New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-19
PRISONERS IN THE NAVY.
JUDGE DvOCATE-GENERAL LEMLY DE-
SCRIBES THE DISCIPLINE FOR
THE pRrSON ASSOCIATION

Irdianapolis Oct IL (SpeciaD-The annual con-
gress OF the National Prison Association, at IT'S
fourth days session this morning. listened 10 an
address by Captain Samuel c. Lemly. the Juoee-
Acknowledgement Of the Navy. on The irlsohets
OF the United States Navy" Captain Lemly was
sent here Nv Secretary Long ne the naval delegate
to the congress. and his carefully prepared paper
upon the punishments inflicted by court-marta'
and the treatment accorded 10 the prisoners under
the naval regulations WAS highly instructive ana
entertaining especially tho description he gave OF
the experiences Of the Spanish prisoners who were
CAPTURED at Santiago and who recently returned
10 Spain after spending the summer AZ the Navy
Yard. Portsmouth. y. II.
According 70 Captain Lemly. the last time SEN
.ence OF death imposed by a naval court-marua!
was executed was on october q, lsis. On that Gate
Two enlisted men OF the Navy. members Of the
crew Of the Uni'ed States schooner Ewing/ then
&, tho harbor c. San Francisco belonging 70 the
Pacific Squadron. IN command OF Commodore
Thomas AID Cateshy Jones. suffered the death pen
atty. The two seamen were tried before naval
court-rnartal convened on board the JHi'ed states
sloop-of-war Warren CT October 10. under an or
der issued by Commodore Jones. upon charges OF
"rnutiny with intent TO kii!' and "deseruon VIII
intent 10 kill and running away with a boat me
rronerty OF the United States" The court fonnd
both guilty Of the charges. and sentenced each OF
them 80 be hung by the neck until dead when
sentence IVES duly carried out
proper enforcement OF discipline It is necessary 10
connne men for short periods. tire Navy ReGula-
lions REQUIRE that cells shall not he less than SIX
feet long and three and one-half feet broad with
the full height between decks, and properly ven
,tlated Confinement IN such cells IS limited by law
10 thirty days and Il during this period the sen
.ence involves bread and water or diminished
rations II is required that the prisoner sha re-
ceive full rations at least every nth day CONNIE
ment in irons and on bread and water, though IN
terms authorized by law are distinctly discouraged
by the Navy Regulations
After describing the model naval prison a. Bos-
ton Captain Lemly said that 20 the prisoners
while inmates there is allowed SUFFICIENT sum, ~
20 g per mor'h n. for necessary articles, such as
SOAP towels tobacco pipes and other little neces-
saries They dress in the uniform OF the Navy or
Marine Corps; but the badge Of the petty officer
ny chevron OF the non commissioned officer, being
q mark Of honor. is never allowed 70 be worn The
prisoners are kept constantly employed the char
acter Of labor which they perform being known In
military parlance as police duty'-a general clean
ing up-and this is so thoroughly done at the Bos-
ton ward that an increase in the regular force n
tho navy ward has been required 70 cart away and
get ria Of the refuse gathered up by the prisoners
q work which would probably never be done II Il
had 10 be paid for.
The result 70 the Boston yard may be ina gired
but not appreciated. unless had seen Il before
and after As a matter OF fact. the officers Of
every other navy yard In the country are Jealous
because as they say in theatrical circles. this
AGGREGATION OF talent 6oes not travea" Captain
Iernlv said he hoped the members Of the associa-
lion would not think that naval prisoners were
coddled TOO much for their good end that 81
the service for consideration must he given 20 the
fact tha, they usually criminals. but only
c~or1rrs aeains discipline As a result of ther
treatment. at the beginning Il the war with Spain
Forty prisoners released from confinement an:
RESTORED 10 duty and only Ave OF them have since
deserted the service.
In conclusion. Captain Lenly gave a corprehen-
sive statement OF the establishment and main
tenance OF the camp for 100 Spanish naval prison
crs NJ ceavey'e Island. who were supplied daily
Win 80 pounds ~ mea. and fsh. 80 bushels ~
veretable@ 10 loaves Of bread. fo salons u
coffee ard other wholesome food. ut cost Of 20 70
cents per dav fer each prisoner. The strongest
/ e,.ir4nca o. TIE excellent manner IN which ths
ternpora-y prison administered was AFFORDED
hv the fac. tina. when America men-ot war passed
IN aud on. of the harhor OF Portsmouth they were
Invariably cheered by their fallen enemy on the
adjacent shore.