The New York herald., 1879-09-12
THE HOUSE OF REFUGE.
STATEMENT OF CONTRACTOR AND OF AN
INMArE-THE CHARGES AGAINST THE INsTI-

n
INMArE-THE CHARGES AGAINST THE INsTI-
TUITION SUSTAINED.
Since publicity given to tho condition of
affairs at the House of Refuge on Rsndal's Island
there is but little difficulty in finding testimony
roborative OF the statements made against that ins
tuition. In searching for information on this mat
ter 1t has been found that doubt be raised
to the phlanthropic intent of Colonel Clay to remedy
the abuses he complains Of He did his best before
making the formal charges to get the managers of
the institution to attempt reform but Of these
gentlemen felt too much chsgrined at even the
bare mention OF such thing to acquiesce In his
plan. In fact. all efforts to accomplish improve
ment only developed the fact that the House OF
Refuge run as an, ancient institution belonging
to certain respectable citizens who had had charge
of it for long time. colcnel Clay. his friends
affirm. has been pronounced sorehesd because
he that the institution might be improved
and there is no possible way of getting at
the facts bearing on this reformatory except they
are obtained from those who have had experience Of
its management. such testimony becomes necessity.
else the House of Refuge officials might do as they
please.
CONTRACTORS STORY.
A contractor ut the House of Refuge who had
hired 100 boys ct twenty cents head was talked to
yesterday by HERALD reporter In reference to tho
charges made against the officials. This gentleman
complained very bitterly about the Superintendent
OF the House of Refuge. whom he pronounced to be
perfect autocrst He said that the institution was
run ss family affair, the Assistant Superintendent
being the brotherin-aw of the Superintendent, and
other reatives being also employed on the island.
When asked IL he had seen the boys punished
too severely, he repod that he had seen Assistant
Superintendent Clay use the rod the boys hands
severely that they were unable to do their work
afterward. He admitted. however. that Colonel Clay
ss.l~v ~ fhA hD,o xr1vS thAua
fair show in answering charges before Furnishing
them. This contractor complained about the
treatment of the boys. but it must be stated that
his regrets for their incompeency do work after
punishment seemed to be the most serious cousid-
the contractor. and yet It was he himself who had
made the complaints referred to, in consequence of
which the punishment had been inflicted. When
asked what he had to about the overwork Of the
boys he replied that he did not think them over
worked. His contract on the island was for socks.
to be able to do thirty pieces day. He explained
that the clicking" the boys got prevented them
ns'p teeatment would s,ercss more inusnce
the boys. His wife. who acted as overseer
while he had the contract corroborated her hus-
band in this latter statement and asserted that she
never had much trouble in dealing with her depart
ment and received sufficient obedience from the boys
rule In fact, she said. some of the boys volun-
tariy used to do few more pairs of socks on day
in good nature for her.
plant has been given above is the proprietor, was
found young man who. when boy, had been COM
mitted to the House Of Refuge and who subse-
quently worked there. This young man stated that
the policy Of the officials is to keep the best boys
the longest the island. for the reason that the
most work can be got of them. He said that the
boys who have friends get out easily enough.
but If boy has friends and tries to do right then
he has but poor chance to regain his liberty. He
knew he said that 1t of frequent occurrence for
boy to become 'tough" in order to be expelled
from the institution. for whom boy becomes
troublesome the officers do not want to be annoyed
with him. In regard to the serious matter Of over
punishment. ho explained that it was of frequent
week after fogging. and still! more frequent
through tho duties expected Of him. As to
the offences for which tho boys are pun
ished, this young stated that they arc very
trivial. II boy does not feel well and is behind
hand in his work he Is reported by the contractor
his overseer and marked for punishment. . noe
die breaks on the machine (which will occur under
any circumstance, he 10 supposed to have broken 1t
and is punished. II he speaks during work hours.
meal hours school hours the offence counts against
him and he is punished. Four marks require pun
ishment but the Official can assign the entire four
marks to any particular violation IL he chooses In
this way the grading" Of tho inmates is accom-
plshcd and boy has to pass up to the highest
grade before being discharged the result 10 that the
officials can keep him long as they please In the
institution. This is very dsheartening to the boys
and leads to all the murny that occurs in the insti-
tuition. In reply to questions as to the food this
young man stated that dry bread and tea, with mo-
asees in It add without milk, was tho breakfast and
supper and some sort of stew given for dinner.
The bread was generally sour and unit for usc.