New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-16
PRISON Reform.

| PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.
| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: 4 movement of great Importance to the
people Of this State and TO the interests Of civilization
and humanity well. today inaugurated in the
Senate. Under instructions from the Standing Commit
tee State Prisons all tho members concuring in the
action Senator Cauldwe submitted Joint resolution,
proposing the following amendment to the Constitution Of
the State:
l. There shall be Board Of Managers of Prisons to be
composed Of five persons, appointed by the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Senate who shall hold
| Office FOR ten years.
Of the State Prisons ana nave suc power ana per
form duties in respect TO other prisons IN the state
III They shall appoint Secretary, who shall be re-
movable at their pleasure. perform such duties as inc
Legislature the Board may direct and receive salary
". Tie members Of the Board shall receive com
pensation other than reasonable travelling ana ohcia
v The Board shall appoint the Warden. Clerk Ply
scian Chaplain OF each State Prison. ana shall have
power to remove them for cause. only after an opor
tunity 10 be heard on written charges. ,..,,,
All other officers of each prison shall be appointed
by the Warden thereof and be removable at his pleasure
VII The Governor NAV remove any Of the managers
for misconduct neglect of duty after opportunity to
VIII The five managers first appointed shall, as the
Legislature may direct he classified that the term Of
tha expire AT the end Of each two years. during the
TX THIS amendment shall go into effect on the first
Monday OF January next after It's adoption by the people,
Constitution shall be null and void.
The above the article adopted by the Constitutional
Convention Of 1867 almost verbatim No more important
proposition has been, is likely to be, submitted TO the
Legislature its present session our State Prisons are
year by year, growing worse and They do not
reform they do not pretend to REFORM the criminals
committed to them and their financial administration
constantly increasing drain upon the public treasury.
Year does not succeed to year with greater regularity
than the deficit in these institutions swels with each
annual cycle insomuch that the deficiency for last year.
~. .1..Q..
enormous aggregate OF more than 100000 being an
average to each prisoner Of 500; much
than sufficient to pay all nccdful expenses, including
salaries Of officers, without calling on the men TO do
stroke Of work dollar Of money Nor is this
mere random statement, There a considerable num-
Der Of State Prisons in the country which, shown
by incOnesable statistics, the entire pro rata cxpend
lures are but little more than half the deficit Of the New
York prisons, stated by the Controller. The Albany
Pcujttntlary within n stones throw Of the Capitoi
prisoner so that If our state Prisons We're maintained at
the rate, sum equal TO the deficiency reported IN
them would all expenses, ana leave surplus exceed
ing 100000 Surely such state of things shows press
But how can the needed reform be esctedl other
wise than by change in the Constitution. The two
master forces opposed TO successful administration OF
our State Prisons are political appointments and insta
bihty IN INC tenure OF Office. But these can never be
eliminated FROM the system created by the Constitution
1t stands one might well undertake 10 eliminate
the wool IRON the warp OF woven fabric ana leave the
cloth intact The new movement is understood to be
IopcluI as III IS important Inc article underwent a
thorough and exhaustive discussion in the Constitutional
Convention, and adopted by prepOndcIatiug ma
iuiy Of votes therein; leading members Of both parties
yielding hearty support in about equal proportions.
Gov Hoffman, IN his annual message 10 the Legisla
tuIe, recommended change IN the Constitution
CARDS the prison system OF the state and the amend
ment submitted to the senate THIS morning. as have the
best reason to hChcNc, meets his entire approval IL
could not indeed be otherwise for the journal Of the
late Convention shows that, member Of the Exccu-
tive Committee Of the Prison Association. 10 took an
active part IN framing It, and cxcrted his Influence
cesfnly as the event proved, To secure It's adoption by
the Convention. l.. C. v.
AUAty March II, 1870.