The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-01
TRENTON PRISON INvEsTTaATED.
Fhysicians on the witness stand-Ths Mona
and Burning with Alcohol.

TRENTON, Feb. 2s.-The investigation into
the alleged cruel treatment OF convics In tho
New Jersey State prison. in this city. was con-
tnued by the legislative Joint committee in tho
State House this evening. The galleries and
ioor OF the Senate were crowded. Col. W. II.
Murphy. tho Supervisor Of the prison. testified
that the discipline under Gen. Mott was better
than under previous keepers and that to his
knowledge. no crucltics had been inflicted on
prisoners; knew nothing Of tho punishments
but there must be strict discipline to manage
.ha convicts. The discipline with the keepers
is equally strict. The punishment is not so
severe as in Sing Sing The law sa,'s that cor
poral punishment shall in no case be nniu., d'
His construction and the construction Of for.
punishment was that It meant foggng ana
nQihiqg Of that kind was done in tho prison.
testified that Shook had been in his Jail from
June to Oct. 2. 1877. and was very violent
Had occasion once to knock him sensccss with
who visited tho Jail said that Shook was not
sane.
:, Tho Hon. James J. Bergen. an ex-membcr OF
me Legislature, late member Of the State
Prison Committee. and at present Prosecutor Of
the Pleas of Somerset county. at tho time that
Shook was convicted and sentcnced to the
state prison for fifteen years testified that
S1ook was very violent man. md TINT at the
trial ho was so profanc and violent that he had
70 be ironod IN the court room and finally had
to be removed before the trial was over After
being locked UP he tore down his iron bcdstcad
and bent the iron all up.
-, The Hon. Samuel Lilley, one Of the Judges Of
the Court of Errors and Appeal and Court of
phrdons testii ed to having visited the prison.
He had never heard nny complaints made by
conyicis. The discipline and condition Of tho
prison Is better now than ever before.
, Dr. W. W. l.. Phillips testified that many Of
the prisoners foigned Illness to escape work /;
had cured cqses Of dysentcry with bread pills :
applied alcohol TO Fricdlandor and set fire to
II also stuck pins in his logs found that he
was feignng; he went to work at once: tried
burning alcohol on II convict. Murray, who had
epilepsy. and II had no effect except to make a
scar Tho actual cautery. moxa. burning
hydrogen steam. and boiling water ia author
led by medical authorities. Dungison Gray
Chisholm, and others. Gen Mott had nothing
To do with the burning and witness alone was
responsible.
Drs. Cornclus Shcppcrd, II Walberg Cole
man. and W. Elmer testified that the actual
cautery and inoxa wore more severe than burn
ing with alcohol. and were recognized as tests
by celebrated medical authorities.
Col. Daniel LOder testified that he tried the
stretchcr Tor sixteen minutes. and could haye
stood 1t for half an hour.
Silns Robinson. one OF the deputy keepers
testified that he assisted in taking Shook down
from the stretcher. His heels did not touch the
floor. Looked nj him carefully as he was called
by Perry TO observe him. and is certain that his
heels did not touch the floor. Thought he had
III. was shamming. or was dead.
The committee adjourned until Monday after
noon.