New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-16
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.
DrR,rE IN THE ASSEMBLY on THE STATE PRISONS
THE BILL CONCERNING TIE SALARY OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT PAssED-MR WOoDNS CORO-
MFRS BILL AND COMMISSIONER OF JURORS BILL
PASSED IN THE SENATE.
fFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRlBuNE'l
ALBANY, Feb. 15.--The members OF the AS
semby consumed the three hours of their session to-day
in debating bill concerning the salary OF the Sper
tendent of State Prisons and the bill appropriating
$50 COO for the cOmpletonOf the No bills were
Introduced
When the bill about the superintendent Of Prisons was
announced Mr. Post Republican, said that strenuous OPP
position made in the Legislature last winter 10 the
passage of the resolution authorizing vote on the con-
titutona amendment regarding the superintendent Oh
Prisons because there nothing in the amendment
which prohibited office being used for partisan pur-
poses real OF the bad state OF the prisons was
that political partisauship controlled them. The super
inendent of Public Works had been deprived OF the lib
erty being partisan and the superintendent o! Pris-
ons should have tine safeguard He offered the fol
lowing amendment which adopted by unanimous
vote:
No appointment shall made any Of the prisons OF
this State on grounds political craftsmanship, but hon
csty capacity and adaptation snail constitute The rule
for appos+mcnt. and violation Of this rule shall be
sufficient Tor the removal from Office OF the super
inlcndGnt.
Mr. Alvord then offered another amendment providing
that the superintendent shall hold other official posi-
ton either State or local Mr.. Hustled said that he
would express the hope that the amendment would not
pass but would make speech. Mr Post 6ad that the
amendment would exclude the very best men in the
State from holding the Office. He wondered that the
same restriction had been offered when the bill con
corning the superintendent OF Public WORKS before
tho Assembly. 1t would apply with greater force
TO the man who shoald undertake the great
work OF that Office. He had heard but one
name mentioned for the Office Of superintendent OF
Prisons. Public opinion pointed Enthusiastically to one
man. He knew from his own knowledge that II the
amendment was made part of the bill, that would be
excluded The principle Of prison reform was TO
have a capable at the head Of every prison. The
great success OF tho Albany Pcntenary had been due
TO the single mind controlling it, The most important
duty OF tho selected Superintendent Of Prisons
would be the selection of the take charge Of the
several prisons In order to select these subordnates
great experience in prison management was necessary
The amendment was aimed to exclude such man. Mr..
Ayord said that he had hoped personalities would be
avoided In committee which considered the bill lie had
held the position-that the superintendent should
exclusively himself to the duties of the office.
The people had been crying for concentration OF power,
so they could have concentration of responsibility
IL was the duty OF the Legislature under these ccum
confne the mind selected to supcrntend
the prisons the conduct OF the prisons alone one
man would have to do what had employed three men be
fore Mr. Pilsbury the superintendent Of the Albany
only argument expressed against the amendment was
that tins man. who would honor the Office had given out
he would not accept the office II the amendment was
adopted In effect Mr. Plls5ury dictated 20 the LeGsla
ture What it should do. With all due Difference TO Mr.
| Plsbury he was OF the opinion that the Legisla-
ture should not submit To being guided by one
man. The Albany Pententiary obtained large
| revenue from United States prisoners, and from
prisoners from other counties lie had reluctantly put
forward his amendment He considered that Mr.. Pills
bury far above his fellows in prison management,
and would be willing to give him $4,000 salary rather
than Sc 900 in bill Mr. Post replied that his opn
ion mad not been changed by Mr.. Ayords speech. He
would undertake say that there had dctation
To the Legislature by Mr. Pilsbury The Office had not
been sought by Mr. Pilsbury. Dir. Psbury desired to
retain his Office ali his life he had been connected
with it, Indeed, he born in IT, Through long expe
rience ii him more labor than 1t does for
boy 10 spin top The penitentiary only received 81 20
board per week for United States prisoners, ana had
been self-supporting outside Of their number IL had
| been self-suppOrting for 80 years, and every
year a source OF income. The Office OF super
nteudent OF Prisons required much greater training
than that of the Superintendent OF Public Works. Mr..
Hustled said that be did not rise to csnOnizo MI Plls-
bury but would say the pententiary would be self
supporting without United States troops The Kings
County Penitenary had United States prisoners, but
WAS not sefsupportng. Ii because IL did not have
AZ capable q Mr. Pilsbury al It's head. III the
State prisons had admitted United states prisoners the
deficiency prisons from this would be greater
by thousands OF dollars than II now L. The secret OF the
In the prisons rested In the fact that the State
did not carry any contracts II might make for the
sale OF contract labor At the State prisons the eonvics
after working hours their stint OF labor IN their
opinion, would throw down their tools aud the
keepers did not compel them to 20 on with their
work The result that the State could
not sell convict labor at tho rate OF 10 cents
a day. because the convics did not earn when working
for a contractor that sum. The Albany Pententiary
WAS success because 1t compelled the conycts work
and because IL conducted business principles by