The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-03-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
LIFE In SING SING PRISON.
Ey-KEEPER CAMPBELL BEFORE An As
SEMBLY COMMITTEE.
The Abuses In Management and Cruel Treat
ment OF Prisoners which he Says no Wit
nessed-Cross- Ex nmincd by Warden Brush.

| neshed-Cros,- Ex amincd by Warden Brush.
Elijah r. Campbell, formerly keeper In
Sing Sing prison. published recently over HIS
name an account of abuses which he charged
existed in the prison. Mr.. Brooks called the
attention Of the Assembly to the charges and
the Assembly Committee on Prisons was em-
powered to go to Sing Sing and investigate
them. The committee sat in the prison yoster-
day. Chairman O'Bricn of Duchess presiding
Warden Brush told the committee that on
Friday dozen pages Of foolscap manuscript
had been found In the cell OF one of the convics.
1t was n long narrative of abuses in the prison.
similar TO that which Campbell had published.
Ithad been hidden behind shelf pending an.op-
portunty, tho Warden supposed. to send it out
Of the prison. The Warden said he had had
evidence that Cumpbells alleged account was
also ais written by conycts IN tho prison. and sens
Campbell was the first witness. He said that
he was dismissed from his place in Sing Sing.
lis S to New a f he had d9y to
looking for nomination to the State Legisla-
ture He IVA, was afterward rreGinsta,ed and trans
transferred to Sing Sing he was discharged by
Warden Brush; He himself wrote, he testified,
he had personal knowledge Of the facts alleged
after he left the prison.
Q-From what source did you receive that infor-
ms'oS, E ET b Letters sen!so ny house
SriM eHst the Letters because knew they mshs
Hs plain , that they were written by some one whs
convicts never see the inside OF the chapel or
hear the chaplain, preach. He could not name
70 IT, SSR aS SSrs
the Manhattan Bank robbery for instance. have
very light work to do in the laundry and lighter
IS ro on Rs SunS o GSSn
sa{ ME d pGc scba OF his "ega0n
severity. Campbell testified:
Michael Mccormick padded gave him permits
; sion to R out to ne caTelsr shG and when ssssdsE
@ s , was pIds Id The GSt m2rng %mt -
u and S'
Shs aG%s SG5Y H MoR for R and
20" gS Ts SSms innS nee within you.
out of The prison now and in the cemetery upon the hin
are baths here proper medicine not Even to the SICK
md I've known gang to go six weeks without clean
where iGsy have 70 inhaie !is aust driven
abuse is ne smPlcymsnt Of aonyie,s forehe9 ana
n" e s s II
IN B w %f& SHP ns profane or.p
q-You were up here after You were discharged, open.
ing wine. and you produced revolver and said you
We're going TO M some one didn't your A-well thas
oSwers|'t, yog called THE Tammany Crank" by tho
II.
Q-You spoke Of owing your Place here to influence.
To whom did you owe III Al WAS appointed through
Robert IL Anderson"
Q--wcre you kept here for your influence your
ahiitiesl Any abilities, suppose.
Q-Didnt rearpoint You simply for charity when
@ H"v mere bread arc FOR " fa %E 's. dd
ell, did your
Q-Didnt you tell convict and n citizen here that
you were convict you'd save up your Kerosene and act
this prison tirer A.-No sir, Look u docking
hercey at the Warden who stood before the fire, with
his hands in his capacious pockets. No, sir.
DR.. Hiram Barber. the prison physician testi-
hp lul raf lad ms al II, an
sick man. He knew of no case Of disease which
had been caused by work in the polishing shop.
Gentleman Joe's complaint was indigestion.
His lungs were sound
The committee will meet in Albany hereafter.