New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-04
THE FAULTY PRISON LAW.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT LATHRoP.
EVIL EFFECTS OF THE PRESENT IDLENEss IN
THE STATE PENAL INSTITUTIONS SHOWN.


THE STATE PENAL INSTITUTIONS SHOWN.
Albany, Jan. 3.-The report of the Superintendent
Of State Prisons. Austin Lathrop for the year ending
September 80. 1888, has been made public Mr..
Lathrop announces that the prisons have distinctly
and positively receded in condition and in their ten
dency during the last year. In the previous there
had been much difficulty and embarrassment. which
incident TO the change Of the labor system In
the prisons and the establishment Of industries.
the change from the contract system to public ac
count of the same Industries formerly pursued. But
at the openlng Of the last fiscal year these changes
had become far advanced, the system Of public
count had been generally introduced and put into
practical operation, and any other change not
anticipated, at least until the new system had had
fair trial But this anticipation was soon removed.
and the hope which had sprung UP among the prison
officials Of the accomplishment Of better results was
soon dispelled. The prime factor on which the solu
ton of the problem Of successful operations in the
prisons then depended, far as the public account
system was concerned, the sufficient appropriation
Of money to carry on that system. which was the
only system then permitted by statute in effective
way. This withheld, and the effect has been in
every sense dlscouragng and detrimental. in spite Of
the greatest diligence and most assiduous energy of
the officers who have conducted the prisons"
The report goes to give the causes
Of the change found IN the legislation
Of 1855 The mliondollar prison appropriation bill,
intnduced early in the session, advanced to
S25OOOO and passed. In a month this exhausted
and further appeal made which procured
S5O0OOO for the prisons The year opened with in
dustHes which promised well to the health and discipline
of the inmates and the selsupport of the prisons.
The last half Of the year began without money TO
contue the Industries and the prospect Of increasing
ideness Through uncertainty as TO tho future the
managers could not take advantage Of opportunities
I'm the market and conduct the industrial affairs upon
business principles. On July 1 the Superintendent
looked forward to SIX months Of idleness and
all the attendant evils Tho extraordinary session
Of the Legislature was convened by the Governor az
Superintendent Lathrops request The passage of tho
Yates bin overthrow the public account system as
well every other system of productive labor ID
introduced ideness Instead Of industry withdrew the
cOnvicts from the shops and put them into their
cells. The change in the law wrought great decline
in the material and moral conditions which have
existed in the State prisons. The first Is shown in
the deficit, the second in the reports OF the warden
Is larger by 533 or Is IL per cent than the minimum
number during the last six years. The deficit IS more
reform prison system was established.
The figures given show that IN 1883 the cost & OF
S153924 4G. Auburn had deficiency of 245757 "a
Clinton, Sll4,5l6 - and Sing Sing a surplus OF
S77 1872 ~ the expenditures for and mainten-
earnings wore s67so 55 clothing indrstry deficiency
S1l ,025 81 care and maintenance slO9.3es AZ. At
Sing Sing the total earnings were $lG0,OH OF; the
cost of care and maintenance Sl62893 3D.
detcriorating in mind, body and moral stamina. The
disciplinary and reormaoly influences IN tho prisons
we confront as follows:
1. BY haltng legislation in the first half of 1885, the
Industries OF the prisons twice suspended materially
crippled, and the income from them essened.
?. by tho Of legislation in July 1883, indus
tries in the prisons substantially terminated without
the prospect OF resumption under existing laws; there
2 $50 in the State prisons, capable Of working
and who want to work. who are now idle
g. There deficit in the prison accounts Of almost
1854 600 year During Of the year the
industries OF Sing Sing prison in fairly active opera
tion In Clinton and Auburn prisons active industries
were carried on during part Of the year. While Sing
Sing shows surplus OF SO $50 90 for the year. the deficit
therein for the last months, under the new law was
s2s 53G a. Under this deficiency for the
year in the three prisons will be- in round numbers.
100000.
4. Ideness in the prisons the most powerful
and sautay Is known for securing and man-
tanning in effective remedial potency the highest dis
cpnary and reformatory Influences with the inmates of
the prisons Ideness Is the bane Of prison, whose
maign influence prison administrator, however humane.
Ingenious and energetic. been able to overcome
s. There no prospect Of the employment Of the body
OF the idle men in the prisons under the existing law.
The report shows that but few be given
employment in the manufactures specified In the law.
The charitable institutions already d|o tba make 90 sp peT
would be furnished with work making the other
40 per cent. -. 80. A,,. to rora,noo o,ve
the Superintendent as temporary as seems wholly
insufficient TO meet tie needs Of the State"
The enlargement Of sing Sing prison Is again
recommended and tlat the libraries at Clinton and
Auburn be eplenshd
the Electrical Execution law for carrying out exc
cutions within prison walls On this point be says
The bill passed providing for the execution
Of crmnas sentenced deoth for offences committed
nv ola ard hat Ph
execution shall b. within prison walls is defective as
10 be imperative until appropriation IS made to carry
It's provisions effect The plan Of having such
executions in prison may be regarded as OF doubtful
expe1ency None OF the prisons are now htted by
construction 20 afford the isolation and eclusion which
ought to attend executions prison. II these
not secured will be prevalent dsquiet and sup
pressed excitement in the prison population whenever
execution is expected to occur that could not fail to
have very bad effect upon the imprisoned men. If
tho plan should be adhered should be reasonable
and fitting provision made for the utmost ecusion and
secrecy Of the execution respects the prison population
Flbridge T. Gerry said to Tribune reporter yes
terday that he did not think Superintendent
Lathrop's objections would have any effect the
carrying ont Of the electrical execution law
lie supposed he added that the superin-
tondent did not like the prospect Of being State
executioner and taking charge Of the electrical death
chair: and flat might be unstated reason why he
would like 10 see nie new act modified or possibly re-
peaed
The question Of electrical execution had been argued
over and over again. and many successful expert
ments had been tried that the practicablity, qucb
ness and cheapness of the method has been eectuay
demonstrated M. Gerry does not think that II viii
cause half so much dsqulet IN PRISONS out of them
As hanginss do. He IS confident of its success, and
m ysrs thai Superintendent LathrOp should give It
trial before he condemns H.
A SECOND COURT OF APPEALS