason