A Time for Action

New York, 1895

It cost almost $30,000 to keep the prisoners in the County Jail during the year 1894. That is, the Sheriff was paid this sum for their food. The county paid besides about $10,000 for clothing and medical attendance, and for jail supplies, all on account of the prisoners. That made the cost $40,000 in round figures.

The county will have to pay about $60,000 for the maintenance of prisoners this year (1895) as matters are progressing at present. There are 300 prisoners in the jail. That is 75 prisoners more than the highest previous record. It means an increase in expense of $225 a week.

The Grand Jury declares that four-fifths of these prisoners are tramps. And it is true. They are wrongly imprisoned in the County Jail. The law says they must be committed to the nearest Penitentiary, and their support shall be a charge against the State. To overcome this law, the Justices of the Peace call the tramps "vagrants." It is a mere trick.

It costs $5 a week to maintain a tramp in jail. It costs $8 to $12.50 to get him into jail, depending on the distance he has to be conveyed. When they are released, many of them go back to the committing magistrate and are recommitted. In this way they spend all the winter in the jail. It is making the Sheriff and the magistrates and constables rich. It is leeching the tax-payers.

The Grand Jury demand that steps be taken to put an end to this shameful business. The doing of it falls upon the board of Supervisors. They should pass a resolution directing magistrates to observe the law and commit these tramps to the nearest Penitentiary. That would be the Kings County prison. Doubtless the Warden would refuse to receive them. Then it would be necessary to obtain a mandamus to compel him. The District Attorney should bring that proceeding. But the Supervisors had better designate other counsel. If the court orders the Warden to receive the prisoners, the problem is solved, and the State will have to pay the cost. If the county should be beaten, the contract system should be resorted to. This system should be resorted to any way, to relieve the jail of other kinds of offenders, and lessen their cost to the county.

The Supervisors will undoubtedly do their whole duty in this matter, but the Republican machine is opposing them. Nothing more important to the well being of the people has demanded their attention for a long time.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 8, 1895, p. 4.