New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-27
DEMOCRACY AND PRISON REFORM

The novel scenes that were enacted at Sing
Sing last week can hardly fail to have sug-
gested to certain Democratic statesmen in the
Legislature who were in measure responsible
for them, new and improved ideas of prison re-
form. The public read in the newspapers that
one set of prisoners declined to resume work
unless they were promised regular rations Of
apple sauce rs often as twice week. Another
set conditioned their return to duty upon cut
ting down of tasks in the laundry department
A third we're understood to be willing to let by
goues be by-gones and to renew their allegi-
ance to the authority of the institution provided
the contract system was entirely abandoned
1t will be seen that this was reform from the
inside with vengeance. The spectacle of
able and experienced murderers, accomplished
burglars, finished forgers, talented deiaulters
and cognate members of society earnestly en-
deavoring by concerted action to solve the
difficult and delicate problem of prison man
agement, laying down their ultimatum and in
sisting well nigh unto blood upon It's adoption
such spectacle is ut once instructive and en-
tertaining to the thoughtful student of poiti-
cal economy. In the familiar legend a pris-
oner at the beginning OF his term said to the
warden Do you purpose to put me into n
striped suit ~ The warden promptly replied
in the affirmative. "Well," rejoined the pris-
oner, I" if the thing is attempted I'll resign
nv position" 1t Impossible that this rcsolute
and decisive person was the ruling spirit of the
Sing Sing revolt Certainly the uprising had
its inspiration in n conception Identical with
his own OF the function of an inmate OF a
penal institution.
The Democratic statesmen in the Legisla
ture to whom we have referred, who showed
where their sympathies were 10y uttering ten
words against the warden of Sing Sing to one
word against tho prisoners engaged in the re-
volt have an opportunity still further 10 COM
mend their party to the dangerous classes
Let them draft bill providing that Sing Sing
and the other prisons be allowed to send dele
gates to each and every Democratic State Con-
vention. The passage Of such measure could
not fail to be hailed with enthusiastic delight by
the inmates of those institutions, the majority
OF whom, unless the popular otion be incor
rect, when at liberty invariably vote the Demo
cratic ticket. Nor could it fail to render Demo-
cratic State Conventions additionally engaging.
| OF course If such bill becomes a law 1t will be
in order, rs soon as Democratic State Conven-
ton has been called TO what is humoronsly
known as ORDER" for some member to offer
the following resolution or its equivalent:
ResoIred That all questions relating to the manage
ment OF the prisons pentci and rcfOrnhtoes of
the State be referred without debate TO the delegates
from Sing Sing Auburn and Clinton and that the prison
reform plank submitted by said delegates be inserted in
| the platform precisely rs reported.
The adoption of this resolution and the result
ing plank, of course, would crafty said dele
| gates and their numerous friends, and so would
| be calculated to strengthen the ticket" with
this important voting element of our popua-
ton. OF course, tho, such party policy would
| have a tendency to ALLEVIATE the better element
in the party. But could not the manegerS Of
the cor ventions successfully remind this better
element that the planks OF n Democratic plat
| form were never to be taken seriously, or at
least were never to be regarded as committing
the party to anything in particular
II the Democracy of this State, like the DEM
ocracy in general was not, as rule. controlled
| by its worst il not its weakest elements, if it
was not accustomed to take counsel of narrow
partisan demagogism rather than of unselfsh
patriotism, to pander to ignorance and vice
rather than to antagonize them, this sugges-
tion, looking to an enlargement of the member
| ship OF it's State conventions, would have no
| significance. But where is the Democrat ut
once frank and intelligent who in view of his
partys record or tendency is prepared to say
that the suggestion ought not to be referred to
the Democratic State Committee for their seri-
GUS consideration?