The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-29
POLICE MAGISTRATES, VISIT TO RANDALL'S
ISLAND.

In answer to the invitation issued by the managers
OF the Society for the Reformation Of Juvenile De-
iinQuents to the police magistrates OF the city to
visit the House Of Refuge number of these officials,
accompanied by a select number OF invited guests,
responded to the friendly solicitation. Among those
present were:-Police Justices Michael Connolly, Will
liam Dodge, Richard Kelly and Thomas A. Ledwth;
Judge Jones' of the Superior Court and Judge Ingra-
ham, Of the Supreme Court; Captain worlen BenJa-
min d. Siman, Henry A. Cram, Henry Wander
WORT, Thomas NJ. Murray, Thomas w. Pittman and
others. Shortly after eleven O'Clock yesterday fore
noon the party started their mission from the
foot of Peck slip, and after a short and
pleasant trip up the East river they dis
embarked at the landing leading to the entrance
of the buildings which situated only short dis
lance from the water. Here the visitors were met
by the officials, who accorded to them hearty well
come and undertook to escort them through the
various departments into which the institution Is
divided After passing through the main building
number OF girls were employed In making hoop
skirts. There were about sixty OF them at work,
nearly all OF whom were over sixteen years OF age.
These girls were placed here for social Offences and
were separated from the younger ones, who were in
a separate building. Each female has a distinct
sleeping room, which is well ventilated and for
fort and ceanness'will compare favorabiy with the
best public institutions in the country. call was
next made on the younger females, some Of whom
were also employed in the manufacture OF
that almost Indispensable article of female
seemed really proficient in the work, and when they
are allowed TO depart when their term has expired
they Will have the proud CONSCIOUSNESS OF knowing
that they are dependent upon the cold charities
of the world for their livelihood but may. by the
practice Of that INDUSTRY which in this Institution
they are taught, pursue an independent course Of
honesty with profit to themselves and their friends
number OF girls were engaged in domestic duties
such as making and mendin2 garments for wearing
washing ironing. &C The number of girls at present
in the Refuge is about $50. The buildings set apart
for the boys are also admirably ventilated Many
OF these juveniles expert hoop skirt makers but
by far the greater number of them are employed in
the skill and proficiency which some Of them have
attained. Unlike the manner in which criminals
labor In prisons, these little fellows many OF them
bright and intelligent looking, but nearly all
Of them wearing a look OF cheerful content
ment labor with an earnestness, which plainly indi-
Gates that they have an object in views and so they
have-release from work and opportunity 10
amuse themselves on the accomplishment OF their
allotted task And this IL not all. " advances them
In the line OF meritorious distinction. and lessons
their hours OF confinement eventually. This they I'M
dersand, and with this goal In the prospective they
strive on me rules OF the institution are so SIM
plihed that even the youngest inmate OF the
institution can fully comprehend them. They
are based upon the two foliowing:-"Te no lies.
Always do the best you cans With these as the un-
DERIVING principles upon which the children are gov
erned and which they all understand, the institution
prospers finely. The amount Of work turned out
every working day foots up between $4,000 and
$1,000 There re-. are thirty or forty cases .,. Of
completed each day and made ready for de-
livery in the market. Forty dozen hoop skirts are
prepared finished and made ready for the contrac-
tor. To accomplish this amount OF work the work
ers have 10 labor from to eight hours daily
though In numerous instances close application and
EXPERIENCES free many Of them, after the accomplish.
meni Of their task, in less time-say six and half
or seven hours. Four hours allotted Tor recrea-
tion four hours are devoted to school, and from nine
and half to ten are given to rest. After visiting
| the workshops and observing the boys and girls AT
their abors the visitors repaired TO the main build
ing, where an inviting collation. was prepared for
them. After the discussion of the good things pre-
pared speeches were made by many of those present
cOnnncI
10 the institution. Inquiries made on the part
| OF the guests and information was elected from
| the officials who were in attendance ana
| who explained whatever needed explaining, and
gave all the information In their power regarding
the management and course or discipline pursued.
Judges Connolly Jones and Kelly replied on behalf
OF the criminal and civil judges OF the city, Oliver
= strong, president OF The Institutions; Israel {.
Jones, superintendent and Rev. Bradford X. Pierce,
chaplain, responded on behalf Of the managers OF
the society. After spending an hour IN exchanging
be friendly congratulations Of the occasion anotneT