New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-11


hs hand cxca,,snE in tone of despair. OH tho boys
shoemaker shepY
EUROPEAN REFORMS.
White the subject Of criminal reform IL may not DO
too far to travel Europe TO gloan an idea which has
been most ayoraby Endorsed the late Conference of
Prison Reformers held In London. and at which all
civilized nations were represented At this Congress
n most remarkable inversion OF the usual order OF
progress seems 10 been developed On the prison
systems OF the different nations being thoroughly ex-
planned and compared Il decided tina the American
eystem was the most imperfect while that OF Ireland
was the most improved Tue leading features OF the
Irish system, which its introduction TO Sir walter
Crofton are q proper classification Of prisoners the
awarding OF good-conduct badges TO those who merit
them on the principle Of non-commssioned army ON
GERS aud the Shortening OF all sentences where the con-
duct OF the prisoners renders IL justhabe This was
fonud by experiepce TO stimulate all prisoners to good
behavior and tended emulation in industry which
prepared them for honest labor their release SIT
Walter Crofton bore testimony to the fact that as re-
cult OF this. very few ever returned to prison.
"NJURgD MsoCENTs."
Ann now 10 return to the Mil" in NewYerk where
the prsen grist is ground. Experience on Baekweirs
island hasled writer to believe that very FEW cono
thore conceal either their guilt or Innocence once in
stalled they they will have 10 pay the pcnay VI
outraged Justice whether guilty or not ana therefore, as
general rule each Ia very candid IN his admssiopst 10
theiohers The records of many OF the prisoners WHO
were serving their terms became known to the writer
and he first refers to those classified in his mind as the
injured innocent" or victims Of the existing evils Of
the Judiciary system.
A man named Mcguire, printer In one OF the largest
publishing in this city, sentenced in July last
10 three months imprisonment in the penentiary' and
the charge his tally attached TO his cell door which
by way created much curiosity was cruelty to ami
mails" IL seemed this started TO his work on
Monday morning. but his way he was tempted TO take
a"drlnk" 1t happened. usual that this the fore
drfuU ha OofeO ipfa mad
that coud discuss the great political question Of the
hour Auency than reason. This led to dis
pnie and quarrel with the driver Of wagon, who held
opposite views and the result Mcguire got his lip
split for his loquacity." He went 10 wash the blood
from his face at hydran and having nothing to wipe
his hands with he took hold OF the horses tail for that
purpose The driver Of the lemonade wagon held DIFF
eren opinion from Mcguire this point also and swore
At the trial that he wanted 70 cut of the horses tail
The sentence three months
Another named Blessing who had ibeen o
commissioned officer in the army. and had only returned
about twelve months previously from the West with the
savlogs OF twelve years service served the last five
months on BlacSwelis Island. He unfortunate in
almost every business he entered AFTER leaving the
array aud consequence became demoralizod and
resorted excessive drinking. He served short time
AS keeper at the Lunatc Asylum Wards Island but
could break himself of the habit OF drinking. He
occasionally visited NewYork for spree" When on
the last OF these "sprees," he passing down
Thrteenth toward the East River take the steamer
for Wards Island when his companion, who was.mOre
hilarious than he, thought It good Joke 10 pull horse
rug out of buggy standing the sidewalk. He
thought very funny then run, leavnghe rug the
ground for the 10 pick up But Blessing having
aud consideration left, picked up the rug
with the intent Of replacing it in the wagon and while in
the act OF doing the upon him and charged
him with attempting TO steal 1t. He arrested, and
without having chance OF communicating with any OF
relatives this wealthy and influential
he sentenced 10 Blackwels Island for FIVE months
not a keeper this trip, but to be kept
LOST FRANKLIN
Dean Swift used TO say, If you want 10 nd the best
blood OF Ireland among the coalpOrters the quays
of Dubln." Some OF that blood Backwell's Island.
There is man now there serving In the gardeners
gang" named Franklin. who through the vicssitudes Of
families exempliAed by Sir Jonah Barringons book
the subject. descended the social scale inevitably
until he reached tho mre Of Blackwels Island. Poor
Old Franklin does not to be known the of
" dear old Lady Franklin" who used to in her
dotage OF her presentation at the gittering Court of
Louis XIV. and her admiration OF that captivating
when belle in her teens. But Franklin has
an old schooellow the Island dressed in the
prison stripes who recognized him. 1t seems Franklin
found his way this country about three years ago. and
since his arrival TO the hour OF his arrest he
employed hospital at the emigrant depot
Wards Island He has had incurable affection for
the bottle He received in charge overcOat from
he the overcoat. He was absent several days.
drunk, aud the patient. needing the coat and fearing
that Franklin woud not return complained OF his having
stolen It, The officers of the Board Of Emigration insti
tuted search for the missing Franklin" and found
him with greater than his illustrous name
sake has traced in Baudln state OF intoxcaton
in a ba-roOm in NewYOrk. He was Immediately put
through the "mll." and is serving five months on
the Island.
There still another martyr to unfortunate circum
stances His Is Warren, and he has just served
six months there for ambitious attempt to become
carpetbagger He is respectfully connected In this city
and INDUCED in spree, according to his own confession
Joined by few of his associates They were proceeding
down Broadway highly inspired aud discussing the sub
feet Of carpebsggers" and their successful establish
ment In the South Warren seized with ungov-
crnsbe desire at the moment Tor fegned to his com
panions being segod) making rapid fortune In the
South this pan aud to that he was serious on
the subject he seized valise exposed for sale and
waving 1t his head with an exclamation Of 10 !
for the South !" was about TO march on when he
rested and sent to the Island where his ambition cooled
To close the list OF injured innocents mention may
be made OF two frivolous charges Of crime for which two
convcts are serving three months each at the pen
tentsryOne for having snatched piece OF pie from
bakers wagon satisfy the cravings of hunger, and
the is for taking newspaper without paying Tor III
CONFESSED CRIMINALS.
Now TO mention a few instances connection with
the confessed criminals who escape the full penalty of
their crimes and who admit their guilt with the same
candor as the injured innoeents" assert their innocence
There was a desperate negro the Island, named
George Moore with several other aliases, and he made
A. a subject Of frequent boast how he robbed many
house. only in HewYork but in every principal city
OF the United Some Of his rackets thieves
plans OF operation called, 70 form the acquant
ance of colored domestic servants aud by bribng Them
enlist their co0peratOn eecn9 buIgaries their