The New York herald., 1875-10-02
AMONG THE "REVOLVERS."
The Committee on crime IN
the Wcrkhouae.
LEWTy VICE AND DEPRAvITY.

The Committee on Crime rather the scattered
fragments OF il that do is work went the
workhouse yesterday investigate the condition or
that huge home OF the ''drunk and disorderly On
Thursday the committee consisted Of Mr. Campbell
and Mr. Hess and yesterday it made up OF Messrs.
Campbell and McGowan. Mr.. Hess also attended late
in the afternoon Commissioner Brennan accom-
panied the committee.
Joseph Keene Superintendent Of the Workhouse, a
small decrepit old man, rst called and stated the
number Of inmates at /, OIL
David Mcdonald, the Deputy superintendent took his
place. smart busting red-cheeked man. who had had
previous experience keeper in the Penitentiary
He defined the duties ofhis Office at length The prs
oners rise at 1--WE O'Clock; at six there is breakfast
after which they return TO their cells and ten min
utes to seven the men 90 to their labor, which
sists mainly in making REPAIRS grading &c
In other respects the hours correspond
with those observed in the Pententiary.
The number OF keepers, their hours and duties,
was then gone into by Mr. Townsend who conducted
the examination The Deputy Superintendent confessed
frankly that efforts whatever made to separate
young and first offenders old hardened ones The
young girl who has been the Workhouse for her
FIRST offence Of drunkenness and disordery conduct
locked up with old criminals who have spent here the
greater portion OF their lives This has the effect OF
bringing them close contact with hardened offend
who teach them their vices and train them IN de-
pravity The committeeman expressed great asonish-
ment al this pernicious negligence the part Of the
officials.
The Deputy Warden was questioned in regard to the
employment OF inmates by officials at their private
houses the Island and for domestic purposes Mr.
Townsend observed that he had the females detailed
for such personal service strong about the Island
oft
Despite Mr. Townsend's persistent questioning Mr.
Mcdonald could not be brought to admit that such free
dom allowed sent TO the Workhouse for pun
ishment and not for pleasure wrong; and he
also thought 1t proper for the officials TO have
their tailoring, &c, done by the convcts. While
gagged in these pursuits they have naturally much
liberty than the other offenders detailed regular
prison work. Mr. Mcdonald thought that IL was per-
fectly proper to allow the officials discretion granting
all these indulgences-
Mr. Townsend-What would prevent an official favor
tng particularly good looking female prisonerS
Mr. McDonald-Nothing at all Boldly. Why
often have stopped woman of especial youth and
beauty when have seen one serubbng and sent her TO
the sewing
Mr. Townsend-And why did you do thatP
Mr. Mcdonald (rather embarrassedl-Wel, you
know, Mr.. Townsend, great many men-messengers
visitors and ohers-pass through the hall while these
women engaged scrubbing, and it's very natural
that young and good looking women will firt than
0lo and ugly
Mr. Townsend-And you send them to the sewing
room TO avoid troubleY
Mr.. McDonald-Yes, sir.
Although this subject of good looking inmates and
their hirtatons with visitors seemed very inviting
one, the committee with stoical sacrifice to duty,
passed this point In regard the mingling
OF young and old offenders in the male prison shock
ing of things was developed Boys OF ten years.
who are committed for exposure swimming break
ing windows, &c are locked up in the same cell with
old confirmed drunkards
IL has often been noticed that prisoners sent TO the
Island FOR several months reappear again in few days
the streets of New York This mystery was par
tally explained yesterday by the testimony OF the
Deputy warden, which showed that less than 346
prisoners have "eoped"-this Is the term used in the
record-irom this easy place II appeared that the
prisoners perfectly free escape the keepers
are not allowed TO carry firearms and if they to
reach the water there is no stopping them. Mr..
Mcdonald said the inmates all knew that the keepers
carried no firearms, and that if they could only run
more quickly they could readily escape,
Mr. Townsend remarked that many Of these men
were allowed to escape by the Keepers but did pur
this phase OF the case
Dr. Thomas Allen, the physician OF tie Workhouse,
agreed with Dr. Kitchen that the usual of
ment for drunkenness item days. far short
correct the morbid desire for liquor If the
one month it would be tar better
Father Chanbon the Catholic priest the island,
expressed himself strongly against the comminging
any suggestions 20 the improvement Of the institu-
tion he said he would like have the power TO hold
bad Catholics up to their religious duties and nict
slight punishment upon those derect in the discharge
OF those obligations.
William Dorning a young Arab OF fourteen n boot
black, who spoke up very brightly was committed by
Justice Ottsrbourg this home Of old drunkards
striking boy in the Here he is trained vice.
while he ought to have been sent to the House OF
Refuge or some other reformatory
Kate Wilson, very strong, hardy woman who re-
pquested her commttal while Of work told her
story with concern. She said she had been drink
3ng it'll" " and asked to be committed for a month.
Father Chanbon returned and said he desired to state
another great evil which was that the sexes were not
separated sufficiently.
The committee adjourned at five o'clock and will
Investigate the management OF the Tombs Monday
nj eleven O'Clock.