New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-17
SULzER ASKS FUNDS TO
BUILD A MODEL PRISON
Penal Conditions in State a
Disgrace to Civilization,
He Declares.
SENDS MESSAGE AND BILL
Acts on Report of New Com
mission, Which Would Elk.
change Wingdale Site
for Another.

a
Albany. july lG.-Governor Sulzer act
ing on the report and recommendations
OF his new prison commission, sent
message 10 the Legisls tire tonight ask
ing that sufficient money be appropriated
10 purchase a site upon which to con-
struct prison TO take the place OF DING
Sing. 1t is sought to have the Worh
started Immediately. The new prison
commission. in its report, recommended
that s125000 be appropriated for SITE
and not less than 100000 with when 10
start the construction of the new prison
at once.
Although the commission has been busy
looking over sites for the last few weeks
mo- mention is made in the report as to
what site the commission intends TO Sc
lect. Marcus T. Hun. of this city. the
chairman Of the commission. said Tonight
that while no particular site had been de-
cded upon. as soon as the Legislature had
approved the S125,0OO asked for. no time
would be lost in getting the site.
The commission urged Governor Sulzer
10 abide by the decision Of former Gov
ernor Dix permanently 10 abandon the
Wingdaie site. and asked that permission
be given 10 use il in exchange for some
other suitable site. The Governor agreed
10 the recommendations Of the commits
sion and had a bill prepared carrying
them out.
Besides his message. the Governor
transmitted this bill and the commissions
report to the Legislature. In his mes
sage the Governor says:
Prison conditions in our state are
disgrace to civilization As the eXecu-
tive. I am mortified by the revelations
No appeal that / can present TO you can
exaggerate the pathos OF the facts in this
matter To-day. and for many years
past. this state has confined many thou
sands Of convicts in cells seven feet long,
three feet and three inches wide. and SIX
feet and seven inches in height.
Il fully concur in the conclusion OF the
Commission on New Prisons. that immc-
date action is demanded both by the
dignity OF the state and by every feeling
Of humanity on the part OF its people;
that the longer continuance OF such con-
ditions as now exist at Sing Sing prison
is intolerable: that not only Is "A new
prison demanded TO accommodate the in
creasing number Of our criminals, but
prison OF a wholly different kind and char
acter. and that these relics Of the horrors
and inhumanity Of the Middle Ages. in
which the added ignominy Of bestiality
is stamped upon the face OF crime, are
as disgraceful 10 w. who tolerate them as
they are degrading 10 those who are
incarcerated In them.
Il cannot therefore too earnestly urge
that the Commission on New Prisons be
empowered 10 act for the amelioration
Of these abhorrent conditions and by the
passage OF the measure which | transmit
TO you he furnished with the authority
and funds necessary to accomplish that
purpose"
The Governors message and bill brought
out hot attack Ia the Senate, both from
Senator Elon r. Brown. the Republican
leader. and Senator Wagner. OF the ma
jority. Senator Frawley assured the Sen
ate that the committee report when pre-
scented. would repudiate the Blake report
entirely.
Senator Brown declared that any urg-
ing from Governor Sulzer that the Legis
lature should hastily take up his new
prison scheme coming on the heels Of
the Blake prison reports was not 10 be
treated seriously.
Frawley declared that tho alleged ex-
pert Investigators engaged by Blake.
working under the direction OF the Gov
ernor. were inexperienced and careless.
and he wanted to know II the Legislature
could not put a stop TO employing them
a $50 a week.
Speaking of one OF the Investigators,
who admitted to-day that he knew
nothing OF the prices Of contract and
building work. Frawley added
i've been in the contracting and build
ing business for thirty years and never
did / meet such a boob. -
The Governors bill was referred to the
Finance Committee.