New-York tribune., 1886-04-04
R4NSCARS OLD MEMS HOME.
MR.. KIssAM'S REPORT To lIE GRAND JURY OF THE
FINE TIME HE HAD THERE.

MR.. KIssAMS REPORT To NE GRAND JURY OF THE
FINE TINE HE HAD THERE.
The Grand jury yesterday handed up besides the
bundle of indictments two prese tments which did
not refer to the charges against the Aldermen. The
longer of the two documents consisted manly of a
port by Ben amin A. Nissan, who with John H. Hoar,
another member OF the Grand jury visited the So
called 1Old Gentlemens Unsectarian Home" which
William H. Ramscar has established in the Annexed
District They found that Ebrdge 1. Gerry and the
officers of the Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty to
Children had an untavorabe opinion of the institution
Mr. Kis.am appears to have had a pleasing visit
however. when he called at the " Home 3" and saw M
Ramscar. -
Z" lie afforded u.s." the report says I" every oppor-
tunty for looking through the institution and through
him. although, of course he wasn't transparent, we
couldn't very well do that We the children there
and should be delighted if my children were
heelthy fair, y-cheeked, as chubby. should
be glad to them in the same state o health as those
chdren-there were some twelve or fourteen. lhe
children were wedressed aud it would do your heart
good to them on that rainy day, play and chase
each other in the large piazza, just used to do
uiseives wheh we "erG yIums S"' ;ps a., go go
the Grand Jury through Mr.. Kissam continue telling
OF an inmate old Mr.. Creger-" some OF yOu gentlemen
may remember him of the last OF the veterans OF
the war of 1sl2n-an of the doctor. of goodly
presence" who was not at home when the committee
called they interviewed / Is wife. who is lady il
sense OF tue Woru, ana VINO luat dhOtnSr
lady had spoken highly OF the institution. However
the committee met the doctor on the sidewalk and he
was also pleased with the that taken OF th,
sick persons of whom he had the CT arge Dr. John
son continued the report &" told Us there hasn't been
any case of sickness in the home for over weeks
during all the bad weather we have had"
The report contains two references to MIR.
Ramscar's Imprisonment. lie indicted in July,
1854 a charge OF misdemeanor in sending out chill
dren beg in the streets 10 support his Old Mems
Home Two years before n cOroners jury investi-
eating the death of Bessie Socum. child who died at
the institution found that her death and the deaths OF
other children partly due to the uncleanliness OF
the institution and the negligence OF the management,
and that the institution unworthy OF public conh-
dence Ramscar charged with maDslaughter. but
was discharged Mr.. Gerrys agents reported various
complaints made by the inmates. On the charge OF
sending children u beg. Ramscar was convicted IN
November 1884, and sentenced by Recorder
Smytt 10 thirty days the City Prison aud fine of
800 and this sentence carried into effect.
Ramscars name came before the present Grand Jury
probably be cause he made complaint against agent
mo was employed the latter to collect money
on 20 per cent commission for the Institution.
The other presenmeut excited by pity Tor ntoNl-
Gated persons in the strict who wheG arrested
and taken to the Police Station hand carts drawn
by bows or as the presentment says dragged through
the streets Attention called to the patrol system
in other cities with equiDnents of wagons and boxes
and the Police Commissioners are invited to confer
together and with the Mayor TO do what is necessary
toward pmelioratng the condition OF the unfortunate
prisoners who arrested Tor the commission OF crime
aud intemperance.'