The sun., 1879-06-01
ELMIRA'S REFORM AT0RY.
NOVA NEW SYSTEM or DTSCTPLINB HAS
PROGRESSED IN TWO YEARS.

where Inmates May by Proper Behnvior
Enjoy Privileges moi IN Other Prisons
Their characters Unfoided by the 1n6u-
ences Around Them In the Costly Institution
ELMIBA, May 31.-Col. Luther Caldwell at
tho timo Secretary OF the latest State Consttu-
tional Convention. is credited with the remark
that the Roformatory near this city had its In
ception in the desire Of certain politicians TO in
sttute n job for the benefit CT the southern tier.
That seems 10 have been the prevailing senti-
ment throughout the State during the erection
Of the buildings. There was. from tho first
great difficulty in Obtaining tho necessary ap-
preparations from tho Legislature. and from
1870. in which year the first practical step was
taken toward building the institution. until May
1876. whcnthe present Commission took charge
it wae frequently asserted that there had bcen
rrodgal IL not wasteful. expenditure Of the
public money. Up to the date last named $685.
900 had been expended. and all that thcro was
10 show for this largo amount was a hill partly
graded. IN unfinished wing Of n proposed
building Of magnificent proportions. thirteen
acres OF land partly enclosed by n wall twenty
five feet In height and three fcot thick. and an
extensive Office in the central part OF tho city.
furnished with tho most elaborate and costly
chairs. tables. carpets and wardrobcs A COM
mttco appointed to look into the operations OF
tho building commissions that had been acting
reported that they could not discover any mis-
application Of the States money They also
suggested that the building could be completed
for n sum within tho original estimate. provid-
ing certain alterations were mado in tho plans.
The most important Of these changes were the
use OF brick instead Of stono for the walls OF the
buildings and the abandonment Of the proposed
costly Mansurd roof for one OF simpler con
struction. Since May. 1876, $4,000 has been
expended in completing all OF the buildings
required including the prison proper tho sew
cral large shops and numerous outhouses MI
OF brick in entirely enclosing the grounds with
n wall partly Of stone and partly Of brick. in
fencing and preparing large vegetable gar
den with its hot-houscs and consorvatorics
and in putting into good order tho grounds
inside and outside Of the enclosure.
In July 1876. the south wing was completed
containing a block Of 3l2 cells. and the first in
mates Of the Rciormatory were sent there-lS
transferred from Auburn and Sing Sing and ten
direct from the courts. Tho north wing is just
completed having been entirely constructed by
| convict labor. and II is TO be occupied for the
first time next week. No more money is TO be
asked Of tho State for the maintenance OF tho
prisoners or for any purpose connected with the
institution. excepting for the erection Of one or
two additional buildings. TO be used as shops
for manufacturing purposes. The managers
confidently hope that the prison will not only
pay It's own running expenses. but have hand
some surplus besides.
The Reformatory occupies commanding
sito on n plateau seventy feet above the general
level OF the Chemung Valley northwest OF the
city OF Elmira and half mile from the cor
porate limits. high. densely- wooded hill rises
behind it. to the west. on which has been built
reservoir capable of storing years supply Of
water for the institution. The grounds COM
prise $50 acres. OF which thirteen are enclosed.
The buildings arc Of mixed order OF architec-
ture. rather sombro in character. the Norman
predominating. with high. pointed towers in
every angle. The principal or central building
faces tho east and stands Immediately behind
the residence OF the Superintendcntand the on
ces OF the prison. Wings run north and south
OF the principal building. each having an /
rum ing west. The whole eastern front extends
$50 feet and the Is looking north and south
extend $50 feet. Tho central building is hex.
! agonal in shape and Is OF three stories, each oi
| the two upper ones having ceiling OF 80 feet
| rntus used for heating the whole building the
/ first or ground story is used Tor n dining room
for the inmates of the second grade the second
story for reading room and guard room and
oners AMI the third Story t,6 o. tho prs
dining room tho inmates are divided into
squads or mcsses OF thirteen each, and they
have tables by themselves. Thirteen Is tho
mysterious number that carries with II an old
superstition involving tho speedy death OF one
Of that number sitting down to eat The su-
perintendcnt said that he purposey chose u &c
show his contempt for such old women's tales
Tho food provided is generous IN quantity ans
excellent bread and milk. and OCCASIONAL,
Il don't believe" tho superintendent said
that you can put heart and hope into "A man,
breast unless you put good food into hi'
stomach
Each squad or moss is in charge Of ser.
gcant so called, who, 10y his behavior. is emit
tied to rank a little higher than second grade
man. but who iS hardly yet lifted Tor tho mrs
grade. He carves; another serves the soup
another cuts the bread, each momber OF TN
SsS aaynf Ssaa 1q'S rs "Id eS aS sS bG
choose during their meals. and the clatter thel
make is not unlike That of schoOlroom full o
children Just let loose from n masters control.
The second story Is provided with newspaper
and magazine and at certain hours on certail
evenings those who have earned the privileg
by their conduct are entitled to go there an,
read. This story Is also used at night as Tn
suar1 GUAR ,h TG her tbren wnts Tiers oi ces set in M
centre Of the building and surrounded by tn
broad and high corridors, are entirely expose
| 10 view. No movement could be made in eithe
OF them that would escape the notice OF per
son standing in tho guard room.
| The chapel in the third story ia SO by 10 fee
and has seating arrangements for 600 persons
| the same number that can be accommodated 1
| the prison. The inmates reach II by stairway
connecting with the two wings. and visitors ar
| rive In IL 10y means of an elevator run by steam
| On entering the room, all notions OF bein
| within prison walls vanish entirely IL Is yer
| elnhoraley finished in black walnut and chcrr
| and brass, a strong resemblance to the churc
Of n wrll-to-do parish. The seats are arrange
| in amphitheatre order. and are SO constructe
| that they can be converted into desl's resen
| bling those OF a school room. A cabinet orga
| occupies a conspicuous position in front OF IN
| pulpit All OF the work in tho room. the frescC
Ing and lettering ON the walls and the carvip
In the wood. was done 10y the inmates OF I'll
Reformntory II is lighted in the evening /
| 100 burners, the gas being manufactured O
| the ground. High on the wall opposite the pu
| pit. in tho very pnincst text, are these word
that seem to formulate well the system that
being introduced IN the institution;
Look not mourniuly into the past 1t comes not ba'
again. Wisely improve the pfc~cnt time, ior u Il thin
Then shalt thou be prepared to meet The shadowN tutu
without lear ami with manly heart For AL may haN
n they dare choose, glorious lie or grave
on the wall behind and above the pulpit al
these words:
Next to sincerity, remember sin, thou must rcso
upon integrity. God viii have all thou hastily min
thy Wall, thy thoughts, My words, thy works
And on the wall TO tho left of tho pulpit the'
words
on, what tangled web weave
when first We practise TO deceived
The chapel IN in use every day or evening
the week. On sunday afternoons there are r.
lilsiOus pXorpisps prpsiled over by plergVmg