New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-15
CRIMINALS NEEDLEssLY DEGRADED

THE POLLY or HANDCVFFISG YOUNG osFENDEIs-
co,,,uesIoNFR sTFRNs VIEWS OF TIE OBJECT OF
THE HOUSE OF REFUGE.
Commissioner Stern made an important re-
mort 10 the Board OF Commissioners OF Charities ana
Correction, Yesterday, relative 10 complaint Uans
mitted by Mayor Havemeyer that three boys TWO Vi
whom were innocent OF any nfracton or law hau oeeh
pnblcly conveyed 10 the House OF Refuge on kand"
Island handcufed like feions on board the steamboat
Harlem which was crowded with passengers To whose
gaze the lads had been improperly and degradingy SUB
lected The following a synopsis OF the report whcn
was elaborate and thoughtiully prepared:
The House OF Refuge Mr. Stern stated was under the
control of Board Of Managers, who were NOT reslos
Though the Commissioners had DO direct authorty
however the subject was OF mature t E r. a5peared
that no boys had been forwarded from NeWloA ~ AZ ~
institution the day OF tho alleged %
was believed that the uniortunate laus nav accns
from Brooklyn, whose officials were aoV JUS
toned to transport juvenile offenders 10 wb .h
House Of Refuge in public conveyanceSs. mHh
the commissioners mad power OF redress lucy I gne
ard preventing the recurrence OF the ell bere emil
of Refuge designed as reform schoo ~or ot for
dren might taught that they we're detneu' 10. a.
nunishmept bu that they might receive prOpeE euu
etion and be fitted for useful lives It's discipline ls
not severe, and all freedom cOmPauoe WILL 'pe ~
government OF the institution is allowed Tue b3a.n
MANAGERS have tried to carry out this yiew ana hey
ought 10 receive hearty onlcal cooperation 20 20
all sides The nnSis soSyeyances exposed to
the public gaze wounds their sensDlhlles anu as
ishes their selfrespect, ana snoulu pe
wen as the unfeeng harsh and cruel manner
displaved toward them by subordinate oHlceTs Wino
Speci,iiY should be transported in wellventiated
covered wagons, and upon boats not useu ior CAR @
Other passengers This might be done al cost Oh no
more Than 40 or so cents each, and it is recommended
that the Board of Commissioners OF Charles anu
reetion communicate with the proper au'hoi'0' " VINO
end. .,,- ...,.,, orandors
needs careful revision and the laws by which u is reg
Mated need thorough amendment boys unueI 40 800 49,,
of age should not be confined Win connraeu s
criminals, thus developing youthful criminal pa Sr
aud sowing the very seeds OF crime anu vice.
should be reform through an awakenlng OF moral con
sciOusness and the teaching that honest LABOR
gary for mans social enjoyment and happiness, rather
than manner Of imprisonment wmch lneu S t ha
idea that labor is punishment thus 'eacnnS inc o
idleness and error9 after BIS discnaTse' ia
stead of acquiring habits OF Industry anu
morality BOYS either thOughtlessly or through
deprayitv III thoughtessY, they should DC Ony reprl
manded restored TO their parents or pu
IN through depravty they should be detained IN pro
mar reoratory institution for term OF years. MaRls-
trates before commitment should make careIu anu
scientous Investigations, for upon tneH HeGaSioI 1
hang the success failure OF whole nfetline ham,
cuffs Should be used except 10 prevent aosoIte
yioente and TO crafty the malicious propenues
Illness Youthful offenders should be carefully cass-
fed and not confined togelner ., mus the
crmnatey and without RE FefeTs Scis subject 10 %,
The renort patient and careful consideration
il il recommended that the Commissioners eau meet
inc of representatives OF various reormatoy ana pena
institutions confer as 10 the proper measures anu
manner for carrying out reform, anlihheu py
for promoting the best interests OF society III
with the dictates OF morality and humanity
President Lambeer joined Mr.. Stern in resolution 10
transmit copy OF the report to the Mayor Commis-
soner Bowen declined make the report subject OF
official record on OF lack Of jurisdiction ON the
mart of the Board but he expressed approval OF It's con-
tents The resolution being adopted the report was
duly forwarded.