New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-07
PART II.
PAGES TO IL.
PRISON REFORM NEEDED.
POLITICAL HEELERs MADE KEEPERS.
UNFIrNEss FOR DUTY NO BAR TO PROMOTIONS
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED

UNFTTNESS FOR DUTY NO BAR TO PROMOTIONS
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED.
The present law and system regarding the appoint
ments made In the State prisons Of Ncw-iork were
freely discussed in the Prison Association conference
at No. 1875 East Ffeenth-st yesterday and facts were
presented to show that the law Is openly violated ana
that politics has everything to do with the appoint
ments Civil Service officials were present to heas
about the violations. The conference was caiea 10
bring about harmonious action between the CVi ser
vice reormers OF the state the prison reformers In
regard to having better examinations OF applicants ior
places PRISONS and also for the purpose OF pfepns
an amendment to the Constitution regarding prison
appointments.
John b. Riley chief Civil Service examiner OF the
State. John A. Slecher, New-YOrk Civil Service Com
missioner w. A. Poste, Civil Service COMMISSIONER
Samuel Macauley Jackson, Frederick b. BILLINGS, Ed
ward b. Merrill, Silas W. Burt. Louis d. f1sbury' IoF.
merly Superintendent Of Pi4>5ns and now warden OK
tire Pcntentiary of NewYork County; charlton Il
Lewis, chairman OF the executive committee Of the
Prison Association: w. NJ F. Round, secretary OF the
Prison Association OF New York, and d. b. Eaton wcfe
present to make suggestions and to answer questions.
Mr. Round before the business Of the day was taken
up spoke about the Dannemora Prison Investigation
I've want a better system for the examination OF
applicants for places in the PRISONS" said he Tho
recent Investigation OF Dannemora Prison convincea at
least two members Of the Commission that the prison
was run with a higher regard for the Interests OF
special political faction than for the general interests
Of the State, Notwithstanding that the statue clearly
states that no appointments shall be MADE III any "
the prisons this State the grounds OF poocA
craftsmanship, and violation Of this rule shall 10
sufficient cause for the removal from ONCE OF the omcer
committing such violation l have investigated GER
tain special charges as a member OF the Prison COM
MISSION and secretary Of the Prison Associa'
ton Of NewYork. l visited Dannemora Prison
and examined all the keepers and guards and all tho
officers OF the prison to their appointments, With
view TO ascertaning II they were made upon ponucaI
grounds put every officer under oath and examined
him by himself. found that OF fifty-seven officers
fifty four were Democrats large number Of whom were
appointed without any civil service examination ana
purely on recommendation Of well known political
BOSSES, that the prison was in fact political prison.
where II was distinctly understood that the surest
avenue OF preferment political service The first
officer examined the warden OF the prison. who re-
ceived his appointment the first Of last January
on the summary removal Of Warden Fuller, who was
thrown out OF an Office he had held for thirteen years
as credtably TO himself any other warden OF the
State with only fOrtyegh hours notice, and without
any assigned cause He was replaced by man who
had no experience whatever as prison officer, but
whose Affiliations were warmly in accord with the
faction then dominant in the State. He was tho
known henchman and friend of Murphy OF Troy, but
had had no experience whatever in prison management
Mr. Round then read the report on the examinac
ton OF sxtyseven Of the appointed in the prison.
and with only two exceptions they were Democrats,
and admitted that they secured their places through
political influence In every case too, the men were
untitled for prison work.
"JOhn Brophy was appointed to place IN Dan
nemora Prison on the recommendation OF Edward
Murphy, IT., Of Troy" continued Mr.. Round'
Brophy had no fitness for prison work, and war.
den Fuller discharged him for sleeping at his post
But through the influence Of Mr.. Murphy ne sue"
ceeded In getting his job again. but as he went 10
sleep on his post again, he was for the second time
discharged. Then Mr.. Murphy secured for the man
lob in Auburn Prison. but here too he was discharged
for sleeping while duty. And even after SO
much neglect OF duty Brophy had the efrontery 10
20 hack to Dannemora Prison and try to get his old
Job again."
During a general discussion which followed, Nr.
Lewis said that under the present system political
Influence potent than merit, so FAR AZ
making appointments In prisons were concerned
Then the following resolutions were introduced ana
passed: Resolved, that committee OF five be
appointed by the Chair who shall have power to draft
an amendment to the Constitution OF the STATE %
New York. In such form as such committee Snail
deem expcdient, giving TO the Legislature such power
ms may be required TO enact laws FOR asceranlne tho
In the service of the stale. Resolved That such
committee shall have power to correspond with the
Civil Service Reform Associations and civil service
Commission of the State OF New York and committees
OF securing by all suitable the adoption Of such
a constitutional provision. Resolved That the chair-
man of this meeting and the Secretary OF the Prison
Association be added to such committee