New-York tribune., 1877-08-06
MISERY 1T TIE TONES,

pow TIE INMATES ARR rLUNDERED AND abused
rur Ring og Krrp1Rs AND LAwYERs-PIuLEss
rsfArNG>T oF POOR PRISONERS.
Common report and the statements Of we'll
Informed rrr.on- are not favorable ro the management
of the Toi.is Toa ring 81 INSCRIPTIONS lawyers every
facility s gwen for Gercng tc prisoners ana IT Is as
serted thar uereans confined in the Tomhs are often DE-
used DC is especially charged in many quarters that the
Keepers ore governed in e discharge Of t1eir duties by
money considerations only. and that the treatment OF tile
prisoner and the character OF hs cell depend upon the
amount money DE may have ou bis person or the num-
ber o. friends Dec may possess who willing 20 make ad
vance for Dis personal comfort.
v..l-kaOvn lawyer remarked to q TRIBUNE reporter
"Ihsve been intimately acquainted with the manage
ront .f the rcnbs ior wears and am an almost daily
v..frlr te aud OF course u0 blind 10 tile manner
In which he prison has been and t is conducted. The
Keepers are absolute usutrc ana 10 many cases petty
tvrln- lu5 unless cater their wishes ant close
Cr eFcs and t0 their ourages, we should have no
clients at te Toanbs The Keepers have made pool with
ceru lawyers and the moment fresh arrival Is an
romced. tuc, pouncc upou the unfortunate person If
hc has n0 attorney they force hm 20 accept one OF their
choosing They msuuate 10 many cases, when the prs-
insists upon selecting his own counsel tat the
attorney whom Le nsmes Is not allowed % visi; the
Tomle and when the ring counsel arrives and has Sc
cured Ioe the keeper receives one ma his share
u. au Insarv hy the reporter why the attorneys thus
gCLifN 70 ttlln WHO NdAfl tclA 4A "t ooiips.4A
10 te Warden or the Court, be replied That would
only make matters worse We could get relief and
in Tie end condition wOuld Dee much than il Is
now The Keepers paid small salaries, and this sys-
TEN u sharing with lawyers they regard as their
Legitimate perqu-es As class they are rough set
Of men, utterly devoid Of feeling and so greedy for
making morley that any appeals 70 their consciences fan
upon deaf ears Tfcy have organized staff OF run
ncrs' who have free access the TOmbs, and every
lawyer must pay triDste to them II he would
secure any. OF the criminal practice have
done business OF Slo'ooo year in uliS me
and 5000 OF 10 I have been compelled ~
surrender 20 the keeper. and runners. They hang
nuOn the pr they arrive. frightening them with
horrible cs OF freatment aud severe punishment uu-
less certain attorneys are employed Tney frequently
take me qst cent from the wrctched prisoners pockets
The system is al and would be glad to see il
n regard % the treatment Of the prisoners durne their
in the TOmbs this lawyer said; Here money gov
erus everything When culprt ~ poor ana HlenuiesH
le placed bon lower cell. frequently damp aud nO-
some. % which mop or broom D. total stranger ana
his treatment s little less than brutal In accordance
will the amount his available funds be IS furnished
with plcasan quarters, and n be has plenty Of money
influential political supporters, ne can lyc ike gen
fenan surrounded with comfort. with the priy
lege Of having his meals furnished by friends or from
restaurant. For these Things or course Two prices are
charged the percentage OF the keeper being added To the
Do not snch ca.es as these come under the iurtsdic
t0n The Prison Association W inquired the reporter
on, yes. If they would only attend TO their duty ana
could arrive ~ the fact INC poor IeIoNs, no a.c O
mtcd the tender mercies OF TINS institution are Kept
In mortal terror OF their Keepers ana should tY cou-
plain. they wOuld be subjected 10 the worst ndgniues
The T0mbs at best is wretched abode Il has little ven
HiatiOn. the cells darK, gloomy and damp ana u
would act ~ charity the Old bulk down and
build place Of cOninement,in which little study might
BE- gveu 20 the comfort Of the prisoners"
Another lawyer stated that prisoners are frequently
maltreaed for sitting close 10 the cell door openings,
and pressing their faces against the bars IN search OF
fresh air unpard0nabe Ofiense II they are de-
tcted and do not Jump back IN time, they are punched
~ the face struck the body by the keepers, and
told % get back IN CELL the blow and warning
being simultaneous, and almost invariably accompanied
with a curse"
Grand Jurfes in their visits 20 public institution
remarked attorney " M ght do the public service
sld lessen the evils complained Of by eating this
establishment and bringing the brutes 70 justice"