New-York tribune., 1873-03-03
JUSTICE WITHOUT HEART.
Continued from First Page.

living and upon my nSvey ipquirtog whether BE was
waiter a clerk, pronounced me, with glance OF
snpreme disgust, as ia; as they make 'em!"
On Monday morning we were marshaled into line. TO
xrepare for shipment TO the Island. 1t another
bserug day. but were packed on top OF each other
sato the sufocatng Black Mana," like a consignment
of hogs sweerng in stencil and as our party included
The nthest wTetches that possibly be imagined TINS
Is really hyperboe. At the foot of TwentysixthsI
East River we transferred the dark hold OF the
steamer Mnnehannonok where a large deputatlon 10
the worshouse Joined Among the latter crowu
discovered ON Irish ex.Alderman of New-Iork' whose
term Of office expired long before the Ring rauus Wee
enncocted bis persistent affection for the bottle re-
dueed him 20 his present level What seemed 10 anne.
him most was the fact that the justice who had
consigned him 70 the workhouse he had been ius'"-
mental years ago, in promoting from policeman 10
magistrate.
PESIrRSrIARY FORMS OF INITIATION.
On reaching the wharf on the Island we were tesouo
frm the dark hold, as we answered TO our names anu
mere immediately placed the iron grasp OF the rem
sentiary discipline and marched two abreast up oI'S
sTira forbdding walls and under its gloomy sh"uo"s'
The ceremony Of initiation began in tine Dhper sol'
which also served preliminary BATHROOM Arounu
The walls several cards hung containing appropr
.te texts of Scripture NV hair cut as close as II
had raging brain fever aud my whskers and mus
tsche were shaved The bath next In ORDER ana we
were all obliged to battle in turn, in the same water
There was one OF our party poor besotted wretch,
had noticed was literally hive for vermin. The fear
of his bathing before horrying; but he was or
dered by the keeper 70 remain until the last striped
shirt aud pantaoons Of the material, with chip
hat and heavy shoes without stockings, comprised our
outfit and what it lacked in elegance and style was GER
tainly compensated fOr.n coolness and comfort.
We were each given tin cup and a horse blanket,
and then escorted separate cells. A narrow iron
cot with it's pillow, and the printed card of rules
the wall work of art, composed the furniture
There a wooden bucket by the way, but the least
said concerning that the better. AS itlwss afternoon
received ration of bread say six ounces; and this was
substitute for dinner and supper In fact, soon dis
that the only thing had enough of was sleep
We had IA hours Of every "A during which we could
sleep. found, also, that better cure for poor appe
lite tendency toward dyspepsia could not possibly
he prescribed than few months in that institution 1t
Is also an infalble remedy for chronic board
ipg house Grumbliug, Of which there are many
Thousands In NeW-YOrk. The breakfast consists OF
ration OF bread in Summer, which is increased
Ia about in Winter, and a tin pan, containing
about a quart Of indescribable cOncOcton called
coffee. After regahng themselves with this luxury, the
Irisoners march each tier separate and in single e)
open square where they called off into the
working gangs to which they respectively belong. The
new taken before the warden TO be assigned
the duties for which he considers them best fitted. If
there any backsmithS carpenters, shoemakers or
iaOrs among the cOmers and there are vacancies
Tor them those shops they are given employment,
these being the only trades that encouraged on the
ysland. As their work is confined chiefly TO repairs,
the number Of hands required limited and accordingly
the including all other mechanics, turned into
The quarry In the apporonment Of prisoners duty
have noticed sometimes rather udicrous adaptations
OF the artist 10 the work. For instance have
matchmaker in Of emergency sent 10 work in the
biacksmh's shop. and In my own case, was given
Crowbar In the quarry the nearest approximation TO
a quill. Finding that there alternative, took
kindly TO my newly imposed task, aud felt much
at home If had been born in quarry. The amount
OF work performed, however depends great
upon the Willingness Of the workman, although TO shrk
work wllfuly is oense punishable by the loss of
several meals by confinement in the dark CELL com
monty called the cooler" The old hdbitu(s of the
Island, however, know how 10 evade work and create
mischief without receiving punishment, while the strain
of duties and infcton of punishment which should
properly fan 10 the Lot Of this class are invarabe sad
died upon nOvces
NO SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION.
Tbis OF the evils OF the present system Of pro-
miscuous ntermnglng of amateur and professional"
criminals IN the prison. 1t is strange that Warden
Fitch who doubtless fanees that he is nfable in point
of discipline, has not this effected reform in this
The to be adopted to achieve this desr
able end simple too. that the wonder is increased
Every Of brotherhood OF thieves who period
cly visit the Pententiary is as well known 10 the War
den and keepers the grim walls OF the edhce ITSELF
In fact the number of times convict has been in the
prison specified the tally" shinge hung on the
door Of ms CELL in addition 10 his name alias, birth
place, profession, date Of conviction, and the
CRIME of which he has been convicted. II the
criminal Is a stranger, IL be ascertained
immediately whether he is iamateur or
not by conduct and his familiarity with the vocabu
larry slang known only TO thieves Then there is the
"goosestep" common in all prisons, that is close,
breastObac order Of single file marching which the
novice has great difficulty in acquiring while it is
almost impossible for the professional TO eign ignorance
of IT, that there for not being able
distinguish two classes Therefore instead OF mix
ing the classes unfortunately IN the tiers If they
CLASSIFIED, separate tiers they would be kept
apart IN all their other movements, and at work,
where the prisoners enjoy unlimited privileges
OF conversation. IL is here that the great
evil Of contamination becomes infectious, and
the amateur If at all predisposed isl initiated into the
darkest ways Of crime All the arts OF thievery are
taught the daring exploits of hopeful and aspiring
young burglars and pckpOekets freely reeounted,
and the who relates the most daredevil story the
most Enthusiastically admired. The thieves literature
the prisoners by their friends, and consisting
chiefly police prints, dime novels, "Dick Turpin,"
"Blue skin," Blue Beard" &C., is swallowed with
extraordinary avidty. Indeed, have known Of plots
teng concoced in the hearing Of Keepers of proposed
robberies, rackets" they termed, to effect
which the convict looks forward with sighs and fond
hopes TO the day Of his release.
Another evil upon which check whatever is exer-
rised by the keepers vies epthets by
the prisoners toward another work. while
the most proane and obscene expressions comprise the
language OF the place. Some Of the keepers who are
very little better than the prisoners themselves in point
of morals rather incline 10 the Of these infamous
expressions than endeavOr TO effect reform. The
Doyices IN cIme-and great many sent 10 the
Peniteniary by the New-York justices without inquiry
consideration-who deserve pity instead of punish
IDen require truly the saDctity Of saints 10 forfy them
against the chosen representatives of Satan who league