The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-11-14
For THE RECORD.
THE MERCER COUNTY WoRK-HoUsE,


ware valley, just short walk from
Moore's Station and only short distance
below The county line of Hunterdon, was
first conceived in the minds OF few and
the subject was openly proclaimed, there
was Immediately hue and cry started
that job was being put up on the county
and the taxpayers would be weighed down
with taxes and the would be projectors
become rich from the spoils. All new
enterprises have their opposition, and in
nearly every case the opposition acts as
an incentive for the prompt and careful
carrying out of the project. Whatever
there may have been in the opposition to
the Mercer County Work House, or who
ever may have made thousands of dollars
out of it, the fact remains that an elegant,
substantial and praiseworthy building re-
mains as monument to those who little
over year ago had the boldness to face
all opposition and remonstrance against
enterprise and go-ahcadaliveness.
A visit to the work-house will convince
one that the change from the old system
to the new is in every way worthy OF en-
lightenment and humanity. The whole
some exercise given to the convicts 10
various ways, especially in quarrying
stone, creates an appetite which is salts
fed three times a day with wholesome
food. To those who disobey the rules of
the work house plaiu diet Of bread and
water is furnished, and IL is creditable to
the Warden and the good judgment of
the prisoners that but few take the latter
as their bill Of fare. The prisoners sent
up to the work-house are as a general
thing not vicious criminals, but poor un-
fortunatcs, who, through misfortune, have
fallen into life of laziDcss, and in order
to keep up the subsistence without work
are tempted TO resort to smaller vices to
exist, and hence visit for from one to
six months. To keep them still 10 idle
ness, as was the old method, would be to
set them at liberty at the end OF their time
not one whit better off morally, physically
or otherwise. Now when a man leaves
the Institution he goes away feeling the
better for his visit. lie is better in many
ways he has recovered from his debaucb
cry he has acquired by daily work and
absence from drink good, solid man
hood, not as good, perhaps, as II he had
never been an inmate and always lived an
honorable, upright life but be comes out
ready, II opportunity offers itself, to go
TO work, and by such earn an honest live
lihood, which many do. True, there are
many who drift round and come back
again 10 a short time, as II there was no
place like the work-house. Warden Swee-
ncy seems 10 be the right man in the right
place and is certainly filled with good judg
ment and firmness, two points essential In
the government and care of unfortunate
and sinful wards.
II was the writer's pleasure to witness
Sunday afternoon religious service al
the work house, when the Rev. Mr.. Mill.
ken, of Titusville, conducted the services
and Miss Hoffman the singing. While
the prisoners are not compelled to sit aud
listen to any creed or take part In the ser.
vices, they must remain quiet during such
serviccs. " 10 crccn 10 tho iuu,e,op ',
say that most of then avsiled themselves
OF The opportunity aud sat as willing list
en,ls and joined in the singing heartily.
AT the conclusion, when papers and tracts
were distributed, every one seemed eager
to become tbs possessor of something to
read.
Prejudice Is often overcome by care.
tul and honest investigation. The War.
den tells US that many who were bitterly
opposed to the county work -house, after
visit have gone away with the con-
v,clion that ii is just The thing and feel
satisfied, with proper management, In b
very short time 1t will be self supporting
In the quarry alone there is stone enough
to macadamizc every road In Mercer
county and the whole State of New
jersey.
Dning the year the farm produces
enough vegetables, truck and the like to
run the table, and meat seems to be the
only food purchased. Every county
should have a work. house, either large or
small, according to the number of prison
ers that are annually kept in idleness and
ease at the expense of the taxpayers.
| Wholesome work is poison TO the genus
known us tramp, and the genuine speci-
men steers clear of localities which fur
nlsh free labor for free lunch. The i'm
preston formed after having visited the
above institution is calculated to create a
sympathy for the better care and protec-
ton If those who through misfortune or
crime are placed behind The bars aud look
ell upon as oulcasts and criminals who
have met deserving fale While il may
not lie your own, 1t is somebody's child,
| and bAman nature should be so tuned
that even the most fororn should receive
at The hands Of those in authority such
treatment as woul! not seem brutal.
The Mercer County Work House is a
model OF nentncss and order and certainly
T, flects great credit on all who are 10 any
way connected with IL, from the Commits
sionefs down through Warden Sweeney,
Superintendent Higgins and the excellent
corps OF keepers. VAN Solver.
For THE RECORD.
The election has passed and gone. 1t