New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-12
CONDITION OF LUDLOW STREET JAIL.
AN INVESTIGATION BEGUN BY THE GRAND JURY

AN INVESTIGATION BEGUN BY THE GRAND 'oHi-
VISIT TO THE JAIL.
The Grand ary took look at the interior o, .n nc
Ludlow Street jail yesterday forenoon as pal; ~
an Investigation which they are making anu NV the
United States Grand jury Eighteep Oh sn1
msa. including the foreman. Samuel IT, Coms VOC,
present and they We're RaSa Snd bis deputy
Dnrino their inspection they were joined ~
Sheriff Davidson and his counsel, w.
Bonrke Cochran The tour was eI,en nf aoors
walls, ceilings cells, beds and bedding was OK
ahmed, and questions were asked OF the ptisoners
touching their treatment. There were IMen ,,' T.
was found that four were paying for their board az
the rate of $40 week. None OF them was very
laxative to the jurors. but al seamea 70 % cnn
sdered their grievances. Those generally were con.
fined to the insuficency and low quality Of the
food served to them and the Yolumlho;n ~
The bed-cIotbes There wasno complaint OF present
unceanliness, though the date of reform 10 .hls
respect was since tho presentment IN the oni.G e
States Court. The floors were clean and the Mai'
of the cells and corridors were fair with the white
ness OF generous coats of whitewash rccently 40.
Piled 1t was half-past 10 o'clock when the Jury
began their inspection aud some OF the prisoners
stated that the work of cleaning the Jail In expeSsa
tion Of them had been carried on up TO z a. IN. nc
fact that the. cleaning had all oeen oo an'
n Mssh'n by 'nS Warden Bow. and the tafdines:
of the work was accounted for by the other
fact that there had been an unusual delay IN 's s
usual appropriation for tho PERIODICAL cleaning ny
the Board OF Public Works: -.
BEFORE leaving the Jail Mr.. Comstock asked OF
Sheriff Davidson that hve prisoners 9e prSug1. 20
named Enge, Joyce, Young Wurster and McDonaio
and an hour after the jurymen had departed tney
were sitting in the waitiug-room adjoining the
Grand Jury room. Immediately on the jurys return
there the examination of witnesses concerning the
conduct of the jsil was begun. under Sheriff
Stevens. James Bowc 1.-THE wardepl, Ems tine oake.
who furnishes tho bread to the jaill. Looney tine
purveyor of meat, DIR. Hogan UNITED states ply
STEFAN to the prsoners) and throc prisoners 'Jeyce
Young and Mcponaldl were examined. Ex-shsr,. ns
Peter Bowe, brother of the warden, had also
been subpenaed bat he was told that his testimony
would not be needed, The prisoners Young AND
Mcdonald had prepared written statements. the
latter working upon his all the time he was In th'
Waiting-room. In addition to the other complaints
Of III cooked and innutritous food they charged
various acts of oppression on tho part oil keepers
done for the purpose of compelling the prisoners I.
become boarders. 1t was said that dish OF broti
sent to one OF the prisoners was taken away 1rou
the female servant who was bringing it and emp
tied into sink iu sight OF the prisoner VINO wa
Under Sheriff Stevens insisted tina
the Jail was now managed oo Ts
nressutment of the United States Grand Jury was
tissue of falschoods and It's charges were an out
rage. Warden Bowe gave the names Of the Jail pnr
veyors and said that be bought bis groceries from
ii. X. 4 +. b.. Thurber, and that he received q
cents q day from the county or the United State
for each prisoner confined IN the 1aL The Sberii
| and the Warden both said that urder their manage
| nent the jai has been Q losing Investment, th
Sheriff having to make up deficiency ever,
month 1t is expected that the chaplain OF the jail
| the Rev. DR. Carter, tho SHERIFF. attending ply
| sic,au. DR. VBrep and others will be examined 10
day. A presentment will probably DO handed t
| Judge Giidersleevc tomorrow.
| The present Grand Jury will not attempt an In
vestieation concerning the frauds In the Controller
| Office.