The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-17
TEE EIGHTH WARD DISGRACE.

Continuation OF the Inquiry Of the Board
OF Education Into the Existence Of
Houses OF HI Fnmc-The Further Effect
Upon the Chiidren-Thcy Are Exposed
to Terrible Examples.
The Committee on Bylaws OF the Board of Edu-
cation continued its investigation into the matter
OF the existence OF public houses OF i'll fame in the
vicinity OF public schools in the Eighth ward
Messrs Farr, the chairman, and Mann and West
were present, as also number of school officers
OF the ward, trustees, principals, &C., as Wen as
property owners The feeling aid not appear to be
as great as on the first day OF the investigation,
though there was AN evident determination to
push the thing through.
The first witness examined was George II.
Young, Of No. 30S West Fifteenth street, and the
President OF the Eighth Ward Citizens Association.
Being sworn, he stated that, In going down to bust
ness daily, he was struck by the number OF houses
OF i'll fame in the vicinity OF schools in the Eighth
ward. A short time since, he was passing down
town. he q crowd OF children with school
books under theirs arms, and evidently just about
entering the school III Grand street; they were
surrounding man and prostitute who were dis
putting together, ana using the most obscene and
vile terms II Is possible TO Imagine; the children
seemed to rather enjoy the thing ana were laugh
ing at the scene 1T could not fail to be excessively
bad IN its influence upon their young minds;
another occasion, IN wooster street.
two doors from school No. 10, drunken
bawd was addressing number OF chill
dren, aud speaking to them in the usual
vile and indecent language; they were taking IL
In good part and shortly after broke up and went
into the school, he had constant occasion 10 no.
tce the existence OF this state OF affairs and con-
sidcrcd it disgraceful In the highest degree; 1t
would be ridiculous to say That children were not
they were Obliged on their way TO school, to pass
by these houses and he had seen half naked wO
men speak to them from windows.
DIT. COOK, u trustee OF the Eighth ward schools,
was also examined, but he SAID that for his part.
while he knew OF the existence OF such houses of
i'll fame, he had not been struck with their proX-
unity to the schools OF the Eighth ward except IN
the case OF the one IN South Fifth avenue, which
he believed was surrounded with bad influences OF
the Kind; ut night, particularly this vicinity was
lrequented by very bad class OF people, the
neishborhood was bad one.
Mr.. Mann, Of tue committee, here said that the
committee had thought II had the power TO SUBJ
pUna witnesses, but 1t found this was only the
case in acts having reference to schools-n0t IN
others The committee had subpGnaed Captain
Williams, OF the Eighth precinct police because he
had list OF all the houses OF prostitution IN his
district, with the names OF the owners and lessees.
But the Captain had refused to come, saying he
would only do SO in case he got orders nom the
superintendent This gentleman had been COM
muncated with and nc had re lerred the matter to
Commissioner OF Police Gardener from whom
aieter had been received, stating that alone he
meeting Of the Board IL would be considered.
Mr.. FAIR observed that IT. was absolutely neces-
sary TO have these names, as the committee must
have specific charges upon which to act IL
not wanted to have personal statements, but par
was necessary.
Mr.. Fox observed tnat his own evidence and
that OF the gentlemen VINO accompanied him was
only OF use alter the captain of police had given
his. They had supposed the Captain would be
present and mad therefore remained.
Mr.. White, mead principal OF Grammar School
No. 80 for twenty.sX years. said that he had often
occasion to notice the existence OF houses OF III
lame in the vicinity OF the school he was connected
with. These had been more general, however,
some time since than at present. Some time ago
one 1oor OF "a house In the rear OF the school was
Kept as place OF Ill lame, IN which blacks ana
whites were mixed promiscuously and that their
obscene actions could be seen rom portion or the
school. He had been for some time nervous lest
the girls of the school should observe these things;
but now new people moved In, who appeared 20 be
respectable. Opposite the school, IN Clarke street,
there used TO be house OF Ill fame but this seemed
TO be closed at present. He believed that children
on the way to school were sometimes initiated
TOO close proximity TO these houses, but nothing
mad come under his own observation except what
he mad mentioned.
Mr.. Moore, principal OF School No s, in Grand
street, said that he never saw any houses OF Ill
lzme IN the neighborhood OF his school. He never
in going to his schooSsaw anything of the KIND,
nor did lie hear OF anybody IN the school having
been annoyed by the existence OF such places. He
had spoken to the female principal OF his school,
who said these houses used TO be % nuisance, but
had not been 50 or late. He had not mad the OPP
portunities OF some other people Of noticing these
things.
MIR. Abers. Of Barrow street, was also qucs-
toned; and he knew good deal he said, about
houses OF Ill fame in the neighborhood OF school
No. TO- But the Chairman said that the inquiry
concerning tins school and the Fifteenth ward had
been closed.
the committee then adjourned, to meet after the
decision as to the Captain OF police being present.
IL was stated during the examination by one of
the witnesses that the District Attorney IL In pos
session OF a list OF the houses similar 70 that re-
CURED from the police.