New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-17
NO PRISON FOR DEBTORS.
BHERIFF'S NEW CRUSADE.
DR.. ErIaager Would Empty Lad
4 Bo5c-st. JGJ-Nc1c Legislation.

Having completed a crusade OF reform Wnlch
Ne says makes the Ludlow-st. Sail the cleanest
best disciplined and freest from graft ana
other abuses OF al the jaiis in this country
sheriff Erlanger has set about getting rid OF his
prisonerz. lie does rot believe that there is any
need for a debtors prison in this day and gen
Grafton. Re proposes TO secure the liberty OF
many OF the civil prisoners now under his care
and win probably ask the legislature to change
The existing laws. which ne declares result in
much hardship and injustice
The Sheriff goes a step further. and seeks a
way TO get rid OF the federal prisoners who oc-
cupy the Ludlow-st. jail while awaiting trlal
and during the period between their conviction
and their removal 10 the penitentiary by the
United States marshal. IL he must have civil
prisoners. he argues. they should not be con-
fined IN the same jail with men who are charged
kr3t, or convicted of crime. The Sheriff spent
most of yesterday searching the statutes 10 as
cover what arrangement exists between the
tcounty and the United States government
The civil prisoners at Ludlow-st- have hotel
neryice and most Of the privileges Of guests as
rumpared with the treatment accorded at other
prisons. Their cells have messenger calls; pen.
INK, envelopes and paper are furnished WIN
nut cost; ice water is served, and fresh linen
and new summer blankets supplied. Their
meals are excellent in quality. and each pris-
loner has the privilege of eating in his cell II
DE SO desires. Once every day each man receives
: nersonal call from the Sheriff and another
srom the Under Sheriff. II he has complaint
he has only 10 whisper it. and there Is an I'M
mediate investigation
on the subject of grating" from prisoners
Sheriff Erlanger has little 10 say He does not
deny that II existed IN the past but declares
Mat no graft" is possible under the present s9S
hen of inspection. Keeper Miller is under sus-
pension pending trial on charges. keeper Der
nard Fitzpatrick. who was suspended pending
srisI, has resigned.
The Sheriff hopes to bring about the release
AZ his Oldest civil prisoner. one who is about 10
kee4n his tenth month in the old Jail. The man
asserts that he is kept in jail under . conspiracy
Of q numbe OF men who are endeaVoring 10 Cd
tain stocks which he holds. His money Is ued
m Nv attachment and he cannot give bail He
alas convinced the Sheriff, who is q lawyer, that
ne has a good defence, and never should maze
been in prison. The Sherin IS golhg 70 heIp nun
TT is a crime against the State to permit ar
Fests in civil cases." said the Sheriff yesterday
SIT is q crime against citizenship that we are
inbliged to endure it, In my opinion al PUNISH
aueut when necessary should come within the
criminal jurisdiction In breach OF promises
rases so called personal action cases and in &C
tons regarding debt. the plaintiffs give bonds OF
$3.50 and demand prohioitive bonds as the con
6ition Of prisoners obtaining their release The
court as a rule gets only the eE parte state
1nents Of the plaintiffs, and the papers are MADE
strong LhaL the court IS luQuEe0 10 ia H1Al -
q prohibitiVe sum.
THE only excusable civil imprisonment Is for
h0ntempt Of court, and then only in hagrant
cases and for reasonable time. There should
Re no Imprisonment for debt II a man COM
ynits a fraud, securing money or property with
rreconceived intent not 10 give value received,
he shouts Be dealt with in the criminal courts
There SIS q great deal of injustice melted out in
siirnony cases. There IS a man now in the Lud-
lowest Jail who was represented TO the court as
earning 81 500 q year. He has not enough
money TO hire lawyer, and when at work really
earns only 81 a week. Women make these false
representations for the purpose of getting even.
and sometimes they certainly succeed"