New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-14
THE REFORMA TORY INTES7IG 1TION.
ONE CONVICT GOES TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIE
AFTER BEING PADDLED.

ONE CONVICT GOES TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIES
AFTER BEING PADDLED.
Emira ~ Y, Dec 13-The Reformatory In
vestigation resumed this morning the COM
mittee first visiting the bathroom and other places
Of interest mentioned In the testimony. CharleS
Johnson was the first witness called HIS right
name Is James johnson. lie sent here In
1890 from New-York City at the age Of eighteen
for grand larceny Two years ago he was chained
In the solitary cell for four days and fed on
bread and water Then he was taken to the ba;h-
room where, he says Principal Keeper sample
kicked him in the face. Northumberland Hal
min. he saws, also STRUCK him. After that the wit
ness was strung up so that his feet Just touched
the floor and Mr.. Brockway padded him. This
punishment was the result of the witness refusing
to give UP a pocket-knfe and for fighting with an
officer. Another time he was chained by the right
wrist to the floor in the solitary cell TOT nine
DAYS His food was bread and water.
Similar testimony given by other witnesses
One witness told OF a convict. one Murray. who
went to the hospital after padding ana dled
there three four weeks later.
I,eopold Cohen was sentenced here in 1883 from
New-York City for forgery, second degree lie
was paroled for one year in 1885, In 1880 he was
transferred Auburn for fifteen months ana then
taken back here. He had requested the Board OF
Managers to grant him his parole but has heard
nothing yet Of the boards action. While he was
on his parole II was intmated by his employers
that he had committed larceny He left them
and secured a position clerk with 1.-THE New
York World" under the name Of Lewis Cohen.
When he was brought back from his parole he
spent thirteen days In rest-cure CELL and after
ward was padded for not taking castor OIL when
prescribed.
The paddle used by Mr.. Brockway was then
weighed. In a dry state II weighed l6 ounces;
When dipped in water 1t weighed 1917 ounces, and
when soaked in water for ten minutes 1t weighed
Judge Gilbert then said that the prosecutions
side of the case was closed. Mr.. Stanchhed said
he would call twenty inmates on behalf OF the
Reformatory. that being the number examined
Yesterday and to-day for the prosecution. james
Boyle then put on the stand. He was sent
from Syracuse eight months ago for burglary He
has had no difficulty in getting along In the Re
fornatory and has complaints TO make. He
knew OF no instance where an inmate had tried
justly. He thought the inmate monitors would
send in reports to the injury of other inmates so
as TO strengthen their standing with the superln-
tendent He said that the punishment sometimes
dealt to inmates the result OF false reports
from the inmate monitors. He knew OF
where inmate had been treated with severity.
Theodore Douglas, the next witness called re-
fused take an oath. saying the Bible was no
more him than the dictionary, but consented
to an affirmation. He was born In Athens. Greece.
He was educated In Yale College. where he re-
manned three and one-half years. He sent here
from New-York City in April last. on the charge
of taking two rare books from the Aston Library.
He 10 editor OF 1.-THE Reformatory Monthly Sum-
mary" He said that he had no trouble In getting
along He convinced that citizens make the
best monitors. In his Judgment padding Is the
best corrective punishment In vogue. He thought
a majority Of the inmates should not be padded.
Other witnesses testified In similar strain.