New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-28
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE COMMITTEE FURNISHED ALSO WITH A
RECORD OF THE PADDIINGS.'
LETTERS FROM 900 INMATES OF THE ELMRA
INSTITUTION TURNED IN-TME CLERKS tx
AMINATI0N-AN AGENT OF THE pRosEcU.
TION TO SEE ALL THE RECORDS
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

TION TO SEE ALL TIE RECORDS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE 1RIBrxKl
Emira. Sept. 27.-The investigation of the charges
81 cruel treatment of the inmates of the Emira
Reformatory by its superintendent Mr. Brockway.
WAS continued here at the Reformatory to-day by
oscar Craig and Dr. Stephen Smith as a com
mittee of the State Board OF Charities A large
amount of documentary evidence into the
hands of Mr.. Craig and DR.. Smith soon a the
session began in the shape Of 800 letters the
inmates of the Reformatory. expressing their opin-
ion of its management and giving personal testi-
mony to cruelty. These letters written in
response to the invitation given by Superintendent
Brockway and the committee last night.
None of these letters were examined to-day, but
It is not to be inferred that all refer treat
rnent That would be an obvious Injustice to Mr.
Brockway, since his reports show that large
proportion OF the inmates OF the Reformatory
deserve receive punishment. and released
upon parole with confidence that their good conduct
Will continue What proportion of the writers Of
the letters think they have been cruelty treated
Will not be revealed until the next meeting of the
investigating committee, on October 7. In the
meantime James S. Tanning. the assistant
tary of the State Board of Charities will read
carefully all the letters and will put in a brief
form their evidence for the inspection OF the in
yestigatng committee
The managers OF the Reformatory and Superin-
tendent Brockway showed "A commendable desire
to-day to give the investigating committee all
possible documentary evidence bearing upon the
eharges of cruelty. Thus. the records Of the in
ttltution for eighteen years in good many huge
volumes, were presented 10 the committee, to-
rether with a statement showing every case of
padding" the number Of blows inflicted with the
paddle upon each occasion when ii used. and
she number of times each inmate has been pad
fed. with the day and year he padded. These
books and papers submitted by Oscar Hoppe.
The clerk OF the institution. Mr. Hoppe stated that
kuperintenQent
The institution who used the paddle. that he made
D written statement in each and that his re-
pert kept file and also put upon the rec
,rds These reports in every instance disclosed
The number OF times convict padded. Mr.
foppe said that the greatest number OF blows
Aver struck was twenty-four There was no punish
nent in the Reformatory except padding. The
ylerk added that he had found in the records an
,ntry that taken from his cell by force
at was in 1888 ne said. that prisoner barr-
,aded himself In his cell. He had secured knife
HON the workshop An iron bar with hook was
thrust into the cell and the convict was drawn TO
me door and handcufed" Mr.. Hoppe said he did not
know whether the iron hot or not, but he
kad heard II was.
'Is there anything in the records showing in
Eres resulting from punishment? MI 'rais
oked.
There is no injury recorded" answered Mr..
Aoppe Il have never known OF any injuries re-
tltng from the spanking"
us there any ply sician in the Reformatory! IN
kured Mr.. Craig.
There is one in daily attendance answered Mr.
Hoppe. land any inmate of the Reformatory mas
full opportunity to consult him.
What was the object of using this hot iron bar
% get prisoners out of cells?' asked Mr.. Craig
'The object 10 draw the convict 10 the door
d his cell" said Mr.. Hoppe. and If there was
On intent to burn the prisoner. / do not know ii.
have been told that the iron was heated to pre-
tent convict from graspng il. 1t was used to
1rce him to the door of the cell
Mr. Hoppe was asked what was the longest
Base of detention in what known as rest
yels" He answered: Forty days" He further
Door through which nothing be passed. and
Also q wooden door which, II closed. excludes the
Heht. Convcts who had been placed in the rest
Sells received two meals day, and sometimes
they had merely bread and water as such meals.
There had been hanging up Of cOnvicts by the
trists. far as he knew; at least there was no
Secord of it,
Ronvict daily submitted TO the committee,
well as the parole book and other interesting rec
tyds Mr.. Craig and DR.. smith then asked the
Hoard of Managers if they would agree that the
prosecution should have the right. through some
kgent to examine any book Of records in the Re-
hrratory. The Board Of Managers went into eX-
teld their attorney, announced mat they would
Grant this request and that all the BOOKS OF me III
SttutOn would be open 10 the Inspection ana Us"
m the agent of the prosecution. me committee
srno,nced their satisfaction with this arrangement
knd then adjourned until October when the akls
~ the testimony Of the inmates OF the feiorualolA
here for the present. but the commute l, ,T
Il visit also Auburn and CLINTON piIsoIlS' e'u ~
lake the testimony Of former inmates u wv "
3ormatory