The evening times., 1899-04-21
NO REMEDY FOR fHE
W0RKH0USB EVILS
The Commissioners hwerless
to Apply Reforms
Young Offenders and Old Criminals
Associated in Prisen. :
Suggestion. offered by s.perinten.
dent Lewfs-No Immediate Prac-
tical Relief In sight.

| -------,-t
The District Commissionerssshave, fol
several weeks been dealing with difficult
problem growing out of the committal OF
miners to the male workhouse. Although
the matter has been quite thoroughly sift-
ed and viewed in its many and varied
phases. it is probable that no definite ac-
tion will be taken until Congress convenes.
| w. H. Stoutenburgh, Intendent of the
Washington Asylum, recently opened the
question by submitting a list of the prison.
| ers in the male workhouse under twenty
| one years of age. and urged the necessity
Of placing them where they will not be
brought into contact with hardened GRIM
inals. He stated that there were twenty
fcur colored boys under eighteen years OF
age in the male workhouse. Fifteen OF the
Lumber had been previously committed.
three of them twice. seven threetimes, two
four times. one five times. one six times,
and one ten times. There were likewise
three white boys in the institution who
were under eighteen years OF age, serving
their first terms. In addition were four
white boys, one eighteen. two nineteen,
and cne twenty years Of age, and nineteen
cclored boys eighteen years of age. twelve
nineteen years old. and eight twenty years
old making a total of seventy prisoners
who were minors. Twenty-seyen Of the
total number of boys were under seventeen
years old.
This condition Of affairs had existed for
some time, and Intendent StoIten5urgh
thought it called for radical treatment by
the authorities of the District. to the end
that some provision be made for the care
and discipline Of the youths in the hope of
bringing about their reformation. He de-
tailed the conditions prevailing at the
dingy, antiquated looking old workhouse
and said the tumble down buildings were
crowded with tramps. vagrants. drunkards,
thieves, and gamblers, a majority OF whom
have served time and graduated from the
different jails and penitentiaries of the
country. They were certainly not fit COM
pany for boys whom II was hoped TO re-
form.
The construction of the workhouse makes
it utterly impossible to keep these classes
separate TO any great extent. The younger
boys have the advantage OF separate
sleeping quarters. but are brought to the
office foor during the day and kept under
the surveillance Of an officer. Even then
the intendent thinks there is constant
contact and association between the older
and younger prisoners as they pass and
repass each other.
The intendent is not ar enthusiast on
the subject of reforming boys by placing
them in reform schools or in large cstab-
lishments where they may be brought to-
sether in large numbers. but thinks that
any place where they will not have to as
sociate with criminals of hardened sort
would be better than keeping them in the
workhouse. The matter was brought TO
the Commissioners in such manner by
the intendent that they Immediately saw
that something would have 10 be done.
Herbert W. Lewis. Superintendent OF
Charities. and Judge Ivory G. kimball. of
the Police Court, were consulted and nu-
merous conferences held, but no action fas
been taken. The authorities admit that
they are unable to devise means for the
solution Of the problem at the present time.
They have simply noted the various recon-
mendations without comment, and the pa
pers will be pigeonholed until some course
OF procedure presents itself.
On recommendation of Commissioner
Ross the subject was first referred to Su-
perintendent Lewis. who was asked if any
of the public institutions in the District
could be called upon to receive the white
and colored boy prisoners of the work
house. Superintendent Lewis replied with
the following statement:
All boys under sixteen years of age brought
before any court of the District of Columbia, or
any judge. and who shall he convicted of any
crime or misdemeanor punishable by fine or i'm
Pii>uiiient- other tnah imprisonment Tor life,
may be committed 10 the Reform School OF the
District. to remain until they arrive at the age
Of twenty-one years; unless sooner discharged by
the board of trustees But whenever there are
in the Reform School many be properly
accommodated. il is the duty Of the president
of the board of trustees 10 give notice 10 the
Criminal and Police courts Of that fact, where
upon no more may be sent until there is room
for them.
BY enquirng of the superintendent of the Re-
form School ! learn that there is at
the institution for about twelve colored boys
from twelve TO sixteen years OF age; also for a
a like number Of white boys Of the same age |
II would appear thar most Of the boys under
sixteen years of age who at the work |
house might have been sent to the Reform School |
had the judges Of the Police Court considered |
slch commitment appropriate than SEN
tence to the workhouse.
The courts also had the option of commitment |
to the Board Of Children's Guardians. the law |
creating that board having authorized the com |
miiment Of vicious and incorrigible children |
under sixteen years of age This authority to |
commit incorrigible boys to the Board of Chill |
lens Guardians has been used very carefully by |
he judges, it being well known that the board |
ias no proper facilities for dealing with a large
number Of boys who really had.
II appears from the list furnished by the |
ntendent that there arc now thirteen boys
inder sixteen years OF age at the workhouse,
Who have been sentenced during the March term
If the Police Court. II would be within the
,ower Of the court to withdraw these from the
sorkhouse and send them to the Reform School
,r commit them to the custody of the Board of
,hildren's Guardians.
Superintendent Lewis said that it was
Tot uncommon for parents to plead with
Judges Of the Police Court to send their
.hildren to the workhouse rather than to
he Reform School for guardianship during
heir minority. Judge kimball, to whom
he matter was next referred. said that
he boys could not be sent to any place
,ther than the workhouse. as they were
Unable to pay fines for committing petty
fences against the District. Judge KIM
,all added that the law only permits the
ourt to send boys to the Reform School
n lieu of county Jail, and not in lieu
# the workhouse.
He thought the remedy would not be
ound in sending the boys to the Reform
chool and depriving them of the guar
lianship Of their parents when they are
harged with petty offences. He thought
hey ought to be confined separately from
he other workhouse prisoners.
On Trial for Larceny.
The trial of Fannie Kidwick, Richard