The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-09

CITY TOPICS IN ILB1NY.
The Work OF the Lawmakers festerdSy-
supt. Piisbury Defends Sing sing.

ALBANY, March S.-Supcrintendent Pils-
bury visited the Capitol to-day. and The SuN's
correspondent had brief interview with him
about the alleged cruel treatment Of prisoners
In Sing Sing Prison. Mr.. Pil-bury said that he
was as much surprised as any one else could bo
by the publications which had appear N TIE
Sun. As to the management of tn" prisons in
every particular he desired the fullest publicity.
He had nothing to conceal from the public.
He did not think that the word OF such
men IA Ricketts, and Callan should be
taken until tho matter had been thor
oughly investigated. There are In every prison
few men who will not obey orders and
observe the rules These men were VIGOROUSLY
Of that character. without resort to punish
ment the discipline could not be maintained.
Tho recent change In tho management OF the
prisons was not satisfactory to IA certain class
OF prisoners. who have heretofore been In the
habit spending their time in playing cards.
or fishing of the docks. Now every man who
was able to do SO was compelled to work. and
those who had never been IN the habit OF work
ing before they camc to the prisons. but
had lived by preying upon the public oi
course did not take kindly to tho rigid
discipline and hprd work which are now the rule
in the prisons. He does not believe that there has
been any unusual or cruel treatment OF prison
ers in the punishment inflicted. lie has every
! confidence In the officials in Sing Sing Prison.
but says he shall max. thorough examination
| Of the charges and IL there has been any cru
city or uniustihable punishment tho officers
| guilty Of II will he at once removed. Speaking
| of the convict Ricketts,. he said that he was in
the Albany Penitentary for ayear before he was
| sent TO Sing Sing. and was always one OF the
| worst men In the prison constantly endeavOr-
! INK to create trouble and dissatsiagtio on among
! the other prisoners. In the city of Troy where
he had lived for many years. he was known M
| ode of the worst and most desperate characters
| IN thc city, This reputation h" hai maintained
| ia Sing Sing. but he WIS forced 20 yield to the
| new system and discipline. ami this II WIS that
made him feel 50 bitter against the officials Of
A. to the hospital nurse Callan. the report that
| portion ofhis sentence had been commutcd for
| officials. WAS not true. The fact was that he was
| one of the bad mon In the prison. and was kept
| ivr his full time on account Of MISCONDUCT For
prison swore vengeance against the oflci cials.
In conclusion Mr., PlshurY again assured me
| that he desired the fullest publicity as 10 the
| management of the prisons IN every particular.
Mr.. Pilshury he's issued an order To- ,vcry
ports Of all punishmcnts in the prisons. giving
the name Of the convict punished; the crime he
was punished for and the Kind OF punishment
| inflicted. shall be sent to him.
| The Assembly Committee on Cities received
to-day the replies OF Compir9,ler Kelly. Tax
Board OF Aldermen Roberts in reply to the re-
quest for their views rs 10 the proprety Of re-
| ducing the salaries Of school teachers, police
men and nremen., The committee have not
been very much cnli eptened 10y those replies,
ting himself IA in favor Of such a redu ton,
| evidently ureferring that the Log stature should
| N~Suil" That responsibility Tor NS,li. y SUD
c9mmittec cons sting 4 Nrssrs Fish. Polar
| Hayes. Astor. DAILY. and HOHhnu wa- appointed
rrrpnrr ON m,king ten, il rign ,,,, t,Un 81
tee will begin Its work Immediately, and eNpet "a
to be- able 10 report bill before the close of next
Mr. secbacher's hill aholi-hing the Trunncy
Bureau In the city of N.w York. and transfer
ring It's duties 10 the Police Department. was
KIN introduced ~ Mr.. Fish proposes to
abolish the Excise Board In the city OF New
Y orb A ltrup af.ru all it.t M tl
Mr.. Thain introduced hill which prohibits
the city Of NV York from issuing any more
bonds 10 aid in the construction OF the Brooklyn
Under a bill introduced by. Mr.. Terry tho
Superintendent of Insurance is directed 10 sell
the securities in his oflce which stand 10 the
credit Of the National Life Insurance Company
for the security of Its policy holders and also ~
take the necessary steps To- ascertain tho claims
against those securities. ana distribute the pro-
cceds among the claimants All parties inter
csted in the matter wi have an opportunity u
be hoard before the Insurance Committee on
the Goth inst.
on Privileges and Elections the petition Of Mr.
Foley. who contests the sent Of Mr.. Berrgan IN
and the seat awarded to Nj. Brrrigan. sim
liar COURSE. it is understood, will be pursued il
the cas-, OF the contest Of Bradley against Clane,
in the First District of Kings county.
Mr. FISH. from the Committee on Cities re-
ported adversely the bll abol,shing the Colsg'
Grady the repor, was tabled, and the House vii
De given an opportunity 10 show whether or no
senator Jacobs introduced bill for the pres
ervation OF fish. and to protect the waters within
: or adjacent 10 the county OF Kings.
| An effort is to be made TO pass an excise RV
applicable to the whole state,
The Attorney General, in reply to Mr.
BrOOks's resolution. expresses the opinion TIM
tn" State can regulate the speed of foreign AM
. coastwlso vessels III the harbQr ol New YORK
! lights and other appliances TO insure saict
during darkness or iosgy weather.