New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-11
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH
llr. CoLer PerpIered by RiuaI Irish
Patriotic Societies.

Borough President COler had an uncomfort-
able experience a short time ago There are in
Brooklyn two rival Irish organizations. One.
known as the CIan-na-GaeI believes in using
force 10 free Ireland, while the other, known as
the United Irish Societies. IS in favor Of securing
radical parliamentary action producing the
same end. The rival organizations are not ex-
actly on speaking terms. as it were. However,
their loyalty TO the Emerald Isle Is unimpeach-
able.
Both decided a few weeks ago TO hold a Robert
Emmet celebration. BY some chance-pos-
Silly through a spirit o. rivalry-they decided TO
celebrate on the same night The Clan-na-Gael
hired the Bijou Theatre for the occasion and the
United Irish Societies the Grand Opera House
one day a delegation from the first Organiza-
tion called upon Mr.. COler and invited him to
preside at its meeting de thankfully accepted
The invitation A couple of days later delega-
ton from the rival organization called upon
the Borough President and asked him TO pre-
side at its meeting. Again Mr.. Coler expressed
his thankful acceptance Of the invitation. and
aode9 that he had already promised TO preside
a. The meeting.
on The eve of the celebrations the rivals
aWo6e 70 the fact that they We're up against
lie serious difficulty OF having 10 split their
chairman. Then they called on Mr. Coler. He
could not see his way clear TO permit demon
stTariOn Of the wisdom Of Solomon on his anat-
Olly. and proposed that he preside at one meet
ing and stay away from the other. As the Clan
na-tiael had asked him first he thought that
NJ SLblll attend ITS celebration and animated
that the United Irish Societies might manage TO
worry along with his regrets The United
Irish Societies were not willing 70 see the Clan
na-Gael beat them out in that fashion and so
postponed their celebration week when Mr.
Coler was free to meet with them.
Perhaps the most shocking results Of the
penury Of New-York City are TO be found in
Raymond street jail The jail stands in what
IS conceded 70 be the toughest section Of the
Tha
grounds and the Brooklyn Hospital al the
other extremity. II is built in two sections
One section, known as the administration build
ing and the mems prison, is a graystone struct-
ure put up twenty-five wears ago and stands
on raymond street. The other section of the
institution is a brOwnstOne structure which
STANDS at the corner Of Willoughby street II
has been occupied for seventy years as q Worn-
ems prison. Between the graystone and the
brownstone buildings extends the Bridge Of
signs, otherwise known as the fire escape
While the mems section is incou busribIe the
women's section is a fire trap.
Although the prison is said 10 be cleaner now
man ever before within the memory Of man.
the impression OF slime and dirt and dampness
IS the first made upon the visitor The qreat
ROOM with its 432 cells and its average Of $50
pr1Soner6-and prisoners who come in every
degree OF filth and acknowledgements under the
sanitary protection Of only five cleaners who
are sent daily by the Bureau Of Buildings This
misery force is about equal 10 the task of nron-
erly attending 10 a quarter OF the cleaning In
their hurry they cannot get at the filth and
lad
like grease over the flooring. providing lurking
places for all manner Of disease germs.
Adding to the general slininess and damp
ness Of the place, the heating apparatus leaks
and water Is continually dripping in all parts OF
the great room. A gloornter abode could scarcely
be imagined. The little light that finds It's
way through the barred windows is cut off from
the centre OF the prison by the high tiers The
Jew electric lights glimmer feebly and the cells
light. are so dark as TO make reading in then
enough 70 ruin the eyes OF the prisoners The
authorities allow the use Of candles part of the
time.
Not the least disgusting OF the exigencies Il
which the authorities are forced, through tn,
lack OF funds, is IN connection with the prep
aration and serving OF the food. The food IS Il
Itself good enough, consisting OF bread, coffee
soup and stews, but the cooking and the serytn,
OF the food must be done entirely bv prisoner
under the direction Of one cook In the Deni
tenlary' as prisoners arrive. they are washed
given clean clothes. shaver and shorn and gen
efaily made presentable. at least from a sanitar,
POINT OF view Not so at Raymond street tai
me prisoners are permitted 10 battle IL thew in
sst on the Formally but few are insts,sD,
Dragged. as they are IN many cases ont of m
cutters or from the low dives and resorts o
Ell ana vice. With clothes and bodies filthy Wit
NTH bolh animate and inanirnate, diseased an
oooTherous, they are sent into the kitchen a
are appointed as walters 20 dispense the food I
The treatment forced upon the prisoners bv IN
clty ls particularly unjust IN view Of the fact this
tWo-thirds OF the inmates OF the Jail are limo
cent persons, arrested on charges that no con,
ever sustains against them. They are in man
cases people far removed from the criminal oil g
VINO nave been thrust into cells 20 satisfy N
luminosity or 10 serve as living examples OF n
,hsou so OF members Of the police force I
me jail they are brought, with bloody heads. an
.YcEed op. exposed to the association with a
stlht sncn association means of habituaI drunk
tooEhs and criminals. When they appear 10 +
particularly oppressed with their environTnsT
Inc BEST that the warden can do for them is !
an