New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-16
NO CRUELTY DISCOVERED.
REPORT ON CHARGES AGAINST THE
HOUSE OF MERCY


THE MANAGEMENT UPHELD IN THE MAIN.
THOUGH SOME CHANGES OF POLICY ARE
REcoMMENDED-sToRrEsA ABOUT WHIPS
AND GAGS REJECTED.
Albany. March l5-The State Board Of Charities
to-day received and adopted the report Of Commits
sioners Soddard. Ltchfed and Marvin appointed
10 investigate the charges preferred against the
management OF the House Of Mercy. Of NewYork
City. The report states that the committee invcs
tigated three classes OF charges, namely: First,
that poor and insufficient food furnished TO
inmates second. That the discipline Of the nstitu-
ton was injudcious and unnecessarily severe and.
third. that OF aggravated cruelty and neglect
had occurred
From information obtained" the report says,
I'VE learn at the present time that the food is
sufficient in quantity and variety and of good quail
ity and that the present inmates bear testimony
TO this effect. The complaints made do not apply
TO present conditions but to those that existed two
and even three years since. which have already
been rectihed
The second complaint included specific charges
that inmates were locked in small rooms without
food and water. that whipping the gag. handouts
and a stratjacket were used modes Of punish
ment that physical deprivat.ons and loss OF priv
ileges were inflicted and that there were individual
cases Of harsh and cruel treatment. Testimony as
TO the deprivation OF food given by but two in
mates. lnelr testimony however was not SUP
stanated by those to whom they referred for con-
hrmation
mo testimony to the effect that whipping forms
part Of the discipline of the institution was elicit
ed. on one occasion so-caed riot, under the lead
crshp Of two or three turbulent characters, neces-
STATED call by the women of the institution for
the aid of the guards and caused one OF the womea
attendants to defend herself with a carriage whip
The testimony shows that the persons struck
inmates who approached and threatened the off,
GER who used the whip az a weapon Of defence.
Regarding he Of the gag. extended examina-
ton failed TO bring out any evidence of It's present
employment. But one present inmate claimed TO
have undergone its application. Martha Hotaling
claimed that the gag was frequently used in the in
stitution punishment for loud talking bad lam
guage and profanity She had been gagged six times
the last three years ago She described kinds Of
gags of wood and the other OF iron Rosa Adams.
an ex-inmate, claims to have been gagged. but
gave indefinite and unsatisfactory descriptions Of
the instrument used There was evidence that
the gag used during the last three years.
The Investigation showed that handouts had
been occasionally used but only upon inmates who
had been violent. who had struck other inmates
or who had been unmanageabe. Their use had
been The Of the straitjacket was
limited to attempt in a single case to restrain
violent girl by putting upon her a jacket with
sleeves arranged to secure her hands. In
this the jacket quickly reduced to sheds
by the inmate, which fact would indicate its SIM
plicy and ineiciency
1.-THE officers admit the cutting off OF hair OF in
mates In the case OF extreme contumacy and pro-
longed resistance to discipline II admitted
that the privilege OF writing letters and seeing
friends denied for disorderiy conduct
The refusal to permit inmates to see friends is
unwse measure. 1t tends to produce sulkiness
and rebellion in the inmates, and causes an i'm
preston among their friends that there Is some-
thing to be concealed from outside inquiry. II
further hindets investigation into complaints by
friends and parents. We strongly disapprove of
this punishment.
I'm regard to the charges Of specific cruelty TO
tain the same has been produced II must be re-
membered that reformatory methods are tentative
institutions of this character in this State are
striving ~ develop perfect system. and 10 this
cepton That errors in Judgment may occur IL
such an institution is matter of common observa-
In conclusion the repor, makes the following sug-
gestions: $3.50. ..
The number of attendants should be Increased.
1t is essential that the inmates OF such institutions
be as fully az possible subjects OF individual study.
a complete classification OF the inmates
should be established An official record ., Of all
clude the name Of the offender the nature of the
offence, and the form and degree OF punishment
THE Board Of Managers should establish rules
for disciplinary procedure, and should regulate all
Exercise and relaxation should be instituted,
providing special features OF physical development
ana mental ENCOURAGEMENT and elevation More at
tention to the edTcaon Of tae common school
tions which would render the inmates capable OF
honorable selfsupport is at present very limited.
and should be ampiied.
The deprivation Of food nourishment is disap
proved OF and its dscontinuance Is recommended
It is not supposed that the dietary OF sncn an IN
the ordinary physiological needs or the inmates as
to permit of its dimnuton In any respect