The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-21
WORKHOUsE REFORMS.

WHAT THE CHARITY COMMISSIONERS WILL DO
TO CORRECT THE ABUsEs-REsULTs OF THE
HERALDs ExPosE-A THOROUGH INvEsTIGA-
TON AND SPEEDY REFORMS PROMISED.
1t is no exsggeI alton to say that the gross
abuses in the Workoouse on Blackwell's Island,
as exposed in the HERALD, nave become the "talk
OF the town." AS one OF the Commissioners OF
Charities and Correction incidentally remarked
yesterday, wherever have gone to IL mas been
the all-absorbing topic OF the day. one question
that was asked In many quarters yesterday and
day before yesterday was, "What viii IL all
amount to- VIII the Commissioners OF Charities
DO their part as the HERALD has done its ~
There seems to be good deal OF scepticsm Ia
this regard, and many people sneer at the good
intentions OF the ''reform boardn Of Charities
and Correction. Hence it was important to Oh
tain some explicit utterances on this subject OF
workhouse reforms from the Commissioners so
as to determine whether some practical good Is
really 10 now from the HERALD's revelations, that
were procured with much personal sunerlng
and hardship. reporter OF this journal called
upon the commissioners yesterday for this pnr-
pose, ana in the course OF long conversat ion
with the leading members OF the Board received
the most indubiaole assurances OF
THEIR SINCERITY AND EARNEsrNEss
is the feeling between the Commissioner in ques-
ton and mis- associates that he was even loath 10
authorize the use OF his name, being afraid that
by so dong he might thrust himself improp-
erly before the public to the prejudice
OF mis- colleagues. However, he assured
the writer that he gave him not his indl-
vidual views only, but also those OF the two other
members OF the Board, so that the conversation
given below is to be regarded as an authorized
publication OF the opinions Of the Commission II
may, however be remarked in the outset that the
first step in the right direction that has already
been taken was to appoint Mr. Mcdonald hitherto
keeper OF the Penitentiary. Assistant Warden in
the worknouse, during the further illness OF MIR.
Keen the warden. Mr.. Mcdonald Is said 10 be a
care III, humane Official, who Will check the abuses
in the Workhouse until The reorganization con-
templa.ed BY the Board snali have been carried
AN INVESTIGATION PROMISED
Commissioner, now Is IL that these abuses have
been allowed to exist II the Board Is animated by
"A desire TO weed them outsn
..Ah, you must remember that ~ is very DIM
cult for us 10 hnd Them out" the commissioners
replied with smile. whenever we go 10 the in
situations these keepers are al on their GOO be-
those employed nv the HERALD reporter we mi2ht
go on FOR years without learning OF these viola
lions OF the rules OF the commission, TOT mats
what these .aDuses' are.o
.iHave you determined upon the proper rene
dies IN every case now brou nj 10 your notfceW
81 non,t believe In the system OF making great
promises. Let our acts speak Tor themselves.
But OF one thing you may rest assured-tnat there
winch Will not be The subject OF prompt, careful
and thorough investlgation.h
the CEssPooLs IN THE CELLS.
what do you mean to do about the bad sanitary
arrangements In the cells, the open cesspoos,
&e.yn
'I'm afraid that, as far this evil-and ad-
NIT that 1t Is a great ones concerned, nothing
can be done 10 remedy 1t short OF complete over
hauling OF the entlre premises
"Mil you 90 that, commissioner
..Wel don't know; we can't do IL unless we
get the money, and the cost would be considera-
BILE. You see, even now, the HERALD Is censurlng
us for spending too mucn money!
"why Is II necessary to overhaul the entire
1clencyfr
"weli, the building IL very old one, and no
proper provisions Tor this purpose were made from
the start. am convinced that no such building
could be erected at this time anywhere. The alb
sence OF these necessary provisions In this Old
structure SHOWS the progress we have made In toe
geae a. application OF the principles OF cleanliness
ana humanity
"Now as 70 the b4d Ventilation and the over
crowding Of the Black Mariar
1T mas always seemed to me very DUNGEON
like vehicle, bur as 10 the bad smells ana noxous
sxhaiations am afraid you cannot remove these
until you nave PROVIDED that all warrants anu
drunkards sent 70 tae WorKnouse snal be clean
.And the beating OF prisoners by the keepersYi
THE WORST ABUSES.
''rhere is no regulation OF the Board which
recognizes or allows any such outrageous punIsn-
meat IN toe institutions under our care. Tnere are
qullo huHlCient mOOes OF blaL are
recognized oy US 20 MAINTAIN strict discipline.
Another gross violation OF our rules was that the
er-prlsoner was not washed, thoroughly
washed anu scrubbed, Immediately on his arrival.
This should be done with every prisoner. lie
then should De asked II ne had any disease
and II ne says yes placed at once IN charge OF
the doctor, VINO can examine him and Isolate
him at once from the prisoners VINE are wei, by
sending him TO the hospital. All these precau-
tons were overlooked, as the HBRALD's eIpose
showed, although trey are Of the greatest tmpOr-
lance IN preserving tue health and cleanliness OF
the inmates
"And as 10 the deprivation Of the reporters un-
derwear, oy which ne might nave contracted
dangerous cold ~
WHAT THE BOARD WILL DO.
"'rhe keeper had not vestIge OF authority TO
take IL away, except II lt had been dirty when no
should nave sent u TO the washhouse ana tnor-
wrong, ana the Board Will take care TO remedy lt.
We cannot be there % see that all these Things
are done, but We can put some body IN charge VINO
will see 10 IL. Mr.. Keen, the warden OF the work
house, - a rigid d.sciplnarian; out he has been
very ~ for some weeks, ana that, perhaps. ac-
counts. In measure Tor the failure OF the Oflcals
TO do their duty.
In conclusion the Commissioner remarked
dpr0p0s OF the heating and ven tiiation that an
gneer was now engaged Ia making tour OF tn
with practical architect and that consde cradle
tine Will be devoted TINS summer tie task OF
devIsng better methods for both. In answer TO
the nndi question. wnetner the Commissioners felt
themselves now aOle, through the HERALDs ard,
TO make ours model Wurknouse, he Tepled:-"I
don't know II we can make ~ model wOrkhOuse,
but we shall at all events make lt a decent one
No Keeper can be allowed e. beat prisoner, or to
don't think there's any necessity OF brutalIzing
people because they are IN the WoTkhouse. ami
tnluk VIC can teach our subUrdiuates 10 treat the
prisoners with humane conslueratlon.u