New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-30
RESTORED TO LIFE.

To-day tho debtors In Lud0W-St jail are
to be brought before Judge Barnard. We are
assured by trustworthy persons and by per-
sonal inquiry at the Jail that many of tho
persons to be brought forward would be i'm
mediately released on habeas corpus if their
cases could be heard, while numbers of others
are unquestionably the victims of malicious
prosecutions, guilty of no crime or Intentional
fraud. These we hope to see released without
further delay, and restored to active and hon.
orable life again.
1t is no little satisfaction to us to reflect upon
our own share in originating this important
movement for it was THE TRIBUNE which
first drew general attention to tho abuses
Of the prison, and instigated the present ac-
ton of Judge Barnard. Complaints of ill
treatment and injustice have long reached the
outer world from time to time through the
| iron doors of that Jail, but they reused only a
momcntary impulse of compassion. The great
est hardship of the poor prisoner is his inabil
ity to make his wrongs known and felt by the
world. In most cases he is illiterate, and he
cannot tell his story in clear and impressive
manner. Even if he had the requisite educa
ton he would find it no easy task to get his
narrative before the public, and il it were
printed what guarantee is there that it would
be read and believedi Visitors to the Jail
| could not learn the truth, for they were never
permitted to see the worst or to hear incoDve
nient disclosures. TIE TRIBUNE resolved to
| institute thorough investigation on its own
account, and our readers have not forgotten
the result One of our most sagacious reporters
caused himself to be committed to the Jail on
a fictitious charge, rs poor prisoner, and in
the course of four or five days had ample ex-
perience of the worst abuses charged upon the
establishment. Subsequent inquiries enabled
lib to disclose the system Of fleeing prisoners
by swindling lawyers who were permitted to
hang about the Warden's Office; and only the
other day we told the public how an unfor-
tunate debtor, stricken with apoplexy in his
cell, was allowed to lie eleven days on his
filthy pallet before the Jail physician came to
see him. Our exposure of this case led to the
poor fellows release, and to-day the whole
den of iniquity is to be thrown open to the
light of day.
1t is in no Boosting spirit that we refer to
our connection with this business; we mention
it only because it is an additional illustration
of the power of the press, of which the past
few months have been 80 prolific in examples.
In this era of fraud and corruption there is
comfort in the assurance that q resolute and
honest newspaper possesses strength at which
rogues must tremble and the most formidable
conspiracies fall to pieces 1t is hardly too
much to say that nothing but free press
could have broken up the various corrupt
Rings which have so long disgraced our NUM-
cipal administration, and of which one of the
worst is to be arraigned to-day in Judge Bar
nard's court Out of such a victory we and
our comrades may gather fresh courage, know
ing that though the battle be long and hard,
fraud, theft, and oppression must be over
thrown at last.
While we naturally rejoice at the prospect
of immediate partial success Of the reformation
which THE TRIBUNE entered upon nearly
year ago, we give notice that it is not COM
plete, and that our effort are not concluded.
Among various things to be corrected are the
management Of the jail, the methods of arrest,
the fraudulent charges of the SherifFs officers,
and the right of immediate trial of debtors.
A common drunkard OF disorderly person ar
rested by the police for acts witnessed by scores
OF persons, is entitled to immediate hearing.
Inc law requires that such offenders be taken
at once to the Court if in session, or early
next morning. But debtor may be arrested
on the affidavit Of his creditors, or any one Of
them, and thrown into Ludlow-st., where his
release or trial depends wholly on his or his
lawyers ingenuity. This Is not the law, but it
ID the practice; it Is not just, but then it Is
made legal in this City and County, and this
must be reformed thoroughly.
Inc management Of the Jail must be
changed. 1t is Mt oncA inhuman and frandr-
lent The privilege which the wretch Tracey
enjoys OF Expressing the unfortunate inmates
was deliberately traded for political influence.
The parties to that infamous bargain were
Sheriff Brennan and Controller Richard B.
Connolly. Mr.. Brennan appointed Tracey
HArdan Of the Jail at the re1uest Of Connolly. |