New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-17
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION.
T4NN4NT,S RECORD.

I-nder Tammany the Department Of Correc-
ZION was desolste and neglected. man in
7-ssor or the workhouse had no vote for Tam
,,auv. and could do no work for that organizs-
lion therefore Tammany had interest in
him Besides. Tsmmsuv never had much use
g. q man who was not sharp enough 10 commit
.--'rne and not get caught. Therefore. save for
the graft in political places and contracts for
supplies the Tammsny Commissioner Francis
= Isntry was permitted TO 10 just about as
no liked with his department The result was
s7pareut IN every penal institution. Perhaps
the most Elaring example OF this policy Of
neglect was in the Tombs ~ City Prison. The
work o. building tho Tou1hs had heen
-eEun under the Strong administration. The
contractors and architects got into Quarrels
among themselves and stopped work For near
l- tvo years. 1870 and 1901. the partly finished
buildings stood untouched. = high board fence
around them. looking the picture Of desolation.
The Tammany Commissioner didn't get the con-
tractors settle their differences. Il seem
incly mattered little 70 him that the city
prisons we're overcrowded and unsanitary. and
-hat humanity demaudo5 the completion OF the
new To-rhs.
IN the district prisons there vas the same
spirit 81 neglect. Tho. buildings were out % re-
pair. dirty. hardly ut for occupation. The sani-
tarv conditions were atrociouS. Where bs tbs
existsI they were unfit for use. and were Of
course lfttlc in demand. The cells were dirty.
me corridors were dark and dismal The beds
were poor the bedding old and worn out. Each
district prison was overcrovded. sometimes hav-
Tx twice its proper supply OF prisoners. The
keepers too. hardly Jared better than the pris-
o1ers. They had somewhat better food. but
their quarters were in IS poor condition as the
had tsblecloJhs or napkins. Their table utensils,
like the prisoners wee Of tin. Political graft"
had its opportunity in the appointment o. these
keepers In many cases the head keeper would
ne getting $500 year. while one o. the under
keepers would be getting $1,000. This. too,
would he Irrespective OF their time Of service.
Discipline. under such conditions was lax There
were many instances Of drunkenness and bru-
tality among the keepers, but II q prisoner had
friends money he could buy attention from
The keepers.
The Vyorkhouse on BlackvelIs Island was
perhaps. worse than any other institution in
that respect. In the first place. il was horribly
cve-croVded. There would be from six 10
twenty persons janmed into one cell The build
sas Itself was falling to pieces. The window
Castings were 50 rotten that one could push the
SsShes ont with slight pressure OF the hand The
rant vas peeling of the walls which them
selves were in poor repair. The plumbing was
!ac-ss1itary condition. The inmates had suffi-
csrt food. but SO poorly prepared and served
ctst much Of il was wasted. and much uueata-
bls Bread. for instance. would be cut in such
Ehz-ls that after gnawing a chunk FOR
the the prisoner would throw the greater part
" g away. Meat was never served sold-al-
ways u soup stew In this same stew
uuuld be potatoes with their skins left on. II
---4r--,e- 1p
out with mis- hand. and then peel IL de was
likely 10 relish the stew, too. after that per-
Torrance
There was no effort made 10 cultivate a spirit
n deoeucv or self-respect among the prisoners
The woman's bathroom was a large one. with
overhead showers Into this room twelve women
Re-o pur ~ one time and forced 10 battle in
This public fashion. Boys Of from sixteen 10
-rye-tv-one wears were gut into the vorkhouSe
with rhe hardened oldtimers there. where they
were subjected 10 vicious influences Instead Of
.-~inS reformed 1 any way. they acquired kno7'i-
edE OF the street and tho inner world Of crook
dom which the Old men had accumulated ID
'heir varied experiences From the workhouse,
into which they went comparatively innocent.
many have confessed that They came out with
good working knowledge q the ways Of pick
pockets and rr5arov. fuI- resolved 20 Try their
'urr ~ thar ,.4- Of earning a rIvi--. Although
q. Hsrts Island "hl-n we're a+ ms d'Sn"sai. me
Commissions Unda- TsWweUy did nothing tow
I'D -e0--aring thew and using Them - relieve
The 0rersrC- -jed peUitrrtia-l.
T-nd4- The strong admin srratiou the hIuF iu
70 Mixers Island with material collected b- the
Street Cleaning Department was begun This
under Ts-rmauy was stopped L took vay
from Ta--7la ry ~o1--a tors the --alUa bio con-
tracts FOR 5u-rrinE the ashes ~ sea That. =
continued. b. would add many acres 81 valuable
land -1 Vie cr-. aprs- eIfrr- didn't count Eai0st
Tafl0-aUr interests
over on Harris Island. at tho branch work
house. we've kept the vaGraats and professional
oegea-S Instead q being D.aGe 20 work. they
were allowed 20 remain perfectiz idle. Thor
keepers we're idle as the prisoners.
hi, D. The Int dnr Of rcrirtrntinn for the