New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-13
rrc1S1LTTOY For THE PRISONS.

In ordering tho Yates bin to q third reading
on Thursday the Assembly made grave mis-
take When il comes up again next week 1t
is earnestly to be hoped that 1t will be rejected.
1t has been given trial and proved lam
entable failure, demoralizing the prisoners on
the one hand and adding largely TO the public
burdens on the other. TO be sure, the pending
Yates bill differs In some respects from the one
which was passed at the special session OF last
summer But it contains the radical defects OF
that ll-considered piece of legislation, and
therefore ought to be killed. When the vote
was taken on Thursday on this vitality impor-
tant public question az out Of the l27 Assem-
blymen were either absent or neglected TO vote.
When the bill is reached next week full house
ought to be secured, even if it is necessary to
summon the Sergeant at-Arms to hunt up the
absentees.
The motion by which the Savery bill was
superseded should be reconsidered. This
bill provides, as our readers know,
for giving the prisoners continuous
work, and creates a commission which
is charged with the duty Of determining
upon what industries they shall be employed
The aim is to interfere little as possible with
| free labor, and to the end that it may be
| realized the commission is directed to transfer
the convicts from one industry to another when-
ever the interest Of free labor seems tC require
that a change should be made. The sum Of
| 81, 600, 900 is appropriated "for the purchase
of material for manufacturing purposes ana
| for all purposes connected with the Industries
| to be carried on under the provisions OF this
act.v THE TRIBUNE has taken frequent occa-
| sion to commend this bill. II is the best Of
the measures which have come before the AS
sembly.
Separate and distinct from this is the other
Slavery bill. 1t provides simply for the classti-
cation of the prisoners, with the praiseworthy
intent of preventing first offenders, who are
amenable to influences looking to their re-
form, from being contaminated and hardened
by being shut up with old offenders. This
bill has encountered opposition on the score OF
expense, it being argued that to classify the
prisoners in accordance with its provisions
| would greatly Increase the fees for mileage OF
the sheriffs Of some Of the counties. This bill
has not yet been reported by the Prison Com
mittee-and is not likely TO be In its present
shape--while the other one has been reported
and reported favorably, to the Assembly. Some
nersons are laboring under the impression that
the two are one and because they are opposed
to the classification proposition they are repre-
sented az unfavorable TO the Slavery bill, al
though they may heartily approve Of everything
contained In the one which sets the prisoners
to work.
Considering how important it is that the
| pdson legislation of the session should bt
eoual TO the grave emergency which now con
fronts the State IL is greatly TO be regretted
that there should be any misconception in 70
gard 70 the point in question. The Saver,
labor bin would set the prisoners at work, i
would tend 20 make the prisons self-sustaining
!, and ID has nothing to do win any ciassincaaor
Il bin. EiUIer IL or the excellent measure intro
duced b. Senator Fassett ought promptly to b
, passed, but no favor ought to be shown 70 th'