New-York tribune., 1904-08-25
SHERIFFS JAIL REFORM.
ABUSES IN LUDLOW-SI'.
Request TO Haze Federal Prisoners
Sent to TOmbs.

10 free the Ludlow-st jail of federal prison
ers and make 1t more difficult 10 imprison in
civil cases is having marked success. He made
formal application yesterday to tne Sinking
Fund comm issioners 10 designate the Tombs as
the jail for federal prisoners In this move he
has the support OF United States Marshal Hen
KEEL
Steps We're taken yesterday by three lawyers
who volunteered 70 free six of the civil prisoners
who have convinced the Sheriff that they are
being held unjustly. The prisoners have been
in the Ludiow-st. jan for from one to nine
months. The Sheriff has decided to prepare
bill for the next legislature which, If passed
will pat BIZ end TO Imprisonment in debt and
alimony cases. For immediate relief he has in
te-ested many of the judges in keeping the bail
of civil prisoners at a nominal figure. 1t is
likely that he will address communications to
TIE State and New-York Bar associations, ask
ing their support in his efforts to lessen the
number Of arrests in civil cases.
William F. Lennon of No. 127 East One-hun-
dred-and- -thirteenth-st.. Of the Ludlow
St jau prisoners in whom the Sheriff has
taken an interest, brought before Justice
Davis yesterday on habeas corpus proceedings
brought by his attorneys Pechner & SObe, OF
No 20S Broadway. He is serving out con-
tempt fine of $3.50 and the circumstances leading
up TO his contempt as told in court yesterday,
are peculiar.
QUEER CONTEMPT CASE.
Lennon leases the One-h hundred and thirteenth
St building from Mrs Henrietta Mittnacht. who
lent him sum of money note. that repairs
might be made when he moved in The Eote
was transferred 10 Mrs. Mittnacht's son, Jacob
A. Mi:tnacht jr, and when it was not paid
Lennon was brought up supplementary pro-
ceedings, and Martin Isenberg was appointed re-
ceiver. There was court order that he should
m
Then Mrs. Mttnacht made a demand for his
rent and threatened to turn Lennon out if he did
not pa. Lennon pointed out the restraining
order but the Judge said he must pay or be dis
possessed. He paid the rent under protest, and
was brought promptly into court for violating
the restraining order and fined for contempt.
When Lennon was brought before Justice Ds Wis
yesterday his attorneys declared that ne was
prosecuted in an effort to force him to break his
lease. which still has three years TO run, the
RIttnachts having contracted to convey the
property. Decision was reserved.
You see how this man is placed, under the
present laws said Sheriff Erlanger IF he
does not pay his rent he is dispossessed; if he
does pay it he IS in contempt Of court, and must
serve out a fine in Ludlow-st jail"
THE SHERIFFS URGENT LETTER.
In his appeal to the Sinking Fund Commits
sion the Sheriff, after citing the statutes con-
cerned, follows
It seems that United States prisoners charged
with all kinds OF crime have been admitted to the
county jail for many years preceding the com
mencement Of my term OF office. have made a
reached the conclusion that the confinement Of
eais b6n5 Is WITH Id e M P6ng5 y r5 an The eV I,Hgf w4
the law, to which reference has been made above.
There are this writing in the Jail twenty-three
federal prisoners; CHARGED with all manner Of
whom are confined for contempt Of court because of
nous ofence as breach OF prcnise Of marriage and
sun others on charges about which there IS great
been warrant Of arrest issued At all However, we
49, ~ slllSu win Tue lat9Ie oI tIe oILeIces
our courts but 1t IS in itself a crime my view.
with persons who charged with the highest
srresfod m on Hi[ rIoteSs and iae aS a IN n & women ]
3all, and, although there are none there now.
they may be arrested any time. The only thing
with crime Is a mere iron grating and although
The two classes Of prisoners are separated, they
are. nevertheless in The same building, within view
of each other and the atmosphere of the institution
can be greatly improved 10y removing therefrom TO
,Eere sg7 Ie~aat.nr - ~, - nov ~ egLIleq
process by the United States marshal:
the power 10 designate the CITY prison know as
prisoners. charged with crirac or conmitted on
criminal process :T9rP any court or oeer OF the
existed on The snbicct and rSdcIf l4I nay h'Te
the c;rcunz.a.ces that The designation be made
= nj
punishment for TIC labo.ing man who fnds hiroseIt
r122i-e 10 pay . ceht. and fer that matter for nv
one else that he is forced to undergo the nunsl1-
nseTt OF imprisonment without being placed IN a
et.Eosph@re with persons CHARGED with al kinds of
fe!onies nd high misdeIneanors. Therefore in the
liable 70 arrest under the civil laws Of our Stote
and who may be compelled TO endure a much
insy be obgrd to 91re in 'i 5,al % rjeo, criminal T
crime ! beg that you pass the resolution in the
-oFI: herewith inciC@eG.
HOW JAIT, AIDS Apr-crs
Cases Of some federal prisoners now in the
Luc1ow-st Jail illustrate the abuses to which
The jeil lends itself at present There is q
yours man now IN the Jail who was in a small
business WITH 2 partner. Both partners COL
iec1eo moHey ard disbursed II without much
regard TO bookkeeping. The father of the Other
partner had his appointed receiver ~ the
firm. The man il jail was ordered h., The
court . pay 20 the receiver 81 900 the sum he
mad collected, and because he could not do this
he was committed tor contempt. He has beer
IN jail four months
One prisoner had been doing business as .
FnaA importer and commission agent EI,s
clients were small retailers He was nersuada,
10 sell sharts in a company 10 his clie,,t -,
commission He turned over $1,000 Tho
shares proved to be nearly worthless He s,a.
Tor his commissions and expenses. and was
charged with conversion. his bond being hxed
a. sZJoo He was arrested late In Nav and
ne WAL not get a hearing before October tIis
"-ie ana child are destitute his business =.
ruined, his health is gone and his mental facnI
ties are enfeebled.