New-York tribune., 1888-03-25
JAMES NJ HALSTeDS U.SEFUL LlEE.
HIS UNsKLFIsH SERVICES TO THE HOUSE, Oh
REFuGR-THR PUBLIC DEBr OF GRATITUDE.

RRFUGR-THB PUBLIC DEBr OF GRATITUDE.
To Re Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The obituary notice In your columns on Friday
last of the late James NJ Hasied. in its brief
tion of the fact thai he manager OF the House
of Refuge at Randals Island, did but scant justIre
to the vaIle # bis services In that institution and to
the influence of his lfe-v.fk on the morals of tfls
great city, f not of the country ut large. He was
elected member of that institution In the year 1856,
was chairman of perhaps its most important commit
tee the school committee, entrusted with the employ
ment of teachers the supervision of their methods OF
instruction and the counsel and encouragement Of
over six hnnlcd boys and girls, the inmates OF the
institution. For tfau thirty years, regardless
Of the nciemcncy Of the weather. In winter and sum-
mer and Notwithstanding the great distance of the in
stitution from his home, he was faithful In his at
tendance at least evening of every week; and to
within week OF his death, and while suffering from
the inrmites of old age and the painful effects of
rheumatism, disease which had nearly crippled him,
he at ensd TO the ardu0us duties Of his position with
hdcity anu intelligence which would have been
remarkable In younger and more vigorous man.
Although belonging the old school, By Of his
great age, he was a man of modern ideas, had kept
well abreast Of the times maivelously quick to
adapt himself to methods OF Instruction, and
pretended with clear mind the solution of the daily
ppobiems which presented themselves to him In the
conduct of the alfar OF the Institution 1t would
be doing gross injustice 10 such long continued and
no mention were made of the record Of his quiet,
0stentatious life of usefulness.
The Society for the Reformation OF Juvenile Delin-
quents, having control Of the House of Refuge has
for its high purpose that which is implied by It's title
Its records show that 30 por cent of the boys
and girls who committed to the House have, In
consequence of IT'S education and influences, been
diverted from the ways of crime to the duties of good
cirfZenship Among lis graduates are citizens hold
ing such high positions Judges of courts and leaders
In their respective caiings. Probably no higher
percent age Of the youth who have the advantages of
good home instruction show such gratifying results
as those inmates of the House of Refuge who have
graduated from the parental and teaching Of tho
Kind and unseifsh old man who has Just ended
ceptionally long and useful LIFE When It Is taken
into that the Institution on Ranias Island
contains within It's four walls The gathered children Of
crime Of large portion Of the State, and that these
children, il not trained In the ways of good citizen
ship. would inevitably become the enemies Of society,
growing 10 ent for evil with Increasing years,
community OF the work in which he labored. Ho
fully comprehended the Importance OF ~ and realized
that the thousands who passed out OF the instut
into the active and unrestalned life OF great city,
with all Us temr rtailonss night be male living
stream of helpful Influences, flowing between fruitful
banks fieshened by its contact at every pnin',
dangerous torrent poisoning this great current with
viii h it mingled. With quick perception OF the
Importance Of purifying this stream at It's fountain
head he worked day aaer dny and year aftor year.
his approving conscience auf the giaft ude of
those for whom he labored. So wen known his
influence that H. was accosied day by day In the
STREETS by women and children whom he hal
had done for them But tho great of his fel.
low-citzens, who have enjoyed pcare Of mind and
ee a e Hf aa RUsy Sn sa %sh or Ms
uabls ard nselfisll labor itts realize Or apprcciate
how much they owe to the energetic and kind old
man who has gone TO his ret. NJ.
New York, Maich e4, lsss.