The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-06-22


Assuming that about one-fifth Of the whole
number were thus In custody, he therefore
put the entire criminal class at 5000 persons
In population Of 100000. The highest
estimate In 1870 WAS only $4,000 persons and
yet In the decade between 1870 and 1880 the
population Of tho State increased not more
than twenty per cent.
II these estimates are correct, the rite OF
increase Of tho criminal population has been
much greater than that OF tho whole people.
But we must remember that they are very
loose estimates-mere guesses, In fact. From
tho totst given In the above table We may
also reasonably subtract many who cannot
be properly c!assed MS professional criminals,
though, doubtless, they are likely to be made
such by our bad jails and prisons, and by
those nurseries Of criminals, the poorhouses.
1t is generally supposed that our prisons
pay for themselves and make something
besides. But that Is true only OF tho three
State prisons, which made last year nine or
ten thousand dollars above their actual expcn-
ditures. Tho 1890 prisoners In the county
jails, however, were living In dcmoralizing
idleness at an average cost OF 1891 q week
each for sustenance merely. or more than
three times what it cost to feed the inmates
Of tho average State prison. So far from
paying for itself. our penal system, rs a
whole, imposes n heavy charge on the public.
Nor do the inmates OF the county jails
stand in less need OF tho reformatory iniiu-
ences of steady labor thnn those in the State
prison. Returns from the Sheriffs of twenty
five counties outside Of New York and Kings,
showed that in 1883 the average length OF
sentences was nearly five months, and yet
during all that time the prisoners rusted In
idleness and confirmed vicious habits which
make them permanent members of the
criminal community. We observe, too. that
the average age Of those in custody there Is
about thirty years, which indicates that many
Of them are old Offenders who must con-
taminats the novices In crime with whom
they come in association in the Idle life OF
the Jail
As Mr.. ROUND, the Secretary Of the Prison
Association, says, the Jail population would
be reduced II labor was compulsory there.
At present there are many offenders to
whom the lazy Jail life is more or less
attractive. But II such men find that the
jail means not only confinement, but ten
hours hard work daily also. they will be
better TO exert the same amount OF force
with tho more agreeable surroundings Of
freedom"
Tho preponderance OF testimony presented
In the report, however. is against the con-
tract system OF labor. Mr.. BRocKwAY, the
Superintendent Of the Emlra Rsiormatory,
ropews his assaults upon it because "its
spirit and practice nre opposed to the real
and high purpose for which the State main
tains the penitentiaries. namely, protection
from crimes through the reformation Of
Offenders, and because another and better
system (the piece-prce plau) Is now found
tn he promo.ive OF that purpose"
The most interesting remarks on tho sub
jcct, however. arc made by the Rev. Mr..
Hershey, Chaplain OF the English prison at
Cierkcnwell. He says that England has
never had, and probably never will have, the
system. Labor is never likely to be scarce
with us, and trades would make a tremen-
dOus row II prison labor were allowed thus
to be used In competition with free labor.
We are Obliged to cou!lne all handcraft to
the manufacture OF goods required in
prisons, and. to certain extent, in other de-
partments, OF clothes and shoes for tho
am. glad to hear, on the whole" he adds
that your contract system Is thrown out In
New York, though better have that, perhaps,
than no labor mt ALL"
As to the general subject OF criminal legis-
lation. n very just remark Is made by NJ.
BONNEVILLE DE MARsANGY, n distinguished
lawyer OF Paris, who thus writes to the Sec
rotary of the Prison Association: Gin this
nineteenth century. this ago OF progress,
criminal Legislation is still In the state Of
barbarism; Is what 1t was in tao infancy Of
the arts. Repression Is but cold and brutal
cruelty unless 1t he fecundatei and sanctitled
by a system Of preventive and curative
measures applied to the disease wo call
| criminality."
The General Deficiency Bill.
Tho SuDdrv civil and (Ienpral Deficiency