New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-10-24
LUDLOW-ST. JAIL DELIVERY.
JUDGE BARNARD TNTERFERRS IN BEHALF OF
TIE PRISONERS FOR DEBT

THE PRIbOh6tb kOh DEBT.
Judge Barnard opened the Court of Oyer
and Tormner yesterday but there being ready
for trial. the jury discharged and the Court i'd
}Ourned to Monday next at II Bsfne the adjourn
ment, Judge Barnard held ShUrt consultation With
AsSistant Distrtct-Attorney Sullivan, and handing to
him list Of prisoners confined in Llowst jail, said
"There are many Of these men who have been held
there for long tine from inability to find bail or to pay
fnes should like you to examine into the facts re-
lating these and after suitable Inquiry, bring
such q them you may think proper 70 the attention
Of the Court Of Oyer and Termner on Monday next 90
that wherever humanity consistent with law and justice
win warrant 1t, suitable orders may De mace
for the relief or release Of these prisoners whose conne
ment virtually for nonpaymeDt Of debt, 10 prolonged
contrary to the spirit Of the law"
M Sullivan took the nst and promised to bring all
such persons before the court on habeas corpus he
said ~ shall see that notice sent to the prison. and
also published in the newspaper that all who are In
terested may have fair opportunity Of bringing TO my
notice. and to the attention Of the court such facts as
should to enable the court to exercise wisely
and humaney it's discretionary power IN the premises
TRIBUNE reporter called Judge Barnard last even
ing to make inquiries respecting this order The
judge who seems taken up the matter with con
siderable determination, spoke of in effect as follows
"My attention was first called Ludowst. Jail by
Poor Prisoner The revelations contained in t shocked
and startled me- - had always believed that lmprson-
ment for debt no longer e1lstod i maze
dicial inquiries, ana I read the statement, in
THE TRIBUNE Of Saturday, and the oouree which
Sheriff Brennan led to pursue. saw that had no
alternative but to take active steps for the nmed,ste
suppression OF monstr0us an iniQutty. saw that
men, often old men, without friends without money TO
ieSse-that they must AMPLY lie there and rot TIL the
for e
tonal, and 80 long as I sit on the bench Oh
forts to crush It ost DO not think I can
make very great mistake by errinR on the side OF jus
tioe and decency There seems to me to be total ab
sence OF both in Ludow-st Jail. This must be stopped
at once II have not GOOD and sufficient laws on the
statute book laws must be passed which shall be AL
awaiting, that these poor prisoners for debt
feauy robbed. There snail be no more suoa stea
ings long administrator OF the law shall
Keep q watDhfu ere on that Jail In future;
Sheriff Brennan has handed me list Of all
the prisoners for civil suits In the Jail.
Tney win all be brought before Monday next and
TO discharge every ono Of them possible. am
thoroughly In earnest in this matter and It VIII not 6e
easy for creditors 10 find loOphole In the law by which
they retain unfortunate IN prison on suit TOR
debt-men who have not cent In the world, who cannot
earn one long they remain In jail and whose wives
and families starving II Ia horrible TO think Of II
is mOnstrous crime against society must ano anal
not continue, any efforts Of mine can put stop to IT,