The New York herald., 1869-06-04
PUBLIC CHARITIES.
Visit Of the Citizens Association TO the Public
Charitable and Reformntory Instit tatiOns.

Charitable and RefOrmatOry Installations.
The truth OF the saying 'one-half Of the world
does not know how the other half ives can scarcely
be realized In any way better than by visit to the
institutions under the charge Of the Commissioners
Of Public Charities and Correction. Residents OF
this city visiting other cities either in this country
in Europe are generally anxious to inspect the
methods and the institutonssby which and in which
pauperism and crime are dealt with. Yet these
same people may spend the greater part of their
lives In the metropolis and never take the trouble to
visit the public Institutions to the support OF which
they may contribute and in which they would readily
learn how much they have to be thankful for. The
Commissioners OF Public Charities and Correction
comprising General James Bowen, James B. Nichol-
son, Isaac Bell and owen w. Brennan-at the re-
quest OF several members OF the Citizens Associa-
ton, placed themselves and their handsome boat,
the Mnnahanonck at the disposal OF the Associa-
ton yesterday for visit the islands nstitu-
tions under their care. The Citizens Association
may be said to represent the wealth. intelligence
and integrity OF the city OF New York; and re-
quest from such body for permission to make O
personal of the workings OF the systems
OF municipal charities Of course mel with prompt
Shortly before eleven O'Clock yesterday morning
those intending to make the visit had assembled on
up the East river. The wealth Of the metropolis
embodied III the Citizens Association was repre-
Messrs Joseph Daily and X NJ Henry ana the integ.
rity by MIR. Nathaniel Sands. Besides these there
were present Sir John Darlington. ex-Lord Mayor Of
Dublin: Messrs Larremore. Smyth Lewis, Duryea,
Wood and Cross OF the Board Of Education; State
Senator Palmer, ex-senator G: u. Andrews tnow
Governor Of Arizona, and o large number OF other
prominent mercantile and professional men.
The sail up the river was delightful and exceed
ingly enjoyable as escape from the dust and din
OF the city. The boat touched for mement at
Blackwell's Island, where Commissioner Brennan
UOtO
ments-a work which Is daily attended TO by the
Commissioners in person-and then went on with
RisDALL's ISLAND.
Here the reception room, school rooms, dormi-
tories and dining rooms were visited. Everything
was found 10 be 80 clean and comfortable that the
gentlemen present were loud In their praises or the
we're vi m soday in honor 'Gs OF
the visit, and they turned out In their mil
tary style, with flies and drums, and went through
q series Of evoutons and military salutes. The
young orator OF the battalion then welcomed the
visitors IN neat and well delivered address, 10
which Mr.. Peter Cooper, In response, made few
happy and encouraging remarks. The party then
repaired to the Idiot Asylum and School,, where they
were astonished at the advancement which had
been maze In the work or recaiming some seventy
boys and girls who few years ago, were appa-
Dunphy who has acted 9s principal Instructor In
the school, has performed really marvellous work,
and the visitors were Justly unsparng In their COM
year or two since had no ideas OF form or color,
read with taste and accuracy selections from read
u
three years ago, looked upon as almost lncura-
bic. Having concluded the visit TO THIS island by q
glance a. tne IN naats ian hospitals ana nurseries % , tne
were roundy cheered by the boys, drawn up IN sim
gle file along the beach.
HARRIS ISLAND
was next visited. Here the inmates were surprised
while hard at work in the school room. This insti-
tuition the latest experiment OF the Commissioners
is an industrial school where boys who have never
been convicted OF any crime, but who by their man
ner OF living might safely be supposed TO be on the
a. In.
s,ructed IN the elementary branches, IN geography,
navigation and the use OF nautical instruments for
the purpose OF making OF them good and skilful
seamen and such as VIII do credit TO q great COM
merclal city like New York. The Commissioners arc
at present negotiating for the purchase OF school
ship In which the boys receive practical instruc
ton. This institution the Commissioners say they
fui ana useful in the country The dormitories play
room and bakery were visited after which all hands
embarked once more and steamed for Wards Is
land, where they took just glimpse the lnebriate
Asylum an then proceeded to
BLACKwELL's ISLAND.
Here Commissioner Brennan was espied standing
at the door OF the Penitenary building looking ike
good old-fashioned tracfitionary Boniface. In
few minutes 1t was amply proven that ne was first
class BOniface, for on arriving at the residence Of
Superintendent Eitch the guests found a well spread
board awaiting then them Questions Of economy, other
sea breeze had whetted the appetites, and the long
trip had evidently produced that which nature alb
hors--a vacuum. Ii Is needless therefore 70 say
that full justice was done to the repast which was
clevery served by well trained waters VINO can
uerNe no peueht HVnl tne stilke, ana some
OF whom, perhaps, obtained the privilege Of
serving on thus occasion by their striking propens,
ties. After dinner the Workhouse was visited
and then the hospitals for incurables, male and
female the insane asylums, the epiieptic and para
lytic hospitals, and the handsome grounds gardens
and apparently inexhaustlble quarr1es were all
mnutely Inspected >The Commissioners were kept
busy explaining to the visitors the details OF
management In the different departments. These
explanations were ful, lucid and highly entertain.
Ing. and would easily fill volume. Returning to
the city the party looked In at the Morgue and Belle
vue Hospital, and then took leave OF their hosts.
The result OF the visit that all who had the good
fortune to be present endorsed the statement made
In q report by the Examining Committee OF the Citi-
zens' Association year or so ago:--
That the admirable condition the institutions under the
and supervision Of the Commissioners OF and
Correction shows the Commissioners gentlemen OF
arged with superior executive ability foresignt and
business capacity and that the Important trust In
hem and the public moneys appropriated expended
under their direction are IN safe hands, and that the Com
msaoner admirably qualified inaugurate those great
the treatment paupersm and crime
h >se advanced spirit cyisa aion and Cbrjstiapitv