RE PORTS OF THE INSPECT()RS OF PRISONS, FOR JANUARY AND JULY, 1863; OF THE DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, JANUARY, 1864; ANI) )EFII CO)MMITTEE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGAE TIlHE ALLEGE-I) ABUITSES AT TlIE IOtUSES OF REFORMATION AND CORRECTION, MARCH, 1864. BOSTON: J. E. FAJIWELL ANI) COMPANY, PRINTERS rrTO T'HE CITY. No. 37 CONGRESS STREET. 1864. City Docutment.- N.o. 73. t STONI A. THE INSPECTORS OF PRISONS ON THE JAIL, HOUSE OF CORRECTION, HOUSE OF INDUSTRY, HOUSE OF REFORMATION, AND LUNATIC HOSPITAL. DECEMBER, 1862. In Board of Aldermen, July 27, 1863. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Attest: S. F. McCLEARY, City Clerk. REPORTS. To THE ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: The Inspectors of Prisons visited THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION on the eleventh day of December last past, and inspected the yards, workshops, and buildings. The Master being confined to his house at the time, the duties of Master devolved upon Mr. James Patterson, the Deputy Master, by whom every facility was given to the Inspectors necessary to making their inspection. The same neatness and order were everywhere manifest, as on former examinations. They also examined all persons separately, and apart from the officers of the institution and from each other. With a few exceptions, they were satisfied with their treatment, and thes6 few cases on investigation were found to be of a trifling nature. But there was a general complaint in regard to food, the cause of the complaint being brown or Indian bread, many declaring that they could not eat it, that it disagreed with them. 4 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 73. The number of male prisoners remaining May 28, 1862, was: Committed by Superior Court.. 110 Committed by Police Court... 71 Committed by Police Court, Chelsea. 7 188 The number committed from May 28, to December 11, 1862, was: By Superior Court. 43 By Police Court..... 89 By Police Court, Chelsea... 18 150 Total number in prison. 338 The number discharged in the same period has been: On expiration of sentence... 149 Discharged by Police Court... 13 Pardoned by Directors.... 6 Pardoned by Governor.... 33 Died....... 2 203 The number remaining in prison December 11, 1862, was: Committed by Superior Court... 90 Committed by Police Court... 43 Committed by Police Court, Chelsea. 2 135 The number of female prisoners remaining May 28, 1862, was: Committed by Superior Court. 35 Committed by Police Court. 60 Committed by Police Court, Chelsea 2 - 97 INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 5 The number committed from May 28, to December 11, 1862, has been: By Superior Court.... 31 By Police Court..... 92 By Police Court, Chelsea... 7 130 Total had in prison 227 The number discharged in same period has been: On expiration of sentence... 96 Discharged by Police Court... 7 Pardoned by Directors.... 1 Pardoned by Governor.... 1 105 The number remaining in prison December 11, 1862, was: Committed by Superior Court. 46 Committed by Police Court. 73 Committed by Police Court, Chelsea 3 -- 122 Died since last inspection: William W. Banks, died June 29, consumption. James Ennis, died September 29, consumption. The following are the causes of sickness at present inspection: William Welch, scrofula. Nancy Welch, disease of hip. Margaret Collins, Patrick Flynn, delirium tremens. Males 2, females 2. Total 4. 6 CITY DOCUMIENT.-No. 73. The average number of days' labor lost by sickness since last inspection, has been by males, 14; females,l1. CLEANLINESS. All lawful requirements respecting bedding, clothing, bathing, whitewashing, and general cleanliness, have been fulfilled. HEALTH. The prisoners have generally enjoyed good health since last inspection, having been free from any contagious or epedemic diseases. DISCIPLINE. The discipline continues as heretofore. The punishments inflicted have been the deprivation of an occasional ration, or of bedding, and being kept in a dark cell on bread and water. Pardoned by Governor since last inspection: John Dempsey, June 19, 1862. Gerry Averill, June 20, 1862. WTilliam Connors, June 27, 1862. John Hubbard, July 7, 1862. Reuben G. Crosby, July 7, 1862. John Andrews, July 7, 1862. John Wiggin, July 7, 1862. Edward Draper, July 7, 1862. Henry Johnson, July 7, 1862. Keran Barrigan, July 7, 1862. Jeremiah Hennessy, July 7, 1862. John Mathews, July 7, 1862. John Day, July 15, 1862. John Givens, July 22, 1862. Lawrence Shields, July 26, 1862. Isaac Hunt, July 31, 1862. INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 7 Patrick Ryan, August 1, 1862. James McCann, August 1, 1862. Patrick Coheley, August 2, 1862. Patrick McCarthy, August 18, 1862. Michael Hayes, August 14, 1862. Thomas Strain, August 21, 1862. James Doherty, August 21, 1862. James Feeny, August 26, 1862. John Sweeny, August 29, 1862. William September 1, 1862. John W. Russell, September 19, 1862. Patrick O'Hearn, September 20, 1862. Thomas Quinn, September 23, 1862. Thomas Flynn, October 28, 1862. Bernard McMahan, October 29, 1862. George Farmer, October 29, 1862. Catherine Pendergast, November 3, 1862. Michael Bohan, November 27, 1862. Males, 33; females, 1. Total, 34. OFFENCES. Males. Females. Assault and battery with a knife.. 1 Assault and battery... 26 6 Breaking and entering... 8 Common nightwalkers... 22 Common drunkards.... 25 48 Drunkenness...... 8 4 Idle and disorderly persons.... 2 Keeping house of ill-fame.. 5 13 Keeping noisy and disorderly house. 2 Larceny from the person.. 8 10 Larceny in a dwelling-house, shop, &c. 5 9 Larceny...... 51 17 Malicious mischief... 1 8 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 73. Obtaining money by false pretences 1 Passing counterfeit bank-bills. 2 Robbery....... 1 Selling intoxicating liquors. 2 1 Vagabond....... 2 Totals... 150 130 SENTENCES. Males. Females. Four years and six months.... 1 Three years...... 1 2 Two years and six months.... 1 Two years...... 4 3 Eighteen months...... 4 2 Fifteen months..... 1 Fourteen months...... 1 Thirteen months..... 1 Twelve months...... 8 4 Eleven months...... 1 Ten months...... 2 Nine months...... 2 Eight months...... 1 Six months...... 47 79 Five months...... 2 Four months...... 4 5 Three months...... 19 8 Two months...... 28 13 One month..... 6 4 For non-payment of fines and costs.. 18 8 Totals.. 150 130 NATIVITY. Maine...... 8 New Hampshire.. 11 Vermont...... 4 INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 9 Massachusetts..... 46 New York..... 14 Pennsylvania 6 Maryland...... 3 Virginia 1 Kentucky. 1 Michigan 1 Louisiana. 3 Natives of the United States. 98 England...... 14 Ireland...... 150 Scotland...... 4 France...... 1 Canada.. 1 British Provinces... 12 Totals... 280 AGES. Males. Females. Twenty years of age and under. 41 29 Twenty to thirty years... 48 63 Thirty to forty years... 30 20 Forty to fifty years..... 19 14 Fifty to sixty years... 9 3 Sixty years and over... 3 1 Totals. 150 130 NUMBER OF TIMES COMMITTED. Males. Females. First time..... 96 66 Second time...... 28 20 Third time...... 8 18 Fourth time..... 3 8 10 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 73. Fifth time...... 4 3 Sixth time....... 1 6 Seventh time.. 1 Eighth time...... 1 Ninth time...... 1 2 Ten times and over..... 8 5 Totals 150 130 EMPLOYMENT. Males. Making brushes.., 81 Making trunk nails.. 14 Lumpers in yard... 18 Tailors...... 2 Shoemakers...... 2 Carpenters..... 1 Bakers....... 2 Prison sweeps...... 2 Whitewashing.... 3 Painter....... 1 Barber....... 1 Hostlers....... 2 Gateman...... 1 Sick........ 2 In gas works...... 2 - 135 Females Making salework..... 81 Prison cooking..... 6 Making prison clothing.... 6 Domestics..... 11 Washing....... 8 Mending....... 2 INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 11 Knitting....... 2 Prison sweeps...... 2 Prison yard...... 1 Nurse....... 1 Sick....... 2 - 122 JAIL. The Inspectors of Prisons, on the sixteenth day of December last past, visited the Jail in the county of Suffolk, and made an examination of all prisoners apart from each other, as well as apart from the officers of the institution. No complaints were made by any of the prisoners as to their treatment, and none were dissatisfied with their food, either in kind or quantity. It will be remembered that at the Jail no brown bread is used, the jailers having discontinued its use a long time ago. The Inspectors cannot but think if the other institutions would also discontinue the use of brown bread, the almost universal complaining of bread by the inmates would cease, for all who have had an opportunity to judge in the matter know that with most persons of foreign birth or extraction, and a very great majority of the inmates of our prisons are of that class, there seems to be a natural dislike to Indian meal in any form, and with some of them its effect upon the system seems to be injurious. As the difference in the cost of bread made from wheat or Indian corn, cannot form any considerable item in the prison expenses, and as no particular kind of food is intended as a part of the punishment to be INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 13 inflicted, the Inspectors would suggest the propriety of discontinuing the use of brown bread altogether. The buildings and grounds were in excellent order, also the prisoners' cells, beds, and bedding, and in but few instances were there more than one prisoner confined in a cell. HEALTH AND CLEANLINESS. The statute provisions seem fully complied with in all matters pertaining to the health of the prisoners. There have been few deaths since the last inspection. Of the number in Jail at the time of the last inspection, but two are now remaining. PUNISHMENTS. But two have been punished since the last in spection:John Sullivan and Thomas McNabb, for stealing from the cell of another prisoner, were punished by solitary confinement two days each. EMPLOYMENT. The employment of the prisoners consists of many kinds of labor, among which are cooking, whitewashing, tending the steam boilers, coolers, or pumps in the yard. Some of the women are employed in making overalls and shirts for prison use, and in washing, mending, &c. All this labor is voluntary, excepting the labor of those sentenced to labor. DISCHARGED BY POLICE COURT. John Roach, Daniel Coughlin, Edward Robinson, William Bolan, Michael Murphy, David Jordan, Henry J. Cohen, Mary A. Smith and child, Thomas Moran, Jacob S. Nutter, Mary Dennison, Lawrence Staney, 14 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. Daniel Carey, Joseph Rowland, Anna Crowley, James Gallager, Philip Muldoon, Patrick Hayes, Thomas Waterhouse, Peter Kelly, W. Kelley, Michael S. Connors, John Radigan, John Collard, Patrick McMahan, John Thompson, W. Thompson, Henry Thompson, Henry Williams, John Meeum, Owen Farrell, John Coughlan, George Emery, Jeremiah McCarty, Thomas Lynchey, Peter Locale, Catherine White, Thomas Hartney, Thomas Shea, John Gallagher, James Feeney, Catherine Martin, John Lively, Ceelia O'Rourke, Richard Hurley, Peter Foster, Thomas Ryan, John Quinn, William H. Blaney, Michael Kelly, Willis J. Rogers, Stephen D. Mason, William Wallace, Peter Farrell, John Whalan, James O'Brien, Levina Moore, Margaret Quinn, Charles Kelley, James McKenney, Maria Cronan, John Patterson, Patrick Campbell, John Keating, Thomas Reardon, Bernard Duffy, John O'Neil, Michael McCarty, Mary Sullivan, Sarah Richardson, Peter Burke, William Lester, James Sullivan, John Manning, Eleanor Coiney, James Anderson, Michael Burns, Charles McCarty, Joseph Cross, Bridget Cogan, John Warren, William Smith, Peter Keefer, Mary J. Smith, INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 15 Catherine Murphy, James Elisha, Patrick McCarty, Mary Murphy, John Lively, Peter Murphy, Michael O'Toole, William Murphy, John Riley, John Hill, Nicholas Barton, Robert Fitman, John O'Brien, Robert Clark, Charles Bruce, Mary Washburn, Patrick Sullivan, Ellen Bree, Thomas Malloy, Catherine Lovett, Eliza Green, Ellen Murray, Sarah Baldwin, George W. Dierth, Hugh Burns, Sarah O'Neil, Patrick Cosgrove, James Burns, James Kelly, Patrick Donnelly, Thomas Stanton, Mary Bloomfield and child, Mary Welch, Owen O'Donnell, James Gibson, Stephen Brannon, Bridget McCarty, Francis Trainer, John Holley, John O'Brien, Daniel Donovan, James Morrissey, Timothy J. Murphy, William Leonard, Michael Leyden, Thomas Weston, James Douglass, Thomas Galvin, Charles Smith, Elizabeth O'Keefe, Daniel Donovan, Dennis Toonan, Patrick M. Keane, Bernard Creamer, George Thornton, James Mase, Andrew Norton, Jeremiah Cornelia, James KcKenna, Bridget McDonald, John Canning, John Farren, Michael Welch, Edward P. Dunn, Henry Hines, Bridget McGinnis, Michael Hennessy, Mary Rafferty, W. Glimes, John Casey, Patrick Slattery, Hugh Early, 16 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. Michael Lynch, Jane Brady, Jane Coster, Leander Collins, John Curley, Jeremiah Coakley, Timothy Colbert, Charles Smith, Patrick Quirk, John O'Brien, Elizabeth S. Blodgett, George Hardy, Maria McDonald, John Roach, Edward Burns, Elizabeth Wilson, John Ryan, Mary Whittier, James Elisha, Anna Stevens, Sarah Ragan and child, James B. Williams, Margaret Gallagher, Patrick McCarty, John Thompson, Henry F. Davis, James Keegan, Eliza Blaney, Francis Walker, Magaret Tulmer, Thomas Carroll, Bridget Donavan, John Harkins, John Mathers, John Ryan, Mary Quinn, John Pluit, Michael Finn, John J. Grady, Jeremiah Heffron, Neil Doherty, Bridget Donagan, George Furnace, Albert James, Michael McCarty, Charles H. Chickering, Bridget Lynch, Joanna Murphy, Catherine Morris, Allen Raymond, William Love, John Collard, Sarah J. Newhy, George Plart, Dennis Sheehan, Daniel Spence, Edward M. Walsh, Eugene O'Neil, Charles Gould, Patrick Purcell, Peter Kelly, Louis Duree, Mary O'Donnell, Menis Ryan, Mary Wilson, James Morrison, Mary Mulligan, Timothy Harrington, Henry Hopkins, Jeremiah Haley, Edward Harrison, Mary Robinson, INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 17 Margaret Hale, William Flanagan, Margaret A. Daymon, Michael Shea, Hannah Welch, William Rowley, Mary Harrison, Patrick O'Brien, Henry Hines, John Welch, Thomas Hall, Margaret Edwards, Patrick Sullivan, James Warner, Cornelius Sullivan, John L. Duncan, Keeler Barrigan, Daniel Shea, William Crane, James Connolly, Elizabeth McCarty, William O'Toole, Michael Newman, William Webb, Hugh Layan, Ann Donahoe, Henry Kimball, A. Polesky, Bridget McLaughlin, Francis Miller, Jeremiah Lane, John H. Manning, Peter W. Price, Daniel Wells, Patrick Mulligan, Peter Custenson, Andrew Kelly, George Clark, Bell Davis, Thomas Donnelly, James Long, Henry Morrison, Maria Smith, Daniel Duffy, Hugh McKenna, Francis Charles, Luke Tirrell, William Jefferson, James Kelly, Edward Durgan, Mathew Leary, Daniel Burke, Thomas Dunn, Mary Carrigan, Martha J. Nute, Ann Brown, Emma J. Roberts, John Hickey, Mary Shaughnessy, Catherine Cooney, Mary Milan, Mary Barry, James Ferguson, Emery Francores, Thomas Brennan, Jeremiah Cornelia, John Mealy, John Bent, George Thompson, John O'Keefe, Ann O'Brien, Georgiana Langden, 3 18 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. James M. Cullen, James Gallagher, Daniel Daley, James Robinson, Florence Sullivan, John Ragin, William O'Toole, Thomas Kelley, William Buchanan, John McGuire, Henry Brown, Georgianna Langdon, Ann McLaughlin, John Robinson, James Glenn, William Green, Jamas O'Connor, Thomas McMullen, Henry K. Jackson, Dennis Lucy, John Lynch, James W. Tarnien, Patrick Lynch, Catherine Abbott, Patrick O'Brien, Maria Hatfield, Mary O'Brien, John Roach, Anna J. Thompson, Ann Kenny, James Riley, Mary Whiting, Maria Johnson, Patrick Bulger, James Garney, John H. Wilson, Margaret Murphy, Michael O'Brien, Frank Silver, James Griffin, Catherine Cochran, James Kelleher, Lawrence Maan, Mary Hannin, Daniel Holly, James Sullivan, Ellen Winthrop, John Hunter, John Cadwell,. John Brown, Daniel Coughlin, Hannah Haskell, Edward Mackie, Julia Punch, Morris Sanders Patrick McCabe, Charles Conlin, George H. Davis, William McCarty, Peter Murray, Patrick McClusky, Robert McPatchen, Julia Mahoney, William Buchanan, Mary Donnelly, Patrick Galvin, Elizabeth Green, Daniel Shine, Eugene McDonald, Mary Colton, Charles Miller, Julia Barry, INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 19 Bridget Ackerman, James McLaughlin, Ann McDade, John Ragan, Thomas McDade, Margaret Kelley, Morris Kennifield, Matilda McGlade, Joseph Mitchell, Ann Johnson, John Kelley, Mary Romalle, Mary A. Brady, Mary Brown, Michael McDonald, Mary Graves, James Mehan, Dennis Kennedy, William A. Brown, Thomas Manning, John Seagrave, Jacob Woods, Patrick McLaughlin, Eugene Woods, James Cunningham, Francis Howard, Ellen Bree, James Armstrong, James Gallagher, Francis H. Covill, William Ennis, Dennis Mahoney, Jeremiah Lane, John Radigan, John Kehoe, Michael McCarty, Margaret Joyce, Patrick Flaherty, Eleanor Rivers, John Leary, Margaret Murphy, Martin Kelly, Dudley Driscoll, John Bradley, William A. Howard, Thomas Whitman, Dennis Dorney, George Plant, Patrick Cavanagh, Eliza Daily, John Griffin, James Foley, John Canen, Charles A. Wood, Catherine Donovan, Harry Anders, John Mahoney, John Aigen, Michael Hughes, James Sullivan, Thomas Cox, John Connolly, Dennis Galvin, Maurice Monnahan, Dennis Dugan, Eliza Barnwell, John A. Hickey, Mary Hardy, David M. Lufkin, Margaret Harris, Robert Witherson, Charles Melcher, 20 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 73. John Galivan, Elizabeth Boldgett, Thomas Whitman, Anna Lynch and child, Eliza Delaney, John O'Keefe, Stephen Crow, Henry Walker, John Casey, Catherine Sweeny, Georgianna Cushman, Michael Pinkney, Michael O'Neal, Mary Coffee, Charles Donovan, Sarah Cohras, Bartholomew Sullivan, Mary Brown, Margaret Potter, Mary E. Wood, Christiana Waters, Daniel Martin, Terrence Connell, Martin Burke, Dennis Ragan, Catherine English, Thomas V. Brooks, John Comerford, James Doherty, Francis Clark, Patrick McLaughlin, Bridget Donnelly, William Cusick, Isabella McLane, John Kalaher, Ann Johnson, Patrick McDade, Malcolm Grant, John Leary, Susan Williams, Patrick Cavanagh, John Lavery, Charles Mitchell, William Simpson, Margaret Dwyre, Andrew McNamara, Jane Palmer and two children, William Haney, John Kelley, John Lynch, Francis Duffy, William Graves, Mary Simonds, Ann Graves, Elizabeth White, Catherine Lynch, Tohn McNamara, Catherine Driscoll, Dennis Ryan, William S. Riley, James Savoy, Patrick Donnelly, Michael Martin, Edward Hanlan, Daniel Riley, William Kennedy, Patrick Dolan, Anna Merry, Bridget Tanzy, James Robinson, Timothy Downey, John Coyne, INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 21 Daniel Chandler, Jane Woolenford, James Dasey, Robert Harney, Patrick Welsh, William Splane, Charles Green, Patrick Cronan, John B. Leighton, Julia Shea, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Murphy, Michael Haney, Patrick McMann, William Dugoan, Thomas Harrigan, Thomas Kelley, Mary Hollihan, James Laggin, Catherine Smith, John Keating, Mary A. Nelson, Thomas Farrell, Catherine Whitney, Margaret Marden, Ellen Noble, William H. Yarnoz, Mary Morris, George Cutter, John Moriarty, John Kelley, Daniel Henley, Jeremiah Riley, Daniel Gleason, Daniel Kearnes, Peter Murray, Bridget O'Donald, William Sullivan, Michael Mahoney, William Harris, John Burns, George Blinton, John Finn, Joseph Gray, Michael Gallagher, James Moore, James Sullivan, William Coughlin, Patrick Kelley, Thomas Pierce, Michael Foley, Thomas Cogan, James Houghney, Patrick Brown, Jane Callahan, William Hayes, John Murphy, Thomas Dowd, Bridget Conner, John Regan, Hannah Gallivan, John McInerny, Elizabeth Lane, Bernard Kreamer, Mary Hoyt, Robert Williamson, John Sullivan, Mary Tierney, Michael Slattery, Patrick Rogers, Ellen Simmons, Anna Coley, 22 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. William Tracy, Timothy Dorney, John Shehan, James McKenny, George Myles, James Regney, Daniel Harney, James Johnson, Bridget Murphy, Ida Temple, John Coursey, Elizabeth A. Payne, Hugh McGuire, Thomas Houghtney, William Devine, Eliza Barnwell, John Dixon, Mary Whitney, James Armstrong, William H. Wight, Peter Foster, Richard Lynch, Mary Woods, Timothy Conway, Ellen Mase, James Burns, Mary Cummiskey, William Riley, James Robinson, Jeremiah Murphy, John Driscoll, Charles Mellen, Ann Tracy, Francis Hayes, Ann L. Brown, John Johnson, Mary McKey and child, Mary A. Sullivan, Patrick O'Brien, John Curtain, George Larkin, Michael Gerry, Gilbert N. Everett, Patrick Callahan, William McGonagle, Michael McCarty, Mary Moore, Mary Wilson, Mary McCann, James McDonald, Francis Howard, Dennis Callahan, Robert Lamb, Eugene Denny, William McKay, Jeremiah Wann, Timothy McCarty, Patrick Flaherty, Samuel Tucker, Joseph Harper, Cornelius Donnovan, John Mehan, George Brown, Patrick Hurley, Ellen Cronan, John Miller, Charles Casey, George Robinson, Michael Welsh, John J. H. Snow, John Coughlin, James Laggin, INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 23 Michael Gillespie, James Armstrong, James Horn, Stephen Palmer, Peter Dornay, Mary Wells, James Brogan, Patrick Kelleen, Catherine Twiggs, John Devine, Michael Key, Thomas Thompson, John Logan, Cornelius Hickey, Ann Johnson, Hannah Foley, Michael Curen, Catherine Boyle, John Worrell, Cornelius Shanahan, John McHenry, John Lynch, William Reardon, Robert Dale, Thomas Williams, Hannah M. Leavitt, Bridget Daily, John Moran, James Glynn, Catherine Donnovan, Charles Gleason, John Lovett, Margaret Butler, Peter Antoine, John Gallagher, Alexander Waters, Loring Cooley, Michael Norton, Margaret Graham, Alice O'Neal, Dennis Leary, Ann Richardson, Ellen J. Bree, Henry Douglas, James McCann, Mathew Rafferty, John Murray, Margaret Conley, John Duffy, John Doherty, Peter Bowman, Timothy Downey, Margaret Patterson, Francis McGrath, William Kaliher, Ellen Flynn, Timpthy Flavin, William Webb, John McCarty, Ann Crowley, Michael Dugan, Angelina Baker, Stephen Ingalls, Michael Morey, James O'Hara, Thomas O'Brien, Charles Miller, Elizabeth Lane and child, John Hagerty, John Raymond, Mary Whitney, Elizabeth White, 24 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 73. John Conway, Patrick Flanning, William Redding, George Smith, Catherine Fitzsimmons, Emily Williams, Mary Moore, Patrick Sullivan, William K. Murphy, Patrick Sharkey, John Shine, Patrick Cadigan, Cornelius Shanahan, William Johnson, Elizabeth Smith, John Casey, Rosanna Freel, Alice Quirk, Catherine McGinnis, Sidney Bolton, James Casey, Mary Brown, Austin 0. Mealey, John Collins, James Dolan, Eugene Connors, Timothy Haley, Thomas Morrill, Mary Agin, Thomas White, Michael Donnelly, John Lyons, Catherine Ryan, Mary Brown, Dennis Lynch, Margaret Palmer, John Jackson, John Bradley, John Wilson,' John Carey, Elizabeth Kelly, Cornelius Driscoll, Borja Thompson, Dennis Sullivan, Jeremiah Sullivan, Patrick Flagerty, Ellen Scully, Cornelius Carey, Mary Gallagher, Charles Robinson, Michael Shannahan, James Murphy, Mary A. Graves, Anthony Bourosa, Apna Tiernan, Michael Scoley, Ellen Man, Catherine Birmingham, Mary Wood, J. Frank Bean, James Thompson, Cornelius Doherty, Mary Carragan, Catherine Maguire, Thomas Cochran, John Costigan, Michael Dolan, Bridget Larey, Daniel Crowley, George Carey, Mary A. Taylor, Peter Morris, INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 25 Andrew Erickson, Patrick Flaherty, Patrick Reynolds, James Burns, Rose Morrill, James Mulhearson, Ann McIntire, Delia Pender, Thomas Horrigan, Mary McMann, Thomas White, Patrick Prior, John Carey, David Smith, Ellen Noble, Eliza Mulcahy, Ellen Hale, Mary Donahoe, Michael Dugan, Edward Montgomery, Sarah Ann Doherty, John Ryan, John Donnovan, David Martin, John Costello, James Maan, Rufus Cutter, Cornelius Doherty, James Gleason, Michael Welch, Joanna Brannon, George Gould, Bridget Leary, Mary Doherty, James Callahan, Michael Cline, Frank O'Neil, Patrick McGrath, James Roland, Mary O'Hearn, Patrick Gould, Catherine Brown, James Donnovan, Franklin Cooley, Augustus D. Harris, Peter Antoine, Asa Murphy, Mary McCarty, William Thompson, Peter Foster, Elizabeth Riley, John Dailey, John Hurly, Michael Riley, Elizabeth Williams and child, John N. Wiley, John Callahan, John Sullivan, Jeremiah McCarty, John Berry, Anna Merry, Michael Cavanagh, John Wilson, William O'Donnell, Miles Murphy, Mary Reed, Thomas Duffy, John Kelly, Rufus Cutter, Jeremiah Heffernan, Elijah Day, Cecelia O'Rourke, 4 26 CITY DOCUMENT. -Na. 73. James Munroe, John Devine, John W. Watson, Anthony Cline, Margaret Kane, John McCarty, John Sullivan, Thomas Dee, John Morrissey, Thomas Cain, Charles Johnson, John Casey, George Bingay, John Stokes, Jackson Williams, Daniel Carlton, Michael Murphy, Edward Heneen, John Crawford, Michael Cooney, William Goodell, Thomas Ready, William Rogers, Thomas Rochford, John Hughes, Keran Belligran, James Hughes, Winnifred O'Flaherty, Mary Brown, Mary McConnor, John Brown, Sarah Carr, Mary McDonald, Catherine Reardon, Honora Donnovan, Michael O'Donald, Thomas Dowd, Mary A. Murphy, John Hurley, Jeremiah Daley, Ann Conners, William McCabe, Margaret Haley, John Casey, John Fitzpatrick, John Walters, Timothy Flavin, Georgianna Langdon, Charles Hadley, Michael O'Neal, Patrick Galvin, Timothy O'Neal, John Moriarty, John Foley. Lewis Everett, CAUSES OF COMMITMENT. Assault and battery.. 218 Assault. 25 Adultery....... 4 Attempt to steal. 17 Attempt to rescue prisoner.. 1 Attempt to rob...... 6 INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 27 Bastardy...,,. 5 Breaking and entering...... 68 Breaking glass...... 19 Common drunkards. 52 Contempt of court..... 8 Passing counterfeit and worthless money.. 19 Drunkenness.... 628 Debtors......... 21 Driving away a horse without right.... 9 Embezzlement.... 6 Forgery........ 1 Fornication....... 2 Felonious assault....... 2 Having dangerous weapons..... 2 Keeping house of ill-fame.... 61 Indecent exposure....... 2 Idle and disorderly persons..... 9 Illegal voting...... 2 Larceny....... 260 Lewdness....... 4 Murder....... 5 Manslaughter........ 3 Malicious mischief...... 5 Nightwalking..... 19 Keeping noisy house...... 17 Perjury........ 2 Polygamy........ 2 Rape........ 1 Receiving stolen goods..... 3 Robbery..... 20 Setting fire....... 9 Stubborn children...... 2 For safe keeping. 14 Selling liquor, &c..... 12 Threats..... 5 28 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 73. Offences against by-laws..... 18 Witnesses.. 68 Other offences. 34 There were in confinement at last inspection: Males....... 141 Females...... 51 192 Committed since last inspection: Males....... 1075 Females...... 615 1690 On fines and costs.... 915 Paid fine and costs in jail.. 134 Remaining at time of inspection.. 89 DIED. William Nolan, committed September 30, 1862, for drunkenness, died October 6. There have been employed in the prison, about thirty inmates. HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. The Inspectors of Prisons visited the House of Industry on the eleventh day of January last past, and made a full examination of the buildings, yards, &c., and of each prisoner separate and apart from the officers of the institution. An unusual number of complaints were made, but nearly all of brown or Indian bread, not of its quality in particular, but of brown bread generally, many declaring that it disagreed with them and made them sick to eat it. HEALTH AND CLEANLINESS. The grounds and buildings were as usual in fine order. The health of the inmates was good, and had been since their last inspection. There were but few cases of sickness. The number of persons confined at the House of Industry at the time of our last inspection, was 279 Committed since..... 533 - 812 DISCHARGED. By expiration of sentence.... 490 By Police Court.... 63 Died of apoplexy, Maria Woodruf.. 1 - 554 Remaining... 258 30 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. OFFENCES. Males. Common drunkards 70 Vagabonds. 4 Idle and disorderly.... 2 Assault and battery 1 Fine and costs..... - 78 Females. Common drunkards..... 144 Vagabonds....... 4 Common nightwalkers.... 24 Larceny....... 3 Idle and disorderly.... 1 Robbery..... 1 Stubborn child..... 1 Lewdness.... 1 Embezzlement.... 1 - 180 Males 78 Females..... 180 - 258 BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL. On the tenth day of December, 1862, the Inspectors of Prisons visited this institution, and, as on former visits, everything connected with the institution seemed to be in perfect order; the several wards and apartments, the store-rooms and kitchen, all showed that the best of care and attention had been bestowed upon them. But with all the care and attention that is bestowed upon and within this edifice, and all that can be bestowed upon it, still it is not such an asylum for the insane as their present increasing numbers demand, nor such an one as the growing metropolis of New England requires. The Inspectors feel the embarrassment of making any suggestions that will require the outlay of any considerable sums of money at this time, but they do consider this among the first objects that should claim the attention of your honorable body when further improvements in our city institutions shall be made. Better accommodations seem to be required, and many are the suggestions made to meet the demands. Should an additional wing or wings be added to the present building, if built upon modern and. improved plans, they would but tend to show the inconvenience and deformities of the present building in a stronger 32 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 73. light, and at the same time occupy a large portion of the grounds, at present too small for the institution. The present location seems to be too limited, and the Inspectors would respectfully suggest whether it would not be better, (if in your opinion anything should be done for this institution,) to secure another site, where sufficient grounds can be obtained for walks and flower gardens, and where a building can be erected of such dimensions as to give light and air to. all the wards and halls it may contain. WTould not such a building, thus situated, be justly considered among the first and best remedies for the restoring of reason to the insane. Number remaining at the inspection June 13, 1862: Males....... 86 Females....... 97 - 183 Admitted since by commitment: Males....... 2 Females....... 1 3 By Board of Directors: Males....... 18 Females....... 15 - 36 Under care during the term: Males....... 106 Females....... 113 - 219 Names of those committed: Thomas Kelly, Louisa Carrigan, Henry Noyes. INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 33 Discharged during term: Males....... 23 Females....... 28 - 51 Of these: Recovered...... 19 Much improved...... 9 Not improved..... 10 Died....... 13 51 DISCHARGED. Rebecca Allen, Mary E. Kendall, Isaac Munroe, Ellea A. Reid. DIED. Geo. R. Palmer, Chas. F. Simon, Josiah W. Wheeler. Remaining at time of inspection, December 10, 1862: Males....... 83 Females....... 85 - 168 Of the "recovered" eighteen had been insane less, and one more than six months, when admitted. Of the " much improved" six had been insane less, and three more than six months, when admitted. Of the " not improved" three had been insane less, and seven *nore than six months, when admitted. Of the " died" two had been insane less, and eleven more than six months, when admitted. CAUSES OF INSANITY. Ill health (of all kinds).... 14 Intemperance...... 34 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 73. Masturbation....... 4 Excitement....... 4 Exposure and fatigue (soldiers)... 3 Hereditary....... 3 Unassigned....... 3 36 CAUSES OF DEATH. Consumption...... 2 Paralysis....... 2 Epilepsy....... 2 Exhaustion....... 2 Apoplexy....... 1 Softening of the brain..... 1 Lung fever..... i Old age....... 1 Suicide (one in twelve years)... 1 - 13 HEALTH. The general health of the hospital, during the term, has been good. No epidemics, no contagious diseases, have visited the institution. With perhaps a single exception, the deaths have been from causes always actively at work in, and inseparable from, insane communities. Most of the subjects, also, had been insane for a long period, and nature, worn and ruined by the long and constant struggle, at last gave up the contest. For the first time, during the present management of the hospital, has an attempt at suicide been successful. This patient lived for twenty-four hours, and died surrounded by friends. CLEANLINESS AND VENTILATION. The usual attention is given to general and personal cleanliness. All whose physical condition will admit of it, bathe every week. Some bathe daily. Under clothing and bed-clothing are changed once a week, and oftener if needed. Very few INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 35 of,the male patients shave. The whitewash and scrubbing brushes are in constant use. The drains are frequently examined and cleaned, and special constant attention is given to ventilation. No disinfectants are used. DIET. The diet is abundant, wholesome, and hearty, but plain. It is substantially the same as at the last inspection. The principal change is in a liberal addition of fruit. Beef, for from 4~ to 121 cents per pound. Mutton and veal, from 6 to 121 cents. Fish, from 2~ to 4 cents. Butter, from 15 to 24 cents. Flour, from $ 6.00 to $ 7.00 per barrel. DISCIPLINE AND RESTRAINT. The same form of discipline and methods of restraint are used as formerly. The constant endeavor is to make them as simple and as little irksome as shall be consistent with the individual well-being and the general good order. EMPLOYMENT AND AMUSEMENTS. All opportunities for employment and exercise are eagerly sought for and faithfully improved. No new means have been devised, nor can they easily be in the present limited and inconvenient quarters. All former means of amusement are in constant use, with such additional ones as occasion and convenience suggest. During the past summer water excursions wers given with marked and permanent benefit. HOUSE OF REFORMATION FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. On the ninth day of January last, the Inspectors visited this institution, and made their usual inspection of the buildings and all the rooms therein connected with the institution. They also examined each boy, separately and apart from the officers of the institution and from each other. Many complaints were made, mostly against brown or Indian bread. Some complaints of a more important nature were made, which will be alluded to hereafter. From the inspection it was apparent that some important changes have been made, and that many of still greater importance remain to be made, in order to make this institution practically, what it is in name, 1" The House for the Employment and Reformation of Juvenile Offenders." To this institution many children are annually sent for the offence of truancy, that they may receive the benefits of a compulsory education. Some of these boys are taken from good homes, and are sent to this institution to be reformed as well as educated; but, what is their surprise, and that of their parents and friends, to find that they may serve out a six-months' sentence without ever seeing the inside of a school-room. A boy, sentenced for six months, may serve out his sentence INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 37 without a day's schooling, and in the place of schooling he is worked like a prisoner, fed like a prisoner, and governed like a prisoner, with associates no better than himself, and all treated in the same way. Can it be expected that a boy whose education is thus neglected returns from the institution better fitted to re-enter school than when he left it? We believe that, in this particular, a change may be made for the better. Wherever children are reformed they must feel the kind hand of a parent or friend; they must hear the soothing words of pity as well as the stern words of rebuke; they must be permitted to know what an hour of childish sports and plays means in the season of childhood; they must have some parent or friend to whom they can go with confidence and tell their griefs and sorrows as well as their pleasures - all this is necessary to lay the foundation for the reforming of children. The men selected for the government of children should be unlike those required for the government of a prison; they should each have the heart of an affectionate parent, and that heart should be deeply interested in the work in which it is engaged, so that not an hour could pass without some good being done. Every day the child should be taught in school, and, if large enough, in some light labor also, while his food should be such as a well-governed, prudent family would seldct, and not the rations of a prison. The boys should be divided into classes, each assistant officer having an equal number; in this way each officer may intimately know every boy in his division and talk with him daily. By the laws of 1862 and 1863, another class of offenders are to be sent to this institution. They are described 38 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. " as children more than seven and under sixteen years, wandering about in the streets or public places of any city or town, having no lawful occupation or business, not attending school, and growing up in ignorance." There are hundreds in our city who come within this act, and for whom something must soon be done, and if but a small portion of them should be sent to this institution it would be full. In order to make room for them, the Inspectors would again call your attention to their former suggestion of employing one or more competent persons to canvass the country and procure places for those who are proper subjects for binding out. Would not this require a less expenditure of money, (and save the boys from crime,) than would be required to punish them as criminals? The schools at this institution were not what they have been on former examinations. There seemed to be less interest manifested by the scholars in the schools of both boys and girls. The girls having been transferred from the school-room to the kitchen, but few remained in school for any length of time, and those few manifested but little or no interest in the school. By the rules governing this institution the teachers having. charge of the boys cannot inflict corporal punishment, but they direct the offender to report himself to the Superintendent or his Deputy, who, after hearing the report, inflicts the punishment. This course seems objectionable. If corporal punishment is to be inflicted at all, should it not be done by him whose rules have been violated, and who ought to be the best judge of the offence? Does it not tend to negative the authority of the teachers if the boys know they cannot punish? INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 39 Is it not holding out inducements to make false reports in order to receive lighter punishment T And lastly, is it not like the reviving of the ancient custom, wherein the magistrates used to hear the case, seal up their decision, and send it with the culprit to the keeper of the whipping-post for the execution of the sentence? Any teacher who cannot be trusted with the government and punishment of children is unfit to have charge of them, with his authority limited. If he is not fully competent, he is wholly incompetent to govern or instruct children. The first complaint of a serious nature, investigated by the Inspectors was that of Moses McCay, of Boston, who was sentenced May 19, 1862, to the institution for one year for truancy. The evidence upon the hearing was, substantially, as follows:That he came to the institution on the 19th of May, 1862, and was set to work on the gravel bank with wheelbarrow and pick or shovel; that at or about twilight one evening, when he had been at the institution a few days, the boys were marching in platoons in the yard by order of Mr. Hutchinson, and that a boy in the ranks near McCay, made some disturbance by stamping the ground; that Mr. Hutchinson the officer, without learning who it was, caught McCay as the offender and shoved or threw him upon the ground; that McCay went and laid down upon a bench in the yard, crying, and told,the boys his arm was broken; that he continued to cry most of the night from the pain in his arm; that the next day when the boys were assembled at the gravel bank, and ordered to go to work, all obeyed except McCay, and when asked by the officer why he 40 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 73. did not go to work, the boys held up their hands and said his arm was broken; that he was then sent by the officer to the hospital, where he remained about four months. There was some evidence that before he was sent to the institution, he fell from a pile of boards and hurt his arm, but it did not appear that any complaint was made by him or that any physicians saw or examined his arm, or that even his mother knew of it at the time. We were unable to see the physician who had charge of the hospital at the time McCay entered it, and for some time after, he having left the institution. The physician in charge of the hospital seemed to know but little of the case. He said he found the boy taking codliver oil, and had continued the medicine, and that he did not know why the medicine was given, but supposed it might be for scrofulous humor. At the request of the Inspectors, the consulting physician of the institution, Dr. Clark, of Boston, saw the boy on the seventh of February, and communicated in writing with the Inspectors. The following is a copy of the letter received: BOSTON, February 8, 1863. DEAR SIR: I have, at the request of yourself and associates, carefully examined the case of Moses McCay, at Deer Island, yesterday, and find that he entered the hospital there May 28, about ten days after his admission to the institution; and that I saw him there a few days after; that he had then old disease of the upper arm, necrosis, which he is still suffering from; that he has not had, in my opinion, any fracture of the arm, but that the disease was either spontaneous or caused by some probably slight injury or exposure, in a highly scrofulous subject, previously to his entrance to the institution. Very respectfully and truly yours, HENRY G. CLARK. HON. J. G. ROGERS, AND ASSOCIATES, Justices Police Court. INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 41 When we last saw him, (May 19, 1863,) he had recovered in part the use of his arm. There was upon the front of the arm, and five or six inches below the shoulder, an issue, still discharging slightly, and from which the hospital physician informed us, he had taken several small pieces of bone. His sentence expired May 19, 186;3. The next matter investigated was the case of James Toner, who was sent to the institution during minority. In this case it appeared that on the 1st day of April, 1862, Toner was ordered to wash a window in the fourth story of the building, occupied by the boys as a sleeping-room; that it is the custom of the institution for the boys to wash the windows; that they first wash the windows without a jack to stand upon, but in case they cannot wash the window clean without, they are then permitted to wash it with the assistance of a jack; that this was the first washing, and that Toner was doing it without a jack; that he had lowered the top half of the window down and was sitting astride the window, holding on with one hand and reaching down with the other to wash the window on the outside, when he fell to the ground below; that he was taken to the hospital, where he remained insensible for three days. His injuries were the breaking of both wrists, his right hip, and ribs on the right side, and shattering his right elbow. He was confined four months in the hospital, and is injured for life, his right elbow being entirely useless, rendering the whole arm nearly so. He is still at the institution, being now sixteen years old. 6 42 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 73. The last case was that of Patrick Conners, who was committed, in 1859, during minority. He was then 14 years of age. The evidence in this case was, - That on the first day of August last, Conners was set to work at the base of a clay bank 10 or 12 feet high, for the purpose of undermining the bank; that at times when the bank was dry it required wedges driven at the top to break the bank after it had been cut at the bottom; that at this time the bank was wet and treacherous, and liable to break at any moment, and that while Conners and two others were at work at the bottom, the bank gave way burying up Conners; that when he was taken from under the fallen bank, life was extinct; that no inquest was held, and that his body was delivered to his father. Without passing upon the above cases, the Inspectors believed it better to report the evidence to your honorable body, that you might consider the matter and correct the evils, if any exist. But they do desire to suggest that none of the inmates of this institution are criminals sentenced to hard labor, but offenders sent to an institution to be reformed. And they further submit that none of these children ought to be employed, comipelled, or allowed to perform any labor where life or limb is in danger; neither should the officers be permitted to handle them rudely by throwing them upon the ground or injuring them in any other manner. If the windows of the institution are to be washed or deep cuts are to be made in the earth where these boys are compelled to labor, it should be done by those INSPECTORS OF PRISONS. 43 having experience, and not by the boys of the institution. We can but hope that some immediate measures will be taken to prevent such serious accidents from occurring again at this institution. There may seem to have been unreasonable delay in the investigation of cases of so much importance as the above, but the Inspectors were not informed of them, by the Superintendent or any of the officers of the institution, from whom or whose records they ought to have received full information. If they had been, they would at once have examined into the matter and reported the same to your honorable body, but their information coming from other sources, by way of complaints, was by them inquired into as soon as reliable information was obtained. S. C. MAINE, of Prisons ISAAC AMES, Is or JOHN G. ROGERS, for the County of Suffolk. EDWIN WRIGHT, J City Document. — No. 98. REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF PRISONS FOR THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, ON THE CONDITION OF DHE JAIL, BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL, AND HOUSES OF INDUSTRY, REFORMATION, AND CORRECTION, JTJULY, 1863. CITY OF BOSTON. In Board of Aldermen, November 23, 1863. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Attest: S. F. McCLEARY, Oity Clerk. CITY OF BOSTO N. To THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: The Judge of Probate and the Justices of the Police Court of the City of Boston, by chapter 178, section 62, of the General Statutes, constituted Inspectors of the Prisons in the County of Suffolk, did, in obedience to the requirements of said Statutes, in the months of July and August last past, visit and inspect the "Jail, House of Correction, and all other places of imprisonment and confinement, established by law in the city of Boston." By the 64th section of the same Statutes, the Inspectors are required "twice in each year, at intervals not exceeding eight months," to visit and inspect all the prisons in their county, and "fully examine into everything relating to the government, discipline, and police thereof." This duty is one of great delicacy and responsibility, and by the experience of former years we have learned, that giving to its discharge our most faithful and conscientious endeavors, making the most careful examinations of which we are capable, in the opportunities 1* 6 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. allowed by law, availing ourselves of the results of preceding visitations, and of all the information we are able to elicit from the officers in charge of these several institutions, the knowledge we can obtain of the real interior character of these prisons is, after all, and at the best, very imperfect, and quite inadequate to the highest public service. At the present inspection there were five institutions of confinement, with 1190 inmates, distributed as follows: House of Correction, males 157, females 163, total 320 Lunatic Hospital, " 75, " 100, " 175 House of Industry, " 114, " 210, " 324 House of Reformation, " 151, 27, " 178 County Jail, " " " 193 Each of these institutions is occupied by a class of inmates distinct in character from those of every other; each requires a system of discipline and internal management peculiar to itself; and each, with a single exception, is under the immediate charge of a superintendent, or officer appointed exclusively to it. The duties of the inspection require us to become the personal auditors of each prisoner, as to the general treatment he receives, both in health and in sickness, the amount, kind, and hours of labor required of him; the nature, number, and severity of punishments inflicted; the quantity and quality of his diet; the opportunities and requirements for personal cleanliness; the means and opportunities for moral and intellectual culture; the privileges of communicating with friends, personally or by letter, and in short of all things he PRISONS. 7 may desire to communicate respecting the life to which under the law he has become subject. In addition to these, the condition of the prisons themselves, their shops, yards, and various apartments in respect of cleanliness, temperature, ventilation, order, quiet, utensils of labor or convenience; the demeanor of the officers in charge; their modes of intercourse with the prisoners in conduct and speech; the aims, instrumentalities, and results of the various systems inaugurated in these different houses of imprisonment -these all are but items which go to make up the duties and labors of a faithful inspection: and with this variety and multiplicity of matters that engross the attention, it is hardly possible but that many things meriting commendation, or perhaps reprehension-many things important to the well-being and reformation of the inmates no less than to the enlightened administration of criminal law, should entirely escape our observation; hardly possible, but that the officers themselves of these several houses of confinement, from the instant pre-eminence of other matters, from their identity with the systems of life and discipline they administer, or from the graceful virtue of remembering of the past, only that which is good, or from a variety of causes, should omit to communicate to us some things of which the Inspectors'ought to be informed, some things perhaps vital to a true knowledge of the "government, discipline, and police" of these prisons; several such omissions occurred in our inspection next preceding this, and are mentioned in our last report. To obviate these oversights, and otherwise unavoidable omissions as far as possible, and to furnish a fuller, 8 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. more detailed and systematic account of the condition of all the prisons submitted to our supervision, and of the eleven or twelve hundred inmates on an average their inhabitants, the Senior Justice of the Police Court, who has been a member of this Board for now nearly thirty years, with great labor and care prepared a new series of interrogatories addressed to the superintendents or keepers of each prison in this county, as the basis of the semi-annual report which these officers are by Gen. Stats. c. 178, sect. 63, required to make. These interrogatories, with full and for the most part sufficient answers, have after a lapse of from two to three months been returned from every prison established by law in this county, except the Boston Lunatic Hospital, and the statistics which they communicate, so far as they are of public importance, are arranged in tables annexed to this report. The provisions of law for the government of these several institutions appear to the Inspectors to have been faithfully observed, and they have discovered no neglect or violation of statute regulation. All of the institutions are alike characterized by thorough quietness, good order, and cleanliness; the yards, buildings, halls, stairways, dormitories, beds, bedding, floors, tables, and other apparatus and utensils of the several prisons, are without exception tastefully neat and tidy, leaving nothing in this regard to be desired. The facilities of the prisoners for personal cleanliness, bathing, washing, shaving, changes of linen and other clothing, seem not only all that the law requires, but all that are reasonably necessary for their health PRISONS. 9 or comfort. One suggestion only seems to be of importance in connection with this subject, and that the Inspectors believe to be deserving of immediate attention and remedy by the directors of these various houses. With the exception of the House of Reformation for Juvenile Offenders, and in the boys' department, which is furnished with one spacious tub in which the frolicsomeness of boyhood can disport itself with a quite limited freedom, all the prisons are provided with the ordinary bath-tub, from three to seven in number, and placed side by side, at distances of from twelve to twenty-four inches apart; these are all in open rooms, without any screen or protection whatever, and in these publicly-exposed tubs the prisoners — men, women, and girls, in their respective departments, in groups of from three to seven- are required to perform their ablutions. Old offenders, young offenders, girls of nine and ten years of age, alike must disrobe themselves, and in full observation of their fellows and officers, in a state of utter nudity enter the bath, perform its duty, and partake its refreshment. We are far from advocating any sentimental delicacy, but we do submit that there is scarcely any prisoner, however callous in the paths of crime, from however low and degraded a sphere of social life he may have come, that at this required exposure of the bath-tub, will not feel his rudimental nature at least, somewhat shocked. But not all the prisoners are hardened, not all are from the lower walks of life, not all are without much of the refining culture of our New England society. All life has here its representatives: young girls and maidens are here, tender, plastic, sensitive, full of the modesty of nature, 10 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 98. and it may be of culture also; some with no other charge of crime than not habitually attending the public school, and the single question is, Is it proper, prudent, reformatory, necessary, for any purpose, that these should be' compelled, promiscuously, in public nudity, to the bath, when an outlay of from five to ten dollars would afford them a protecting shelter, without in any way diminishing the oversight or control of their keepers 1 It seems to us very clear, and admitting but a single answer, we therefore ask that the evil may be at once remedied, and no longer characterize any Suffolk prison. General good health has prevailed in all the institutions during the interval since our last inspection, and the medical, surgical, and hospital arrangements continue ample and satisfactory. The religious and moral culture of these institutions continues substantially as heretofore, and excepting in the House of Reformation, is perhaps all that under the circumstances the public or the inmates have reason to expect. A temporary deprivation in this matter has existed at the institutions on Deer Island for some months, as much to the regret of the excellent Superintendent as it could be to any one else. We are informed that a permanent chaplain has, however, at length been provided, and enters upon his duties forthwith; we hope he may find both his faith and works commensurate to his calling and position. Since our last report the Rev. Perez Mason, a gentleman well known in this community as an apostle to the benighted, a devoted friend of the poor, and an active sympathizer with all in whatever affliction or distress, PRISONS. 11 who for some years acted as chaplain and spiritual adviser to the inmates of the Jail, has been called to his reward of higher and more abundant labors in Heaven. His successor, Mr. Rufus R. Cook, has brought to this responsible relation a conscientious zeal duly tempered with a wise discrimination. Under his supervision religious and moral instruction, reading and conversation, in their most attractive forms, are made accessible to the prisoners at the Jail, and are largely availed of by them. For the younger prisoners, the quick and tender sympathy of the devoted female missionary will, in a measure, make up for the mother's absence and care,-in some instances may, if unselfishly bestowed, even exceed the mother's gift. In addition to these matters of general report, there are others peculiar to the several institutions which are deserving of a separate and special consideration. 1.- HOUSE OF CORRECTION. The visitation of this prison was made on the twentyfourth of July, and in the usual manner. The Inspectors regretted to hear a repetition of complaints made to them also at several former visits. The matter of these complaints has been uniformly communicated to the'Master of this prison for his information, with, at times, a more deliberate expression to him of our opinions, that they were so great in number and variety, and were capable of being obviated with so little trouble, and at almost no expense, that they were worthy of an immediate remedy. The first is the excessive use of brown bread, and 12 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. mush, or hasty pudding. The Inspectors are assured, first, by gentlemen in charge of other prisons, that there is really no economy in the use of Indian rather than wheaten flour; second, by the same gentlemen, and others of medical skill and science, that to some persons it is constitutionally repulsive, and that upon some constitutions, and at certain seasons, the effects of its frequent use are very unpleasant and weakening. We find these complaints less numerous in the summer months than in the colder ones, and have learned, upon inquiry, from the officers of the prisons, that the difference is to be attributed to the fact that the amount of Indian meal used in the months of July and August is very much reduced, — still the complaints are continually renewed; this part of the prison ration is so distasteful and disagreeable to some of the prisoners, that they habitually go without food at the meal when it is served, preferring hunger rather than subject themselves to the unkindly effects of its use. This subject has been alluded to in our former reports to your Board, the evil is not remedied, perhaps the suggestion is misunderstood. We do not object to the use of corn bread or hasty-pudding as a part of the dietbill of the prison, nor that its use is permanently or necessarily injurious to the health of the prisoners, but that neither this, nor any other article of diet, should be forced upon a constitution to which it is naturally repulsive, even in a prison, nor used in such quantity, or constancy, or mode, as to make it a reasonably offensive article of diet to any considerable number of prisoners. All complaints of this kind, in prisons within our knowledge, are entirely prevented, simply by allow PRISON'S. 13 ing to prisoners to whom this ration, or part of ration is for any reason distasteful, the free right, at his own pleasure, to exchange it for wheat; it is plain, there-fore, that a use of Indian so excessive as to incite these continual complainings, cannot be recommended upon any grounds of expense or economy, — such a claim would not be tolerated for a moment. It is equally certain it cannot be continued for any reason of benevolence, humanity, or hygiene; and quite as certain that if it is continued as a means of punishment, or a part of the discipline of the prison, it is not such a punishment or discipline as the law contemplates, and we respectfully suggest that such changes in the diet-bill of the prisons should be made, and at once, as will effectually prevent the recurrence of these complaints. Another class of complaints referred to ail alleged insulffciency of rations. These also we have heard at successive visitations, and have made them known to the officers of the prison, and yet at the present inspection, full one third of the male prisoners, and many of the females, complained to us that it was impossible for them to obtain food enough to satisfy the natural cravings of hunger; it appeared that requests for more food to the officers in immediate charge had in some cases been repeated again and again without avail. Updn stating these complaints to the Master, we received for answer, "They have all the law allows them," adding, when it was suggested to him that the law did not prescribe any rations, that there was a regular diet-bill of the prison, and they had their full allowance. Some of the prisoners desired a piece of bread for supper, and we communicated this desire also to the Master, 2 14 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. with the suggestion that nothing was apparent to us why it was not a reasonable request, and one that ought to be granted; he replied, substantially, " They get their regular rations. and when I think best, and to such as I think have done well, I sometimes give a piece of bread for supper." In no other prison in Suffolk county do we ever hear of begging for food, - the amount of provisions everywhere but in this prison, so far as our knowledge extends, is ample and satisfactory, and available upon request. Should it not be so here, also? We unexpectedly find ourselves under the necessity of reporting to your Honorable Board one other matter in connection with this prison, viz: its condition in respect to the general discipline administered here. On the day of our visit, July the twenty-fourth, there were 320 prisoners under sentence in this house, of whom 157 were males, and 163 females. The previous inspection was on the eleventh day of December, A. D. 1862. The average number of prisoners confined here during the interval between these two inspections was, by report of the Master, 250. From the records required by law to be kept, we found that from said December eleventh to July twentyfourth, there had been 188 inflictions of punishment by solitary imprisonment, over and above the deprivation of food, and other minor punishments usually resorted to; that these 188 punishments were inflicted upon 111 different individuals, and that the number of days suffered in this solitary life, for the same period, amounted in the aggregate to 522 days. So excessive and aggravated seemed these statistics of discipline, that we have brought them to the test of a PRISONS. 15 comparison by which we believe the true character of the government and discipline of the HIouse of Correction can be measured with an approximate and reasonable accuracy. Between the same periods of time in the State Prison at Charlestown, by the official statement of the warden, the average number of prisoners was 438, the whole number of punishments was 182, the whole number of convicts punished was 99, and the total number of days' imprisonment, -" every punishment being counted as a day, no matter how short it may be," — was 489. Without entering into any comparison between these two prisons, or between any differing theories of prison discipline, and recognizing the good order and quiet condition of both of these institutions, equally good and very good, we have only to lay these statistics side by side in comparison, with the single view of determining the relative expensiveness of this good order in the two cases. Assuming the same basis for the two prisons, and we find that the discipline of the State Prison applied to the House of Correction, would give to the latter for the total number of punishments inflicted 114, it is 188; the same basis would give as the number of convicts subjected to discipline 57, it is 111; it would give as the whole number of days' imprisonment 279, it is 522; stated in arithmetical forIns, thus - 438: 182:: 250: 114, it is 188 438: 99:: 250: 57, " 111 438: 489:: 250: 279, " 522 16 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 98. Are there any facts or conditions inherent in this matter, aggravating or mitigating this wide disparity?'Three facts it seems to us, should be stated. First. The convicts sentenced to the State Prison are, as a whole, of the most hardened and desperate classes in the community, —those sentenced to the House of Correction, while some of them are as wicked and malignant criminals as are known to the courts; yet, as a whole, are much less depraved and abandoned. Second. The sentences of convicts in the State Prison are long, and in proportion to their length and severity is the desperation of resolve to which the prisoner is brought; the sentences of convicts in the House of Correction are much shorter, and there is therefore less disposition to rebel, and less prospect of advantage by rebelling against any rational severity to which they may be subjected in discipline. Third. About half of the convicts in the House of Correction are females, presumed to be more tractable, more susceptible of government by milder and suasory means; many of the convicts are sentenced simply as common drunkards, wicked only by their persistent submission to this dominant lust; some are young persons, in various ages of criminal minority. We submit these considerations in the statement, not attempting to measure their values. Compelled to speak thus far by considerations of public duty, we can hardly feel justified in not adding a single other suggestion respecting the government and discipline of this prison. There has been increasingly apparent to our observation an attitude, as it were, of divorcement of the officers of the house from the PRISONS. 17 prisoners, -a shortness and sharpness of word, — a severity and curtness of manner, -a restiveness under petition, — a repressiveness in reply, that makes improbable, if not impossible, the interchange between them of sympathy or any fellow-feeling; distance seems installed in all the intercourse and arrangements of the prison; the government and life of the prison is not at all apparently a result of consenting minds, of understanding and harmony between the officers and prisoners, but a force on the one side, and an unquestioning submissiveness on the other, with punishment as the intervening link. Something of this is possibly due to a very strong mannerism, and yet is there not too much forgetfulness of two fundamental principles: first, that the inmates, though they be criminal convicts, are yet human beings, with sensibilities that can be appealed to, and that will respond to proper appeals, - many of them with a keen appreciation of kindness and sympathy, — many of them with all the natural bases of character benignant and generous; and, second, that roughness and insolence of word or act are not the proper method of addressing or governing any body of men or women, and the natural tendency of them is to provoke irritation and resistance, and make still greater displays of force essential. In our best regulated criminal houses, any word or act of an officer to prisoner or visitor, given in anger or with rudeness or violence, under whatever circumstances, is cause for instant and absolute dismissal from service; the rule should ever be so, - for he, that does not in these respects govern and keep control of his own spirit, is not qualified to have the control of other spirits, par2* 18 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. ticularly those predisposed by long courses of unlawful conduct to sudden passion and rebellious license. Let kindness and sympathy be established within the prison, and there will be no complaints of insolence or ungentlemanliness towards those who by affection, philanthropy, or duty, are brought to its portals. 2. -THE JAIL. Of this prison, under the management of the present excellent sheriff, we never have occasion to speak in any wise disparagingly; if any suggestion or doubt has at any time occurred to us, the frankness of this officer has at once either solved the doubt or dissolved the obstacle. A large and judicious humanity presides over this institution, and, without tolerating the least disorder or laxness of government, holds officers and prisoners alike firmly to their respective duties. The spirit of the "government, discipline, and police" is exemplar. 3.- BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL. More than ever apparent were the inconveniences and unsuitableness of the buildings and grounds connected with this institution. But from what is given, more could not reasonably be expected; indeed, we think the Superintendent of this institution merits a word of affirmative commendation for the happy inventions by which he contrives to lengthen the cords of his restricted premises, and multiply the tranquillizing influences that surround his patients, - besides various PRISONS. 19 recreations by games and sports, and spectacular exhibitions, the frequent water excursions of the patients have proved of most salutary effect, diverting their minds for a season from their sad, unpoising themes, to a new and agreeable living, anticipated with joyful hope, and passing into a treasury of delightful recollections. 4. - HousE OF INDUSTRY. Of this prison, a model in all its appurtenances and management, but a word need be said, and that not so much for the purpose of discharging any duty of the inspection, as to correct an idea more or less prevalent in the community, to which our attention has been officially invoked. Under the same roof are included the private residence of the Superintendent, and three several and distinct public institutions under his charge, viz: the House of Industry, the House of Reformation for Juvenile Offenders, and the Almshouse. The impression has from some source gained credence that the inmates of these several houses, especially of the Almshouse and House of Industry, are brought into contact and social association; the contrary is the truth. The pauper apartments are entirely disconnected from the other houses, and the paupers have no mote natural or necessary intercourse or connection with the criminals of the other departments, than have the members of the Superintendent's family. They are unable or disinclined, and therefore not required to labor; they are served, in all matters of their domestic and economical life, from the House of Industry; their beds and dormitories are cleaned, aired, and kept; their clothes 20 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. washed; their meals cooked and served; their apartments all cared for, without any anxiety, labor, or even thought of theirs. Few persons are really so independent, few so well provided with food and tendance, few so exempt from the vexations and annoyances of living, as the poor, who find here, at last, a well-ordered, kindly, quiet, happy retreat. 5. - HouSE OF REFORMATION. This institution we visit always with the deepest interest, and the most earnest solicitude. Interest, because the tender years and plastic minds of the children give certain, natural, hope of successful reformation; because, there is here in abundance the materiel out of which, by judicious culture, solid, worthy, manly character can be grown; because, it is here, or not at all, that society is to lay its barriers to the increase of crime; because, it is here possible that children, many of whom by orphanage, or by the crime, dissoluteness, or stolidity of parents, have been thrown as waifs upon the community, homeless, friendless, forsaken of everything but the law, can be surrounded with those genial, loving, culturing influences, with those warm and living sympathies which are at once the consolations of life, and the stimulus of all goodness and greatness. Solicitude, because, if the native outreachings of the heart to bestow confidence and mingle sympathies, are not nursed with gentleness, and tendrilled up with care; if the thousand pains and heartaches incident to childhood are not assuaged by the soft accents of loving-kindness; if high purposes are not here en PRISONS. 21 grafted; if loyal hope is not elicited and encouraged, then, the issues of this " House of Instruction and Reformation " become worse than its beginnings, and its inmates come forth upon society only confirmed to destitution and misery, callous and unsympathetic in heart, cultured by their very prison life to greater adroitness and hardihood in crime. We most cheerfully report the presence and operation of much that is excellent in the conduct of this house, and at the same time feel constrained to say with unanimity and in frankness, that the real aims and purposes of this institution, or what in our judgment ou ht to be its real aims and purposes, very largely fail of realization. In the first place 150 boys, more or less, are gathered here in one assembly, and, so far as may be, have all their life and avocations promiscuously together, dining at one table and at one time, sleeping in continuous open dormitories, taking their exercise and relaxation in one body; separated only for the purposes and during the hours of school. By the system of the institution they are brought into contact only with males, from one to three or four teachers, according to the season of the year, — who are not however entrusted with any part of the discipline, not even for the errors and misconduct of the schoolroom, - from one to two or three assistant overseers, —who are also the overseers of the adult criminals of the House of Industry, — and the Superintendent, to whom all misconduct is in theory reported, and by whom, or whose direction all punishments are supposed to be administered. Nearly all the boys are sent here "for not attending school" and " thereby grow 22 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 98. ing up in ignorance;" they are from seven to sixteen years of age; the usual sentences are three, six, twelve, and twenty-four months. For six months of the year, from April to November, all but a few of the smaller boys are employed at labor upon the farm, never enter the schoolroom, nor receive any school education, — so that there may be, and sometimes is presented here the strange anomaly of a boy sent for not attending school to a place, where for the whole term of his confinement he is kept " not attending school;" where the very system of the institution compels him to do precisely the thing he was committed for doing. But beside this our observation and best judgment have led us to believe in respect to the general system of government and discipline of this house, that it was too much of a prison, - too little an "institution of instruction," - too much the residence of law and punishment,- too little the home of grace and culture; that the influences and surroundings of the children are too masculine and rigid, too little feminine and sympathetic; that there is too much of the magistrate, too little of the family. And we deem it worthy of the most careful and thorough consideration of your Board, with whom is lodged all institutional power with respect to these institutions, whether, since the inmates are almost exclusively truants —children, in the language of the Statute -growing up "without the benefits of the education provided by law," the system of instruction and discipline should not be reformed and made more generous and liberal; whether a much greater amount of moral, emotional, and educational culture should not PRISONS. 23 be attempted; whether the discipline and order of the inmates should not be made to spring from the breasts of the pupils themselves, rather than from the dominion of the officers; whether the separation of the inmates into small families based upon some idea of conduct or personal worthiness, with a large proportion of female assistants; and whether, these things having been attained, a much increased term of commitment would not very greatly and rapidly promote the great ends which society seeks in the establishment of this " House of Reformation and Instruction." Between those officially connected with this institution there can be nothing but harmony of purpose, but one desire, and that to impart to these unfortunate children and through them to the community, the best and the most good possible, and to make the house itself a model of public munificence and Christian charity. With such inmates, if there are any evils, they must be subtle, deep, crescive, and the remedies easy, economical, benignant. In this connection we are glad to commend the voluntary effort of Miss Marianna Payson, the accomplished daughter of the Superintendent, and to avail ourselves of the testimony of her experience. About a year and a half since, she conceived the thought of forming a boys' choir for choral service in the chapel of the institution on Sundays and other public occasions; during this time she has, in the summer months for three hours a week, and in the cold weather once or twice a week according to circumstances, met from seventy to eighty of the boys, and rehearsed them in the chants and psalmody of the 24 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 98. church; the pleasure of the boys in these meetings has been so great that they have urgently entreated her to hold them more frequently; their conduct and demeanor has been always delicate and exemplary; and in the absence of all officers of the institution, we are assured, that the expression of her wish has been promptly and cheerfully yielded to, and that the simplest indications of her disapproval are sufficient discipline. Her success, in our judgment, warrants a larger experiment of female influence in the guidance and training of these children. On the thirtieth day of July, the day previous to the visit of the Inspectors, one of the girls in the female department of this house had been severely punished, and it became our painful duty to investigate the circumstances. The girl was seventeen years of age, and coming eighteen the ensuing May, in stature a woman grown; it is said she had been a troublesome girl. On this occasion she was charged with open and direct disobedience of orders, and insolence of language; she frankly admitted this offense, and for it was punished by the Superintendent in person, with a rattan about half an inch in diameter and twenty inches long, upon the shoulders and back of the neck, -— the number of blows no one can report. The Superintendent says, " I struck her with all my might" —" she would not yield, I sent for a larger stick and then she held out her hand." After this beating, and this submission, she was committed to the cell and the food of the solitary, where we found her on the thirty-first day of July. Upon each shoulder the flesh was discolored, blue-black in spots full as large as the palm of the hand, and PRISONS. 25 there were perfectly evident, traces of blows upon her back between the shoulders. She seemed to us a resolute girl, of more than ordinary strength of purpose and character; there were unmistakable evidences also that her feelings were quick to respond to appeals of tenderness and good-will, as no doubt they are quick in passion. On the fifth of August we again visited the institution; she was still suffering the solitary, it being the seventh day of her incarceration; her shoulders were still strongly discolored; the same indications of character were manifest; it appeared she had been visited by the matron daily, with food, and by the physician, who seems by the Rules not to be allowed'to " hold communication with any inmates except in pursuance of his medical duty." She stated she had not been spoken to by any officer of the establishment about her misconduct, her penitence, her resolves or purposes, or about anything connected with her imprisonment, and to this extent her statements were not denied. We repeated these statements to the Superintendent, who replied by this question to the girl, "Have you ever sent for me? " to which she answered " No sir," and to which he rejoined "Well then." She was finally released from the cell on the evening of the fifth day of August, the same day of our second visit. Speaking of the corporal punishment, the Superintendent remarked " It was the severest flogging I ever had to do." In the course of this investigation we were informed by this officer, that in the boys' department, the punish8 26 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. ments are sometimes inflicted with an ordinary wagonwhip by the Superintendent in person. Of these punishments, we have to say, first, that no one could have been more pained or surprised by these revelations than were the Inspectors; for we had ever regarded this officer as a gentleman of cool judgment, deliberate purpose, and large kindness of heart, — nor do we desire now to express or hold any other opinion; but, secondly, we express our unhesitating convictions that the horsewhip is not a suitable instrument of punishment for any juvenile,- that, with girls, corporal punishment should be resorted to only in the rarest and most extraordinary cases, if at all; and finally, that no girl of the age of eighteen years should, for any cause or under any circumstances whatever, be subjected to the degrading barbarity of punishment by the lash or rattan, by blows in any form, - it degrades the spirit, brutalizes the sensibilities, closes up the avenues of sympathy and beneficence. If need be, let the living death of the solitary with its naked, stony hideousness, be continued till the return of a remorseful penitence, but the civilization of our age and city imperatively demand that woman, in stature and years, shall not be " flogged." EDWIN WRIGHT, JOHN G. ROGERS, ISAAC AMES, SEBEUS C. MAINE. BoSTON, August, 1863. STATISTICS OF PRISONS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTION, ENDING JULY, 1863. DIET BILLS OF THE PRISONS. I. HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Breakfasts and suppers, each day and each meal, for each prisoner. 24 ounces mush, 1 pint barley coffee, sweetened with mnolasses; 5~ ounces bread. Dinners. Sunday -roast beef; - pound beef with gravy, and 1 pound potatoes. Monday- stewed beans; 11 pounds beans, and 2 ounces salt pork. Tuesday - soup; 3 pounds soup made of beef, potatoes, and vegetables. Wednesday - soup, same as Tuesday. Thursday - stewed beans, same as Monday. Friday - soup, same as Tuesday. Saturday- salt fish; 3~ ounces fish, and 12 ounces potatoes. Additional weekly allowances. 1 ounce salt, i gill vinegar, 6 drams pepper. 28 CITY -DOCUMENT. — No. 98. II. JAIL. Flour bread, rye coffee, boiled fresh beef, boiled potatoes, soup. Three meals each day, and fresh water three times each day. Breakfast. 1 pound-loaf of bread, 1 quart coffee. Dinner. 1 pound beef with sufficient potatoes, 1 quart soup. Supper. Bread and coffee, as at breakfast. Additional quantities of each are furnished, if desired by prisoners. III. BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPTAL. No returns have been received from this institution. IV. HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. For Breakfast. Bread and chocolate. For Dinner. Soup and boiled meat, three days; stewed beans, two days; baked beans, one day; boiled salt fish, one day. With soup and fish are served potatoes, and an ample supply of other vegetables in their season; with beans, bread is served. For Supper. Sweetened hasty pudding and coffee. " Each prisoner has three meals a day and as much of each kind offood as he wishes." PRISONS. 29 V. HOUSE OF REFORMATION. For Breakfast. Bread with chocolate and milk. For Dinner. Beef soup, three days; stewed beans, two days; baked beans, one day; boiled salt fish, one day; to which is added bread always, and when soup and fish are served, potatoes and other vegetables in their season. For Supper. Sweetened hasty pudding with chocolate or shells and milk, or with milk alone. " Each person has three meals a day and as much food at each meal as he or she wishes." 3* HEALTH OF THE PRISONS. No statistics of disease, as to kind or prevalence, are kept at the JAIL, by the Sheriff, or by the City Physician who has the medical charge of this prison. No returns have been received from the Boston Lunatic Hospital. From the other institutions the reports are condensed as follows:Whole number of each Number of each disease disease prevailing since at present Inspection. last Inspection. Names of Diseases since the last House House House House House House Inspection. of Cor. of Ind. of Ref. of Cor. of Ind. of Ref. Abortion............................ 3 Abscess.............-............... 3 Apoplexy...................1........ Boils................................ Bronchitis............................ 9 1 Carbuncle.................1 1....... I Catarrh............................. 2 Cerebral Disease..................... Cholera Morbus.................... 5 Chorea............................... Cold................................. 3 Colic................................. 3 Congestion of Brain................. Conj unctivitis............3....... 3 PRISONS. 31 Whole number of each Number of each disease disease prevailing since at present Inspection. last Inspection. Names of Diseases since the last House House House House House House Inspection. of Cor. of Ind. of Ref. of Cor. of [nd. of Ref Cough.......................... 1 Debility............................. 1 2 Delirium Tremens................... 22 18 4 Dementia................ 1............. 1 Diabetes............................. 1 Diarrhcea...................... 6 7 5 Dislocation.......................... Dysentery...........................1 Epilepsy............................ 1 3 Erysipelas........................... 2 5 Fever................... 2 4 Favus (?)............................ 1 1 Fracture............................ 1 Gravel..............1... I I Heart Disease........................ 1 Herpes..............................1 Hip Disease...................1.... 1 Hysteria............................2 Injury............................... 2 Intemperance........................ 6 96 1 Insanity............................. 1 5 Jaundice.............................1 Lupus............................... Masturbation........................ 4 Measles.............................. 1 Menorrhagia.......................6 1 Neuralgia........................... Ophthalmia.........................2 Paralysis........................... Parturition.......................... 1 Piles................................1 Pleurisy............................. 1 9 1 Pneumonia 1.............. 2 1 32 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. Whole number of each Number of each disease disease prevailing since at present Inspection. last Inspection. last Inspection, at present Inspection. Names of Diseases since the last House House House House House House Inspection. of Cor. of Ind. of Ref. of Cor. of Ind. of Ref. Pthysis..................... 1 Rheumatism......................... 1 9 Scabies.............................. 6 1 1 1 1 Scrofula............................. 2 1 1 Sore Eyes..........2........ 2 Sore Feet............................ 1 Sore Throat......................... 2 Sprain...................1..... 1 Synovitis........................... 1 Syphilis........................ 13 1 Tapeworm........................... 1 Ulcers............................... 7 6 1 Ulcers of Cornea..................... 1 Wound............................ 2 85 230 24 10 10 2 Whole number of cases of disease since last Inspection:House of Correction, 85 House of Industry, 230 House of Reformation, 24 339 Whole number of cases of disease at present Inspection:House of Correction, 10 House of Industry, 10 House of Reformation, 2 22 INDUSTRY OF PRISONS. I. HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Number Number Employment of Males. Employment of Females. employed employed Bakers................... 3 Cooks................... 18 Brushmakers.............. 188 Domestics............... 17 Gardeners................ 17 Knitting................ 2 Gasmen.................. 4 Making Prison Clothing.. 15 Gatemen.................. 3 Making Salework....... 218 Hostlers............4..... Mending................. 10 Laborers.................. 24 Nurses............... 4 Making Trunk Nails....... 50 Sweeps, (prison,)....... 12 Nurses................... 3 Sweeps, (yard,).......... 8 Painters.................. 6 Washing and Ironing. 20 Piggery................... 4 Prison Sweeps............ 5 Shoemakers............... 4 Tailors................... 2 Whitewashers............. 5 Yard Sweeps............. 12 334 324 Whole number of males.................................... 334 Whole number of females................................... 324 Total............................................... 658 34 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. II. JAIL. All the labor at this institution is done by the prisoners, employing about thirty men and ten women daily, in cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing, whitewashing, gardening, making and mending garments for prisoners, making and tending fires, tending the heating and cooking apparatus, and in general job work. III. BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL. No returns have been received. IV. HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. Number Number Employment of Males. Employment of Females. employed employed Bakers................... 12 Assistants in Sleeping-halls 13 Blacksmiths............... 4 Bath-rooms............... 7 Boatmen.................. 8 Cooks and Domestics...... 90 Carpenters................ 12 Farm House............. 10 Coopers................... 2 Ironers.................. 29 Engine-room.............. 16 Lamp-room.............. 3 Farmers.................. 168 Nurses and Attendants.... 13 Painters.................. 4 Prison Sweeps........... 20 Prison Help............... 32 Scrubbers................. 42 Tailors................... 20 Sewing-room............. 276 Tinsmiths................. 2 Taking care of Children 19 Shoemakers............... 16 Washers................. 62 Watchmen................. 16 Watchers in Hospitals 10 312 594 Whole number of males.................................... 312 Whole number of females.................................. 594 Total....................................... 906 PRISONS. 35 V, HOUSE OF REFORMATION. The report of the Superintendent is in these words: ":It would be impossible to arrange it in a tabular form, as the work is arranged, distributed, and changed, so as to equalize it." CRIMINAL STATISTICS OF THE PRISONS. I. COMMITMENTS TO PRISON. Whole number commitments since last In- Number in prison on sentence at present Inspection. spection, for each offence. H. of Cor. Jail. H. of Ind. H. of Ref. H. of Cor. Jail. H. of Ind. H. of Ref. Offences for which Commitments have been made since last Inspection. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Assault....................................... 5 2 1 1 " and battery............................. 26 6 131 51 1 22 3 6 3 2 1 L" " "( with knife.................... - 6 " " " with weapon 1.................. Attempt to break and enter................... 2.. 2 3 1 z " " commit larceny..................... 7 5 6''" " " rape...................1..... " " counterfeit certificate............. 1 " escape from Jail.....................1 1 o "'" rescue prisoner...................... 1 "''rob 1 co "rob................................. I Bastardy.... 1.................................. Being armed with metallic knuckles............. 1 Boarding vessel without leave................... 1 Breaking and entering.. 9 1 47 4 19 1 2 Breaking glass............................... 13 10 3 1 2 1 Common beggars.............................1 " drunkards............................ 23 55 12 10 209 303 15 38 2 97 165 nigt-alkers......................... 43 10 46 36 1 22 Contempt of Court............................. 1 Disturbing Public Schools...................... 3 Disturbing Public Worship...................... 2 Doing business on Lord's day................... 1 Driving horse without right............... 8 Drunkenness............................... 6 4 493 500 8 34 1 1 19 25 4 5 Embezzlement......................2 2 3 1 1 False pretences................................ 1 2 1 1 2 Fast driving................................... 2 Forgery...............................1 1 Furnishing liquor to prisoners.................. 2 Idle and disorderly............................. 2 1 2 3 1 1 2 1 22 3 " dissolute.............................. 2 1 4 Illegal voting.................................. 2 " sale of intoxicating liquor................. 3 1 3 1 2 Indecent exposure of person................... 2 4 2 Keeping house of ill-fame....................... 3 4 3 8 2 4 4 2 " noisy and disorderly house............ 1 7 4 7 3 Larceny..................................................... 54 43 168 116 4 9 1 27 31 11 15 4 5 24 4 " from the person........................ 14 11 14 17 " in a building........................... 20 22 13 25 Lewd and lascivious person..................... I 1 1 2 " " wanton.................... 1 1 Malicious mischief...................... 3 2 5 3 2 Manslaughter.............................. 1 2... 3 1 Passing counterfeit money...................... 1 8 2 Receiving stolen goods......................... 1 2 1 2 Robbery.................................... 6 3 Setting fire to a building........................ Stubborn child...............................1 1 6 9 Threats..................................... 1 2 33 3 1 1 Truants. 7 4 Truants...................................... Vagabonds.................................... 3 10 12 2 7 9 1 Vagrancy (juvenile)........................... 17 1 18 Violation of City Ordinance................... 12 2 Totals................................ 199 202 46 734 234 414 51 6 157 164 45 51 1141 210. 150 27 c.~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~9 202...... 946,o'34 23441 RECAPITULATION. Whole number committed since Males. Females. Total. Number in prison under sentence Males. Females. Total. last Inspection. at present Inspection. House of Correction......... 199 202 401 House of Correction........ 157 164 321 c Jail........................ 946 734 1,680 Jail....................... 45 51 96 0 House of Industry. 234 414 648 House of Industry....... 114 210 324 House of Reformation....... 51 6 57 House of Reformation...... 150 27 177 t 1,430 1,356 2,786 466 452 918 PRISONS. 39 II. AGES OF PERSONS COMMITTED. House of Correction. Jail. House of Industry. YEARS. Males. Females. Males. Females. Males. Females. Under 10.......... 2 7 From 10 to 20..... 46 27 400 99 16 32 " 20 to 30. 76 96 588 393 34 175 " 30 to 40. 29 43 320 253 65 118 " 40 to 50. 24 27 190 119 75 58 " 50 to 60. 14 6 103 33 35 24 " 60 to 70. 7 3 37 5 6 7 70 to 80.... 1 6 1 3 Over 80........... 1 199 202 1,651 904 234 414 The foregoing statistics of age of persons committed to jail includes persons convicted of crimes, witnesses, persons under arrest upon civil process,' United States' prisoners and witnesses, and all persons committed to jail for any purpose, except poor debtors. The ages of the inmates of the House of Reformation since the last Inspection, inclusive, are as follows: — Ages in years, 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total. No. of inmates, 1 4 12 18 45 28 34 29 18 20 14 10 1 234 III. RESIDENCES AND NATIVITY OF PRISONERS. With the exception of the Report of the House of Correction, which is full and precise on these points, the returns communicate no reliable information. 40 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. IV. COMMITMENTS. Whole number since Number of persons in last Inumber since prison at present InBy whom made. spetion. H. C. JAIL. II. I. H. R. H. C. JAIL. ir. I. H. R. By United States' Courts.. 182 34 " Supreme Judicial Court.......... " Superior Court.................. 120 89 9 162 5 5 3' Police Court of Boston........... 2532235 639 57 143 153 319 174 " " " Chelsea.......... 28 9 16 " Deputy Sheriffs, &c........ 54 1 " Provost Marshal................. 1 ail............................ 7 4012578 648 57 Whole number of Commitments by United States' Courts, 182; by Supreme Judicial Court, 1; by Superior Court, 218; by Police Court, 3,184; by Chelsea Police Court, 37; by Sheriffs, &c., 62. Total, 3,684. V. SUMMARY OF DISCHARGES SINCE LAST INSPECTION. H. of Cor. Jail. HI. of Ind. H. of Ref. Pardoned by the Governor and Council. 14 1 " " " Directors............ 5 36 Discharged by Police Court........... 25 1,200 37 11 " upon expiration of sentence.. 311 257 499 37 " by United States' Courts.... 196 " Recognizance.............. 254 " for other causes............ 669 3 3;55 2,577 575 48 PRISONS. 41 VI. NAMES Of persons discharged, pardoned, escaped, or died, since last Inspection, so far as reported:HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Died. William Welch. Escaped. Terence Dolan. Pardoned, by Governor and Council:Honora Barron, Michael Buckley, John Clayton, James Donovan, Honora Flynn, John Gibbon, Mary Gillispie, Timothy Harrington, David Jordan, Thomas J. Linton, Thomas B. Love, John McConnell, Robert Reynolds, John Toomey. Total, 14. Pardoned by Directors. John Doherty, Henry S. Luther, John Fitzgerald, Michael O'Hara. William Green, Total, 5. Discharged by Justices of Police Court. Michael Curley, John McQuade, John Dayton, Johanna Mahoney, John Doherty, James Nolen, Daniel,Donahue, Michael O'Hara, Patrick Flynn, Philip O'Reilly, WTilliam Green, John Pendergrass, Elbridge G. Haniford, Ellen Regan, John McCabe, Mary Smith, William McCarty, Robert Swain, Patrick AMcDonald, James Tobin, Sabina McGuire, John White, 4* 42 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 98. Philip McLaughlin, Emma Willis. Bridget McManus, Total, 25. HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. Transferred by Superior Court. Bridget Donnely, Ann Howard. James Dorety, Total, 3. Died. Mary A. Chamberlain, Joseph McMahan, Elizabeth Currier, Ellen Ricardo, Catherine Dailey, Catharine Somerville. Henderson Davidson, Total, 7. Discharged by Justices of Police Court. Baldwin, Maria Gilmore, Lucy Bell, Agnes Hall, Eliza A. Bell, Agnes Hayes, Ellen Bino, Jane Howe, Jabez D. Boyce, Ellen Leonard, Mary J. Brown, Elizabeth Lyons, Matilda Brownell, Mary C. Mclmvelech, Edward Bulfinch, Amos Mooney, Elizabeth Butler, Maria Morgan, Georgiana Callahan, Hannah Powers, John Campbell, Roxana Shannon, Eliza Constantine, Ann Smith, Mary Davis, Isabella Sullivan, Malry Desmond, Ann Sullivan, Mary A. Enwright, Mary Sullivan, Michael Ferguson, Jane Taggart, Mary E. Fillmore, Julia Ta'ggart, Mary J. Fuller, Clark Wheeler, Mary Furlong, William Total, 37. PRISONS. 43 Discharged by Directors. Bleeckman, Catharine Me Namee, Ann Brady, Bridget Malone, James Burns, Peter Marshall, Eliza Cheney, Margaret Martin, John Cochran, John Mullen, Susan Coleman, Charles C. Murphy, John Collins, Jeremiah Nichols, Catharine E. Conlan, John Noble, Ellen Cryon, Patrick Nolan, Mary Dalton, Peter Rice, Maria Doherty, Ellen Riley, Daniel Dornmedy, Michael Seymour, Elizabeth Flaherty, Mary Shehan, Mary Gibbons, Mary Sheridan, Patrick Harris, Michael Sullivan, Patrick Hogan, Maurice Tuckerman, Mary G. McAdams, Patrick Woodward, Daniel McCann, John Total, 3 6. McCarty, Jeremiah HOUSE OF REFORMATION. Pardoned by Justices of the Police Court. Connors, Bridgret O'Hayden, William Dacey, Dennis Shedd, Frank Dailey, Celia Sullivan, Daniel Garafaldi, Emily Sullivan, Jeremiah Lanergan, Patrick Wade, Michael Merrill, Irving W. Total, 11. JAIL. Escaped. - William Green. Pardo~ned.- Thomas J. Butler. 44 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. Discharged by Justices of Police Court for non-payment of Fines and Costs. 1200 persons, viz: Jeremiah Dunn, John Doherty, Ellen Burke, Phillip Riley, Catherine Hayes, Arthur Leary, minor, Catherine Hayes, Alice McCann, James Murphy, Margaret Mitchell, James Murphy, Mary A. Cole, Margaret McLaughlin, Ann Valentine, Maria Green, James Curtis, William Welch, minor, Charles W. Thompson, Charles Doherty, minor, William O'Neal, minor, James Smith, minor, Delia Barry, Margaret Quinn, Patrick Coyne, James Wilson, James Cronan, Cornelius McMahon, minor, James O'Neal, Charles Sullivan, Mary Smith, Margaret Doherty, Sylvanus Lawrence, Bridget Carey and child, Joanna C. IIowe, Catherine Kelly, William Love, Hannah Watson, Patrick Henrore, Abram Mack, Howard Clifford, Margaret Cokely, Sarah Houghton, Mary Brown, James Gleason, Mary Smith, Michael Boyle, Dennis O'Neil, Thomas S. Seymour, John Lanigan, Ann Tracy, Robert Keller, John Taft, Francis Cunningham, John Haley, Thomas Nugent, Edward Nesbit, Odelia Keevan, Michael Hackett, Mary Sullivan, minor, Mary Mahoney, Mary Wilson, Martha Nolan, Dennis Kellaher, minor, Aaron R. Snow, David Kelley, Iinor, Thomas McNobb, PRISONS. 45 Timothy Carey, Elizabeth Green, John Farrell, minor, James Lantry, minor, Bernard McGovern, Mary E. Robinson, Elizabeth Gray, alias Grace, Ann E. O'Toole, Jeremiah Ryan, Ellen Taylor, Catherine Lewis, Mary A. Kelley, John Southworth, Margaret Lester, Margaret Sullivan, Sarah Dunn, Rosanna Cummings, John Ryan, Ellen Kane, Edward Darnan, Philander Miller, James Kelley, John H. Trowbridge, Daniel Dacey, Robert Madden, Barty Donahoe, Patrick R. Murray, William Simonds, Donald M. Farson, Margaret McKenna, Thomas Mullen, Susan Armstrong,, Thomas Howard, Diana Banks, Daniel Dacey, William Quinn, Robert Pendergrass, Bartholomew Sullivan, Julia Dacey, Jeremiah Cronan, Jane Bim, Francis Foster, Robert Burns, John Haley, Margaret Conley, John Causkin, Mary E. Copeland, David Hennessy, Ellen Silver, Michael Armstrong, Celia Kennedy, David Collins, Mary Kimball, Mary Currier, Ellen Haley, Lawrence Paul, Isabella Davis, Paul McClusky, Ann Connor, Michael Murray, Ann Campbell, Thomas Howard, Emma Powell, Ellen Delaney, Mary MIcLellan, Ellen Neagle, Catherine Kenney, Henry Howard, Jane Carney, Ann Sidney, 46 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. Edward Goulding, Mary A. McCarty, Thomas Ford, Catherine Hart, Timothy Dailey, David Torry, William Sanderson, Nellie McCarty, Honora Murphy, Sarah I. Preston, John Hogan, minor, Margaret Baxter, Philander Miller, Daniel Hollihen, HTarriet Watson, Jeremiah Horrigan, Jane Bino, Robert Thornbill, Philip Riley, John Williamson, Robert Roberts, Mary Nichols, Richard Sullivan, minor, Elizabeth Jepson, Mary Haley, Ellen Murphy, Ann Kelley, Simon Gilbert, John Furlong, Catherine Brown, Eugene Neagle, Jeremiah F. Meacham, John Rennelly, James Crook, John Rennelly, Ann Bradford, Thomas Butler, Patrick Riley, Joanna McDonald, Michael Leighton, Mary A. Kane, alias, Ann Constantine, Mary Green, Margaret Brannan, James Gleason, Joanna McDonald, Ann Wallan, John Donahoe, Margaret King, John Shea, Julia Carroll, Mary Woods, Sarah Wright, Elizabeth Chamberlain, Jane Carter, Anna Green, Mary I. Howard, Sarah Houghton, Patrick Ryan, Margaret Finn and child, Alice McCann, John Sullivan, Mary Boyle, James Reynolds, Catherine Withington, Mary Berry, Michael Carey, Ellen Neagle, Bartholomew Donahoe, Michael Smith, PRISONS. 47 Elizabeth Mooney, Joseph Brayton, Jane Smith, Patrick McCarty, Michael Powers, Jane Gregg, William O'Byrne, John Torrey, John Murphy, James McCallis, Peter Bayne, Margaret Poget, William Partridge, Ann Lister, Ann M. Crawford, Mary I. Sullivan, Ellen Doherty, Mary A. Nieper, Margaret Duffy, Hannah Sweeney, Thomas Nugent, jr., Jane Durgin, Ann Reagan, Ellen Noble, Julia Sullivan and child, Maria Bigelow, John Duane, Mary Conley, James Shaw, Mary L. MIcClusky, Charles W. Thompson, John O'Brien, Mary E. Copeland, Patrick K. Donovan, William Quinn, Thomas Jones, John Sullivan, Michael Corcoran, Thomas Rine, Margaret Wilson, Ann Kelley, Mary A. Sullivan, Daniel McPherson, Ellen Welch, Bridget Murphy, Edward Lyons, Mary Lynch, Mary Campbell, John Fibiley, Timothy McCarty, William Grimes, Michael Raney, Patrick K. Reagan, John Marsden, alias, Ann,Sullivan, Richard Cheever, Ellen Abbott, George Thompson, Michael Murphy, William Young, Abby Young, Margaret Sullivan, Georgiana Moffitt, Margaret Carney, Mary Davis, John Liner, Ann Thomas, John Hurley, Agnes Bell, John Tahan, 48 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 98. Bridget Cronan, John Baker, Ann Crowley, Mary Riney, Ellen Schouler, John Coster, Eliza McDermott, John Reed, Bridget Clancey, Jeremiah O'Brien, Philip Clark, Mary Griffin and child, John McLaughlin, Margaret Copely, Patrick Ray, John Callahan, Elizabeth Thompson, Patrick K. Curley, Ann McQuade, Thomas M. Mann, Catherine Madigan, Mary Davis, Ellen McLaughlin, Mary Wheeler, Ann Whittier, James Riley, Sarah McNulty, Margaret Cummings, Henry Iven, minor, Thomas Munroe, Daniel Diamard, Isaac Brown, William Mahoney, Ann Kelley, Elizabeth Bossnet, Patrick McDade, Mary Stewart, James Brodie, Michael McDonald, Thomas Lyons, Mary I. Simpkins, Jane Tiernan, Mary McNamara, Margaret McCarty, Eleanor Conant, Mary Mahan, Belinda Stanton, Mary Byron, Maria Stanton, Bridget Folan and child, William Brown, Mary Smith, Margaret Brady, Margaret Sullivan, Anna Prescott, John Buck, Catherine McKenney, Ann Valentine, Patrick Keefe, Ellen McCue, Dennis Murphy, alias, Mary Pearse, John McCabe, Ann Hall, John Sherdan, Ellen Riley, Patrick Brown, Daniel O'Conner, John Collins, Hurd McNamara, PRISONS. 49 Dennis McCarty, Dennis Desmond, James Smith, John Murphy, Byron Manning, John W. Brown, alias, John O'Connell, John Moore, Thomas Moffin, Caroline A. Thompson, Michael McCue, Ellen Marr, William McKennan, Annabella Rodgers, James Thompson, Bridget Finn, Martin Kennedy, Esther Flannagan, Julia Connely, Ellen Connor, Grace McGrath, John McCarthy, minor, Ann Benson, John Mahar, Rosella Eldridge, Daniel Kelley, Mary Carroll, alias, Catherine White and child, Ellen McLane, John White, Catherine Kelley, Ann Whitley, John Sullivan, Margaret Green, Morris Murphy, Michael Sullivan, Ellen Nealon, Dennis Kallaher, minor, William Welch, David Lynn. Ellen F. Noble, Thomas Doherty, Hannah Newman, Elizabeth McClellan, Mary Wood, William Clark, Mary Wheeler, Maria Baldwin, Richard Cox, Mary McGlaughlin, Mary Bowles, Dennis Fitzgerald. Mary Davis, William F. Messe, JabezHowe, William Furlong, Patrick Morrison, James McMann, Edward Burke, Louisa Martin, John Moore, Mary Sexton, Mary Nelson, Michael Fletcher, Anna Kelley, Hannah Sullivan, Sarah McCue, Charles Merritt, Mary Paget, Anna Walson, 5 50 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 98. Mary Ainwright, John Sullivan, minor, Jane Furlong, Phoebe Nash, Ellen McLaughlin, Sarah A. Smith, Peter Connally, Mary Wheeler, William Coburn, Louisa Martin, Simon Wilkinson, Sophia Cole, Margaret Murphy, Michael Kelley, Mary Hogan, Susan Brown, John Ryan, Mary Britt, Michael Murray, William Brown, John Bobbington, Hannah Harkins, Ellen O'Brien, John McCann, Mary A. Donahoe, Francis Duffy, Thomas Reynolds, Bridget Sullivan, John McGinnis, John Robinson, Mary McGlynn, Patrick Keenan, Hattie Davis, Michael Kenney, Patrick Tobin, William F. Melcher, John Flynn, Ellen Brown, James Williams, Mary J. Troing, Frank Bradley, James McNabb, Catherine Lewis, John Roach, Robert Mathews, Mary Paget, Robert Roberts, Beza Coyan, Ellen Pegram, Joanna McDonald, John White, Nellie Williams, Harriet Davis, Henry White, Barney Deery, Anna Green, Ellen White, Mary Cummiskey, Ann Gifford, William Minnehan, John Rodgers, John Royal, Simon McLean, Charles Coyle, minor, Emma Brown, Catherine McMahon, John McDonough, George Lyman, John G. Batchelder, Mary McQuade, James S. Plane, Alice Crow, PRISONS. 5 James Lavery, Elizabeth Clark and child, Charles Doherty, Catherine Jackson, Lucy Gilmore, Catherine A. Watson, Mary Vickers, John Higgins, Eleanor Lane, Mary Paget, Patrick Riley, Delia Hogan, Ann Kelley, Mary Doherty, Maria Baldwin, Mary Doherty, 2d, Margaret Falmouth, Clark Fuller, Mary Brown, John Nixon, Margaret Doherty, Patrick Tobin, Harriet Davis, William Furlong, Hannah Corwin, James Campbell, Bernard McVeevey, James Kelley, Mary A. Holmes, Mary Kennedy, Sarah McNulty, Ellen Coleman, Patrick Reynolds, Thomas Lee, Margaret McCarty, John Driscoll, Jane Bino, William Burke, Eliza A. Hall, John Webster, Mary A. Trainer, John Connally, Mary A. Wilson, Catherine Kelley, John Lovett, Matilda Lyons, Daniel O'Connell, Anna Mack, James Riley, Margaret Roushe, Philip Muldoon, Jeremiah Hawley, Annie Howard, Dennis Burke, James Flynn, Mathew Eagan, Mary Sullivan, Mary Quinn. Michael Bresnahow, Mary Furlong, Susan Mathews, Elizabeth Murphy, William Burke, minor, Carrie Hatch, Thomas Moffat, Mary Van Steinberg, Hannah Sullivan Morris Quinn, Cornelius Horgan, Edward Welch, Alexander Ross, Margaret Nolan, 52 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 98. Jane Furlong, Patrick Murphy, Margaret Deore, Edward Fellon, Ellen Brown, Michael Doherty, Eliza Shannon, John Reardon, Jane Pendar, Daniel O'Sullivan, Catherine McBride, William Quirk, Margaret Quinn, Edward Rodgers, Catherine Doland, Lucy Gilmore, Patrick Ryan, minor, Philip Kenney, Catherine Cull, Mary Fuller, Mary Manning, William Cady, Catherine Murphy, Bridget White, Hannah Doherty, George Casey, Mary Whalan, Philip Smith, Mary Riley, Mary Kellaher, Mary Leonard, Thomas Garrity, Julia A. Fillmore, Catherine Fleming, Edward Murry, Daniel Donahoe, Benjamin Brigham, Ellen Burns, James Stewart, Mary Flemming, Mary Carroll, Catherine O'Brien, Michael Murphy, Mary A. Carey, Julia Murphy, Maria Hansford, Thomas Lee, Mary Sullivan, Jeremiah Hawley, Eliza Malloy, Hannah Crawford, John McGill, Rose Bartlett, John Castello, Joanna Morrissey, Richard Mitchell, Margaret J. Johnson, Mary Raymond and child, Hannah Norton, Ann Green, Lucy Gray, James O'Riley, John Shephard, Sarah McNulty, James Sullivan, minor, John McGinnis, Sarah Mitchell, Charles Leavitt, Mary A. Sullivan, Thomas Doherty, Michael D. Kane, Ann Sullivan, PRISONS. 53 John Roach, Patrick Flynn, Jeremiah Sullivan, Michael Hart, Robert Downey, John Shannahan, John Sullivan, Thomas Rye, Patrick McSweeney, Rebecca Rodgers, Margaret Sullivan, Mary Williams, Catherine Reynolds, Rebecca Lambert, James Kelley, Mary A. Doherty, Daniel Moharty, Ellen Doherty, Thomas Coffee, Dennis Kellaher, Julia Farley, Rosanna Lyman, Thomas McCarty, Catherine Doyle, George McKenzie, Josephine Kelley, Edward Sweeney, Stephen Brennen, Rosanna Campbell, David E. Welch, Maurice Stevens, William McDermott, Mary Mullen, Margaret Haley, Alfred Tingle, Caroline Hatch, Mary Kinsley, Michael Doherty, Aaron Gowen, Michael Haley, James Flynn, Dennis Golding, Ellen IIyde, Thomas Russell, John Donahoe, Michael Kelley, Mary Smith, John A. Ragan, Ellen Hayes, William Brobner, Delia Smith, Henry Dugan, Edward Sweeney, Mary Woods, Thomas Morris, Thomas Kelley, John Lyons, Michael Ganey, James Clark, William Cartell, Philip Muldoon, Edward Sweeney, Michael Rahan, Mary Carmody, Daniel Copely, Dennis Ryan, Frank Kenney, Robert Weimer, Jane Gilrain, Mary Castello, James Shaughnessv, Thomas O'Brien,, * 54 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 98. Daniel O'Sullivan, Ellen E. MeNorton, Mary A. Mooney, Cecilia O'Rourke, James Mahoney, Mary A. Welch, Catherine Lamb, Ann Dolan, Mary J. Leonard, Patrick Finan, John Chambers, James Ryan, Mary Brown, Elizabeth Green, Ann Casey, Jane Porter, Keziah Gigger, Mary Smith, Hannah Crawford, Lavinia Robins, Julia Fillmore, Harriet Crosley, Joanna Crowley, Sarah Murray, Eliza Brown, George E. Sherwood, Ellen Brown, Ellen Beahe, Daniel Sullivan, Myer Bornstein, John Mathews, Charles Conway, Eugene Neagle. John Connor, Ellen Hurley, Mary Brown, Peter Driscoll, William Price, Rodney Wall, Bernard Harkins, Mary Tiarrigan, Bridget Quinn, James Graham, James Savery, Catherine Carnes, Eugene McLean, Mary Barron, Bridget Lyman, Fanny Knowles, Ellen Riley, Daniel T. Reynolds, Catherine Butler, Maria Dean, Mary O'Hearn, Sarah J. Blaney, William Moore, Margaret Doherty, Hugh McLean, Elizabeth Brown, Edward Harrigan, Bridget Quinn, Mary A. Duffy, Jabez Howe, Julia Conlan, Andrew Durant, Abby Nelligan, MIary Castello; Thomas Mullen, Margaret Maloy, William C. Smith, Catherine Lewis, John Rankins, PRISONS. 55 John WVall, Eliza Lanery, Josephine Kelly, Peter Douglass, James Laurie, Catherine Lewis, Mary A. McCormick, Julia Fillmore, Mary A. Mooney, Mary McGuire, Julia Belmont, Elijah Devlin, Ann McLove, Sarah Farey, Mary O'Brien, Mariah Green, Joseph Armstrong, Joseph Hyer, John Connell, William Emmons, James Palmer, Edward French, J. H. Keating, Mary McBride, Bridget Crowan, Margaret McLaughlin, William K. Jones, James Morris, Mary Bates, James Cass, Patrick Gleason, William Ferris, Thomas Barrett, Robert Gardner, Michael McCue, James McLennan, John Cotter, Michael Ford, John McCarty, Mary Davis, John O'Harra, Margaret Duffy, Elizabeth Sanford, Bridget Simpson, Margaret Emmons, Susan Hall, Hugh Mulhearn, William Newcomb, James O'Brien, Robert Wollen, Emma Brown, Joseph Green, Mary Wilson, Eugene Sullivan, James Thomas, Josephine Donovan, Caroline Parker, Michael Harney, Caroline Livermnore, Thomas Moore, Catherine Powers, Ida Howard, Rosanna Gardner, Hiram Fitzgerald, Mary E. Reardon, James Lavery, Patrick O'Keefe, minor, Mary Dailey,' William Carroll, John M. Kelley, Aaron Gowan, Richard White, 56 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 98. Maria Dean, Charles Roach, Waldron Wyman, Annie B. Rodgers, Bridget Sullivan and child, John Daley, Mary A. Chesley, James Watson, Anna Mahoney, Ann Casey, Jane Gray, Newell Hart, John Hill, Hellen Hewet, Dennis Haley, Mary Welch, Patrick Mahoney, David Hennessy, Eliza Robinson, Mary A. Vickers, Daniel Coughlin, George H. Collins, minor, William Griffith, Ellen Neagle, James Kelley, Martin Kennedy, Michael Donahoe, James Leggett, James Kenney, Ann Morrissey, Alexander Manville, Louisa Brown, Michael Kelley, Mary O'Brien, Benj J. Haskell, Mary Brown, Margaret O'Day, Rosa Hamilton, Margaret O'Connell, Mary A. Donahoe, James McLaughlin, John Lyons, Ann Murphy, Mary Otis, Catherine Whitney, Michael Welch, Mary Allen, Julia Belmont, Bridget Quinn, Daniel Mahoney, Nellie Evans, William Cavanaugh, Josephine Cook, Robert Reed, Mary Kelley, Patrick Donahoe, Thomas Morton, Julia Punch, William Sliney, Jane McHenry, Peter Foster, Mary MecMahan, Frances Howard, Thomas Mack, Mary A. McAnava, William McCarty, Hannah Sullivan, Robert Weimar, Annie E. Hicks, Ann Haley, Ann McKitosla,? William Leonard, PRISONS. 57 Catherine Collyer, Mary Crosby, Mary O'Keefe, Mary Crowley, Mary McCarty, Charles Quinn, Patrick O'Brien, John E. Conway, James Martin, Catherine Curtis, William McKeag, Rose Mintager, Mary A. Duffy, Louisa Howard, Ann McLaughlin, Daniel S. Courtney, James Flynn, James Flaherty, James Cavanaugh, Francis Elisha, William Haley, Peter Foster, John Leggett, William Jones, Mary Wheeler, James Cass, Ann Silva, Margaret Sullivan, Isabella Treat, Patrick Murphy, Joseph Rickets, Josephine Aaron, Mary McLaughlin, Mary Toole, Mary A. Partridge, Michael Presden, Patrick Dugan, Eliza Sullivan, Charles Kelley, Francis A. Hayden, Daniel Cocklin, Keron Dunn, Margaret Kenneally, John McElroy, Sarah Brown, Philip Riley, Ann Cutler, Sarah E. Campbell, James Conley, John Lawton, John Conley, Mary McNamara, James Riley, Sarah Sutherland, Frances Howard, Mary A. Donahoe, Marj Kelley, John Donahoe, John Cavanaugh, Horatio Hough, Mary Mulhearn, Lawrence Redman, John Smith, Mary McGuire, Nellie Evans, Matilda Lyons, Marcus McDonald, John Williams, William Wilson, William Fitzgerald, C. Jackson, Patrick Donnelly, 58 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 98. Michael Fletcher, Mary Farrell, Mary Cain, Hannah Lynch, Mary Thomas, Lucy Jackman, John Callahan, Cornelius Doherty, Edward Kenney, James Berry, Michael G. Smith, Maria Norton, John D. Conroy, Delia Dolan, Bridget Condon, John Henry, Ann Casey, James Cronan, Elijah Maxwell, John Martin, James Shepley, George Feather, Thomas Taft, Hannah Doherty, William B. Maynard, Daniel Curtin, John B. Sullivan, Margaret Lenon, Mary Smith, Ann Lasey, Ann McQuade, John O'Hearn, Catherine Manning, Edward Carmine, John Donahoe, Thomas Silkols, Charles Murray, Margaret Paggett, John Connors, Mary M'Colligan, Catherine Doyle, Peter Lobie, John McCarty, John O'Brien, John Wall, Edward Welch, James Gaffeney, Patrick O'Brien, Mary Bridge, Jeremiah Coffee, Philip Sullivan, Timothy Warnan, Bridget Gillright, Bridget Maloney, Rosa Campbell, Mary O'Brien, Margaret Green, Jane Ferguson, Jane Grefgg, Maria M'Cormick, Hannah Kellehar, Henry Cullenwood, Ann Smith, John Hurley, James Ulthers, James Dean, Patrick Carr, Amelia York, Philip Muldoon, Margaret Burke, PRISONS. Mary Redmond, Catherine Murphy, Mary Scott, Parick Doyle, Ellen Collins, Ellen Donovan, Ellen Hughes, Margaret Moore, Catherine Williams, Ann Whitley, Margaret Quinn, Margaret Conlin, Philip Hennelsay, Hannah Colwin, Augustus Jones, Mary Nichols, Sarah Stone, James Sullivan, John O'Brien, Samuel Smith, Patrick Manning, James Flynn, Luther Waterman, Margaret Quirk, Mary J. Graham, Honora Flemming, Mary Quinn, Charles H. Brown, Cornelius McMahan, Ellen O'Heara, Harriet Kimball, Anna Austin, Mary A. Chappell and child, Mary A. Williams, Bridget Baylon, George Seymant, Jeremiah Donovan, Michael Lavagan, Lavinia Robbins, John F. Fitzgibbons, Maria Kelley, Maurice J. Kehoe, John Fraser, Patrick Haley, John Kennelly, Mary A. Smith, William Durgin, Timothy McCarty, Mary McLevis, Catherine Doyle, Susanna Finnigan, Mary A. Kennedy, Bridget Williams, Joseph Rocheford, Catherine Dempsey, Michael O'Donald, Margaret Shannon, Robert Casey, Jennie Palmer, Jeremiah Donovan, John Cummings. Mary Anderson, Ed. J. Shaw, John Hurley, Josephine Hennessy and child, Michael Hanley, Mary Harrison, Peter Kelley, Ellen King, Michael Nolan, 60 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 98. Ellen Armstrong and child, Fanny Knowles, Edward Nolan, Catherine Dempsey, Ellen A. M'Norton, John Farrell, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Jeremiah Clifford, Hanna Flemming, James Crowley, Mary Haley, Honora Stokes, Peter Green, Mary Barnes, Frank W. Marsden, John Gallager, Ann Green, Catherine Carney, Zineo Reardan, Maria McCormick, John McGlynn, William Harkins, John Lynde, Catherine Nichols, Mary Shaley, Bridget Kennedy, Mary A. Chesley, Ann McLaughlin, John McCarty, Julia Leary, Michael Duffy, Catherine Hilton, Mary A. Morrissey, Frank M'Grath, Patrick Finlan, James Hartigan, Timothy Murphy, Jane Copely, Mary Whalan, John Buckley, Fanny West, James Estelle, Michael Keyes, Mary McCann, Joanna Dempsey, Ann Emanuel, Ellen McLean, Mary Stevens, Catherine Haley, John Tomblety, Catherine Perkins, Margaret Sullivan, Sarah Davis, James Thompson, Michael Moran, John Brown, Hannah Kallaher, Nancy Corbin, Rebecca Leonard, Mary Fay, Joanna Brickly, Maria Cole, Julia Conlin, Mary Lyon, Dennis Ragan, Catherine Hogan, Mary Nichols, Mary Williams. Total, 1,200. City Document.- N-o. 10. o\,,t CONDITA. T // SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF THE CITY OF BOSTON, FOR THE YEAR 1863. -~~~~.. BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 1863. MOSES KIMBALL, AMOS A. DUNNELS, WILLIAM EATON, JAMES RILEY, J. PUTNAM BRADLEE, JOSEPH T. BAILEY, WILLIAM M. FLANDERS, JOSEPH L. HENSHAW, JONAS FITCH, GEORGE W. SPRAGUE, JUSTIN JONES, GRANVILLE MEARS. MOSES KIMBALL, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. REPORT. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, BOSTON, January 1, 1864. 5 To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSTON: In compliance with the requirements of the Ordinance establishing, the Board of Directors for Public Institutions, the following is submitted as their Seventh Annual Report. It is for the municipal year ending December 31, 1863. It contains a statement of the expenditures on account of the several Institutions under the charge of the Board, and those for running the Henry Morrison, together with a report of the clerk of the Board, giving an account of the business done at, and expenses of, the general office. Subjoined are the Annual Reports, made to the Board, by the Master of the House of Correction, the Superintendents of the Lunatic Hopital, the House of Industry, the House of Reformation, and of the Resident Physician at Deer Island. The increased cost of subsistence and supplies has enlarged the expenditures for the Institutions considerably beyond the expenses of last year. The gross sums will be found elsewhere in the Report, but as the details are given annually in the Report of the City Auditor, they are omitted. Substantially the expenditures for each Institution are as follows: — CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Average number of prisoners for the year, 285. The gross expenditures were $44,551.87, and deducting $11,713.29, amount expended for improvements and other extraordinary expenses, leaves $ 32,838.58 as the actual expenditures for support of the prison. Deducting now $ 13,622.52, the amount received for labor of prisoners, and the net cost of support of the Institution is shown to be $ 19,216.06, being $67.43 per year or $ 1.29 per week for each prisoner. LUNATIC HOSPITAL. Average number of patients for the year, 168. The gross expenditures were $ 32,799.38, and deducting $ 3,563.31, amount expended for improvements, leaves $ 29,236.07 as the actual expenditures for support of the Hospital. Deducting now $ 11,167.63, the amount received for boarding patients, and the net cost of support of the Hospital is shown to be $18,068.44, being $ 107.55 per year, or $ 2.07 per week for each patient. HOUSES OF INDUSTRY AND REFORMATION. Average number of inmates for the year, 612. The gross expenditures were $ 79,305.60, and deducting $ 17,129.13, for improvements and other extraordinary expenditures, leaves $ 62,176.47, as the actual expenditures for support of the Institution. Deducting now $ 4,139.78, received for products sold, and the net cost for support of the Institution is shown to be $58,036.69, being $94.83 per year, or $ 1.82A per week for each inmate. A comparison for the last two years gives the following result: PUB3LIC INSTITUTIONS. 7 HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 1862. 1863. Average number of inmates................ 274 285 Gross expenditures........................ $31,972 59 $ 44,551 87 Extraordinary expenses, for improvements, &c. 1,337 60 11,713 29 Actual expenditure for support of Institution.. 30,634 99 32,838 58 Expense per inmate per year............... 111 80 115 22 " " " " week............... 2 15 2 22 Credit for labor........................... 13,214 38 13,622 52 Net cost of support of Institution............ 17,420 61 19,216 06 " per inmate per year................ 63 58 67 43 " " " " week............... 1 22 1 29 HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. 1862. 1863. Average number of inmates................ 637 612 Gross expenditures....$.............. $59,548 42 $ 79,305 60 Extraordinary expenses, for improvements, &c. 11,660 15 17,129 13 Actual expenditure for support of Institution.. 47,888 27 62,176 47 Expense per inmate per year................ 92 11 101 59 " " " " week............... 1 44 1 95 Credit for articles sold..................... 4,030 37 4,139 78 Net cost of support of Institution............ 43,857 90 58,036 69 " per inmate per year................ 68 85 94 83 " " " " week............... 1 32 1 82 8 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. LUNATIC HOSPITAL. 1862. 1863. Average number of inmates................ 180 168 Gross expenditures........................ $ 27,838 75 $ 32,799 38 Extraordinary expenses, for improvements, &c. 1,448 05 3,563 31 Actual expenditures for support of Institution. 26,390 70 29,236 07 Expense per inmate per year................ 146 61 174 02 c" " "c "week.............. 2 82 3 35 Credit for board of patients................. 9,951 16 11,167 63 Net cost of support of Institution............ 16,439 54 18,068 44 " per inmate per year............... 91 33 107 55 " " " " week............... 1 75 2 07 The Directors are sorry to be compelled to refer to the last two Reports of the Inspectors of Prisons. The injustice of the first is so manifestly apparent upon its own pages that it needs no comment from us. The last contains, with other matter, a needless, uncalled for, and uncharitable exposure of the names of 1,200 poor persons, women and men, discharged from jail by them, as not able to pay fines and costs; and though filled with erroneous and exaggerated statements, perverted facts, and implied misrepresentations in regard to the Institutions, might yet be passed by in silence if only the Directors or Superintendents were concerned. Here, where the characters of those who prepared the Report are known, their own venom is the best antidote for the scandal with which it is sought to poison the public mind. The Directors and Superintendents will pass away, but Boston and her history will remain. This calumny, which has force only from the official position PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 9 of the libellers, will remain. Our City, justly proud as she always has been, and has a right to be, of her record as standing first in all good works, - ready at all times to aid humanity and relieve the suffering, - establishing more charitable and reformatory institutions, and sustaining and managing them with far more liberality, humanity, and kind regard for their inmates than any other city, receives the assassin stab at her fair fame from her own citizens, the cowardly blow being struck from behind a shield of official protection. If the good of the public, instead of personal vindictiveness and wanton malice, were the object to be attained, and the injury to the reputation of the City were merely local, the reports might not require specific denial, or explanation. But the evil has gone farther. Through the influence of the same interested parties the press has been worked to give the slanders more extended notoriety. Garbled extracts have been published and commented upon again and again by papers here, and in distant cities, till at last the statements bear not even a semblance of truth. One charges that " there are no religious teachings at the Institutions;" one, that " prisoners are literally starved till they become terribly emaciated;" another, that " the men, women and children bathe promiscuously together in full view of the officers and directors, to gratify the lust of these same overseers;" yet another, " men and women, boys and girls were compelled to strip and bathe in the same room, and the females were horribly beaten and half starved by a brutal Superintendent;" and a quasi humanitarian Reverend, whose former'frequent visits to the Island, and free manner while there, had been restrained by the Board, goes so far as to say, in a Christianz paper of this City, that "they (the Directors) admit the beating of a young woman, sercntcen or cightcen years of age, uwOn the bare back with a heavy rattan till the blood ran." The Board fully realize the important and responsible trust that had been confided to them. They know that public service is, at best, a thankless one, and that consciousness of an 2 10 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. honest discharge of duty is the only reward they can expect. Thus far they have managed the Institutions according to their understanding of right, despite the interference of outside parties, which they have more than once been compelled to repress. By their record they will stand, and as they have done will continue to do, so long as they remain in power. Statute law gives them the sole and entire control of the Institutions, and they will not allow parties to infringe upon their rights or dictate to them, or to their Superintendents, for whom they are responsible, and in whom they have the most implicit confidence. The Directors have not failed to exercise a judicious scrutiny in the'economical administration of the Institutions, and a careful supervision over the management and discipline of the same. Constant visiting by the whole Board at stated times, by committees and by individual members, together with reports received daily at the office of events at the Institutions, including a record of punishments, enables the Directors to be so thoroughly conversant with affairs that it would be impossible for abuses, if any existed, to be of long continuance. The interests of the City and the rights and welfare of those committed to their charge have been equally cared for. Unless the statements of convicts, some of them the vilest of the vile, are to be taken, and promulgated as facts, in preference to the oaths of officers, whose whole lives have been a record of integrity, these can be established beyond a doubt. The reports of the Inspectors are understood to be written by the members in turn. For the contents of the reports, those who sign them,* are, of course, responsible. For the false impression they have created, those whose names have given character to the report, will be -held accountable by the people. It is understood, in regard to the last report, that one of the Inspectors, though present at the visit, did not join in the examination of the prisoners at the House of Correction upon which the report is based, and that he did not visit the House PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 11 of Reformation at all. At the second visit to the House of Reformation, only two were there. It was not a legal examination, as a majority was not present. There were not enough even to make a committee, for the law expressly provides that committees shall consist " of not less than three." It is further stated, and we presume will not be denied, that two of them did not read the report till after it was printed in a newspaper, in advance of its official publication. Who furnished a copy to that paper, and has instigated comments upon it in the same sheet, we leave for the conjecture of those who best know the parties interested in the purpose which would prompt such a course. It may not be amiss to suggest to these "strict constructionists," and " devoted lovers of right," to look more closely at home and remember the scriptural injunction"Physician, heal thyself." The Inspectors, after stating in their report that the knowledge they " can obtain of the real interior character of these prisons is, after all, and at the best, very imperfect," treat first and at length upon the bathing arrangements of the several Institutions, and convey the false impression that a state of things exists in that respect, not creditable to the intelligence of the community, but a gross insult to the advanced civilization of the age. Speaking of the bath-tubs, it is said, " these are all in open rooms, without any screen or protection whatever, and in these publicly exposed tubs the prisoners, men, women, and girls, in their respective departments, in groups of from three to seven, are required to perform their ablutions." And again, that " old offenders, young offenders, girls of nine and ten years of age, alike must disrobe themselves, and in full observation of their fellows and officers, in a state of utter nudity enter the bath, perform its duty and partake its refreshment." And yet again, at the end of the article, forgetting perhaps that they l.l previously said " in their several departments," and fearing, it may be, that the public might not be sufficiently 12 (ITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. shocked with an idea of brutal and beastly licentiousness, they say in the form of a query, " Is it proper, prudent, rcfbrmatory, necessary, for any purpose, that these should be compelled, iron'iscuotslly in pulblic nd?lity, to the bath? " A plain statement of facts as they are, and have been, is the best answer to such utter mendacity. 1. The bathing is not done in op)en rooms, but in those appropriated to, and expressly kept for, that purpose. The tubs are arranged as they have been for years, and as is the custom in all public Institutions within the knowledge of the Board. If they are not proper, have the Inspectors done their duty for the last ten years, in not reporting upon them before? 2. The bathers are not "publicly exposed," nor do they bathe " in full observation of their fellows and officers." Only one officer is present with the men, and one matron with the women. It is difficult to conceive how an average of some 700, as at the House of Industry and Reformation, could be bathed once in each week, as required by Statute, without there being from " three to seven bathing at once, in different tubs," and an officer present to see that the bathing was done at all. To some of them cleanliness seems unnatural, and to many the bath is "distastefil." These might object'" to 2lartake of its refr'cshmclt " altogether. 3. They do not bathe "p'romiscuously." The men bathe by themselves, the women by themselves, and the children by themselves, in their respective bathing rooms. They are not exposed, but are as carefully excluded from outside observation as are the bathers of most families. The tubs are as cleanly and as nice as those of most houses, and each bather has fresh and pure warm water. 4. The objection that they bathe " in (t state of utter nudity," the Directors trust may be excused. Other matters in the report will be examined in connection with the Institutions to which they more particularly refer. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 13 HOUSE OF CORRECTION. This Institution is under the special care of the same master who has had charge of it from its first establishment. It has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best-managed institutions of the kind in the country. The discipline of the prison and the diet of the prisoners, which is of wholesome food, and in abundant quantity, are the same that they have been for years past. The Inspectors are pleased to find fault with the material of some of the rations. Indian meal seems to be a Bottle Imp that constantly haunts and sorely afflicts them. In one place they speak of;; brown bread," but everywhere else they talk of "I Iedian" and " Corn " bread. They evidently do not know what they talk about so flippantly. The bread they condemn is not "Indian," nor " corn" bread, but the brown bread of New England, such as all of our New England farmers have on their tables every day, and such as is found on the bill of fare at the New York and Western hotels, under the name of "Bostlo brown bread." At the Institutions, it is made of Indian meal and rye meal, and flour, (wheat,) and molasses. Bread from the same batch is used at the tables of the Superintendents and officers, and is esteemed a luxury. The Inspectors, however, are opposed to its use. They say, "this part of the prison ration is so distasteful and disagreeable to some of the prisoners that they habitually go without food at the meal when it is served, preferring hunger rather than subject themselves to the unkindly effect of its use." If such were the case, some persons, not overflowin(r with the milk of human kindness, and without a sympathy for prisoners not extended to honest poverty, might say, 6"let them go hungry then." The Directors do not assume such a position, but answer, that it is znot true that any prisoner " habitually goes without his food," of which abundant proof can be furnished if necessary. 14 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. Brown bread is served with other articles on three alternate days in the week, and instead of' being hurtful, is beneficial as a sanitary measure. Of this the Board desire no better assurance, than the opinion of the eminent physician of the prison, whom long experience with public institutions has so admirably qualified as an expert, and the fact that at his instance its use was continued, when at one time the idea of abandoning it was thought of. The best proof of the healthfulness of any food is, after all, the condition of the man, or beast, that feeds upon it. The condition of the " starving; prisoners," is offered as evidence of the healthful and fattening qualities of Indian meal. The use of brown bread as a part of the rations of the House of Correction, the Inspectors endeavor to make it appear, is in greater quantity than at other institutions. As they institute a comparison, in one particular, with the State Prison, which they seem disposed to patronize, they cannot object to it, in another. By the Annual Report of the State Prison, it appears that the brown bread ration there is two thirds of the entire bread ration, while at the House of Correction it is less than one half. At another page of the Report the Inspectors say, "at the present inspection, full one third of the male prisoners, and many of the females, complained to us that it was impossible for them to obtain food enough to satisfy the natural cravings of hunger. It appeared that request for more food to the officers in immediate charge had in some cases been repeated again and again, without avail." To this the only answer can be that it is simply a falsehood. The Directors will not so far insult the intelligence of the "Inspectors" as to suppose that they believed one word of it. No sane person, or other of tolerable intellectual capacity, after a moment's observation of these prisoners could listen to such complaints for a moment without feeling that he was being mocked at and made fun of. And yet, as if to induce the public to believe it, the same idea is repeated by implication, as follows, " In no other prison in Suffolk County do we ever hear of begging for food, - the amount of provisions PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 15 everywhere but in this prison, so far as our knowledge extends, is ample and satisfactory, and available upon request. Should it not be so here also?" So far from there being any foundation for the above innuendo there is not a word of truth in it. No complaint has ever been made to Master or officers, by any convict, of " insufficiency of rations," that has not at once been remedied by an additional and abundant supply. That no one may doubt in relation to what is regularly provided, the list of rations copied from the Inspector's Report is submitted. DIET BILL OF THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Breakjfsts and suppers, each day and each meal, for each prisoner. 24 ounces mush, 1 pint barley coffee, sweetened with molasses; 51 ounces bread. Dinners. Sunday - roast beef; i pound beef with gravy, and 1 pound potatoes. Monday — stewed beans; 1f pounds beans, and 2 ounces salt pork. Tuesday —soup; 31 pounds soup made of beef, potatoes, and vegetables.? Wednesday - soup, same as Tuesday. Thursday - stewed beans, same as Monday. Friday -soup, same as Tuesday. Saturday — salt fish; 3~ ounces fish, and 12 ounces potatoes. Additional weekly allowances. 1 ounce salt, ] gill vinegar, 6~ drams pepper. That the prisoners are not provided with luxuries, nor a bill of fare furnished them, from which to select dainties to tickle the 16 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. palate, as at hotels, is true. That parts of rations are " distastef/l " to some of the prisoners is not surprising. A residence in the prison is presumed to be " distastefil " to all of them, if their repeated protestations of innocence, and constant complaints of the injustice of their sentences are to be believed. And yet, if they are to be believed at all, why not in this? To carry out the theory of the Inspectors, is it not possible but that there is required " such changes as will effectually prevent the recurrence of such complaints." But these are not all that they complain of. If all they say can be relied upon, then Shakspeare was prophetic when he wrote, - "The jury, passing on a prisoner's life, May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two, Guiltier than him they try." The next subject complained of is the punishments. These they endeavor to show, by a comparison with those at the State Prison, are excessive. In doing so they have successfully shown their ignorance of facts, prison discipline, and arithmetic. The comparison is based upon the averagole number of prisoners for a given period, the Inspectors giving the number of punishments at the State Prison for six months. Now, every one can see that it would be much more fair to base it upon the whole number liable to be punished, more particularly where the population is floating, as at the House of Correction. By the Annual Report of the State Prison it is shown that the number of prisoners Oct. 1, 1862, was 460. Since committed for the year, 109, half of which number, say 55, added to 460, gives 515 as the whole number of persons liable to be punished for the term of six months. In the House of Correction, Dec. 11, 1862, the number of prisoners was 258. Since committed to July 24, 1863, 303. The whole number liable to be punished during that term of more than sevcen months, was 561. Basing the calculation on these numbers, the result is as follows: — PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 17 Number of prisoners in State Prison,... 515 Number of punishments, State Prison,.. 182 Number of prisoners, House of Correction,.. 561 Proportionate number of punishments, House of Correction, in 6 months,... 198 Actual number of punishments, House of Correction, in 7 months,....... 188 Number of prisoners in State Prison,.... 515 Number of prisoners punished in State Prison,.. 99 Number of prisoners in House of Correction,.. 561 Proportionate number of persons punished in House of Correction, for 6 months,.... 108 Actual number of persons punished in House of Correction, in 7 months,...... 111 Or only three more than the relative proportion, and that, too, in a rapidly changing population, in the House of Correction. Number of prisoners in State Prison,... 515 Number of days of punishment, State Prison,.. 489 Number of prisoners, House of Correction,.. 561 Proportionate number of days of punishment for 6 months, 532 Actual number of days of punishment in House of Correction in 7 months,..... 522 They assume that short-sentenced prisoners are less likely to merit discipline than long-sentenced ones, and that females are " vresumed to be more tractable," and consequently more easily managed, and hence, that the odds is in favor of the House of Correction. The exact reverse is the truth, as everybody, conversant with discipline in a mixed prison, knows. The more hardened and desperate the prisoner, the more cautious and wary he is of the common offences. He knows the punishments and avoids them. The shorter the sentence, the more careless the prisoner. If punished, it cannot be for long. With regard to females, it is known, the world over, that an abandoned woman is far more difficult to manage than a man. 3 18 CITY DOCUMNENT. — No. 10. An imaginative mind can sometimes conjure up strange faneies. In this respect the Inspectors manifest a happy faculty. They seem to have thought it necessary to scold as much as possible about the House of Correction. Upon no other theory, can an explanation be found for their endeavor to convey the idea that there is a lack of sympathy with the prisoners, and a growing harshness of manner manifested toward them by the officers. How could they be cognizant of the assumed facts, or state of things, from one hour's observation, during their visit, at dinner-time, when the prisoners were locked in their cells and away from the officers? They had no other means of knowing. The exact reverse of this charge is the case, as the Directors know from their own observation. The Institution is not amenable to the wanton charges that the prisoners are without proper and sufficient food, harshly treated by the officers, or excessively punished. The Rev. Mr. Clinch continues as Chaplain of the Prison, and religious services are held by him in the Chapel twice on each Sabbath. The organ has been increased in power by the addition of more stops. Played by a skilful organist, and with a hired quartet of singers, devotional music is given in excellence not surpassed at many churches, other than those of large and wealthy societies. A Bible is furnished to each prisoner, and druing their leisure they have good secular reading from the Prison Library, which is constantly replenished by the Chaplain, who is kept supplied with money for that purpose. Each prisoner is conversed with and advised by the Chaplain, on the day before his discharge. The advice is believed sometimes to have good effect. The improvements in workshops and upon the grounds have steadily progressed for the last few years, till little remains to be done beyond what may be required for repairs or the exigrencies of change in the Institution. During the year alterations have been made in the gas-works, for the purpose of securing a better quality of gas, and a greater economy in its manufacture, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 19 both of which objects have been successfully accomplished. New sheds and storehouses have been constructed on the sides of the yard, and old buildings removed, throwing the whole spare area together, and rendering the yard much more safe and convenient. Through the efforts of some of the Directors, remunerative labor has at length been found for the female prisoners, the number of which now prepo~lderates over the males, and is greatly increased over the average proportion of former years. A female prison is always difficult of management, and particularly so when the inmates have nothing to do. This employment, therefore, is most valuable in aiding proper discipline, to say nothing of what it contributes toward their support. Wrhere those employed a year ago only earned an average of less than five cents per day, they now, by the aid of sewing-machines, are earning something over thirty cents per day. Nor is this all. The practice of needlework is teaching many of them, some of whom knew nothing before, to be good sempstresses, while others have become expert in running sewing-machines, and are thus fitted to earn an honest living after their discharge, if so disposed. With the continued increase of female prisoners and the employment of their labor, has come a necessity for more shop rooln. At present they work in a building, one of the oldest structures upon the grounds, contracted, inconvenient, and badly ventilated. Good economy suggests that a new and suitable shop should be erected during the coming summer, and, if the City Council approve, an appropriation for that purpose will be necessary. The report of the Master, to the Board, is referred to for any further information that may be desired. 20 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10, LUNATIC HOSPITAL. Contrary to all expectations, the number of patients in this Institution is slightly decreased from that of the previous year. Singularly the same was the fact last year in most Lunatic Hospitals. The attention of the Superintendent to the duties of his position have been all that rthe most exacting could desire. Under his careful and patient treatment many obstinate cases have been cured, and a number of persons, after a residence in the Hospital for from one to three years, have been restored to their families, and to society. None but those who have had the affliction of insanity brought close home to them, can begin to appreciate the advantages of a well-conducted Hospital, in charge of a skilful, experienced, and conscientious physician. This Hospital is such an one, but is lamentably deficient in many important essentials. The building is old-fashioned in construction, with low ceilings, and consequently with bad ventilation. The grounds are contracted, and in immediate proximity to large manulfacturing establishments, without the quiet so important to such an Institution. It is, in short, behind the age in all particulars. This subject was brought to the attention of the City Council in 1862, but, for want of time for consideration, was laid over to the Government of last year. In January last the Board presented a Memorial to the Council, through his Honor, the Mayor, giving a detailed description of the Institution and its condition. It also mentioned the points in which it was more particularly deficient, and urged the necessity of preparatory action for improvements. (In Appendix imarked A, will be found a copy.) It was referred to the Committee on Institutions, who, on Oct. 19, 1863, reported as follows: — " That in their opinion the communication of the Mayor and Memorial of the Directors express in none too urgent terms, the PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 21 inadequacy of the present Lunatic Hospital and the desirability of providing more suitable accommodations, not only for the unfortunate lunatics who are at the charge of the City, but for those whose resident friends do not desire to send them to distant or private institutions in which less confidence may be reposed than in our own public establishment. "The Committee do not deem it necessary to rehearse the considerations which form the basis of this opinion, they being so fully and ably stated in the communication and Memorial. "As a preliminary step towards the desired object, the Committee recommend the adoption of the accompanying order." "Ordered, That the Board of Directors for Public Institutions be, and they hereby are, authorized to select and recommend to the City Council, for purchase, a site for a new Lunatic Hospital." Pending the consideration of this report, the Board of Aldermen passed an order, propounding to the Directors certain inquiries, which were immediately responded to by a fill, frank, and explicit answer, a copy of which is given in the A.p)endix marked B. In consequence of press of business, and for other reasons, the report of the Committee was not brought up for consideration, but was passed over, with other unfinished business, to the Government of the present year. The Directors ask for the subject a careful examination, satisfied that the claims of the unfortunate, and the good name of the City, require that steps should be taken, looking to an ultimate reinoval to a more proper locality, and the erection of a building with all modern conveniences, for the treatment and restoration of the unfortunate class who are compelled to seek relief at a hospital of the kind. That it will take years to secure a site, mature plans, and complete buildings ready for occupancy, every one conversant with such matters must be aware. The time is not far distant when it will be imperatively necessary to remove from the pres 22 CITY DOCUMENT —No. 10. ent location, and to furnish more fand better facilities for the accommodation of patients. To avoid unnecessary haste, when such time does come, common prudence and proper foresight require that the subject should be considered now. If these changes are thought by the City Council to be necessary, preparatory measures should at once be inaugurated. The Directors do not recommend any immediate large expenditure. All they propose is, that authority should be given for the selection of a site to be presented for the approval of the Government, and, if approved of, that it should be purchased. The lot could then be laid out, and ornamental trees planted, so that when it became proper to build, the place would be prepared to receive the edifice. As the chances of getting a suitable lot in or near the City are daily becoming more and more rare, and the cost of such land continually on the increase, it is respectfully urged that so much of the proposed plan, as embraces the purchase of land, should be no longer neglected. HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. The management of the House of Industry, its innmates numbering as many as the inhabitants of some towns in the State, and the care of the large farm connected with it, is no holiday task. It requires a man, for Superintendent, of varied acquirements and great industry. The present incumbent the Directors believe to be such an one, judging from observation and by results. Everywhere upon the Island progress is visible. Additional land, that never before felt the labor of man, has been, from time to tinle, put under cultivation, the crops are largely increased and increasing, and a greater economy of expenditures for products secured. Pork, for Institution use, is no longer bought, but {'own there; and butter, that was formerly sent from the City by the tun, is now made at the Island, with a fair prospect of soon having a surplus to dispose of. Further improvements have been made in the arrangements PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 23 for warming the apartments, and a considerable reduction in the quantity of coal consumed is the consequence. A new barn, authorized by the last appropriation, has been built, a model of substantial simplicity and convenience. It is an evidence of true economy, and of the proper liberality of the City, in doing well what is needed to be done as a permanence. Placed remote firom other buildings, the chance of' fire from contact being impossible, and the risk of burning at all but small, it seems as if no call for further buildings of any importance need be made for a long while. During the past summer, the services of the Rev. Edward Abbott were secured in the position of Resident Chaplain. Under his ministration, religious services are holden in the Chapel every Sabbath. A Sunday School is also regularly kept up. The Directors desire to bear testimony to the devotion of Mr. Abbott to the duties of his calling, and the manifestly advantageous effect of his teachings upon the inmates. To those of the pauper departments his presence gives much comfort, while a happy faculty of reaching the juvenile mind has made his labors in the reformatory departments of great value. A large library, under his charge, to which constant additions are made by him, is much used. The school for pauper boys is a just source of pride. In order and scholarship, according to the branches tauoht, there is nothing left to desire. To many of the children it is a fortunate thing that they have been compelled to make their home at the Institution, where they will receive an education to fit thenY for after life, which, but for the poverty of their parents, they might not otherwise have received. Early in the year, Dr. Reynolds, the resident physician, resigned his situation to accept a position in the army. The vacancy was filled by the election of Dr. S. E. Stone. The management of the medical department since the change is good evidence that Dr. Stone has not neglected his advantages to acquire a thorough knowledge of his profession. Ophthalmia, n Zn~~~c 24 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. always so common in public institutions where there are children, and at one time so troublesome here, is now of rare occurrence. The out-of-door exercise of the boys and the skill of the physician, it is hoped, will prevent its frequent recurrence in the future. The Report of the Superintendent to the Board is full and explicit in regard to other matters, and particularly in statistics of the number of inmates. To this the Council is respectfully referred. In this connection it seems proper to again allude to the condition of the sea.wall, built several years since by the United States Government, for the protection of the headland from the action of the sea in wearing away the Island. In several places it has become undermined, and, if not soon attended to, will be likely to fall, and its protection be destroyed. In such an event the abrasion of the waves would be likely to cause a considerable damage to the property of the City, in addition to the injurious effect upon the harbor. As the matter of general protection to the Islands has already been agitated by his Excellency the Governor, with a view to action by the General Government, it would seem as if some measures should be taken to see that the interests of the City in Deer Island are not neglected. HOUSE OF REFORMATION. This Institution was established in 1848, as a place " for the employment and reformation of juvenile offenders." In its early days, when it contained but a moderate number of inmates, it is believed that its usefulness was very considerable. It has been hoped that it might be made so always, but like all similar large establishments, the amount of good accomplished is at best but doubtful. In localities where the inmates come mainly from the rural districts, the results have been more satisfactory. Little can be expected but evil from the bringing together of a large number of the worst boys of a large city, as our experience PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 25 proves. A few boys, who have been accessible to good training, and had, character enough to resist the influence of those more corrupt, have gone out to become good citizens, but the innate and apparently irradicable depravity of the great mass, renders the effort to reform them most discouraging. The Directors and Superintendent can only perform their duty, and this they should be allowed to do, according to their belief of what is proper, so long as they remain in power, and outrage no right, regardless of the voluntary interference of those, without practical knowledge, who desire to control them. In 1861 the Directors finding it impossible to apprentice the boys, although having employed a special agent for that purpose, and that the House was very full, and the inmates rapidly increasing, were brought to consider what must in a few years be the consequences if the same steady addition of numbers continued. It was found that there were many boys as old as sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen years of age, most of them of the stature of men, who, in conformity with their sentence, must remain till their minority expired, in this House for " Juvenile Offenders." As there was no special labor for them, - an attempt at shoemaking having been abandoned as impracticable, and the plan of working upon the farm not then popular, - their time was wholly spent either in school, in the hospital, or at play. What they learned was not generally what the employed teacher taught, but the wickedness that was brought from the City by the last comer. To such instruction they were apt scholars. Innumerable quarrels among themselves, which the discipline was unable to control, the burning of the barn, and subsequently of the apartments occupied by them, with a narrow escape of the whole building, was the consequence. Had the same ratio of increase, as at that time, continued, the House would now have as many as five hundred inmates, and at least one third of them would have been nearly men. Under these circumstances the Board adopted the recommenda4 26 CITY I)OCUMENT. -No. 10. tions of their Committee, that it was " inexpedient to consent to the admission of any more boys," till the older ones were gone, and the number reduced to the capacity of the House; after that was accomplished, to admit only suitable cases, —the young, and those not too deeply steeped in vice. As by law the Justices of the Police Court could not commit without " the assent of the Directors," the refusal to grant such assent, though the wishes of the Justices had never before been thwarted, at once met their disapproval, and excited the ill-will of some, who had never complained of the Institution in its most degenerate days. Since that time, aided by an ally more particularly interested to destroy the reputation of the Superintendent, one or more of the Inspectors have availed themselves of every supposed opportunity for fault-finding. In the Legislature of last year some one procured the passage of an Act, in which authority was given the Justices to sentence " Juvenile Vagrants" without recourse to the Board, and since April 21, as many as eight in one day, or fifty-six in the whole, have been committed. These have been sent for terms of from three to twenty-four months. The Institution is thus virtually made a juvenile penitentiary, and its future for usefulness destroyed. Can good be expected from the continual coming and going of this class of the most depraved City boys, or can it be expected that a "Vagrant," of twelve or fourteen years of age, will be so reformed by a three months sentence that, though he had no home, or visible means of living, when committed, he will be able to find one, and take care of himself, after he is discharged? The plan of putting the larger boys at work upon the farm, which has proven so beneficial to their general health, particularly in regard to ophthalmia, and been universally approved by all who have examined into the subject, is by these censors complained of as a wrong. By calling the Institution " this House of Reformation and Instruction," with quotation marks to the words, to convey the idea that it is an " institution of PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 27 learning," when they know that its legal title is "House for the Employment and Reformation," the attempt is made to prove that its purposes are not carried out. They say, " for six months of the year, from April to November, all but a few oJ the smaller boys are employed at labor upon the farm; never enter the schoolroom or receive any school education, -so that there may be, and sometimes is presented here the strange anomaly of a boy sent for not attending school to a place where, for the whole term of his confinement, he is kept " not attending school;" where the very system of the Institution compels him to do precisely the thing he was committed for doing." A statement of a few facts will best dispel this air-built theory. It is not true that " all but a few of the smaller boys" work on the farm. More than one third of the number, including all of the smaller boys, are at school all the year round. Of those who work on the farm, and which comprises nearly all so employed, sixteen are fourteen years, sixteen are fifteen, fourteen are sixteen, twelve are seventeen, eight are eighteen, three are nineteen, and one is twenty years of age. Of the whole number of inmates, sixty-eight only are sent for truancy. The others are committed for larceny, stubbornness, breaking and entering to steal, or as vagabonds, juvenile vagrants, or idle and dissolute. But two boys are sent for a less term than six months, - one for three, and one for four months. These were both committed in the fall as " Juvenile Vagrants," not as Truants, and are now in school. The " strange anomaly" suggested has not yet happened, though it " may." There are thousands of improbabilities, in regard to which "strange anomalies" "may be" more likely to occur than the above supposed case. The sweet morsel, that has afforded the most delight, is the statement that a girl had been " severely punished." The knowledge of the fact was communicated to the Inspectors by the Superintendent. When asked in regard to punishments, he replied " I have no concealments," and gave them all the 28 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 12. particulars, or they might never have heard of them at all. The following is their version. " The girl was seventeen years of age, and coming eighteen in the ensuing May, in stature a woman grown; it is said she had been a troublesome girl. On this occasion she was charged with open and direct disobedience of orders and insolence of language, - she frankly admitted the offence, and for it was punished by the Superintendent in person, with a rattan about half an inch in diameter, and twenty inches long, upon the shoulders and back of the neck, - the number of blows no one can report. The Superintendent says, " I struck her with all my might." "She would not yield and I sent for a larger stick, and then she held out her hand. After this beating, and this submission, she was committed to the cell and the food of the solitary, where we found her on the 31st of July. Upon each shoulder the flesh was discolored blue-black in spots full as large as the palm of the hand, and there were perfectly evident traces of blows upon her back between the shoulders." The jfcts of the case, divested of all high coloring, are as follows. In the school is a girl, viler in speech and behavior than it is possible to conceive one of her age. She has been the pest of the school for years, as is stated by three several teachers, who have at different times had charge since her committal. Disregarding all discipline, generally abusive, constantly quarrelling with her associates, uttering foul language interlarded with oaths and falsehood, inciting the other girls to rebellion, ever bent upon malicious mischief, spurning good advice, inaccessible to shame, and caring nothing for punishment, but at times taunting the teacher to that effect, she has caused more trouble than all the rest put together. In the case in question she had been so uncommonly insolent, that she was reported to the Superintendent, who alone punishes. Taking a rattan, used for a ferrule, he bade her hold out her hand. She immediately rolled her arms in her apron, and with defiant words and looks, refused. He repeated the demand, and she PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 29 opened upon him with a torrent of Billingsgate vulgarity and obscenity, that could hardly be exceeded for grossness by the most abandoned adult of her sex. She was again told to hold out her hand or she would be struck elsewhere. The result of this was language more insulting, and the coupling of the name of the Superintendent with the foulest epithets. All this was within the hearing of the other girls. It became a question between the governing and the governed which should have the supremacy. The Superintendent struck her over the shoulders again and again. A thick tow apron, that she wore, protected her shoulders and the. blows had little effect. The Superintendent directed the matron to bring him a larger stick, and then, before it came, the girl ceased her abuse and was ferruled. She was then committed to the cell for insolence and obscenity. The Inspectors report the Superintendent as saying "I struck her with all my might." He denies having used such language. As he is a man of full average intelligence, it would seem as if he might be believed, when it is known that the stick used, was one less than twenty inches long, measuring but five sixteenths of an inch in diameter at its largest end, and weighing only five drachms. He must certainly be thought a weakly man whose whole might could be exerted with a rattan weighing but a little over half an ounce. That " upon each shoulder the flesh was discolored," is very probable, for blows struck by a stout man, would be likely to leave the marks. If seen by the Inspectors, it was during a private examination, when it became necessary for the girl to remove her dress. No one at the Institution knew of the "blue-black spots," nor did she complain either to the Physician, or Matron, both of whom visited her every day, while she was confined to'the cell. The Superintendent is also reported as saying, " It was the severest flogging I ever had to do." This language is also denied by the Superintendent. If true, however, we submit 30 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. that the "hardest flogging" he has ever done, having been accomplished by the use of the half-ounce stick, does not render him liable to the charge of having inflicted very severe punishment. Neither the Directors nor the Superintendent approve of corporal punishment, nor are they apologists for its use. That exceptions to general principles are sometimes practised, as in this case, the experience of every-day life proves. The whipping in question was an exception. The peculiar position in which the Superintendent found himself placed, under the circumstances, would seem to be some excuse for what he did, if indeed excuse were necessary. He knew that discipline must be maintained, and felt that there was no other course to pursue than the one he adopted.'The tendency of this girl's behavior, unless checked, was to destroy all discipline. It is submitted whether many a parent, wishing the welfare of a child of his own, would not, if similarly situated, rather than " spare the rod and spoil the child," have done the same. As if to make amends for the wrong done the Superintendent, by their vituperative insinuations, tending to cast obloquy upon his character as a man, the Inspectors, upon the closing page of their report, say of him, " we had ever regarded this officer as a gentleman of cool judgment, deliberate purpose, and large kindness of heart, - nor do we desire now to express or hold any other opinion." Those who know the Superintendent do not need to have him indorsed. With those who do not know him, and have read the Inspectors report, such an " opinion " will have but little moral weight. It is so in conflict with the general sentiment of the report, that they will not know which to believe. These comments may be thought out of place here, and to be further extended than is proper. It is not seen how they could be avoided. The present time is the season for the Annual Report of the Directors. To have remained silent, might be PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 31 construed as an admission of the serious charges against the Institutions, for which they hold themselves responsible. The reports of the Inspectors are made to the Board of Aldermen. It is for them to take cognizance of the matter. The Directors have always desired they should do so. They have never asked a " suspension of public opinion," or endeavored to influence it in any way. They have always courted the earliest and closest scrutiny. A Committee of the City Council is now to make proper examinations, and this Board awaits with confidence the result. The Directors have characters and reputations that are not to be blasted by the ex parte statements of any body of men, based upon the complaints of the vicious and abandoned, whose oaths would not be believed in any court. When all is known, the people will be satisfied that humanity and right have not been neglected or abused, in the administration of the affairs of the Public Institutions, but that certain parties have achieved an unenviable notoriety, from which official position cannot relieve them. " Truth crushed to earth shall rise again: The eternal years of God are hers; But Error, wounded, writhes with pain, And dies among her worshippers." MOSES KIMBALL, WILLIAM EATON, J. PUTNAM BRADLEE, W. M. FLANDERS, JONAS FITCH, JUSTIN JONES, AMOS A. DUNNELS, JAMES RILEY, JOSEPH T. BAILEY, JOSEPH L. HENSHAW, GEORGE W. SPRAGUE, GRANVILLE MEARS. REPORT OF THE CLERK OF THE BOARD. TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. GENTLEMEN: There has been expended during the year on account of the several Institutions, Steamer Henry Morrison, and general, and office expenses, the sum of one hundred and seventy-one thousand eight hundred and forty-four dollars and seventy-seven cents. The receipts on account of the Institutions during the year amounts to the sum of twenty-eight thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine dollars and ninety-three cents, all of which has been paid into the City Treasury. The amount expended for each Institution, with receipts on account of same, is as follows, viz: — HOUSE OF CORRECTION. Subsistence....... $ 12,002 29 Clothing and bedding.... 2,582 59 Fuel and lights... ~. 4,443 78 Salaries. 10,223 24 Furniture and utensils..... 139 68 Medical Department..... 238 28 Printing, books, and stationery... 220 95 Amount carried forward, $ 29,850 81 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 33 Amount brought forward, $ 29,850 81 Agricultural department.... 970 53 Repairs and alterations..... 4,847 39 Miscellaneous...... 605 10 Water-rates....... 462 00 New sheds...... 4,200 00 Blacksmith's shop..... 260 94 Gas-works...... 1,739 34 Piggery..... 1,615 76 Total..... 44,551 87 HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. Subsistence....$ 26,059 35 Clothing and bedding..... 9,627 90 Fuel and lights...... 5,319 37 Salaries....... 10,051 26 Furniture and utensils..... 954 07 Medical Department. 574 97 Printing, books, and stationery... 570 79 Agricultural department.... 6,025 61 Repairs and alterations..... 9,941 34 Miscellaneous. 228 20 New barn....... 6,001 30 Gas-works...... 3,951 44 Total...... $79,305 60 LUNATIC HOSPITAL. Subsistence.. $10,716 28 Clothing and bedding... 1,916 69 Fuel and lights... 5,272 34 Salaries... 7,142 93 Amount carried forward, $25,048 24 5 34 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 10. Amount brought forward, $ 25,048 24 Furniture and utensils.. 1,501 15 Medical Department... 776 80 Printing, books, and stationery... 160 31 Agricultural department.... 642' 55 Repairs and alterations..... 4,065 83 Miscellaneous...... 379 50 Water-rates..... 225 00 Total. $32,799 38 GENERAL AND OFFICE EXPENSES. Transportation of paupers, insane, and smallpox patients and discharged prisoners.. ~ $ 1,314 44 Carriage hire. 209 25 Printing, books, and stationery.. 459 12 Salaries....... 4,258 33 Miscellaneous...... 321 39 Total $ 6,562 53 STEAMER HENRY MORRISON. Manning...... $3,548 00 Fuel....... 2,041 00 Repairs....... 1,236 77 Rent of dock, inspection, and license.. 1,242 20 Water-rates...... 192 56 Miscellaneous...... 364 86 Total $ 8,625 39 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 85 RECAPITULATION. House of Correction. $ 44,551 87 House of Industry.... 79,305 60 Lunatic Hospital. 32,799 38 Steamer Henry Morrison.... 8,625 39 General and Office Expenses... 6,562 53 Total.. $171,844 77 The receipts for the year have been as follows: — House of Correction.. $ 13,622 52 House of Industry..... 4,139 78 Lunatic Hospital...... 11,167 63 Total...... $ 28,929 93 Whole number of applications for admission to almshouses..... 1,954 Sent to State Almshouses 1,446 Rainsford Island Hospital 297 Alien Commissioners..... 26 To Friends.. 47 Boston Almshouse. 138 Total. 1,954 Of the number sent to Rainsford Island, fifteen were smallpox patients. Of the one hundred and thirty-eight paupers sent to Boston Almshouse twenty-five are chargeable to towns in this State. The number and disposition of Fmallpox cases reported to this office during the years 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863, was as follows, viz: - 36 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. 1860. 1861, 1862. 1863. Rainsford Island.................. 109 6 27 15 Deer Island........................ 64 1 2 Total........................ 173 7 29 15 Applications for admission to Lunatic Hospitals, 160 Sent to State Hospitals... 79' " Boston Lunatic Hospital. 81 Total.... 160 Of the number sent to Boston Lunatic Hospital, sixty-one were boarders, or chargeable to towns, and twenty were City charges. Permits were given to friends of inmates to visit them, as follows, viz:House of Correction. 294 House of Industry 272 House of Reformation. 723 Lunatic Hospital 603 Almshouse.... 245 Total.... 2,137 Whole number of petitions for pardon was 173. After investigation and hearing of parties, there were discharged on recommendation of Committee on Pardons...... 79 Leave for petitioners to withdraw.. 94 Total. 173 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 37 The average number of inmates of the Institutions for the years 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863 is as follows, viz — 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. House of Industry................... 479 474 439 309 House of Reformation............... 218 214 198 178 House of Correction................. 390 395 274 285 Lunatic Hospital..................... 155 178 180 168 Almshouse............................. 125 The number of inmates remaining in each of the Institutions January 1, 1864, was as follows, viz:Males. Females. Total. House of Industry..................... 126 217 343 House of Reformation.................. 171 20 191 House of Correction.................. 136 145 281 Lunatic Hospital....................... 75 96 170 Almshouse............................ 101 40 141 Forty-three women sentenced to the House of Industry, whose aggregate sentence was one hundred and thirty-seven months, had children with them at the time of sentence under the age of eighteen months. These children were, by order of the Court, sent to the Institution with their mothers, and are supported by the City, although they are State charges. There has been received at this office one hundred and sixty 38 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. two notices from the Superior or Probate Courts, that minors under the age of sixteen years had been adjudged suitable subjects for the State Reform School or the nautical branch thereof, and were about to be sentenced. In each case one of the clerks has attended the Court and made the necessary investigation to fix their residence and thereby protect the City from liability of expense for support of such as belong to other cities or towns. A record of the information thus obtained is kept for future reference. Respectfully submitted, THACHER BEAL, Clerk. REPORT OF THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. To THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS: GENTLEMEN: The following statements are respectfully presented as the Report of the House of Correction for the year 1863. The number of prisoners committed from January 1, 1863, to January 1, 1864, has been as follows, viz: Males, 315; Females, 321. Total, 636. The number of prisoners remaining December 31, 1863, was: Males, 136; Females, 139. Total, 275. TABLE NO. 1. Showing the Offences of all who have been in Prison since January 1, 1863. Males. Females. Assault with a knife, axe, &c.... 8 Assault and battery. 50 8 Breaking and entering a dwelling-house, shop, &c. 11 3 Comm*on nightwalkers. 75 Common drunkards.... 40 91 Drunkenness... 16 5 Numbers carried forward, 125 182 40 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 10. Numbers brought forward, 125 182 Embezzlement,... 1 1 Idle and disorderly persons.. 5 1 Indecent exposure..... 4 Keeping house of ill-fame. 8 4 Keeping noisy and disorderly house.. 4 7 Larceny from the person... 22 25 Larceny in a building, dwelling-house, vessel, &c. 30 32 Larceny,..... 71 60 Malicious mischief.5 Robbery...... 1 Receiving stolen goods... 1 Selling intoxicating liquor. 1 Uttering counterfeit bank-bills... 4 Vagabonds.... 5 2 Manslaughter.... 1 Attempting to commit a larceny. 9 Goods under false pretences.... 1 Assaulting an officer.. 2 Wanton, lewd, and lascivious conduct 3 5 Common scold... 1 Escaping from House of Correction. 1 Having in possession metallic knuckles. 2 Aiding a person to escape... 1 Having in possession a forged order for property and altering the same with intent to defraud, 1 Forging and uttering a forged discharge for money, 1 Stubbornness..... 1 Unlawful use of horse and chaise.. 1 Total.. 315 321 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 41 TABLE NO. 2. Showing the Sentences of all who have been in Prison since January 1, 1863. Males. Females. 5 years....... 1 4 years...... 1 3 3 years....... 3 2I years...... 2 2 years....... 6 4 18 months...... 8 1 12 months..... 16 7 11 months.... 1 10 months.... 1 9 months..... 2 8 months...... 4 4 6 months...... 101 151 5 months...... 1 3 4 months...... 26 28 3 months...... 41 36 2 months...... 50 66 1 month.... 10 6 30 days...... 1 20 days...... 1 For non-payment of fines and costs.. 33 7 15 days... 1 Total..... 315 321 6 42 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. TABLE NO. 3. Showing the ages of all who have been in Prison since January 1, 1863. Males. Females. 20 years and under..... 72 48 20 to 30 years...... 110 135 30 to 40 years...... 43 90 40 to 50 years...... 52 35 50 to 60 years...... 22 11 60 and over..... 16 2 Total...... 315 321 TABLE NO. 4. Showing the number of Times committed of all who have been in Prison since January 1, 1863. Males. Females. First time. 199 170 Second time...... 55 53 Third time....... 23 27 Fourth time...... 14 24 Fifth time....... 6 8 Sixth time...... 6 9 Seventh time...... 1 5 Eighth time...... 1 2 Ninth time....... 2 8 Ten times and over..... 8 15 315 321 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 43 TABLE NO. 5. Showing the Nativity of all who have been in Prison since January 1, 1863. Maine....... 34 New Hampshire..... 12 Vermont....... 6 Massachusetts..... 147 Rhode Island...... 9 Connecticut...... 2 New York....... 17 New Jersey...... 4 Pennsylvania...... 10 Maryland...... 2 Virginia....... 1 Michigan..... 1 Louisiana.. 1 Tennessee 1 Ohio........ 2 Arizonia....... 1 Natives of United States... 250 England....... 33 Ireland...... 318 Scotland.... 10 France....... 1 British Provinces..... 18 Canada...... 4 Italy....... 1 Sweden...... 1 386 Total...... 636 44 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 10. TABLE NO. 6. Showing the Employment of all who have been in Prison since January 1, 1863. Males. Females. Making brushes... 212 Making sale work. 240 Making trunk-nails, etc. 43 Making prison clothing 22 Lumpers in yard and gar- Prison cooking... 12 den.21 Domestics 20 Tailors..3 Washing... 12 Shoemakers.... 3 Mending.. 6 Carpenters.... 2 Prison sweeps... 2 Bakers...2 Prison yard... 2 Prison sweeps.... 6 Nurses.. 2 Whitewashing... 3 Runners,.. Tinsmith 1 Blacksmith.... 1 Total.... 321 Painter. 1 Barber. 1 Hostlers. 4 Gatemen. 2 Nurses....... 2 Firemen. 3 In Gas-works... 2 In Piggery... 3 Total.315 The following have died since January 1, 1863. William Welch died May 11, 1863, of Scrofula. Ellen Sullivan died November 20, 1863, of Pleurisy. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 45 Number committed during the year, 636. Males...... 315 Females....... 321 Adults........ 573 Minors........ 63 Whites........ 618 Colored........ 18 Cannot read nor write..... 238 Natives of Massachusetts who cannot read nor write 22 Married...... 312 Intemperate........ 476 Discharged on expiration of sentence.. 351 Paid fine and costs....... 2 Discharged as poor convicts unable to pay fine 29 Died.. 2 Pardoned by Governor..... 26 Pardoned by Directors...... 5 Pardoned by Police Court..... 3 Gave bonds to keep the peace..... 2 In submitting this Report, I have great pleasure in stating that at no former period has the discipline of the Prison been better sustained, nor has the general efficiency of the Institution been more marked and decided. The male prisoners under contract have been in full employment during the whole year. The daily average of men who have been working in the shops during the past year, have been as follows:For the manufacture of brushes 81 For the manufacture of trunk-nails 14 Total........ 95 46 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. The whole number of men now under contract is as follows:For the manufacture of brushes 75 For the manufacture of trunk-nails 15 Total........ 90 These are all the men in the Establishment whose labor can be thus made available. There are, as there always have been, several of the male prisoners incapacitated for any other employment, than being used as sweeps in the prison, laborers in the garden and yard, and such other occupations as can be found for them. These are principally the old broken-down men, the maimed and the lame, the mentally deficient, and those whose sentences are too short to permit of their being taught any mechanical labor. The female prisoners have been employed during the year in making shirts, drawers, horse-blankets, &c., and clothing for the Institution. The work in this department has been unusually productive for the latter part of the year. Twelve sewing-machines have been in full operation during the past three months, and at the present time have an addition of three; a very large quantity of work has been turned out, which will tend materially to reduce the expenses of this part of the Institution, and in fact from having been earning comparatively nothing. The monthly income for the last three months has been $ 724.50 and, under favorable circumstances, this apartment can earn $ 1,000 per month. Credit is due to the Committee for having procured the sewing-machines, and also for their efforts in obtaining work for the constant and full employment of the female prisoners. In no previous Report have I had occasion to note a better condition of general health than has marked the past year; only two deaths, those of William Welch, of scrofula, on the 11th of May, and of Ellen Sullivan, of pleurisy, on the 20th PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 47 of November, have occurred during the year; both of whom brought with them into the Institution the diseases which terminated their lives. This result, I cannot but think, speaks well for the careful treatment and wholesome and sufficient food administered to the prisoners, no less than the judgnment and professional skill of Dr. Walker, the eminent and estimable physician of the prison. I had determined not to make any reference to the last Report of the Inspectors, nor to the newspaper comments which it has called forth, because you, gentlemen, are fully conversant with all the facts of the case, and I should prefer to leave the whole matter entirely in your hands. But, speaking of the general health of the Institution, I cannot forbear to say, that I do not think there is any prison in the country where the percentage of deaths is so small as it has been here for the last two or three years; and that too, among a class of persons debilitated by irregular courses of life, and broken down in constitution, as so many of them are, by intemperance and other kindred vices. If the discipline of the prison were unnecessarily severe, or if the food served out to the prisoners were insufficient, or of improper quality, it does not seem possible that, in the course of a whole year, there should have been but two deaths, and those of persons who only came here to die, (having been in the Hospital or under medical care during the whole period of their imprisonment,) among the large number of 895 persons, who have been inmates of the Institution from the 1st of January, 1863, to the first of January, 1864. Indeed, if we go back for the past three years, it will be found that there have been only eight deaths among the large number of 3071 prisoners, who have been inmates of the Institution from the 1st of January, 1861, to the 1st of January, 1864. I need not add that no change of diet has been introduced into the prison since my last Report. Indeed the food is precisely the same as has been served out for many years past, with the exception of brown bread; and an experience of nearly 48 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. three years does not seem to indicate that any change in this matter is demanded. The chapel services have been regularly kept up, with undiminished interest, and, I trust, with profit to the prisoners. The efforts of the Chaplain, and of the choir, headed by their excellent organist, are I believe appreciated by the convicts generally, and a salutary influence is doubtless exerted upon many, which will remain with them through their future lives. The improvements which have been made during the year have been principally in the lower yard, the old sheds which stood in the northeast corner of the yard have been removed; the line of the easterly fence has been carried out over the seawall, thus adding about 7,440 square feet to the area of the yard, and changing its irregular shape into a perfect square; under the efficient and zealous superintendence of the Committee, the old coal-shed has been enlarged by the addition of eightyv feet on the easterly end, and a range of commodious storehouses has been erected on the easterly side of the yard, measuring 156 feet in length, and thirty feet in breadth. This is an improvement which has been very much needed, as we have long suffered for the want of convenient storage room. The dilapidated building used as a smith-shop has been removed, and a new and convenient structure in a better location, has been substituted. The old piggery also has been pulled down, and a larger and more suitable building has taken its place. The Committee of your body, to whom the state of the gas-works was referred, have attended to that matter with a zeal and activity which call forth my warmest thanks. The old and inadequate works have been entirely replaced by a new and most efficient apparatus. The gas-holder has also been replaced by a larger one, and the building enclosing it has been proportionately raised. Gas of an excellent quality is now manufactured, producing an abundant supply for both Institutions; and it is believed that our works will now compare favorably with any in this vicinity. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 49 In addition to these improvements, the garden on the southerly side of First Street has been enlarged by the addition of the piece of waste ground at the corner of First and M Street. This has been fenced in and brought under cultivation, and a good crop of potatoes has been raised from it. The house adjoining has been repaired, and now stands within the garden enclosed, making a very suitable habitation for the gardener. The whole work, besides enlarging the farm capabilities of the Establishment, makes a very great and striking improvement to the street and neighborhood. The southerly front of the prison has been washed over with brown, instead of whitewash. It is of a very pleasing tint, and is generally thought to add much to the general appearance of the building and its surroundings. The female shop is an old and dilapidated building, being one of the first that was erected on the grounds, and then constructed of old materials. Its size, at present, is not sufficient for the accommodation of the workwomen, and I would respectfully suggest the expediency of erecting a more suitable building in its place. The male shop and the office are very much in the same condition; might it not be well to make the same disposition of these buildings as of the women's workshop? A supply of vegetables sufficient for the use of the family and of the prisoners has been raised, and pork enough has been fattened and killed to meet the consumption of the whole Establishment. I beg leave to tender to the Board my most sincere thanks for their uniform kindness, —for their valuable counsel and advice, and for their constant willingness to accede to my requests and suggestions in all matters relating to the good and efficiency of the Institution. I cannot close this Report without expressing my thanks to Mr. John J. Patterson, and Mrs. Mary E. Young, my principal officer and matron, for the zeal manifested in the performance of their respective duties. I may also add that the officers 50 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. and matrons generally have evinced a disposition to render me every assistance in the administration of the duties of my office. Respectfully submitted, CHARLES ROBBINS, Master Rouse of Correction. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE LUNATIC HOSPITAL. BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL, BOSTON, MASS., January 1, 1864. j To THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS:GENTLEMEN: The following remarks are presented as the Report of the Boston Lunatic Hospital for the year 1863. Our record for the year gives the following statistical results. There were remaining in the Hospital, at the date of the last Report, one hundred and seventy-two patients. Thirtyfour men and forty-seven women have been admitted during the year. Of the admissions, seventeen were by commitment and sixty-four by the Board of Directors. Two hundred and fiftythree have been under treatment during the year. Forty-five men and thirty-six women have been discharged. One hundred and seventy-two, - seventy-six men and ninety-six women, remain at this date. Of those discharged, sixteen died, thirteen had not improved, six were more or less improved, four much improved, four nearly well and thirty-eight had recovered. The deaths have been about six and one third per cent, and the recoveries nearly forty-seven per cent against forty-four last year. The admissions have been seventeen less than in 1862. The same is true of other hospitals and is doubtless due in a great degree to the causes named before, - the absence of so large a proportion of the male population and the comparatively great 52 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. prosperity of the community, and comfort of'the poor. Thirtyeight less have been discharged, and, singularly enough, we find the number remaining, at the close of the year, the same as at the beginning. It was stated in the last Report, that several causes had served to swell the list of the discharged, last year, that could not operate to the same extent in the future. The history of the present year has fully verified the opinion. With only the ordinary natural laws of increase in operation, ignoring entirely the extraordinary and prolific ones that must come in force at the close of the civil war, we may reasonably expect an increased demand for hospital accommodations, with diminished and diminishing power to meet it. That such is to be the future record of all our Hospitals for the Insane does not admit of a doubt in the minds of those' at all conversant with this subject. With our Hospitals all rapidly filling, how these growing necessities are to be met and provided for, is a matter for grave and anxious consideration. Fortunately for those who have charge of these Institutions, with all their daily cares and anxieties and heavy burdens, the solution of this vital question cannot add to their perplexities. Having pointed out the coming evil, their duty is done, and the responsibility of the future rests upon others. Ignorant or courageous must they be, who lightly or willingly assume it. Just one hundred years ago, the Selectmen of the Town of Boston declined to accept, from the executors of Thomas Hancock's will, the legacy of " six hundred pounds lawful money, towards erecting and finishing a convenient House for the reception and more comfortable keeping of such unhappy persons, as it shall please God, in his providence, ta deprive of their reason, in any part of this Province; such as are inhabitants of Boston always to have the preference." This legacy was declined, for the reason that there were not, in all the Province, insane persons enough to call for the erection of such a House! Within the territorial limits of the Province, as itwas then constituted, there are now six large public hospitals, several.pri PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 53 vate ones and numerous receptacles, and the insane are numbered by thousands! In view of these facts, the probable results of another century, or even quarter of a century, may well startle the intelligent inquirer. That neither the Commonwealth nor the City will be found laggard in any duty the wants of this class may hereafter require of them, the history of the past thirty years furnishes an abundant assurance. The general health of the Institution has been excellent. No epidemic has visited us. No violent death, nor accident of any sort, has added to our anxieties or regrets. We have also been singularly free from the diseases incident to the several seasons. Two cases of typhoid fever occurred among the officers, but the duties of both were mainly outside of and away from the wards; Not a case appeared among the patients. Of the deaths, four were from consumption, two each from acute mania, epilepsy, paralysis, and softening of the brain, and one each from apoplexy, pleurisy, peritonitis, and exhaustion. The recoveries during the year have been very gratifying and encouraging, not merely on account of the large percentage reckoned on the admission, but more by reason of the peculiar circumstances attending many of them. The case of the young man will doubtless occur to you, who a few weeks ago was restored to his friends and to society, after a residence here of more than twenty-three months, passed, on our part, in patient, persevering, unremitting efforts for his recovery, efforts finally crowned with complete success, in spite of his unflinching opposition. This is but one of many cases, teaching, year after year, the important lesson, nowhere else so much needed, that we should not be disheartened by the most unfavorable appearances, and that human judgment should shrink from pronouncing any case incurable. On the other hand, we have not been spared the pain of seeing patients who were on the high road to recovery, with the sure promise of final and perfect restoration, removed, through the confident ignorance of friends, at a time when a single unadvised step might lead to results the 54 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. most disastrous. The last case of this kind that occurred here, that of the young. woman of more than ordinary mental endowment and culture, whose progress we all observed with so much pleasure; whose removal was made not only against our advice, but in opposition to her own wishes, and who went out amid the loudly expressed regrets of her fellow-patients, is, I am sorry to say, slowly sinking into a state of imbecility; she being fully aware of her condition. Such cases are the bane of our hospitals, attaching to them undeserved reproach, and weakening the confidence of the community in their efficiency. Insanity is not only a curable disease, but, being largely dependent upon physical disease, either organic or functional, it is especially amenable to judicious medical treatment. It is, moreover, essentially chronic in its nature, many of the best and most gratifying recoveries taking place during the second and third years of treatment. Friends of the insane cannot be too often reminded of this encouraging fact, nor too earnestly warned of the evils of premature removal, not only to the patients, but to their families, and to the community. Moreover, by every recovery thus effected, a source of expenditure is removed and an actual producer restored to society. For some time past, we have been subject, in Massachusetts, to an annual spasm in regard to the legal restraint of the insane. Every one intimately acquainted with our Hospitals, knows that there is not a solitary person, in them all, whom his own good or that of the community does not require to be thus restrained, and yet there are hundreds who, mistakenly, but honestly, think that there are gross abuses, in this particular, that demand special and stringent legislation. This question of restraint, with that of serving legal notices upon the insane, is a source of continual perplexity to all who are compelled to meet it. During the past year, two applications have been made for divorce, upon the charge of criminality, and notices thereof have been brought here, to be served upon the respondents, -both female patients. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 55 In both instances, your Superintendent was constrained to require that the notices should be served upon himself, as the temporary guardian of his patients, to save them from excitement and permanent injury. The facts were immediately communicated to your Board. The decision of your Superintendent was approved, and measures were adopted to protect the rights of the respondents. In one case, the Judge, before whom the application was heard, ruled that the notice was not sufficient, but he fully indorsed the propriety and humanity of the course pursued, by ordering the hearing postponed, until the notice could be legally and harmlessly served upon the respondent personally. The other case has not been heard from. Any legislation, that shall secure the rights of the insane, will, to the same extent, protect the Hospital from blame, and must, of course, be welcomed by all upon whom responsibility devolves. But, unfortunately, all the plans thus far proposed by the self-constituted champions of personal liberty, have been so fraught with evil for this already sorely afflicted class, that Trustees, Directors, and Superintendents, and all others, intelligently interested, have felt bound in duty to interpose and resist them. At the last meeting of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane, this subject was presented and referred to a Committee, of which Dr. Isaac Ray, of the Butler Hospital, is chairman. This Committee is required to collate the existing laws of the several States in relation to these matters, and to report to the Association a simple code, which can be presented and recommended to the several State Legislatures, for legal enactment. The name and reputation of the chairman is ample assurance that the work will be well done, and that this vexed question will be finally laid at rest. Previous to 1855, all commnitments to this Hospital were made by the "Police Court." The unfortunate patients were required to appear in open court, and await their chance for a hearing, amid the throng of drunkards and vagrants and petty 56 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. criminals. This was made the subject of private, but earnest remonstrance as early as 1852. In 1853 it was formally presented to the Government, in our Annual Report. In that year an effort was made through the "Chairman of the Board of Visitors," the Hon. Charles Edward Cook, then President of the State Senate, to modify the law, but, by reason of unexpected and unaccountable objections, by the Committing Magistrates, it was unsuccessful. A fuller, more minute and more earnest exposition of the evils of the system, in the next Annual Report, was more effectual. The law was changed, and, since, commitments have been made by the several justices, in their private rooms, (the patients no longer excited, nor the friends annoyed by the public exposure,) they having the discretionary power to dispense with the presence of the patients, if deemed desirable. Thus, by patient and persistent effort, a great evil was at length reformed, and we are now yearly reaping the benefit thereof. In this connection, permit me to ask your attention to a kindred matter, affecting most seriously the well-being and usefulness of this Hospital, in which you are more nearly and personally interested. For several years past, the Inspectors of Prisons, for the County of Suffolk, have been empowered to make a semi-annual visit to this Institution. This has always been a source of evil to us, but, of late, more than usual. When asked who they are, the answer must be " Inspectors of Prisons." This invariably excites the opposition of the patients (as you will readily conceive), and fills the Hospital with reproaches. You were yourselves witnesses to the harmful effects of the last inspection, upon one of our most intelligent and intellectual female patients, just then emerging from a long and very severe attack of mania, her mind not yet balanced, nor her power of reasoning restored. You will recollect with what intensity of feeling and power of language she gave expression to her sense of the indignity put upon her, by that repeated PUBLIC INSrTITUTIONS. 57 interview. By that unfortunate visit, she was thrown back fully three months, in her convalescence, and her husband, tired of the experiment, took her home, in his impatience, in opposition to our advice and her own wishes, and there she remains, to-day, a mental invalid, herself knowing and bewailing the fact. Who can measure the evil that shall flow, through her, to her children and her children's children?' The Board of Directors have most wisely, and with an exhibition of moral courage that demands and receives the gratitude of all who have friends here, set their faces, like flint, against indiscriminate visiting from mere curiosity. The effect has been most beneficial. Why not go one step further in the same right direction, and debar all visits that can, in any way, be injurious to those whom we are in duty bound at least to protect from harm? We therefore ask, very respectfully but most earnestly, in the name of humanity and justice, that this Hospital and its inmates, " smitten of God," and not of themselves, may be relieved from further association, even in name, with the unworthy, the vicious, and the criminal. If the official visits of the Board of Directors, the frequent unofficial and unexpected calls of individual members of the Board, and the regular, systematic, and minute examination of every patient and every apartment, throughout the entire Hospital, once a fortnight, by the Advisory Committee, be not a sufficient guaranty against mismanagement, then let the inspection be made by a commission of intelligent gentlemen, selected for their fitness for this peculiar and delicate duty, and not bearing,about them the odor of the criminal court, the task shop, and the cell. The improvements in the upper Male Hall, and the thorough renovation of the water-closets, and the addition of a bathing-tub for each hall have added greatly to the attractions and comfort of the Hospital. But as the bathing-rooms can be but imperfectly warmed, their use, in the cold season, is seriously restricted. 5E8 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. Our water excursions, Christmas trees, and other festivities, our billiard tables and other means of recreation and amusement, have at no former period been so highly prized and generally enjoyed as during the past year. As usual, the doors of the Boston Museum have been open to us, the workshops and iron-clads and monitors of Mr. Loring, have furnished a weekly, almost daily, topic of intense interest, and the Saturday afternoon packages of" exchanges," from Alderman Clapp, hfas been eagerly anticipated. To Dan. Rice of the Circus, Mr. Perham of the Mirror, and the Buckleys of Summer Street, our thanks are due for an almost unrestricted admission to their exhibitions. Dr. John P. Oldway, of the City Council, is known in this household as a true and tried friend, for his efforts in our behalf, during the past and former years. The subordinate officers of the Hospital merit this glad testimonial to their efficiency and faithfulness. To the Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee I tender my simple but hearty thanks, for their prompt and earnest attention to whatever has pertained to the good of this Institution, and also for the personal kindness and courtesy that has marked the intercourse of the year. Respectfully submitted, CLEMENT A. WALKER, Supt. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. To THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS:GENTLEMEN: The whole number of inmates of the House of Industry on the last day of the year 1863, was four hundred and eighty-one, as follows, to wit: — Paupers- Men, 64; women, 33; boys, 38; girls, 8. Total, 143. Convicts- Male, 118; female, 209. Total, 327. Children of Convict Mothers - 11. The whole number of Paupers permitted during the year was one hundred and forty, viz: — Males, 87; females, 53. Whole number discharged, one hundred and eighteen, viz: Males, 67; females, 51. The whole number of convicts committed during the year was ten hundred and thirty-five, viz: — Males, 380; females, 655. 60 CITY DOCUTMENT.- No. 10. TVhole number discharged, nine hundred and sixty-seven, viz - Males, 342; females, 625. Whole number of deaths in both departments, twenty-seven, viz: Parqells - Adults, male, 7; female, 5. Cownricts - Adults, male, 4; female, 7. Children — boys, 1; girls, 3. Whole number of births in both departments, five, viz:Boys, 2; girls, 3. The largest number of inmates at any time during the year was 525; smallest ditto, 359; aOeragc throughout the year, 434. Another year is completed, and so far as this Institution is concerned, no event other than those of every day recurrence, has marked its passage. The inmates of the House of Industry from year to year are persons of similar character, and are here from like causes. Of course, the great controlling cause, whether it be regarded as a weakness or a misfortune, or a crime, is intemperance. The convicts for that offence, in their hours of sobriety, are generally kind-hearted and well-disposed, but have little strength of will to resist the strong temptation of their besetting sin. These broken and wretched wrecks of humanity, are subjects of pity rather than reproach. Many of the older inmates of the Almshouse are fast anchored for life. Others, not quite so much out of repair, make their winter-quarters here. A few only are competent to perform any considerable amount of labor. The rest, crippled and broken down, - the larger number by their own excesses, - a few by hereditary disease; enjoy at their leisure, without cost or care, all the necessaries and most of the comforts of life. Some of them are grateful for these blessings. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 61 It has been stated that there are here at the present time thirty-eight pauper boys. These boys, except a few of the largest during the hot months, are kept constantly at school, and great diligence and patience has been bestowed on them by their teacher, Mr. Marston. Out of school, also, the most constant attention has been given both to their comfort and conduct. Few boys, whose lines have fallen to them in the midst of wealth, are better cared for or better trained, than are these children of poverty. During the year valuable improvements have been perfected, the advantages of which will be permanent. As early as the middle of January the works for the manufacture of gas were completed, and that luxury was introduced into both Institutions. So well was the work done, - that notwithstanding the great quantity of pipe and the large number of burners, no leaks or dlefects have as yet discovered themselves. This fact is mentioned to record one instance where a work of this character and magnitude has been done for the public and not done shabbily. A chimney one hundred and twenty-five feet high has been erected to carry off the smoke from the boilers and retorts. This had become almost a matter of necessity, for the old one was wholly insufficient to perform the work required of it. Besides the narrowness of its flue, its location directly behind the cupola made it almost powerless when the wind did not blow from the right quarter. This often happened on a cold day, to the discomfort of more or less of the occupants of the building. The difficulty is believed to be now completely remedied. Soft water for laundry uses has long been a desideratum. To procure it the ice-pond has been connected with one of the reservoirs near the building. Thereby it is expected that a constant supply will be furnished, sufficient for Che necessities of the Institutions. Officers rooms have been put into the prison, so that the cells of the prisoners will be at all times easy of supervision. 62 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. In the Chapel, a new platform and pulpit have been erected, and other changes made beneficial both for speaker and hearers. Other minor improvements, which it is hardly necessary to specify, have been made in the interior of the building, while the exterior has not been neglected. A commodious and substantial barn has been erected, 50 feet in width by 100 feet in length, with a cellar under it and an ell for cattle. This was much needed both for the accommodation of surplus crops and for other storage. A few years will demonstrate not only its utility but necessity. The past season here has been an unfavorable one for farm products. The yield of hay, it is true, was abundant, and that of carrots, good, but no other crop came up to the average. Dry weather, earlier in the season than usual, bringing with it a surplus of worms destructive to vegetation, proved ruinous to the crop of mangold wurzels. The floods of July followed, doing mischief different in character but none the less injurious in effect upon the crops most exposed. These were potatoes, cabbages, and squashes. Therefore it is, that although the area of arable land upon the farm was considerably larger the past year than the year previous, the product of most of the hoed crops falls far below those of the previous year. The entire products of the farm were substantially as follows:Hay.... 100 tons. Straw.... 5 Corn Fodder. 20 " Squashes... 1 Barley.... 160 bushels. Potatoes.... 650 Onions.... 1,300 " Carrots.. 3,000 " Mangolds and other beets.. 1,150 " Turnips... 600 " Cabbages. 1,500 heads. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 63 Besides these, a plentiful supply of ordinary garden vegetables have been grown, sufficient to meet all the wants of the Institlutions. Improvements upon the farm progress slowly, and yet every year leaves its mark. To reduce the unsightly inequalities of the surface, root out the rocks, and bring those portions of the land hitherto comparatively sterile into a state of productiveness requires time. The day must certainly come when the farm at Deer Island shall present a degree of fertility, if a course of careful and judicious culture is pursued, rarely to be met with elsewhere on so large a scale, within the Commonwealth. It does not become me to speak of the discipline, or government, or general management of the Institution. Old age and infancy; honest and dishonest poverty; vice, misfortune, and crime; knowledge and ignorance; cunning, hypocrisy, falsehood; weakness, stupidity, idiocy; all meet here, and are to be cared for, watched over, controlled, encouraged, or held in check; reproved and punished or wheedled and praised, as circunistances or cases or tempers require. It is no holiday task to keep this immense amount of discordant and defective human machinery running smoothly. However faithfully he who has charge of such an Institution does his duty, dissatisfaction and fault-finding will exist. somewhere, and complaints, especially when encouraged, must abound. In fact with some, fidelity to duty itself, is good cause for censure and reproach at any tine. You, gentlemen, know all my acts, and from you I have received nothing but words of approbation. It ought to matter little whether others commend or condemn. The thanks of the inmates, and with theml my own, are most cordially presented to Mr. Broughton, the Depositary of the Tract Society, for books and other reading matter both interesting and useful, furnished often during the year; and to others for occasional contributions of a like character. With my most sincere thanks to the Gentlemen of the Board for their vigilant and constant supervision of the affairs of the 64 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. Institution, and for the encouragement and support -always needed, but more especially so at the present time —which under all circumstances they have kindly extended to me, this Report is Respectfully submitted. T. E. PAYSON, Slpt. H. L REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HOUSE OF REFORMATION. To THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS: GENTLEMEN: The whole number of inmates of the House of Reformation, on the first day of January last, was one hundred and seventy-six, viz: — Boys...... 148 Girls. 28 176 There have been since committed one hundred and thirtytwo, viz: - Boys...... 125 Girls....... 7 132 Two boys who were indentured have been returned, thereby increasing the number to one hundred and thirty-four. The causes of commitment are as follows: Boys. Girls. Truancy...... 67 3 Juvenile vagrancy.... 55 3 Larceny...... 1 Breaking and entering with intent to steal, 3 9 6 6 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. The whole number discharged during the year 1863, is one hundred and nineteen, viz — Boys. Girls. By expiration of sentence. 80 4 Indentured... 6 5 Pardoned. 18 6 There are therefore remaining at the end of the year, one hundred and ninety-one, viz:Boys 171 Girls. 20 191 Three of the girls are sentenced for two years each, and the remaining seventeen during minority. Their offences areStubbornness.... 6 Idle and dissolute.... 3 Idle and disorderly.... 2 Juvenile vagrants... 2 Habitual truants.... 2 Larceny...... 4 Lewdness...... 1 The boys are sentenced as follows:During minority.... 52 Two years.. 54 One year. 44 Six months..... 19 Eighteen months.... 1 Three months.... 1 The birthplaces of those now in the Institution are - PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 67 Boys. Girls. Boston...... 104 14 Other towns in Massachusetts.. 13 1 Other States than Massachusetts.. 14 2 England and British Provinces. 19 2 Ireland...... 16 1 Elsewhere..... 5 A little more than one third of the boys are truants. The exact number committed for truancy is sixty-five. For other offences, one hundred and six. In this Institution, the same general system of discipline, employment, and instruction, has been continued during the past, as was pursued during the previous year. The change from in-door to out-door labor for the boys, was regarded as a successful experiment the first season after its adoption. Close observation of its operation and effect for two years since, has served only to strengthen the conviction, that moderate farm labor from May to November, with the other half of the year spent in school, is a proper, wise, and successful course for the "employment and reformation " of juvenile offenders. Under this mode of management, the boys are healthy, vigorous, and strong; ready to work, ready to study, and ready to play. They come into school in the autumn and take hold of their books with an interest and determination which pale, sickly, languid boys, irksomely alternating between the shoe-shop and schoolroom, do not and cannot feel. The change in employment did not take place so long ago but that most of you recollect the looks of the boys, and especially the condition of their eyes, at that time. It is pleasant to contrast their appearance in this last particular, now, and then. If no other benefit had been derived from it, the advantage to the boys in this respect alone, would more than verify the wisdom of its adoption. But there are many benefits, in part or in whole, resulting from it. Discipline is easy. The hospital is almost empty. 68 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. Punishments are neither frequent nor severe. The lessons learned by the boys upon the farm, will be of as much use to many of them in after life, as lessons learned from books. They will gain more knowledge by study in six months constantly spent at school, after having become thus invigorated by six months of healthy out-door labor, than they will to drag the year heavily through, -from the schoolroom to the workshop, and from the workshop to the schoolroom, — spending every one of its weary days alike, except the Sabbath. No scholars are making better progress than our larger boys. The teachers are competent, faithful, and diligent in the performance of duty. The teacher of the boys most advanced, reports as follows:"TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HOUSE OF REFORMATION:The three schools in operation at the time of the last Report, were continued with commendable progress until May; when the larger boys commenced work on the farm, and the smaller ones, - in number about sixty, - after a few days of vacation, resumed their studies, and remained in school until November last, with the exception of a short vacation in August. Theiperfect discipline maintained, and the accurate scholarship attained in this school, by its teacher — Mr. Rodgers — deserves high praise, and has undoubtedly exercised a strong influence in establishing the present improved state of discipline apparent throughout the Institution. On the first of November last the boys were classified, according to progress, into three departments, and the schools commenced. In the first division three recitations are required of each scholar every day, namely, Written Arithmetic, Geography, and Grammar, or Mental Arithmetic,-besides reading, spelling, defining, and writing. In the second division, attention is devoted more particularly to reading, spelling, writing, mental arithmetic, geography, the PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 69 fundamental rules of written arithmetic and the first principles of grammar. In the third division, the primary branches only are taught. Those who had worked on the farm in the summer months, evinced at the outset an unusual desire to renew their studies and a general determination to profitably employ the time of continuance in school; and to-day, after more than two months of the most diligent application, they have not abated their interest nor faltered in their resolution, but are laboring with increasing zeal and an ardor seldom witnessed in any school. In classes composed partly of those who have been in school throughout the year, and partly of those who have worked on the farm six months, the difference of interest is very apparent and in favor of the latter. I firmly believe that more advancement would be made in a course of five years, with six months of labor and six months of schooling, than in continued application to study. The deportment has been very commendable in all the schools. The third division suffered a little through change of teachers, but now compares favorably with the others in discipline and apparent progress. I desire to call your attention to the fact that in the first division - composed of fifty-three of the largest boys - there has not been a single report for misdemeanor in school, and in only two instances have classes been required to recite out of school hours on account of imperfect lessons. There were a few cases of communication early in the term, which were punished by depriving the offenders of their play, but there has since been no call for further punishment to sustain the most exemplary deportment and careful attention to study. I may also mention as another proof of the interest manifested, the fact, that a majority of the boys, (f their own accord, devote a large part of the hour and a half of each evening, appointed for miscellaneous reading, to preparing their lessons for the ensuing morning. Under such favorable circum 70 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. stances excellent progress is expected and will doubtless be made. With many thanks for your uniform kindness to myself and associates, I am happy to congratulate you, Sir, on the present satisfactory and promising state of all things connected with the progress and well-being of this Institution. Yours respectfully, D. A. CALDWELL, Teacher House of Reformation." In the girls department, there has been a change of teachers since the last Report. At the end of the month of June, Mrs. Byers resigned her situation. A temporary teacher was employed, but two months elapsed before the vacancy was permanently filled. Any break of this sort makes a virtual interregnum as long as it lasts. When the present teacher — Miss Pearson — entered upon her duties, there was a little inclination to restiveness under restraint, but the girls are now pursuing their studies with commendable diligence, and, saving a few exceptions, their deportment is good. The teacher reports as follows:" There were in the school, September 7, when I entered it, twenty-two pupils; two of whom have since left. One was pardoned and the other became of age. The scholars generally have good health and are capable of much physical endurance, with intellect enough to accomplish considerable mental labor; but the discipline of mind so essential to intellectual culture, seems not have been attained by them to any extent. In the performance of duties assigned them outside of the schoolroom, they show a good degree of activity, neatness, and care, which does credit to them and also to their efficient matron, under whose guidance they are improving in many things which will be of essential value to them in gaining an honest livelihood. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 71 Since my connection with the school, not a great deal has been accomplished in the way of study or teaching. There has been a careful exploration of the field of labor; each pupil has been made the subject of much thought and close inspection, so that we may attempt with no unprepared hand, the great work of instructing minds debased by evil influences and corrupted by vile practices. Already we see some tokens for good among the scholars, some earnest wishes for improvement, and many efforts to conquer passions which they are conscious must be subdued before they can become happy or respectable. Perhaps two thirds of the present numbers are so fully impressed with the importance of obtaining a character for honesty and faithfulness in their every day life, as to be trying very hard to do what is required of them. Obedience is becoming the rule not the exception, and those who break over the bounds of wholesome regulations, have to do it in the face of a popular feeling which looks upon the offender as one who is bringing disgrace upon the whole school. The work of reform is ever uphill, and all that is gained will be on a hardly contested field, under the banner of the Great Reformer. Not only must the branches of the tree of evil be severed, but its roots upturned to bleach in the sunlight of truth; of course the less development it has gained the more easily will it be eliminated, and we are most hopeful of those who have been taken from the power of evil example in their childhood, and placed where their young hearts can expand under the genial influence of kind words and judicious control." No apology is necessary for mentioning an evil that exists, and which can be remedied only by legislation. Most of the girls are sentenced during minority, and unless apprenticed or pardoned, remain until they are eighteen years old. Nobody, of course, will take a bad girl as an apprentice, and the only good cause for pardon is apparent reformation. If, therefore, a girl is sentenced here, the worse her behavior, the more certain 72 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. she is to remain. She may be the pest of the school, poisoning by her intercourse all who come within its influence; there may be no chance for her reformation unless a miracle is wrought, and yet she must remain until she arrives at eighteen; no matter how great a nuisance she is, and no matter how much the reformation of others is retarded by her example. Should there not be a way provided to transfer incorrigible inmates of this class to some penal institution? The want of suitable accommodation where the girls might be taught to cook and wash and do all their own work, has always existed here. That want is now about to be met. The house formerly occupied by the Port Physician having been turned over to the Board of Directors to be used as a Reform School for Girls, has been fitted for that purpose and is now nearly ready for occupancy. Here the girls will be kept entirely to themselves, and it is confidently expected that they will derive great benefit from thorough instruction in all those branches, the practice of which in after life must be their means of living, if they live honestly. I must not omit to mention the fact that the Island has now a resident Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Abbott. This is the first Chaplain who has given his time to his work since my acquaintance with the affairs of the Institutions. Already, his influence and instructions are being felt for good in the House of Industry as well as in the House of Reformation. It is upon compulsion and with no pleasant feeling that I am forced to allude to another matter before closing this Report. The Inspectors of Prisons for the County of Suffolk have seen fit to make two reports, which reflect most severely upon me as Superintendent of the House of Reformation. This is not the place to comment upon those two documents, but justice to myself requires me to put upon record here and now, that in the management of the House of Reformation, and particularly its discipline, I have, in the first place, the witness of a good conscience to exculpate me not only from all charges of cruelty, PUBLIC INS rITUTIONS. 73 but from any act of needless or injudicious severity. In the next place, with a full knowledge of all the facts spread out before you, I have your encouragement and support. Finally, I have the most undoubting conviction that when this matter is probed to the bottom, as it must be, and truth finds its way to the light, I shall have the approbation of all reasonable men. Gentlemen, I have endeavored to do my duty. It is a source of great satisfaction, particularly at this moment, to feel that those endeavors are appreciated by you. With gratitude for the uniform kindness and favor which you have extended to me at all times, and the deep interest felt by you in the prosperity of this Institution, this Report is respectfully submitted. T. E. PAYSON, Superintendent House of Reformation. 10 REPORT OF THE RESIDENT PHYSICIAN OF HOUSE OF INDUSTRY. To THOMAS E. PAYSON, ESQ., SUPERINTENDENT OF HOUSES OF INDUSTRY AND REFORMATION:SIR: In conformity with the custom which has been observed by my predecessor, I present the following Report of the Medical Department of the Institutions under your charge. This Department came under my care on the second day of May, but I have not thought it worth while to make a separate report of the four months, while the Department was under care of my predecessor, but the following tables are compiled from the Hospital Register, without distinction. Throughout the year the general health of the Institutions has been excellent, there having been no epidemic or contagious disease at any time prevalent. A glance at the list of diseases subjoined, will prove that, for the most part, those who have been under treatment, have suffered as the direct result of their previous habits. In the House of Industry the chief cause of disease has been intemperance, and this with delirium tremens has furnished nearly one half of the cases treated. Whole number of patients. 534 Daily average.. 13 Number of days in hospital. 4,693 Average to each..... Average number of inmates. 434 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 75 Average loss to the Institution by sickness on each inmate, 11 days. DISEASES. Intemperance, 202; diarrhoea, 47; delirium tremens, 29; syphilis, 28; pleurisy, 17; phthisis, feverish, and cutaneous affections, each, 16; menorrhagia and ulcer, each, 13; indigestion, 12; rheumatism, 11; abscess, 10; erysipelas, 9; debility and bronchitis, each, 8; insanity, 7; fracture, parturition, and epilepsy, each,6; paralysis and abortion, 5; hysteria,4;fever, hemorrhoids, neuralgia, each, 3; pneumonia, ophthalmia, dislocation, jaundice, cholic, synovitis, burn, each, 2; measles, apoplexy, lupus, diabetes, dropsy, strangulated hernia, congestion of brain, stone in the bladder, ulcer of cornea, disease of heart, retention of urine, and caries, each, 1. In the House of Industry there have been twenty-seven deaths classed as follows:City poor... 13 Sentenced persons. 11 Children of sentenced women... 3 Of these the causes of death have been as follows:Consumption, 10; delirium tremens and paralysis, 3; cholera infantum, 2; congestion of lungs, dropsy, pleurisy, apoplexy, lupus, diabetes, suicide, marasmus, disease of heart, each, 1. The House of Reformation, in both its branches, has enjoyed remarkable health. When it is remembered that many of these children are strongly affected with the scrofulous taint, and that most of them are the offspring of intemperate parents, this freedom from sickness is abundant evidence of the excellent hygienic measures to which children are subject. A word in passing on the subject of ophthalmia. This year it has formed one sixteenth of the cases treated. Last year it 76 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. furnished about one half. And, the year before ophthalmia constituted fourfifths of the cases under treatment. As this disease depends chiefly on the inherited predisposition which is generally the scrofulous constitution, a certain amount is always to be expected, and will always be found in institutions of this sort, but I can find cause for nothing but congratulation in comparing the present records with those of past years. The following tables have been made up from the hospital records for convenient reference. Whole number of patients. 96 Daily average....... i Number of days in hospital. 410 Average to each patient... 4. Average number of inmates. 178 Average loss to the Institution by sickness on each inmate, 2* days. DISEASES. Diarrheea, 51; feverish, 8; ophthalmia,6; sore-throat, indigestion, conjunctivitis, each, 5; synovitis, ulcer of cornea, boil, and iritis, each, 2; bronchitis, pleurisy, cutaneous affection, and abscess, of each, 1. No death has occurred in the House of Reformation since the last Report. Nearly all of the cases mentioned above occurred in the boys department, my services being rarely required in the girls school. Respectfully, S. E. STONE, Resident Physician. DEER ISLAND, January 1, 1864. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FROM THE PERIOD OF ITS ORGANIZATION. First Board elected October 12, 1857. Organized October 16, 1857. The members of the Board of Directors since the organization of the Board, and their several terms of service, have been as follows: — ORIGINAL BOARD 1857. Seth Adams, elected for one year. Ezra H. Baker, " " Timothy C. Kendall, elected for one year. Thacher Beal, elected for two years. John Flint, " " " Stephen Tilton, " " " Moses Kimball, elected for three years. Otis Kimball, " " " Samuel P. Oliver, " " " Pelham Bonney, from Board of Aldermen, one year. Joseph Smith, from Common Council, one year. James H. Beal, " " " THACHER BEAL, President. SAMUEL P. OLIVER, Clerk. BOARD OF 1858. Seth Adams, re-elected for three years. Ezra H. Baker, " " " Timothy C. Kendall, " 78 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. Thacher Beal, continuation of term for one year; resigned in July, and Joseph Smith chosen for balance of term. John Flint, continuation of term for one year. Stephen Tilton, " " " Moses Kimball, continuation of term for two years. Otis Kimball, " " is 4" Samuel P. Oliver, " " " is" George A. Curtis, from Board of Aldermen, one year. Pelham Bonney, from Common Council, one year. James H. Beal, " " " " MOSEs KIMBALL, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. BOARD OF;1859. Moses Kimball, continuation of term for one year. Otis Kimball, " " " " Samuel P. Oliver, " " " " Seth Adams, " " two years. Ezra H. Baker, " " " Timothy C. Kendall, " " Osmyn Brewster, elected for term of three years. Pelham Bonney, re-elected for term of three years. Joseph Smith, " " " George A. Curtis, Board of Aldermen, re-elected one year. Francis E. Faxon, Common Council, " William Parkman, " MOSES KIMBALL, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. BOARD OF 1860. Seth Adams, continuation of term for one year. Ezra H. Baker, " d " Timothy C. Kendall, *" " " Pelham Bonney, " " two years. Osmyn Brewster, " " Joseph Smith, " " " Moses Kimball, re-elected for term of three years. George A. Curtis, " " 4 Otis Kimball, " " c" Francis E. Faxon, Board of Aldermen, re-elected for one year. * Deceased December 11, 1860. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 79 Joseph Robbins, Common Council, re-elected for one year. Wm. W. Clapp, Jr. " " " JOSEPH SMITH, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. BOARD OF 1861. Pelham Bonney, * continuation of term for one year. Osmyn Brewster, " " " Joseph Smith, " " " Moses Kimball, " two years. George A. Curtis, " " " Otis Kimball, " " " J. P. Bradlee, elected for term of three years. William Eaton, " " Wm. M. Flanders, " " George W. Parmenter, Board of Aldermen, one year. Justin Jones, Common Council, one year. James Riley, " " JOSEPH SMITH, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. BOARD OF 1862. Moses Kimball, continuation of term for one year. Otis Kimball, " " i George A. Curtis, " " " J. P. Bradlee, " " two years. William Eaton, " " W. M. Flanders, " " " F. W. Lincoln, Jr., elected for term of three years. Justin Jones, " " " Jonas Fitch, " " " George W. Parmenter, Board of Aldermen, one year. James Riley, Common Council, one year. Selden Crockett, " " " MOSES KIMBALL, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. BOARD OF 1863. William Eaton, continuation of term for one year. J. Putnam Bradlee, " 4 * Deceased April 29, 1861. Ezra H. Baker elected for the residue of the term. 80 CITY DOCUMENT —No. 10. W. M. Flanders, continuation of term for one year. Justin Jones, " " two years. Jonas Fitch, " " " Amos A. Dunnels, elected for two years. Moses Kimball, re-elected for three years. James Riley, " " " Joseph T. Bailey, elected " " Joseph L. Henshaw, Board of Aldermen, elected for one year. George W. Sprague, Common Council, elected for one year. Granville Mears, " " " " MOSES KIMBALL, President. THACHER BEAL, Clerk. APPENDIX. 11 APPENDIX. A. MAYOR'S OFFICE, CITY HALL, BOSTON, February 2, 1863. To THE HONORABLE THE CITY COUNCIL: - GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to transmit the accompanying Memorial from the Board of Directors for Public Institutions, calling your attention to the present condition of the Lunatic Hospital under their care, with some suggestions in regard to the prospective wants of that Institution. The Memorial is more elaborate in its character, going more fully into details than that presented to the last City Government. The facts are probably new to many members of the City Council, and have, in the minds of the Directors, forced them to the conclusion that the time is not far distant when some measure will be necessary to provide for a change in the location of the Hospital. The present condition of public affairs may render it inexpedient to embark in any new enterprise for the expenditure of a large appropriation. The Directors realize this fact, but have deemed it their duty to bring the subject to your notice, in order, if their suggestions meet your approbation, that they may be enabled, when an opportunity occurs, to select an eligible site for your approval, upon which a new building may be erected, when more prosperous times dawn upon our distracted country. The subject is one deserving your consideration, and at the request of the Board, I bring it thus formally to your notice. F. W. LINCOLN, JR. Mayor. 84 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, BOSTON, January 9, 1863. To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF BOSTON: - The Board of Directors for Public Institutions respectfully present to your honorable body this memorial in relation to the accommodations furnished for the care of the insane of the municipality, which the City is, legally as well as morally, bound to provide for. Impressed with the importance of proper conveniences for their treatment, as contributing largely toward the restoration of this unfortunate class, and aware of the great deficiencies of the Boston Lunatic Hospital, the Board feel it their duty, deferentially but earnestly, to ask your early and serious attention to the subject. As the whole matter of insanity is one with which the public is but imperfectly acquainted, and as more knowledge in relation to it is necessary for forming a correct opinion in reference to the necessities of the hospital, the Board have thought it not improper at the outset to present a brief retrospect of the treatment of the insane at the commencement of the present century, and the advancement that has since been made for the amelioration of their condition. Little more than fifty years ago the condition and treatment of the insane throughout the world was most deplorable. A person once declared insane was generally considered out of the pale of humanity, " smitten of God," and thought to be beyond all hope of redemption. Suitable hospitals or proper provision for their treatment, was only then beginning to be thought of: There were places for the detention of such as were supposed to be dangerous, where they were kept securely confined in chains and shackles, or under lock. The history of their treatment is most revolting and disgraceful. A report upon the subject says, " The patients were bled, vomited, and purged at fixed periods, - scourged, kept in chains, filth, and nakedness; and PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 85 subjected to every kind of negiect and cruelty which the ignorance, superstitious fear, and brutality of what were called'keepers' could suggest." The merely harmless were for the time allowed to wander at large, filthy in person, miserably clad, in rags, and depending upon charity for food and shelter. Too often these unfortunates were made to contribute to the amusement of the thoughtless, who omitted no opportunity to excite and irritate them, that they might laugh at the wild extravagances of the " madman." Thus, as a natural consequence, many a mind that might have been restored, was utterly destroyed, and the unfortunate victim, dethroned of all reason, was transformed from an unoffending lunatic to a furiously insane person, dangerous to be at large, and at length committed to a receptacle to linger out, in a living death, the remainder of his miserable existence. The few public asylums that existed in England in the early part of the present century, as we learn from official reports, "' were conducted on the same principles of severity, and with the same ignorance and cruelty which had characterized the treatment of the insane through all Christendom for eighteen hundred years." The first step which commenced a new era in the treatment of the insane in England, was the establishment by the Society of Friends in 1792 of an asylum, called the Retreat, near York. It was founded by William Tuke, a benevolent Quaker, and was from the first conducted on those principles of humanity which are now everywhere recognized in the treatment of the malady. Slowly but surely the beneficence and success of this institution became known. It attracted the attention of the humane, who before had not considered the subject, and ultimately, in 1814, led to an investigation into the aouses existing in the old institutions. The examination disclosed such a frightful picture of neglect and cruelty, that a Parliamentary inquiry was made into the state of the various receptacles for the insane, by a Committee of the House of Commons. 86 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. The Report of this Committee, it is said, " led to the disclosure of, what now appears to our more enlightened eyes, the most appalling facts. Not only at York, but in Bethlehem, and in other asylums possessed of ample funds for the purpose of affording the best and most humane treatment, the same system of neglect, ignorance, and cruelty existed. The use of straightwaistcoats, or, by preference, handcuffs, leg locks, and chains, was the rule for all cases that were restless or troublesome. Barbarous and dangerous methods of'forcing' the patients to eat, - the use of stripes, - neglect, filth, darkness, and total discomfort, and the entire absence of all moral treatment, gentleness or sympathy appear to have everywhere prevailed." "6 The asylums of Ireland were not in a better condition than those of England. In many of them the inmates were kept in what were, as regards size, construction, paving, and furniture, literally dog-kennels." (c Of patients not in asylums, the more violent were often kept in the common jails, where they were associated with the worst class of criminals, and subjected to every species of indignity and cruelty." "A large number were detained in workhouses, where, in some instances, patients were found who had been chained naked for many years to the damp floors of cold cells and outhouses." It is unnecessary to enlarge this picture of the past, by giving in detail the revolting developments that became known by the revelations before the Committee. The result of the investigations, and a knowledge of the reign of humanity so successfully inaugurated by the mode of treatment at the York Retreat, awoke a general interest in the public mind upon the subject, and secured enactments by Parliament which went far toward bettering the treatment of the unfortunate class of insane in all its phases. In this country, at the same period, matters were no better, and it was long before any important advance was made, how PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 87 ever great and rapid our knowledge upon the subject has of late become. With the exception of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, in Virginia, founded in 1773, and the Maryland Hospital, established about 1800, there were no public asylums in this country up to 1817. In that year the Friends' Asylum, near Philadelphia, was built, and in 1818 the McLean Asylum, at Somerville, was opened. As the capacity of the latter institution was then very limited, it could only accommodate a small proportion of the sufferers throughout the State. The greater part of the insane remained distributed amongst the jails, houses of correction, and almshouses, or were cared for at the residences of their friends. Many of us have a remembrance of the horrible manner in which the insane were treated at that time. In the jails and houses of correction they were kept locked in small close cells. In almshouses they were either loaded with chains, or kept in what were called "cages," being no other than strong open crates, which were usually in moderate weather rolled out into the yard to allow the poor creatures the benefit of fresh air, and to " get them out of the way." A friend tells us that it was a common thing in his town for the school-boys, on half holiday, to go there to amuse themselves by "stirring up the wild men" in their cages, an employment at which they were seldom molested or reproved, their fun being often enjoyed by those in charge. Another friend tells us of a poor wretch who was kept by his family for fifteen years, as a matter of economy, in a strong room in the barn-loft, most of the time in a state of nudity. The straw upon which he slept was generally in a filthy condition and seldom changed. The food that was given was passed in through a small hole in the door. His suffering was at length ended. He was one morning found frozen to death. About 1830, the attention of the Massachusetts Legislature was called to the condition of the insane. The members were astounded at the facts that were presented, and steps were 88 CITY DOCUMENT —No. 10. iminediately taken for the establishment of the State Hospital, at Worcester. It was completed and opened in 1833. Its conveniences, according to the then knowledge of the requirements for such an institution, were most excellent, but the accommodations were by no means adequate to the wants of the community. It served, however, to relieve the counties of some of their more violent and dangerous cases, and its wards were immediately filled. Insanity now begAn to be understood by some, but thoulgh the treatment of the patients was much modified, it was yet far from being considered humane. The act of governing by kindness had not been learned. Crazy men were still feared, and shackles, handcuffs, and strong rooms were deemed necessary for their custody, and for the safety of those having charge. So ignorant were the people of the proper mode of management of the insane, and so timid in their intercourse with them, that, upon the occasion of the removal of a party to the State Hospital, from an eastern county, the authorities caused the construction of a strong open car, upon low wheels, in which they were securely fastened, and thus transported across the State like the wild beasts of a menagerie. Fortunately for civilization, this condition of things is only known in the history of the past. Intelligence, kindness, and right have taken the place of ignorance, brutality, and wrong. The discoveries in the nature of the disease, and the consequent improvement in treatment, have been so great that the study of mental ills has become almost a distinct department of medical science, to which some practitioners devote themselves almost exclusively. They believe, with Grotius, that " The care of the human mind is the most noble branch of medicine." The honor of the first reform in the treatment of the insane is due to the French nation. It was one of the physicians of that country, M. Pinel, who, in the latter part of the last century, first dared to attempt an innovation upon the state of barbarity under which the insane had so long suffered. Pur PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 89 suing his medical studies with a zeal without parallel, his thoughts had never turned to a disease so peculiar, so frightful, and so imperfectly understood as insanity, until a circumstance occurred that at once directed his attention to the subject. " At that time," says his eulogist, M. Parient, 4" he had the unhappiness to lose a young man whom he cherished, and whom persevering study and an excessive temperance had deprived of reason. The unfortunate youth, after his return to his family, became furious. One evening he escaped from his father's house, and plunged into the neighboring forests, where he was destroyed by wolves. The following day nought was found of him but some torn fragments, and near them a copy of Phedr'a, covered with blood. Pinel was singularly struck with so cruel a catastrophe." He at once devoted himself to the study of mental disease, and perhaps to the incident we have narrated may be attributed the great boon to humanity that will redound to the glory of science, and render his name forever dear to posterity. In 1792 he wrote a treatise on " The most effective means of treating patients whose minds had become disordered prior to the period of old age," which attracted the attention of the government of the Royal Society of Medicine. In consequence he was shortly afterwards appointed Physician to the Hospital of Bicetre, the great bedlam of Paris, which is described by MI. Parient in the following revolting narrative:" Vice, crime, misfortune, infirmity, diseases the most disgusting and the most unlike, were there confounded under one common service. The buildings were uninhabitable. Men covered with filth cowered in cells of stone, narrow, cold, damp, without air or light, and furnished solely with a straw bed, that was rarely renewed and which soon became infectious; frightful dens, where we should scruple to lodge the vilest animals. The insane, thrown into these receptacles, were at the mercy of their attendants, and these attendants were convicts from prison, The unhappy patients were loaded with chains and bound like 12 90 CITY DO()CCMENT. —No. 10. galley slaves. Thus delivered, defenceless, to the wickedness of their guardians, they served as the butts of insulting raillery, or as the subjects of a brutality so much the more blind as it was the more gratuitous. The injustice of such cruel treatment transported them with indignation; whilst despair and rage, finishing the work with their troubled reason, tore from them by day and night cries and howlings that rendered yet more frightful the clanking of their irons. Some among them, more patient or more crafty than the rest, showed themselves insensible to so many outrages; but they concealed their resentment only to gratify it the' more fully. They watched narrowly the movements of their tormentors, and surprising them in an embarrassing attitude, they dealt them blows with their chains upon the head or the stomach, and felled them dead at their feet. Thus was there ferocity on the one hand, murder on the other. This atrocious course once commenced, how could it be arrested? and what could be expected for the amelioration of mental disease from such abominable reciprocities?" Pinel entered upon his duties in 1792, and with him entered pity, respect, discretion, and justice, modes of treatment, or rather virtues, whose soft control he had recognized, even over madmen, the most ungovernable. The account of his first entrance into the institution, accompanied by Couthon, as related before the Academy of Science, by Scipio Pinel, is so graphic as to warrant its introduction here. It says — ": They were received by a confused noise, - the yells and angry vociferations of three hundred maniacs, - mixing their sounds with the echo of clanking chains and fetters through the dark and dreary vaults of the prison. Couthon turned away with horror, but permitted Pinel to incur the risk of his undertaking. He resolved to try his experiment by liberating fifty madmen, and began by unchaining twelve. The first was an English officer, who had been bound in his dungeon forty years, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 91 and whose history everybody had forgotten. His keepers approached him with dread; he had killed one of their comrades by a blow with his manacles. Pinel entered his cell unattended, and told him that he should be at liberty to walk at large on the condition of his promising to put on the camisole, or straight waistcoat. The maniac disbelieved him, but obeyed his directions mechanically. The chains of the miserable prisoner were removed; the door of his cell was left open. Many times he was seen to raise himself and fall backwards,- his limbs gave way; they had been fettered forty years. At length he was able to stand, and stalk to the door of his cell and gaze with exclamations of wonder and delight on the beautiful sky. He spent the day in walking to and fro, was no more confined, and, during the remaining two years that he spent at Bicetre, assisted in the management of the house. The next madman liberated was a soldier of the French Guard, who had been in chains ten years, and was the object of general terror. His disorder had been kept up by cruelty and bad treatment. When liberated he assisted Pinel in breaking the chains of his fellow-prisoners; he became immediately kind and attentive, and was ever after the devoted friend of his deliverer. In a few days Pinel liberated fifty-three madmen. The result was beyond all hope. Tranquillity and harmony succeeded to tumult and disorder; even the most furious maniacs became tractable. " The face of things changed entirely, though by insensible transitions; for great changes, though for the better, should not be dangerous. The first experiment had been happy, the rest was accomplished under the enlightened direction of Pinel. The inmates, no longer disfigured by traits of exasperation, anger, fear, or terror, which bad treatment had impressed upon them, regained their natural physiognomy, and, from that time, allowed this wise physician to observe them with order, and to sketch faithful likenesses. After two years' stay, which were years of kindness to Bicetre, he was called to carry into a second hospital the happy revolution he had brought about in the first. I refer ~ — -- T'' — 1~- -' -"' ~" CITY DOCTUMTENT.- No. I0. to the Salipetriere, where reigned the same abuses. There were received here only such as had undergone treatment at the Hotel Dieu; the common and imperfect treatment which rendered the state of the patients more difficult and dangerous. To restrain their fury they were crushed under the same rigors, or rather they were irritated by the same sorts of violence. Sometimes chained naked, in the almost subterranean cells, worse than dungeons, they had their feet knawed by rats, or frozen by the winter's cold. Thus injured on all sides, their il-bittered hearts breathed only vengeance, and intoxicated with hatred, like the bacchantes, they burned to tear in pieces their attendants, or to destroy themselves before them. Who will recount the thousand obstacles which sprung up before Pinel? Though he had experience on hi side, the practice he wished to destroy gained credit so as to perpetuate the mischief itself had created; for it is thus, says rAontesquieu, that cruelty reasons. However, the administration at length comprehended that the treatment of the insane requires, more than any other, a great unity of design, as nmuch as it does a variety in the means. Pinel succeeded in dispelling as empty shadows the opposition of habit and the lies of interest. lHe substituted order for confusion, rule for caprice, and the holy duties of humanity for the shameful excesses of barbarism. That spirit of reform has been maintained to the present time." This happy theory of Pinel at once found hearty supporters throughout France and England, and it was not long before the active mind of the American people became acquainted with the beneficence of his ideas. Here, as in the old country, asylums have ceased to be considered prisons, and have become known for what they are, - hospitals for the afflicted, where all that means can provide or science can suggest, may be found to alleviate suffering. The whole mode of management has changed, and men of mind and scientific acquirements have taken the planee of those foirmerly in ch(Irge, who mlalde n i(o PUBLIC iNST'rITUTIONS. 93 Irofessionl of medical skill. The care of the insane, and the requisite conveniences for hospitals for their treatment, has commanded and received the attention of the benevolent, which has resulted, in our own State at least, in an advanced knowledge and improvement in hospitals, that is not surpassed in the world. In this country all the Free States and many of the Slave States have established public hospitals, in a style and extent of accommodations commensurate with the importance of the subject. With the customary earnestness of our people in all good works, the superintendents of the various American institutions for the insane, several years since, formed themselves into an association for mutual improvement. They met once a year to compare notes, give the results of their experience, and to report essays on subjects assigned them the year before. Who can doubt the benefits derived from their research and united counsel? A few years since the mode of construction for hospitals, the quantity of grounds, and other necessaries and conveniences required for the best treatment of the insane, engaged their attention, and resulted in the adoption of a report which is so germane to the subject under consideration, that we submit it at length. ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE. I. Every hospital for the insane should be in the country, not within less than two miles of a large town, and easily accessible at all seasons. II. No hospital for the insane, however limited its capacity, should have less than fifty acres of land, devoted to gardens and pleasure-grounds for its patients. At least one hunidred acres should be possessed by every State hospital, or other institution for two hundred patients, to which number these propositions apply, unless otherwise mentioned. III. Means should be provided to raise ten thousand gallons of water daily, to reservoirs, that will supply the highest I).:rts of the building. 94 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 10. IV. No hospital for the insane should be built without the plan having been first submitted to some physician or physicians, who have had charge of a similar establishment, or are practically acquainted with all the details of their arrangements, and received his or their full approbation. V. The highest number that can with propriety be treated in one building is two hundred and fifty, while two hundred is a preferable maximum. VI. All such buildings should be constructed of stone or brick, have slate or metallic roofs, and, as far as possible, be made secure from accidents by fire. VII. Every hospital, having provision for two hundred or more patients, should have in it at least eight distinct wards for each sex, making sixteen classes in the entire establishment. VIII. Each ward should have, in it a parlor, a corridor, single lodging-rooms for patients, an associated dormitory communicating with a chamber for two attendants, a clothes-room, a bath-room, a water-closet, a dining-room, a dumb-waiter, and a speaking-tube leading to the kitchen or other central part of the building. IX. No apartments should ever be provided for the confinement of patients, or as their lodging-rooms, that are not entirely above ground. X. No class of rooms should ever be constructed without some kind of window in each, communicating directly with the external atmosphere. XI. No chamber for the use of a single patient should ever be less than eight by ten feet, nor should the ceiling of any story occupied by patients be less than twelve feet in height. XII. The floors of patients' apartments should always be of wood. XIII. The stairways should always be of iron, stone, or other indestructible material, ample in size and number, and easy of ascent, to afford convenient egress in case of accident from fire. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 95 XIV. A large hospital should consist of a main central btlilding with wings. XV. The main central building should contain the offices, receiving-rooms for company, and apartments entirely private, for the superintending physician and his family, in case that officer resides in the hospital building. XVI. The wings should be so arranged that, if rooms are placed on both sides of a corridor, the corridors should be furnished at both ends with movable glazed sashes for the free admission of both light and air. XVII. The lighting should be by gas, on account of its convenience, cleanliness, safety, and economy. XVIII. The apartments for washing clothing, &c. should be detached from the hospital building. XIX. The drainage should be under ground, and all the inlets to the sewers should be properly secured to prevent offensive emanations. XX. All hospitals should be warmed by passing an abundance of pure, fresh air from the external atmosphere, over pipes or plates, containing steam under low pressure, or hot water, the temperature of which at the boiler does not exceed 212 degrees F., and placed in the basement or cellar of the building to be heated. XXI. A complete system of forced ventilation in connection with the'heating, is indispensable to give purity to the air of a hospital for the insane; and no expense that is required to effect this object thoroughly can be deemed either misplaced or injudicious. XXII. The boilers for generating steam for warming the building should be in a detached structure, connected with which may be the engine for pumping water, driving the washing apparatus and other machinery. XXIII. All water-closets should, as far as possible, be made of indestructible materials, be simple in their arrangement, and have a strong downward ventilation connected with them. 96 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 10. XXIV. The floors of bath-rooms, water-closets, and basement stories should, as far as possible, be made of materials that will not absorb moisture. XXV. The wards for the most excited class should be constructed with rooms on but one side of a corridor, not less than ten feet wide, the external windows of which should be large, and have pleasant views from them. XXVI. Wherever practicable, the pleasure-grounds of a hospital for the insane should be surrounded by a substantial wall, so placed as not to be unpleasantly visible from the building. Dr. Ray, of the Butler Insane Hospital at Providence, who ranks amongst the first of American Superintendents, in an article published in the " Journal of Insanity," entitled " 06servations on the Principal Hospitals for the Insane in Great Britain, France, and Germany," thus describes the sites, grounds, and airing-courts of the institutions he visited: — " SITES OF THE EUROPEAN ASYLUMS. " No one who visits the English asylums, can help being struck with the beauty of most of their sites, and the good taste that presides over all their outside arrangements. Many of them are placed on eminences which command an extensive view of the adjacent country, the field of vision embracing hill and valley, wood and water, in their most agreeable combinations; while fields of grass and tillage divided by hedges and trees, grazing herds, cottages and country-seats, form the nearer features of a landscape reposing in the softened light of an English sun. The Leicester Asylum is peculiarly fortunate in its site, which must be a source of unfailing interest to its inmates, - some of them at least, - who could never tire of the rich variety of the scene around them. The country too, seen from the asylum at Perth, though marked by the bolder PUBLIC IN-STITUTIONS. 97 features that characterize Scottish scenery, is perhaps unrivalled for its beauty, while its interest has been heightened by the witchery of the poet's spell. The Tay and] its lovely valley, Scone, High Dunsinnane, and the Grampin Hills, invest with a moral charm a view whose lengthened outline, stretching, far away in the distance, reminds one of those masterly pieces of perspective in IRuysdael's pictures, where the eye ranges along an interminable line of objects which gradually tade away with such a natural indistinctness, that it strains itself unconsciously to penetrate through the deepening obscurity. The site of Jacobi's Asylum, at Seigburg, does infinite credit to the good taste of' the monks who selected it for their abode. Perched upon a rock that rises, abruptly from the plain, it overlooks a scene of remarkable richness and variety. Below, at the base of the rock, lies the little village, while farther on the country opens into a wide expanse of richly cultivated fields through which the Sieg rolls its placid waters. Beyond these to the west, the observer may discern the spires of Bonn and the height of Krewzberg rising behind it, and catch an occasional glimpse of the Rhine until it is completely shut out of view by the lofty range of the Seven Mountains and the Drachenfels. "' It may not always be in our power to select a beautiful site, but there are other requisites which we can and ought to obtain. An asylum should have plenty of land and an unfailing supply of water, and a light, dry soil is to be preferred, for the greater facilities it presents for draining and making clean dry roads and walks. A clayey soil about an asylum is a source of perpetual annoyance. It should be near, but not too near a town whence the means of subsistence, mechanical labor, &c., can be readily obtained. If too near, it has not the necessary degree of seclusion, and this evil is liable to be increased by the growth of the town, until the establishment is completely surrounded by shops and houses. Nothing can be so misplaced, so abhorrent to all our ideas of propriety, as an asylum for the insane, in the midst of a busy town, especially in this country, 13 98 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. where the grounds are seldom enclosed by a wall, and consequently freely open to the idle and curious. " GROUNDS. "The grounds around the British asylums are laid with great taste, and often in a style of elegance never witnessed in this country. The approach is generally by a serpentine, gravelled road winding along from the gate in the outer wall which always encloses the establishment, among trees, shrubbery, and flowers, which are well calculated to make an agreeable first impression, besides furnishing a delightful retreat to the inmates. At Wakefield, the carriage-road is bordered for several rods by a thick growth of shrubbery and forest trees, which completely conceal the buildings from the view. The approach to the Surrey Asylum is through a park whose fine, large trees secure it from the public gaze. I was particularly struck too with the grounds of the York retreat, which have been laid out and embellished with remarkably good taste. "- I saw no establishment however, which, in this particular, could be compared with the private one of M. M. Falret and Voison, at Vanvres, near Paris. In addition to numerous gardens appropriated to the different classes of patients, there are about one hundred acres laid out in the finest style of landscape gardening, and one might ramble about them for hours without exhausting all their beauties. The natural inequalities of the surface have been skilfully turned to account in magnifying the idea of its extent, and increasing the number and variety of its views. A path up the rising ground leads through a solemn grove to a view of Paris and its beautiful environs, and another brings us unexpectedly in front of an elegant little chapel embosomed in trees. Here a rivulet, guarded by rows of willows and poplars, rolls along its babbling waters; and their attention is arrested by a magnificent bed of flowers. Belts of the densest shrubbery line the walls, and PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 99 completely hide them from the sight. Every turn brings some new feature of the landscape into view, and discloses some beauty not observed before. Grounds thus arranged are capable, if anything in nature is, of arresting the attention of the violent and excited, diverting the melancholic from their distressing fancies, furnishing inexhaustible occupation and delight to the convalescent, and touching in all, even the least cultivated and refined, that strong feeling of sympathy with Nature which often survives the wreck of all other feelings. " Esquirol's establishment at Ivry, now in charge of M. M. Mitivie and Moreau, is placed in the midst of grounds which, though somewhat flat, are thrown into the various forms of park and garden, and by skilful planting have been converted into another Garden of Armida. "- The English especially attach much importance to gardens and highly cultivated grounds around their establishments for the insane. Habitually accustomed as they are to see their ordinary dwellings embellished in this manner, they cannot tolerate the nakedness of unplanted grounds; and associating all their ideas of comfort with retirement and seclusion, they implicitly require that these retreats for the afflicted and sorrowing shall be sheltered as much as possible from the public gaze. Hence, even the grounds of a hospital designed exclusively for paupers, are usually embellished in a manner that would excite universal admiration in this eountry in any connection. It would seem, at first sight, somewhat strange that a people so sensible as ours are to beauties of this description, when brought before them, should have done so little towards creating them. It arises in some degree, no doubt, from the want of a cultivated taste, but chiefly from a spirit of economy that grudges every dollar not devoted in our charitable institutions, to strictly useful purposes, and regards every provision for gratifying the sense of the beautiful as an unwarrantable luxury. Frequently, not a foot of land can be wrested from the purposes of tillage or pasture, over and above what is required for a carriage-road 100 CITY D)OCUMENT.-No. 10. approachingr tihl house by the shortest possible route, and terminating at the front door in a space just large enough for the carriage to turn around in. A foreigner, on visiting some of our establishments for the insane, and without any previous acquaintance with the country, would draw the conclusion that land is here an article of incalculable value, and that trees and flowers are a class of luxuries altogether beyond our means. It is to be hoped, however, that a better spirit will soon prevail, and that with the means at our very doors for embellishing the grounds around our asylums, we shall never be contented in any case with a bald and mIonotonous surface, lwhere no tree nor shrub, no fountain nor rural arbor, no mound nor lake is allowed to add a singole feature of beauty to the scene. It is a great mistake to suppose that such things are designed to please the taste of the sane members only of the establishment, and are not among the legitimate means and appliances for improving, and restoring the insane. Insanity is so grievous a misfortune, asylums are so apt to be regarded in their least pleasing relations as places of confinement and restraint, and the pang is so sharp of parting with friends at the time they seem to need our attentions most, and entrusting them to strangers, that no means should be neglected to deprive our asylums of their prison-like features, and assimilate them to ordinary abodes of domestic ease and refinement. Let the unhappy sufferers see that, though in the midst of strangers who may be associated in his diseased imagination with the enemies of his peace, he is surrounded by the beautifill forms of nature in which his spirit may )possibly rejoice Xand symlnpathize. And let his friends too, wlhen they think of li;s a11ode, be able to dwell upon an image whose features atre all pleasing and cheerful. Every one who has had charge of' an asylum knows how important it is that the first impression it makes should be agreeable, for, in a large proportion of cases, we may be sure it will be of that character or the opposite. Approaching it as they do, with their minds full of apprehenlsion and distrust, ready to torture the slightest PUBLIC I.NSTITUT'IONS. 101 unplleasinog circumstance into an augury of evil, it is doubly necessary that nothing in the o.utside arrangements should meet their sight calculated to cherish their delusions, but much on the contrary to strike their fancy agreeably, and awsaken a healthier class of emotions. In selecting a sight for an insane hospital, therefore, we should not only consider the prospect it affords, but its capability of being embellished by the art of landscape gardening. I do not propose that every establishment hereafter to be erected should, in the very outset, present a creditable and charming specimen of this art, for that would manifestly be beyond our means. But what we can do is to make a beginning, without which we shall do nothing, - to obtain plenty of land and favorably situated, fix upon the general features of the landscape, and fill them up as means and opportunity permit." AIRING-COURTS. "A prominent feature of the foreign asylums is their airingcourts, which are numerous, spacious, and sometimes beautifully planted. They are regarded as indispensable requisites in an establishment for the insane, no less necessary for their comfort than day rooms and galleries. The practice of dispensing with them altogether, as has been done in the most of our institutions of recent origin, was far from being regarded there as an onward step in the progress of improvement. In fair weather, few patients are seen in the house except such as are sick, or are engaged in work. The most of them are in the airing-courts, sitting in the shade, or promenading in the walks. The courts vary very much, in different institutions, in size and appointments. I heard much complaint of their being too small, though, with our ideas of size in such matters, they would seldom be otnoxious to this charge. They are often provided with a grassy mound in the centre, from which the patients can obtain a view of the surrounding country. At the Belfast 102 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. Asylum is one ascending by a path winding around its circumference, through flowers and shrubbery, which I thought was the most beautiful thing of the kind I had ever witnessed. At the Gloucester Asylum, the airing-courts are on a magnificent scale, - very spacious, with mounds in the centre, and flowerbeds, shrubbery, and trees of all sizes in unstinted abundance. Even those for the most excited patients, are scarcely less elegantly embellished than the others, and I saw in them not a single indication of mischief. 1" In France there is the freest communication between the house and the courts, the doors being open, and the patients allowed to go in and out at pleasure. At Charenton, the doors of the rooms open directly upon the covered colonnade which runs around the quadrangle. At the Salpetriere, I ebserved in the airing-courts of the refractory class, several patients sitting in strong chairs, enjoying the air and light, if nothing else; and it struck me as a much better method of disposing of such cases than secluding them in their rooms. " The objection urged in this country against airing-courts, that the patients lie about on the ground, and thus contract slovenly habits, I never heard in Europe; and though I occasionally observed a patient lying on the grass, it needed only a little more vigilance on the part of the attendants to have prevented it. But lying about on the floors of a gallery is no less objectionable than lying down in a clean, well-kept court, and if it can be prevented in the one case, so it can in the other. If patients are turned into the courts and left to their own discretion, they may indulge in some improprieties, as they would anywhere else; but why should they not be subjected to constant supervision, like any other part of the establishment? For reasons which will appear in the sequel, airing-courts would not be required in our asylums for so large a proportion of patients as they are in the European; but I cannot resist the conviction that more or less of them are indispensibly requisite in every asylum. True, they cannot be used in the winter; but does it PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 103 follow that we should not avail ourselves of their benefits when we can? We have many a demented patient who would enjoy walking in the sunshine, or breathing the free, pure air of heaven, and many of a different class unable or unwilling to work, who would prefer circulating freely about a spacious court, to monotonous walks from one end to the other of a narrow gallery. My observations have led me to believe that many an excited patient would soon become more calm by being allowed to range at will through a yard, than when confined to the narrower limits of a gallery, where doors and windows excite his fury at every step. I do not doubt that every one who could see the beautiful courts of the Gloucester Asylum, and witness the evident enjoyment experienced by the patients while in them, would agree with me in opinion on this subject." We have cited Dr. Ray upon these three points, because they are really the most important to be considered in establishing a new institution. Of matters of architectural construction, heating, and ventilating, and general internal arrangements, of which he also treats, we have not thought necessary to quote. The knowledge of our own superintendents, and the skill and experience of our architects, can better appreciate the needs in these respects for a hospital in this country, than anything found in the arrangements of the institutions mentioned by him. We have thus endeavored to show what a proper hospital should be, and also how generously the unfortunate lunatic is provided for in Great Britain. A hospital in this country, to be beneficial, needs more of home-like comfort, more of the ordinary amenities of civilized life, than is required for the generality of insane in England. It is a remarkable fact that the inmates of American and English asylums present a characteristic difference in the outward manifestations of their disease. Says Dr. Ray - 104 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. " The spirit of the American patient is fresh and buoyant, and his energies in full vigor. Bright prospects were before him; he had laid plans reaching' far ahead, and commenced undertakings that demanded unremitting effort and attention. Suddenly, in the midst of his exertions, and in the full bloom of hope, he is arrested and cruelly and unlawfully, as he conceives it, torn from his pursuits and deprived of his liberty. Can he help thinking of his business, which he knows full well none but himself can conduct to a successful issue, - of his farm, -of his workshop, - and perhaps of a family dependent on him for support; and when thinking.of these things can he help writhing with feelings of sorrow and anger? Is it strange that like the newly caged bird, he should madly beat against the bars of his prison-house, and fill the air with his complaints and reproaches? How different from this is the case of the English patient? Relieved of the necessity of unremitting toil, spared the constant sight and feeling of suffering, better fed and better clothed than ever before for the same length of time, addressed in tones of kindness and compassion, and knowing that his family suffer no privation by his absence, why should he be discontented? Why should he be anxious to renew the fierce death-grapple with cold, hunger, and nakedness, -with carking care, the oppressor's wrong, and the proud man's contumely? To him the hospital is an asylum from more woes than one, for within its walls he may, for the first time, have enjoyed a truce from tlhe sharp conflicts of life." Has the City of Boston a suitable institution, or is she remiss in providing properly for her unfortunate insane? Up to 1837 she had made no special provision whatever. In that year the Worcester Hospital being crowded beyond its utmost capacity, and the statutes providing, in such cases, that lunatics should be returned to the counties from which they were sent, the City was called upon to receive back a large number of which it had been previously relieved. As Boston had no Hospital, they PUBLIC LINSTITUTIONS. 105 were distributed to the jail, house of correction, and almshouse. This addition, to those already there, rendered the number rather formidable. The difficulty of caring for them and the trouble they occasioned, to say nothing of the discomfort to which they were necessarily subjected under such circumstances, was brought to the notice of the authorities. A Committee of the Council was instructed to consider " the expediency of erecting a suitable hospital for insane persons and idiots, in the Houses of Industry and Correction." In April of that year, the Committee, of which Hon. S. A. Eliot, the Mayor, was chairman,' reported as follows:" That the City is required by law to provide suitable accommodations for persons of the description mentioned in the order, who may be confined in the House of Correction; and however great may be the difference of opinion as to what is suitable, it can scarcely be supposed by the Committee that the accommodations now provided would be regarded by any one as suitable for idiots or insane persons. They are but slightly, if at all, different from those provided for all others confined there, and the Committee cannot but think the City is called upon by a proper regard to its legal liabilities, to erect a hospital for persons of the description referred to. " If that is to be done, as the Committee presume it will be, at as early a period as may be practicable, the question arises whether it would be expedient to connect with it one for the idiots and the insane of the House of Industry. " The want of proper accommodations for this unhappy class of human beings, in that house, is very painful to all who witness it. Humanity requires in this case what the law requires in the other; and the Committee cannot doubt every member of the City Council, who would take the trouble to visit the Institution, would return with the conviction that it was his duty to do something for the relief of those who, however low in the scale of intellect, are still their fellow-creatures. 14 106 CITY DOC UiLENT. - No. i0. " If anything is to be done, is it not best to do the work in such an ample manner as will be satisfactory to the community hereafter, as well as at the present moment?" Accompanying this Report was an order authorizing the building of the present hospital, which was completed and opened in 1839. It was intended mainly for the custodial care of those unfortunate sufferers of a malady to which humanity is heir, for then science had not demonstrated that it was curable by human agency, - that it was possible to restore the insane man to health and usefulness, and return him to the community of sound mind. Since then insanity has grown to be better understood, and its needs in treatment appreciated. Science has demonstrated that in many cases it is an: affection caused by a departure from or abuse of the organization of our nature, and as curable as any other disease; that they have not lost their rights as members of the great human family, but should be as carefully provided for as any one else, and that to treat them properly they should at least have the comforts of an ordinary hospital for the sick. Animated by this principle, the former Visitors of the Hospital, and subsequently the Board of Directors, have endeavored to make such improvements to enlarge the usefulness of the Institution, as the capacity of the building and the limits of the grounds would admit. Comforts and conveniences have been from time to time added to meet the pressing wants of the community as far as possible, till at length the Board of Directors find the conviction forced upon them that no more can be done. The necessity for new and enlarged accommodations, for more house room and more extended grounds, is so pressing that they believe it cannot be avoided. Nor is this necessity for more extended accommodation any new thing. As long ago as 1853, the City Council was made aware of it in the annual address of the Mayor, (Seaver,) as follows: PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 107 4" Much painful embarrassment has been experienced the last year that so many pressing applications for admission to the hospital have necessarily been refused for want of accommodation. This has been particularly the case in the female department, which has been so crowded that it has been impossible to admit any new patients since 1851, except to fill the vacancies of those discharged. Some speedy remedy for this sad state of things ought to be adopted. The Board of Visitors, after the most mature consideration, have come to the conclusion, as no enlargement of the present building can be made which will be at all satisfactory, to recommend that a new hospital be erected in some suitable location, within a convenient distance from the City, and that no time should be lost in taking preliminary measures to accomplish this object, so desirable and necessary. "I entirely and fully concur in the views of the Board of Visitors, and I am sure that the citizens of Boston will cordially approve of any judicious expenditure for this object, which furnishes the only means that can be used for alleviating the most dreadful of all human maladies with which God in his wisdom sees fit to afflict so many families." This subject was referred to a joint special committee, who on September 12, 1853, submitted a Report, from which is extracted the following: — "That they consider the question of any enlargement of the present hospital at South Boston as settled, for no more provision can be made there to increase the capacity of the buildings. Under these circumstances the Committee have come to the conclusion to adopt the recommendations of the Mayor, viz: that it is expedient, and, indeed, the imperative duty of the City Council to erect a new hospital building in some convenient and eligible situation, in the neighborhood of the City, with sufficient land to give employment for such of the male patients as may 108 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 10. be able to labor. The Committee are informed that the experience of every month and every week shows the most painful necessity for immediate extensive addetional accommodations. " The growth of our City, and the excitement in which we live, seem rapidly to increase the number of cases of insanity, and call upon us in the most imjperative manner to provide all the remedial means in our power for its amelioration and cure. "The Committee cannot but think that any unnecessary delay in the prosecution of the object will be an act of cruelty to many deserving persons, and they are confident that any judicious measures that the City Council may adopt to supply the existing pressing want for additional accommodations for the insane, will meet the cordial approbation of the people of Boston." Subsequently, in the month of November, the same Committee made another Report, in which, after enumerating the several sites they had examined, their objections to locating at Deer Island, and the impossibility of providing suitably at South Boston, they say,I" It cannot be doubted that some rural position would be altogether more desirable, — a position that would for many years, perhaps half a century, be suitable for it. It will be readily conceded by all that a retired situation, away from the noise and excitement of busy life, but yet so near as to be conveniently and easily accessible from the City, is the most suitable. "It is a painful fact that all of the hospitals for the insane in our State have for a long period been overrun with patients. This terrible disease seems to be fixed upon our community, and the subject must be dealt with as a permanent evil to be provided for. Boston, which has heretofore been first in all its appointments for the relief of human suffering, is in this particular, far behind many of her sister cities, and she cannot be just to her high character and the Christian sentiment of PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 109 hllmanity till she has a first-class hospital for the insane. The people of Boston have never failed to approve of the establishment of any necessary institution for the alleviation of human misery. Such a necessity now exists, and the Committee commit the subject to the wise consideration of the City Council, with the hope that the proper preliminary measures may, without unnecessary delay, be adopted to accomplish the object." Accompanying the Report was a resolve that it was expedient to erect a new hospital at once, and an order authorizing the Committee, in conference with the Board of Visitors of the hospital, to purchase a site recommended by said Committee. This Report reached the Council too late for action that year, and it was referred to the next City Council. Unfortunately, in consequence of a radical change in the City Government next year, the subject was not agitated at all, and the matter has remained quiet to this time. About this time the Taunton Hospital was opened, which for a while tended to decrease the pressure for admission to the Boston Hospital. In the fall of 1858 the Northampton Hospital was completed, and all the State patients were removed. This reduced the number of inmates so much that the -remainder were made comparatively comfortable. The rapid increase of the insane in our State has at length crowded all the State institutions, and again filled the Boston Hospital beyond its capacity, without any prospect of relief. There are now in the seveal institutions of this State upwards of two thousand insane persons. In May of last year, a Committee of the Board, consisting of Messrs. Moses Kimball, Justin Jones, J. P. Bradlee, and Jonas Fitch, was appointed to consider the subject of further improvements at South Boston. After a careful examination of the whole subject they made a Report, which gave so graphic a description of the hospital and its deficiencies, and of the impropriety of enlarging accommodations there; and its rea 110 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. soning in favor of a new location is so strong, that we present the major part of it. It says, " The Committee have thoroughly considered the matters referred to them, and find that the necessary conveniences cannot be arranged for want of room. The result of their examination of the premises has satisfied them that another and more important subject demands attention. They find that the capacity of the hospital and grounds is totally inadequate for the present number of inmates. The building is improperly crowded, and so badly constructed and ventilated that its beneficial purposes are in a great measure defeated for want of conveniences such as insane patients require. Additional room is imperatively necessary for at least fifty inmates. Common humanity demands it. With accommodations intended for only one hundred, there are now nearly double that number. The City charges alone are upwards of one hundred and twenty, or two thirds of the whole, and are constantly increasing in numbers. If we provide only for this class, the necessity for more room will still exist. " The people of Boston have just reason to be proud of the public and private charities of the City. Blest as a wealthy, thriving, and prosperous community, their liberality in good works knows no bounds. Whenever suffering humanity appeals for aid it finds ready and generous sympathy. The Massachusetts Hospital and the McLean Asylum, both richly endowed, and constantly receiving assistance from the wealthy, contribute largely to relieve those able to avail themselves of the advantages they offer. As far as possible they also aid to alleviate the distress of those unable to pay for treatment. Extended as their conveniences are, however, they are not equal to the increasing demands of a fast-growing community. W" With all her existing charities, the City is constantly providing others. The authorities have taken the initiative for the establishment of a Free City Hospital. It is intended for the PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 111 indigent, and also, at moderate charge, for persons of limited means, to whom the expense of medical or surgical treatment at homle is more than they can bear. The premises will consist of costly structures, which are to be furnished with all the modern appliances that skill and experience can suggest. A square of some seven acres of valuable City land has been dedicated to the purpose; the foundations for the buildings laid, and the walls in rapid course of erection. By another year the whole will be completed and the institution a permanence. " Important as medical hospitals are, they dwindle into insignificance when compared with the necessities for hospitals for mental disease. Insanity is no respecter of persons. The rich are no more exempt from its attacks than the poor. The histories of asylums record the wreck of many a brilliant intellect. Few persons, not connected with an institution for the insane, have any idea of the extent of this subtle and fearful malady. All know something of physical suffering, for that can be treated at home, while mental ills can be cared for only at an asylum. How important, then, that all in our power should be done for those thus afflicted. The sufferer may be the wife, the child, the parent, or the brother or sister of either of us. With a suitable hospital and proper treatment much of misery may be alleviated, and many a mind, and even life, saved, that would otherwise be lost. 6 Lunatic asylums are not prisons, nor their inmates convicts or criminals. They are places of refuge for the afflicted, where they can receive the care and treatment necessary for their relief. Many places make liberal provisions for such, but Boston is remiss and backward. The Boston Hospital is not sufficient for its purpose, nor equal to the demands upon it. It is a City institution, and should be one in which the citizens might feel commendable pride. The tax-payers have a right to demand that it should be fully up to the time in all proper conveniences. They contribute to its support, and it should be an institution of such capacity as to afford them the opportunity, 112 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. when unfortunately necessary, to avail themselves of its advantages at a moderate charge. They should not be compelled to carry their friends to private establishments, less accessible, and at a much larger cost for board. As the hospital now is, they cannot be so accommodated. Almost daily applications for admission are refused for want of room and proper conveniences. " The original buildings were erected twenty-three years ago, for a county receptacle. At that time the mode of treatment of the insane was very different from that of the present day. In but few hospitals were any scientific efforts made for radical cure. The patients were generally supposed to be beyond the chance of improvement. If an insane person was sent to one of them, it was with a view that he might be restrained from injuring himself or others. The custody, rather than the cure, was the main object. 6" In but few instances were the conveniences of home ever thought advisable in a hospital. Strong rooms were deemed a necessity, and many an unfortunate passed years of his life in cells with iron grated doors and windows. This course of treatment had a tendency to increase rather than diminish the excitement of the patient, and consequently instead of his condition improving he grew hopelessly worse. Many of our citizens remember the' Cottage,' with its block of cells and its score of violent, naked, and filthy inmates, for whom it was thought no more could be done. Such cells and such patients were not uncommon. Every hospital had them. Fortunately this state of things has now passed away. It is a fact worthy of mention that the abrogation of' cells' in Massachusetts institutions first began at the Boston Hospital, and it is due to Dr. Walker to say that he inaugurated the reform. For a long time many superintendents supposed that' strong rooms' could not be dispensed with, and as late as the erection of the Taunton Hospital a block of them was built as a supposed necessity. Through the exertions of one of the Trustees, who was formerly PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 113 a Director of the Boston Hospital, and had witnessed the success of Dr. Walker's experiment, their use was abandoned, and subsequently they were torn down. " Dr. Walker's theory proved right, but it took time to demonstrate it. Kindness, confidence, and patience, effected wonders. One after another the' Cottage' patients were transferred to the halls and to companionship with the other inmates. Its good effect was soon visible. Desperation and despondency gave way to self-respect and hope, and even the' madman' was at times ashamed to render himself ridiculous in the eyes of his fellows. A desire to appear less crazy than their associates began to possess them. Returning reason began to develop in many, and, aided by the skill of the attentive Superintendent, sound minds were restored to some, who, when confined in the' cells,' were said to be incurable. Now such things as' cells' and' strong rooms' are not known in any hospital of character or importance. " Humanity, in this branch of medical skill, may be said to be now in the ascendant. Men of science are making insanity a study. The people have begun to learn that the mind once thrown from its balance can be restored. To accomplish this the sufferer must be removed finom the exciting causes of his injury. He must have quiet and regularity in his habits. He must be clear from the chance of unnatural stimulants, both physical and mental. He must have unceasing care and attention. This he cannot secure at home, but only in an asylum. There he must receive kindness, and as far as possible every comfort; for experience has clearly demonstrated that the nearer the hospital assimilates to the conveniences of home, so, just in proportion, is the chance of cure rendered more possible. " The City institution does not meet these requirements. Its present capacity is not capable of furnishing the proper accommodations. It was up to the times when built, but is behind the necessities of the present day. Amongst other matters requisite to make a perfect hospital, according to recommenda15 114 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 10. tions adopted at a Convention of Superintendents of American Lunatic Asylums, and approved by all who have given attention to the subject, it is stated that,' Every hospital having provision for two hundred or more patients, should have in it at least eight distinct wards for each sex, making sixteen classes in the entire establishment.' Our hospital has but six wards in all, being -three for each sex, and perfect classification is not possible. " Each ward should have in it a parlor, a dining-room, a dumb-waiter, a bath-room, &c. Ours have neither. What were originally intended for parlors are necessarily used for congregate sleeping-rooms. Separate ward dining-rooms we have none, but as far as the capacity of the general dining-rooms will admit, the patients are compelled to take their meals together, be they the convalescents, the demented, or the violent. There is but one bath-tub to each wing, and the want of room prevents the introduction of more. To these the inmates of the three wards must resort for their baths. As many of them need bathing every day, and as the statute law requires that all must have a bath once a week, the inconvenience is manifest without further comment. "; No ceiling of any story occupied by patients should be less than twelve feet in height. Instead of meeting this requirement we have no room where the height is greater than nine feet and ten inches, and some are as low as nine feet. Proper ventilation in them is not possible.'- The main building should contain receiving-rooms for company.' Ours has no reception-rooms whatever. The only apartments available for visitors to the patients are the diningrooms, and these can only be used the short time between the preparation for meals. As their capacity is very limited, visitors are compelled to be in such proximity to each other that conversation with their friends upon family or private matters is next to impossible. Convalescents and incurables, whether boarders or City charges, are all assembled together, for there PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 115 is no opportunity to classify or accommodate them otherwise. The chapel also is inconvenient and insufficient. With a chaplain regularly encgaged to perform services on each Sabbath, the room in which they are holden is not large enough to accommodate all who wish to attend. "Thus much of the wants of the hospital in its bearing upon humane considerations. We come now to consider them in a financial view. In doing so we start upon a basis of facts established by the experience of last year." (Here follows a series of statistics of the (xpenses of the hospital, the receipts for boarders, and of estimated expenses of conducting premises admitting of the reception of more boarders, which would have the effect to reduce the cost of supporting the City charges to a mere nominal sum, even at the lowest rate for board.) With improved accommodations, they say," It is believed a higher paying class of patients would be received in sufficient numbers to render the Institution selfsupporting. "' In view of the foregoing facts and suggestions, the Committee submit that judicious economy, throwing aside all considerations of humanity, demands that the additional accommodations for at least one hundred patients should be provided. To meet this exigency, it was thought that improvements might be made in the old buildings, and new wings erected that would furnish the necessary conveniences, and also render the hospital comparable in a measure with similar institutions elsewhere. To that end the Committee directed the preparation of plans for two winfgs, to run northerly from the present wings. When these were completed, it was found that a greater space of land would be required to carry out the contemplated improvement. " Can the necessary quantity be obtained upon the present location? On the easterly side, the grounds of the House of 116 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. Correction are within twenty feet of the hospital. There is not room for a wing there without the annexation of a strip of land from the former establishment. On the westerly side it is still worse. M Street as laid out, but not opened, runs within about twelve feet of the end of the building. To place a wing there would encroach upon it. There seems to be no valid reason why it may not be discontinued, and the Board of Aldermen have been petitioned to that effect. Even with that accomplished, there will yet be a lack of extent of premises. The whole quantity of our grounds is a little over four acres. An institution to accommodate three hundred patients should not have less than twenty acres. More would be better, for there cannot be too much. " The inmates of a lunatic asylum require out-of-door exercise. They should be in the open air as much as possible. The limits afforded them should be rendered inviting by abundance of pleasant walks, ornamented with attractive shrubbery and flowers. The beauties of nature go further towards calling back reason to the beclouded mind than any other appliance. " The adjoining estate westerly is that formerly occupied for the Almshouse Department, and was sold in 1857 to Harrison Loring, Esq. It is greatly to be regretted that the City authorities, instead of disposing of it, did not connect it with the hospital premises. Had they realized the importance and necessity of extensive grounds for such an institution, they undoubtedly would have done so. The idea of the hospital being hemmed in so closely, and particularly with business pursuits, evidently occurred to them when they negotiated the sale. One of the conditions of the bond for a deed, and which is to go into every conveyance, provides that,' In case it shall appear to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, or a majority of the same, that the patients in the Lunatic Hospital shall be injuriously affected by the noise, or from other causes growing out of the business operations on the said lands, then the said sale shall be void; and the City shall take possession of the PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 117 same, giving the parties interested six months' notice of such intention.' " It is the duty of the Board to study the interests of the Institution and the welfare of the inmates. While the City should protect itself in all its rights in the premises, care should be taken not to injure those of others. " A portion of the premises mlight perhaps be secured without recourse to the bond; but the question naturally arises whether it would be more than a temporary relief, and whether it would be advisable, with only such advantages, to incur the expense of any extended improvements. To make the best use of the present lands, and such additions as might be acquired, and the improvement of the old buildings with new extensions, would not upon the whole render the Institution what it should be. The old building cannot be suitably modernized, and any attempt to make the new part conform to it, would render the latter much less suitable than it should be. It would require a large outlay to complete the improvements, and when finished the hospital would be at best but a patched-up concern. It would fail to meet the requirements of its purpose, and would be unworthy of the enlightened intelligence and liberality of our citizens. " As anything done now should be with a view to a permanency of, it may be, half a century or more, the Committee may well hesitate in recommending improvements at the present location. The City is but as a giant in its infancy. The next decade, should our national troubles be happily settled, will be likely to double its population, and roll up its numbers with accelerated speed in succeeding years. With the proportion of the business of the great teeming Wrest, which, for the want of seaports elsewhere to accommodate the trade, must come here, nothing can stop her progress in commercial importance. It cannot be many years before the entire water front of that section may be required for shipping, and perhaps converted into a dock with a basin and wharves. 118 CITY DQOCUMENT. — No. 10. "With this change would come the necessary storehouses and workshops; and sooner or later, it may be in five or ten years, the Institution would be found almost surrounded by an active business community. As a lunatic asylum should always be situated so that the patients may be free from the chance of any kind of annoyance or excitement from outside, it will readily be seen how improper the present site would be under such circumstances as we have suggested. "The more the Committee examine the subject, the more they are embarrassed by its magnitude and importance, and the difficulties attending it. That something must be done is apparent to all who have given the matter any attention. The want of more accommodations is pressing and daily augmenting. The excitements consequent upon the present war will, when peace is restored, tend largely to increase the demand. " It is for the City Council to say what shall be done, and not for this Board to dictate. It may not be improper, however, to suggest the consideration whether good economy and a regard for the future does not commend a removal and the erection of suitable buildings elsewhere." This Report was accepted, and a copy of it ordered to be sent to the City Council, where it was referred to the Committee on Institutions. On the 15th of December last the Conmmnittee reported as follows — "That upon griving the Board of Directors, throurgh their President, a hearing upon their petition, they abandoned the advocacy of the project of enlarging the present Lunatic Hospital, and urged upon the Committee strong views in favor of erecting an entirely new building, more commodious and suitable to the wants of the Institution than the present building, however enlarged and improved, could possibly be. "They also recommend the removal of the Institution, if a new building should be decided upon, to a site more eligible and PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 119 less contracted than the present one. Whatever alterations or improvements, if any, are required in the Lunatic Hospital Building, the Committee are of opinion that, as the term of office of the present City Council is rapidly drawing to a close, they ought not to recommend any action at this time, lest, in the haste to consummate it, some injudicious or ill-advised schemne might be undertaken. "Impressed, however, with the importance of the subject, they recommend it to the early consideration of the next City Council." The more prominent defects of the Hospital, as we gather from Dr. Walker, the Superintendent, from Dr. Tyler, of the McLean Asylum, and others, and by our own observation, are, First. The entire insufficiency of house-room for the present number of inmates. The building was originally intended for one hundred patients, a much larger number than can be properly accommodated there, and it now has nearly double that number. It is unjustifiably crowded in every part. Rooms that should not contain more than one patient are occupied in many cases by two, three, and even four each. The larger rooms, originally arranged for other uses than sleeping-rooms, are now necessarily devoted to that purpose, and contain from eight to twelve beds each. This crowding of sleeping-rooms is most severely'deprecated by both Drs. Tyler and Walker, as is also the compelled necessity for all the patients of each sex being served with their meals at a common table. They deem such a course especially injurious to the patients, and tending, in a great measure, to retard their recovery. So serious an evil is this felt to be at the Hospital, that Dr. Walker has long found it necessary, at great inconvenience, to provide meals to many of the inmates in their own rooms. The want of Ia suitable room where patients can receive the visits of their friends, is another crying evil that should be remedied. 120 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. Second. The want of space in the grounds to allow of proper airing-courts, and for out-of-door exercise. The two airingcourts in the rear of the building occupy all the available room; and yet that for the males covers only 8,373 feet, and the one for the females only 10,204 feet, when of right they ought to comprise not less than five acres each. These small spaces are the only conveniences for exercise of more than an hundred patients, who must be kept within an enclosure. Here they wander from day to day, from week to week, and, it may be, from year to year, till every inch of the ground, every board and nail in the fence, every tree and shrub, and almost every spear of grass, has become as familiar to them as the fingers upon their hands. Can it for one moment be supposed that such treatment can be at all beneficial in restoring reason? Must not the tendency be rather to deaden and destroy the enfeebled intellect, which might perhaps be quickened into activity by the more cheering influence of Nature's loveliness? The better class of patients and the convalescents, it is true, are allowed to roam about the garden in front; but this, too, is of contracted dimensions. It has also the serious objection that there is no opportunity to separate the sexes. IDrs. Walker and Tyler, and, indeed, all superintendents, agree that large extent of grounds for the use of patients is one of the most beneficial of all accessories for an institution for the insane. Third. The danger of loss of life, in case of fire, as the building is constructed, is most imminent. The only means of escape for the patients, in case of fire,- the windows being all strongly grated with iron, — is down a flight of stairs, only three feet in width, of which there is but one to each wing. The stairs are at the ends of the wings next to the main building. Should the centre take fire, their only retreat might be cut off, and a scene ensue too horrible to contemplate. In such a panic, what could be done with a large party of such sick, imbecile, demented, and furious patients, and particularly if it occurred in the night? It would be an utter impossibility PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 121 to remove them all safely, and even once out, and the building destroyed, how would they be disposed of? The Superintendent and the Directors have long felt this evil, and have taken all the measures in their power to provide against such a possible catastrophe. There are numerous other objections to the present Institution, such as the noise and bustle occasioned by the increasing business at Mr. Loring's Iron Steamship Works, upon the inrimediate adjoining premises; the imperfect ventilation of the wards, which it is impossible to remedy; the danger and improper mode of warming, by heated air from coal furnaces, &c., which it is unnecessary to enumerate in detail. Enough hlas been stated to prove the absolute necessity of reform. If it is doubted by any member of the City Council, they need only to make a personal examination of the premises. Such a course cannot fail to convince the most skeptical. It may be urged that the expenses of a new Hospital may be avoided, by declining to receive boarders, and making the Institution solely a pauper hospital. To such a course there are four very serious objections. First. There are already in the Institution, chargeable to th e City, and which the law compels shall be provided for, more persons than the building can properly accommodate; and the number is rapidly increasing. To provide for this class alone more space is demanded. Second. The introduction of boarders tends to improve the general character of the inmates, and consequently to benefit the Institution and the patients. The advantage in this respect is very great, and ought not to be overlooked. Third. Boarders contribute largely toward defraying the expenses of the Institution, and thus reduce the pro rata cost of the support of inmates chargeable to the City. Fourth. Citizens of Boston who are afflicted, and able and willing to pay for treatment, have a right to demand that 122 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. accommodations shall be furnished for them, as well as for those receiving support from the public. Others, while they admit the pressing necessity of the case, may conceive that in consequence of the state of the times, and the large expenditures on account of the Free City Hospital and the new City Hall, action ought to be deferred. With better reason might they oppose all expenditures for paving, or for constructing sewers, or for other sanitary measures. The necessities for new schoolhouses, which are being built every season, dwindle in importance, when considered beside the demands for this object. The citizens of Boston, when they established the present Hospital, intended it should be "a suitable place for thle insalze," and that it should "rfi sh amplle accommodations for this unfoitunate class." It was such when built; but in the rapid flight of time the numbers of the insane have so vastly increased, and the mode of their treatment has been so much improved, that the Hospital has outgrown its usefulness. The " Inspectors of Prisons of the County of Suffolk," in their Report, made by Judge Ames, for the year 1861, thus mention the Hospital — " It is not too much to say that this Hospital is admirably conducted, and is deserving of the confidence of the public. No appliance for the restoration of the unfortunate patients seems to have been overlooked. But the best results never can be reached while the management has to struggle with a very unsuitable building, contracted grounds, and the innumerable disadvantages that flow therefrom. These are so apparent, from the most cursory examination, that no detail or argument are necessary. We desire to call the attention of your honorable Board to the matter, believing that at the earliest proper time suitable measures will be taken to afford appropriate accommodations for a class as unfortunate as any that addresses itself to the higher and nobler feelings of a common humanity." PUBLIC INSTITUTION S. 123 The Report of the Inspectors for the present year, made -by Judge Rogers, has the following upon the same subject:"But some things are wanting which should be found in a charitable institution, even if supported by taxation. There ought to be sufficient room, of more convenient construction, more air, and better ventilation. The rooms are too low, and the building needs many comforts and conveniences, which have been introduced into similar buildings, since this was built, and have now become common. A great change has' taken place in the treatment of the insane, since the erection of this building. Less confinement in cells, less personal restraints, more gentle methods of treatment, and more general liberty. All these changes make it necessary to have more room. A building is not economical unless it promotes the cure and dismission of patients in the shortest time; and thus more patients are cured at the same expense. It ought also to produce the earliest and greatest improvement, where a perfect cure cannot be obtained. Without sufficient room and an abundance of good air, how can these effects be produced?" It is not to be believed that the people of the present day will consent to be considered behind the men of 1839, in matters of humanity. In the opinion of the Board, the community have a vast responsibility in this matter, that must be met. It cannot longer be avoided. A new hospital for the insane is an imperative necessity. Humanity and the public good reqnire that the matter should be inaugurated at once. So urgent is the necessity that the Directors do not believe that any citizen, acquainted with all the circumstances, would object to pay his proportion of a direct tax for the purpose, if it should be necessary. It will take a long time to procure an eligible location and prepare plans; and time is valuable while things remain in their present condition. The opportunity to procure a suitable site, 124 CITY DOCUMENT —No. 10. within a short distance of the City, is every day growing less, and the prices of such property rapidly increasing. The Board therefore earnestly recommend that an appropriation be made for the purchase of a suitable location, and to procure plans for a building which shall meet the pressing demand, and assist medical skill in the restoration to reason of the unfortunate lunatic. The old lot and buildings would sell for a large sum, and go far toward the probable expense of a new institution. The Board of Directors feel that they would be derelict in their duty, and neglectful of the honorable trust which has been confided to them, if they did not make the foregoing representations at this time. Having done so, they submit the matter with confidence to your judgment, being fully satisfied that, when the whole subject is thoroughly investigated and understood, you will desire to see this most important charity assume its proper position, in a hospital worthy of the City, and of the intelligence of our community, and in accordance with the Spirit of the Age. Respectfully submitted, MOSES KIMBALL, President. B. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, BOSTON, October 28, 1863. To THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BOSTON: - IN response to an Order of the Board of Aldermen, passed October 26, 1863, - 6" That the Board of Directors for Public Institutions submit to this Board a statement of the number of patients now in the Boston Lunatic Hospital, - how many are paupers, -- how many are boarders, and at what price, - the number of boarders who are citizens of Boston, -the number of paupers, if any, who have not a settlement in Boston, — with such other information as they may deem advisable to assist this Board in judging of the necessity for a new Institution," the following statement and suggestions are, by direction of the Board of Directors, respectfully submitted: - The whole number now in the Hospital is 164, viz: 74 males, 90 females. Of this number, one hundred and thirtyfour are residents of Boston, ninety-five of whom are supported at public charge; the remainder are boarders. Of non-residents there are thirty boarders, of whom fifteen are persons paid for by cities or towns chargeable for their support. This class, sent by Court, the Institution is compelled to receive. One patient is a State charge, and works for her board as a domestic. Fourteen are paid for by friends. The price of board is from $ 3 to $ 10 per week, and none are now admitted at a less rate. Of those in the Hospital at this time, the board of one is but $1.50 per week. This is paid by a husband, who is a poor man, and unable to give 126 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 10. more. lIe prefers to pay something, rather than have his wife there as a pauper, though she is entitled to support as such. The amount was agreed upon in accordance with his wishes. Of those chargeable to other places, thirteen pay $ 2.62~ per week, each. This price was fixed several years since, when a law determined the sum to be paid for insane paupers. Twenty-nine patients pay each $ 3 per week. This rate was decided upon, in consequence of the inability of parties to pay more, to prevent the inmates becoming public charges, which many of them would if a larger sum was demanded. Of the remainder, one pays $ 3.50; thirteen pay $ 4; three pay $ 4.50; four pay $ 5; two pay $ 5.50; and two pay $ 7 per week, each. The receipts for boarders for the year will not fall short of $ 10,000. Probably the amount will considerably exceed that sum. As the cost of food and medicine is the only additional expense of boarders, it is pecuniarily an object to receive them, to say nothing of the beneficial effect upon the other inmates, the boarders being usually of a better class of patients. According, to the Auditor's Annual Report, the income from boarders last year was 35.68 per cent. of the cost of supporting the Institution. The additional expense incurred on their account was only 10.29 per cent. of the cost. With enlarged and suitable accommodations, a greater number of our citizens would avail themselves of the advantages of their own Institution, and many boarders at high prices might be received. As it is, refusals are of frequent recurrence. Only yesterday, one who would gladly have paid liberally, was compelled to turn away, there being no vacant single room suitable for the case. With a proper hospital, the wants of the community, and the cause of humanity, might be served, and a large part of its cost of support be defrayed without calling upon the City Treasury. These facts and figures in relation to paying patients, are given to show the propriety and importance of receiving boarders. A person not fully conversant with the subject, might PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 127 think that a Hospital for the pauper insane was sufficient for the City. To such an idea, there are opposed very important considerations. The authorities ]lave no right to discriminate between tax-paying citizens, and furnish advantages for one class that are denied to another. They have no right to provide a hospital for the pauper, and virtually say to the wealthy man, whose taxes contributed to build the hospital and aid in its yearly support, that when he is afflicted he must go from home, and seek relief at Somerville, or in one of the State Institutions at Worcester or Taunton. The man of property has the right to avail himself of the benefits of a City Hospital, and cannot be refused admission, if he demands to be received. The only difference between him and the pauper in this, is, that nothing can be got from the one, while the other can be made to pay for the care bestowed upon him. If a City Institution for the insane is to be maintained at all, it should be one ample in its conveniences to accommodate all who are so unfortunate as to find it necessary to seek treatment in such an asylum. To compel respectable residents of small means, like the husband who pays $1.50 per week, or the twenty-nine others who pay $ 3 per week, to make paupers of their suffering friends, before they can have the benefit of a City Hospital, would be a hardship unworthy of a liberal and enlightened community. Yet if ours was a pauper institution only, such would be the effect in many cases. Some would be unable to pay the sum demanded elsewhere, while others would object to having the patients at a distance, where they could not see them, or hear from them, except at long intervals. Their only alternative would be to throw them upon the City. Instead of boarders, we should have the same patients as paupers, and the Treasury would lose a considerable income. Worse than all, many respectable families would feel mortified and disgraced, by the unpleasant position in which they would be placed, by being compelled to receive as public charity, that for which they would prefer to pay. 128 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 10. To establish a hospital exclusively for paupers, would be also ungenerous and unkind towards those compelled to be inmates. The patients who are now in the Hospital as public charges, though unable to provide for their own support, are not criminals. Some of them are highly cultivated persons, and many are from good families who once enjoyed the luxuries of life. Misfortune has overtaken them, without any fault on their part. They have not lost their self-respect, and we should be careful not to allow anything that would have a tendency to crush it out, but rather to do everything possible to encourage and sustain it. Self-respect and hope gone, the condition of the poor lunatic is most deplorable. Whilst these remain there is hope for restoration. Lunatic Hospitals are not what they formerly were, merely places of detention for safe-keeping. They are, as their name indicates, curative establishments where many regain their reason, many are improved, and all rendered comparatively comfortable. To be in the highest degree effective, they should have the necessary appliances of abundant house-room, ample grounds, cheerful prospect, and generally home-like comfort. These are all important. The success of a Medical Superintendent in the treatment of insanity, depends greatly upon these advantages. His pharmacopoeia is not of drugs, but of the quiet of gentle nature. He thus secures rest for the troubled mind, while with patience he skilfully aids the sufferer from step to step to regain self-control. With conveniences as suggested, many would be saved that are often lost. It would seem as if it might be good policy, as a matter of interest, if for no other cause, for the City to provide all possible means for the cure of those admitted as public charges, who when recovered, would support themselves, rather than to allow their malady to become confirmed, and the party be an expense during their natural life. In all these necessary requirements the Hospital at South Boston is lamentably deficient, as all who have given the subject proper consideration are aware. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 129 Many of its points of unfitness are enumerated in the Memorial presented to the City Council in January last, to which reference is respectfully made. There are some objectionable features that must be seen to be appreciated, and others, not proper to be committed to paper, which were made known to the Committee. The especial demerits of the Hospital are the insufficiency of room, particularly in the wards, of which there are but three for each sex. Occasionally, as at the"present time, one sex greatly preponderates. In such a case their wing is uncomfortably crowded. A large majority now are females, of whom nearly half are of the worst class, known as lower-hall patients. They must necessarily be kept by themselves, and thus four times as many as is proper are compelled to be in one hall. The construction of the building is such that it is impossible to have even any tolerable ventilation. The grounds are contracted and in immediate proximity to a highly objectionable neighborhood, which is constantly growing worse and worse for such an Institution. The doors, passages, and stairways, which are of wood, are very narrow and dangerous in case of fire. There is a sad want of sleeping-rooms, bathing-rooms, storerooms, rooms for officers and attendants, &c. An insufficiency of dining-rooms, and only an unsuitable and inconvenient Chapel. Should it be deemed expedient to maintain only an exclusively pauper Hospital, the necessity for a new Institution will not be removed. All the objections that have been mentioned would apply with equal force. The premises are not adequate for the patients that would then have to be provided for, as the reduction in numbers would be but small. The Board have considered the deficiencies of the Hospital for several years, and the movement for their amendment is not an immature one. It is proper in this connection, in order to correct any erroneous impressions that may be entertained, to say that but one member of the Board dissented from the adop17 130 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 10. tion of the Memorial of January last, giving a statement of the condition of the Hospital, and asking for a consideration of the subject. The present Directors are a unit upon the necessity of reform, and for instituting preliminary measures at once for a new Institution. All that the Board ask is that the matter may have a careful and candid consideration upon its merits. They have no motive apart from a sense of duty. They do not wish, or expect, that any immediate expenditure should be made. Nor do they desire, when a Hospital is built, that it shall be one of ornamental architecture and costly construction. It will require a I ong time to find a suitable site and perfect plans, and a much longer time to erect and complete the necessary buildings. Proceeding as fast as could be done judiciously, it would be years before a new structure would be ready for occupancy. There is no time to spare in looking about and learning what can be done, so that those best competent to judge may present their views to the Government, in whom is all the power, and with whom is all the responsibility. MOSES KIMBALL, President. City -Document.- LNo. 35. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED ABUSES AT THE HOUSES OF REFORMATION AND CORRECTION. 1864. CITY OF BOSTON. In Common Council, January 7, 1864. ORDERED: That the Report of the Committee on Institutions of last year, to whom was referred so much of the Report of the Inspectors of Prisons as relates to the condition of the House of Reformation, be taken from the files and referred to Messrs. Bradlee, Adams, and Wadsworth, with such as the Board of Aldermen may join. Sent up for concurrence. GEORGE S. HALE, President. In Board of Aldermen, January 11, 1864. Concurred, and Aldermen Messinger and Clapp were joined. OTIS NORCROSS, Chairman. Approved, January 13, 1864. F. W. LINCOLN, JR., Mayor. CITY OF BOSTON. In Board of Aldermen, January 11, 1864. ORDERED: That the Report of the Inspectors of Prisons for July, 1863, (being City Document, No. 98,) be taken from the files of the last year, and referred to the Joint Special Committee appointed to investigate the alleged abuses at the House of Reformation contained in the previous Report of said Inspectors. Sent down for concurrence. OTIS NORCROSS, Chairman. In Common Council, January 14, 1864. Concurred. GEORGE S. HALE, President. Approved, January 16, 1864. F. W. LINCOLN, JR., Mayor. CITY OF BOSTON. In Board of Aldermen, March 14, 1864. ORDERED: That the Committee appointed to investigate the alleged abuses at the Houses of Reformation and Correction have leave to report in print. Sent down for concurrence. OTIS NORCROSS, Chairman. In Common Council, March 17, 1864. Concurred. GEORGE S. HALE, President. Approved, March 18, 1864. F. W. LINCOLN, JR., Mayor. CITY OF BOSTON. In Common Council, March 3, 1864. The joint special Committee to whom were referred the Reports of the Inspectors of Prisons for the County of Suffolk, being City Documents Nos. 73 and 98 of the year 1863, and who were appointed to investigate the alleged abuses at the City Institutions contained in said Reports, having attended to the duty assigned them, ask leave to REPORT That, in view of the importance of the subject, charges having been made whereby not only the officers of the Institutions stand arraigned before the community, and the integrity of the Board of Directors is implicated, but which, if true, would be detrimental to the honor and reputation of the City of Boston, the Committee have endeavored to make as thorough an investigation as possible for the information of the City Council. They have therefore examined, separately and under oath, various witnesses connected with the Institutions, with the condition, which was strictly observed, that no member of the Board of Directors should be present at said examination. For special reasons the Committee requested the members of the Board of Inspectors to appear separately before them, and the senior Justice of the Police Court did appear and was informed, after certain objections on his part, that no oath would be required of the Inspectors to any statements they might make before 8 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 35. the Committee, although the Committee deemed it desirable that whatever evidence they might give or explanations they might make should be under oath. His Honor declined to authorize any statement of the precise tenor of his objections until he had consulted with his colleagues, the other members of the Board, when a written communication would be sent to this Committee of the result of their consultation. This communication (see Appendix A.) was received and considered by the Committee, and, with the reply of the Chairman for the Committee (see Appendix B.), and the rejoinder of the Inspectors (see Appendix C.), is annexed to this Report. The full Board of Inspectors also appeared and notified the Chairman that they were willing to appear as a board at a public examination, but they declined, as before, to be examined separately or privately. A committee of the Board of Directors appeared by request of the Chairman, consisting of Moses Kimball, President, J. Putnam Bradlee, and William Eaton, Directors, who were sworn and examined separately. Other persons also were sworn and examined; four of them in response to a published notice, that any one having information or complaints as to these abuses, could appear before the Committee. As the charges made by these persons (all of which were against one institution, the House of Correction,) were mainly of matters beyond the scope of this investigation, they will not be considered in this Report, but will properly be subjects of reference to the Committee on Institutions, of the City Council. The Committee will now state the charges ini the Reports of the Inspectors of Prisons, said charges being more especially made against the House of Correction and the House of Reformation; and they will first give the results of their examinations as to the alleged abuses at the PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 9 HOUSE OF CORRECTION. The Inspectors, in their brief report of their visit to this Institution made on the 11th day of December, 1862, received by the Board of Aldermen July 27, 1863, more than seven months afterward, comment generally in the most favorable terms regarding this prison. They state that every facility was given them in making their inspection, — " the same neatness and order were everywhere manifest as on former examinations,"-" they also examined all persons separately and apart from the officers of the Institution, and from each other." 6, With a few exceptions they were satisfied with their treatment, and those few cases, on investigation, were found to be of a trifling nature." But there was a general complaint in regard to food, the cause of the complaint being brown or Indian bread, " many declaring that they could not eat it, that it disagreed with them." The rest of this Report is made up of statistics, and the only complaint appears to be the dislike of prisoners at that time to brown or Indian bread. With this exception the Report is highly favorable to the Institution. It will be perceived that this Report was received, laid on the table and ordered to be printed on the 27th of July, 1863; but three days prior to the date, on the 24th of July, 1863, the Inspectors made another visit to this Institution, the Report of which was not received by the Board of Aldermen until November 23, 1863. The tone and manner of this Report is so entirely different from the previous one laid before the Board three days after this visit, that the Committee are at a loss to conceive why the Board of Aldermen should be put in possession of a Report which conflicts so entirely with the actual condition of things at that very time as would appear by the Inspectors' statement in City Document No. 98. The several complaints are here stated to be "a repetition of complaints made to them also at several former visits,"-" so 2 10 CITY DOCUMENT. —io, 35. great in number and variety, and capable of being obviated with so little trouble, that they were worthy of an immediate remedy." First Complaint. "The excessive use of brown bread and mush, or hasty pudding," - that it has an injurious effect on some constitutionsj "very unpleasant and weakening," —to some "very repulsive;"-" this part of the prison ration is so distasteful and disagreeable to some of the prisoners, that they habitually go without food at the meal when it is served, preferring hunger, rather than subject themselves to the unkindly effects of its use;" and the Inspectors go on to say that its use " cannot be continued for any reason of benevolence, humanity, or hygiene," - that the officers have no right to continue it as " a means of punishment," or " a part of the discipline of the prison," and the Inspectors respectfully suggest that changes in the "diet bill of the prisons should be made and at once" to prevent further complaint. Second Complaint. Insufficiency of rations, —" complaints we have heard at successive visitations, and have made them known to the officers of the prison; and yet, at the present inspection, full one third of the male prisoners and many of the females, complained to us that it was impossible for them to obtain food enough to satisfy the natural cravings of hunger;" it appeared that requests for more food " had been repeated again and again without avail." The Inspectors also state conversations with the Master, and give his answers to certain inquiries, and they then state that " in no other prison in Suffolk County do we ever hear of begging for food." Third Complaint. Excessive punishment, - undue severity, -harsh manner of officials. The Inspectors draw a comparison between the number of punishments at the State Prison and this Institution, and present statistics to show that the House of Correction appears to a great disadvantage, especially as the convicts at the State Prison are more hardened and desperate, and as the sentences are longer, there is more disposition to PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 11 rebel, - and because, in this Institution, " about half the convicts are females, presumed to be more tractable," " more susceptible of government by milder and suasory means." They also complain of the " severity and curtness of manner," " a restiveness under petition, a repressiveness in reply," on the part of the officers toward the prisoners, which appears to be carried farther than ever before, and to have a bad effect so far as reformation is concerned. They make a statement to show that the punishments in the House of Correction with an average of 250 prisoners, were in number 188 on 111 individuals, while in the State Prison, with an average of 438 convicts, the whole number of punishments were 182 on 99 persons. Two pages of their Report are given to this subject. The Committee visited the House of Correction on the 2d of February, and examined separately and under oath, the Master, the Chaplain, the two Contractors for the prison labor, the Physician, the Receiving Officer, the Kitchen Matron, the Matron,of the workshop, and from them received the most unqualified,denial of the truth of these charges. On the first complaint -the excessive use and injurious effect of brown bread and mush —we give the testimony of Dr. Clement A. Walker, Superintendent of the Lunatic Hospital and Physician to the House of Correction, for twelve years. He states that he cannot recall a single instance of complaint of brown bread, definitely, but has had complaints of baked beans; never had a case of illness that he could trace to the use of brown bread, or that the patients themselves attributed to that; has had a very few cases, not frequent by any means, from the use of mush; has never known a case of a prisoner going without his food on account of its disagreeable and distasteful effect, but on the other hand has known prisoners to take a double ration of mush and to eat it; the mush is remarkably well cooked, and relished much better than that prepared in private families; he thinks the use of brown bread highly beneficial. Last summer, in June or July, Captain Robbins told him he had ordered the discontinu 12 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. ance of brown bread during the hot months, to which Dr. Walker remonstrated in these words: "I asked him to reconsider his decision about it, and to continue its use if he could, for the reason that the season for bowel complaints was approaching, and I promised if there was a single case of sickness that I could trace to brown bread I would notify him at once. In consequence of my recommendation, he countermanded his order, and brown bread was continued all summer. I had some curiosity to look at my' records in regard to diseases, and I found that between the first of July and the first of November, I admitted eight cases of Diarrhcea and Dysentery to the Hospital, and I admit a case at once as soon as it appears, and those eight were in the Hospital on an average of four days under treatment, - the longest seven days and the shortest one day. (There were in the Institution on the first of July 288, - committed up to November 1, 249, - making 537 persons liable to attack.) And when discharged they went right back to the shops and the prison duty, brown bread and all, and there were no relapses among them. This shows how mild the disease was, and how easily treated. There was no change of diet on going back to the prison. I did not trace one of the cases to the use of brown bread; not one of them (the prisoners) complained of it as a cause." The Doctor said further, that one half of the cases of summer complaints were caused by constipation, and whatever tends to keep the bowels regular? tends to keep off those very diseases. The Inspector had never asked him any questions as to the effect on the inmates of brown bread, beans, or mush, - not even at the Lunatic Hospital, where they use the same bread as at, the other house, and baked in the same oven, and where his patients, the lunatics, are fond of it. On the second charge of short rations, and as to prisoners begging for food,- the Doctor knew nothing to sustain it, and does not believe it to have been well founded. As to the third charge -" undue severity and mannerism," - to the question, are the officers more harsh in their manner than in former years, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 13 his reply was, " on the contrary, I consider them the reverse,there is a growing freedom in the intercourse between officers and men; the change has been so marked that I have frequently spoken of it within the last two years." He thinks this increased leniency rather injurious to the good discipline of the establishment. The Chaplain, Rev. J. H. Clinch, has held his office nearly four years, and during all that time he does not believe that he has heard more than three complaints about the bread or the rations, - he thinks he has the confidence of the men, and he converses with them frequently, and always the day before they leave the Institution or their sentence expires, and if they had any complaints to make they would be more likely to make them to him then. Some, who have been in the State Prison, think this a harder place because they are denied the use of tobacco, which is allowed there. He has never heard of the treatment being more severe, and never heard any complaint as to harsh treatment on the part of the present officers. He thinks the prisoners like Captain Robbins, - in fact, are rather fond of him. From certain incidents which came under his observation he was convinced that the prisoners had a respect for him. He had never seen or heard of punishments which approached cruelty. He thinks the present officers are an excellent set of men; has no idea the men are stinted in their food, and if they really suffered for want of food he has no doubt they would have spoken freely to him on the subject, as they know what they say to him is not reported to their injury. George G. Morris, the Contractor for Brush Making, states that he employs about eighty prisoners now, his contract being for one hundred, and he has had more than that number. The men are under the prison rules. The present overseers are not harsh or severe in their treatment of the men; about two years ago an officer was discharged for undue severity. The Contractor has four hired assistants, but the rules of discipline are enforced by the prison officers. Has never seen any unwillingness on 14 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 35. the part of the overseers to hear the complaints of the men, - not a single instance. Has only had one man complain to him that he did not get enough to eat; that man had been a soldier in the British army, and did not do his work well. " I threatened to complain of him; he said he would like a slice more of bread, at one of his meals, and asked me to speak to the deputy, and I did, and I had no complaint afterwards." " I have heard some men say they had more sent them than they could eat; have heard men laugh and joke about their brown bread, but they never complained of it," — and he never heard of their going without food in consequence of disliking the rations. George P. French, Contractor for Brass-work, Rivets, &c., stated that he had been there for the past six years; has employed about twenty men, but for the last two years not more than seventeen. Has seen no harsh or severe treatment of the men for two or three years; has heard no complaints about the quality of their food, or brown bread; occasionally, when a man was changed from light work to heavy work, he has asked for more bread, and he has always obtained it. He says the discipline was not so severe as when he first came here, and it operates to the disadvantage of the Contractor, for the men are not so tractable and don't do as much work. So far from being too severe, he thinks the officers are too lenient. An intellient-looking prisoner, who had been here for twenty-two months, was called before the Committee and testified that he had no complaint to make of the food either as to quality or quantity; that the officers now here are always willing to listen to a prisoner that has a complaint to make, that the Master is kind and obliging; and that the officers are not harsh or severe in their treatment of the men. This man was twenty-six years old, and sentenced for three years for assault and battery. John J. Patterson, the acting Deputy Master and Receiving Officer, had been here seven years up to July last; has charge of the distribution of the food; the prisoners eat their food in PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 15 their cells; does not know of a case where a prisoner refused to eat his food on account of its being brown bread or for dislike of the kind of food; when a man is sick from some other cause, he may not eat all his ration; there is no general complaint as to insufficiency of food; sometimes a new man would ask for more bread, and he always obtained it. He does not think the discipline half as strict as when he first came into the Institution; he thinks Captain Robbins has been getting more lenient for five years past. Mrs. Mary Wormwell, the Prison or Kitchen Matron, states that she has been there for nearly three years; superintends the cooking of all the food for the prisoners, both male and female; had never known prisoners to refuse to eat their food because they did not like it; has sometimes had a very little brown bread and mush returned in the cans, but more of the soup. Sometimes women have said they would n't take their mush, but they did take it and ate it; girls in solitary confinement are sometimes passionate and fractious, and have said they did n't want any food, but they very seldom left any in the cans. Mrs. Mary A. Young, Matron of the female workshop, states that she has been there for five years up to the 30th of June; has one hundred and two prisoners under her charge now, and averages about one hundred; there is a general order for her to give the women more food if they ask for it, and they always get it when they ask for it. Sometimes they complain of their food, and some prefer white bread to brown, but she never knew any one to go without her food because she had brown bread or mush; has never known a case of sickness from the use of this food. Does not think the punishment too harsh or severe from the Master; the women respect him. Does not think the female prisoners are amiable, tractable, or to be trusted; it would not do to be confiding or trust them out of sibght, however good they may be in the workshop. She believes it to be really necessary that they should sometimes be punished. 16 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. Charles Robbins stated that he had been Master of the House of Correction thirty years last June, and Deputy Master nine years previously. He denies, most emphatically, all the charges in the Report of Inspectors of Prisons. He maintains that no injury results from the use of brown bread and mush, but on the contrary the effect is beneficial, and he fully sustains all the statements made by Dr. Walker; that he understands this part of the diet is in use at other institutions, and that a large part of the bread ration at the State Prison consists of brown bread. The charge of " insufficiency of rations," is not true; no prisoner goes hungry for want of more rations if he requires and merits them. He says that the reported conversation by the Inspectors with him is false, and his language is perverted. As to the charge of " excessive punishment, undue severity, and harshness of manner," the Master entered into a very full and detailed explanation, and asserted there had been no change in the government or management of the Institution in any shape, as the Inspectors would make it appear; no increase in severity of punishment, and no particular " mannerism." As to the statement in the Inspectors' Report, of the punishments as compared with the State Prison, he complains that it is most unfair and unjust toward the House of Correction, as it will appear by a statement which he forwarded the Committee, which statement is appended to this Report. [See Appendix, G.] The Master does not indorse the idea suggested by the Inspectors, that " the female prisoners are more tractable, more susceptible of government, by milder and suasory means," and says that he would rather have charge of five hundred men than one hundred women. The latter have a great many peculiarities, which make them worse to govern, though the actual punishnments may not be so frequent as in the male department. It would appear by a statement of the Master that there had been a change in the manner of the Inspectors towards him during the past two years; that at a visit May 28, 1862, Justice Rogers had stated to him certain requests made to him PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 17 by the prisoners. Some wished to write to their parents, and some desired to enlist; he wished him to take their names. The Master, in reply, said the prisoners had made no request of him, and when they did he would attend to them. Further conversation took place, as the Judge wished to know if the sentences of the men alluded to came under their jurisdiction; the Master desired to know the dates of their commitment, as it would take a long time to find them. The Inspectors appeared impatient and sensitive. Inspector Rogers asked if he refused to take the names.? Inspector Wright said they did not come here to be insulted, and told the Master he had not been in the habit of dealing with gentlemen. Inspector Ames threatened to have the Master put under oath and presented to the County Attorney. The Master replied that he did not intend to insult any one. The reason why Captain Robbins did not take the names from Inspector Rogers was, that he did not wish to acknowledge the authority of the Inspectors to direct him. He did not believe it was their province to do so; for they appeared inclined to take the business out of the hands of the Board of Directors of Institutions, who were appointed by the City Government. The authority of the Inspectors is contained in the General Statutes, chapter 178, and is as follows: "The said Inspectors of the County of Suffolk shall, by a committee of not less than three of their number, visit and inspect twice in each year - once in June or July, and once in December - the Jail, the House of Correction, and all other places of imprisonment and confinement established by law in the City of Boston; and such committee shall, as soon as may be after each inspection, make and subscribe a detailed report to the aldermen in relation to the prison in the City of Boston, stating the condition of each prison as to health, cleanliness, and discipline at the time of inspection." They shall also report " the evils or defects, if any, in the construction, discipline, or management of such prisons." It is also provided that they "may 3 18 CITY DOCUMENT,-No. 35. examine under oath any officer, keeper, or other person, in relation to the concerns or management of any prison; they may also, apart and without the presence of any officer or keeper, converse with any of the prisoners." -The Committee submit as their opinion, that, while the Inspectors of Prisons have full power to make a thorough examination of the prisons, for the purpose of making a report to the Board of Aldermen, they have no authority to give any orders as to the management or direction of these Institutions. The appointment of the Master lieswith the City Council, and the Master, under the statutes, can appoint his subordinates. All matters relating to the management all the rules and orders and regulation of supplies -have been confided by the City Council to the Board of Directors of Institutions. From this summary of the evidence in regard to the accusations made by the Inspectors, it will be seen that nothing appears to justify them. The Committee are inclined to dismiss the matter of " brown bread rations" with few comments. They are at a loss to perceive any ground for the repeated attacks upon this portion of the prison diet. It is invariably sweet, well-cooked, and wholesome, and is not supplied ad nauseam, as the Inspectors charge. The Inspectors also say that in this Institution, and this only, they hear of prisoners who do not get enough to eat, -" prisoners beggcing for bread." In an institution of this kind the ration is, and of necessity must be, a fixed quantity. It would be impossible for the officer having charge of the distribution of the food to measure, as does the head of a family, the appetite of each person he serves. The " ration " is large, - often too large. It may be sometimes too light. A prisoner who is in good health, and has worked faithfully, may feel that he could eat an extra slice of bread. (A " slice" is about half the size of an ordinary five cent loaf.) And if his behavior merits it - so says Captain Robbins -he always gets it upon asking. This, the Committee believe, is the true state of the case. The PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 19 full health and fine physical condition of the prisoners is a sufficient refutation of this charge. The charges of cruelty and harshness are conveyed by implication, and not in direct terms. A comparison with the State Prison is instituted, by which it is made to appear that in proportion to the number of inmates more punishments are inflicted at the House of Correction than at the State Prison. The tabular statement which has been furnished to us (see Appendix G.) puts the matter in an entirely different light, and affords a new illustration of the fact, not that " figures won't lie," but that they may be made to sustain, in the most plausible manner, an untrue theory. We believe this " Statement" comes much nearer the truth than that elaborated by the Inspectors; and we are convinced that their theory of the superior tractability of short-sentenced prisoners and females is entirely erroneous. This is a matter of practice as well as theory, and our belief is that prisoners sentenced for a long term (as at the State Prison), having the incentive to good behavior of a promised reduction of their term, are more apt to be obedient and tractable than those who (as at the House of Correction) are confined for shorter periods, and are more reckless of punishment, and more troublesome in every way. That women are more difficult to control than men, is the universal testimony of all who have an opportunity of testing their comparative docility under restraint. If they could have their own way, — as to what they should eat and wear, when and how they should work, on what sort of beds they should sleep, — doubtless they would be content with their lot, and the: Inspectors would hear less complaints. But this Institution is not an hotel; it is a penal institution, where persons convicted of crime are to be confined for such time as the law deems reasonable, and meanwhile they are to be cared for,-fed, clothed, and governed. The interests of humanity require that while their habiliments and their food may be simple, yet that no physical want shall go unsupplied, and that they shall 20 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 35. be treated with kindness and consideration, until they forfeit these by some misdemeanor, when their punishment should be sufficient and sure, without being harsh or cruel. From all the information we have been able to obtain, the Master of the House of Correction has been and is actuated by these principles. For thirty-nine years he has been in that Institution. Experience he certainly has; and we have yet to hear of any inmate of the Institution, out of all the thousands who have been imprisoned under him, who, after discharge, has accused him personally of using his position in any way to oppress or injure any prisoner under his charge. To control some hundreds of men and women, incarcerated for crime, - often for violent crime, - is no easy task. It requires not only the care of the head of the Institution, but of many subordinates. It has happened, and may happen again,- here, or in any other good institution, - that a subordinate officer has been unable to control his temper, and has used harsh and improper means to reduce prisoners to subjection. Whenever it has become known that a person so unfitted for his place has committed any such excess, he has been promptly discharged. All the evidence we have been able to obtain concurs in attributing to Captain Robbins kindness of heart and a just disposition, which he daily manifests; while at the same time he administers a strict and effective discipline. HOUSE OF REFORMATION. The Report of the Inspectors of Prisons of a visit to this Institution on the ninth day of January, 1863, was received by the Board of Aldermen. on the twenty-seventh day of July following. The Inspectors state, they "examined each boy separately and apart from the officers of the Institution, and from each other. Many complaints were made, mostly against brown or Indian bread." PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 21 They object to the present system, by which the boys do not have a proper education; and they say, " a boy sentenced for six months may serve out his sentence without a day's schooling, and in the place of schooling he is worked like a prisoner, fed like a prisoner, and governed like a prisoner, with associates no better than himself, and all treated the same way." Objections are also made to the management and discipline; they say the schools were not what they have been on former examinations, less interest being manifested by both the boys and girls. Three specific complaints "of a serious " nature, in regard to the treatment of the boys., are then stated. To the first of these, regarding injuries to a boy named McCay, we shall make allusion at another stage of the Report. The second complaint was that a boy named Jamnes Toner, was ordered to wash a window in the fourth story of the building, on the first of April, 1862,- that he was doing it without a jack, and, on reaching over, fell to the ground below. " His injuries were the breaking of both wrists, his right hip, and ribs on the' right side, and shattering his right elbow;" he was "four months in the Hospital, and is injured for life, his right elbow being entirely useless, rendering the whole arm nearly so." The third complaint was that the death of Patrick Coiners, on the first day of August 1862, — which was caused by the undermining of a bank of earth, at the base of which he was at work, and was attributed to carelessness on the part of the officers. The bank fell upon him and he was instantly killed. No inquest was held on his body. The Inspectors submit, that in no case should these children be employed, compelled, or allowed to perform any labor where life or limb is in danger; nor should the officers be allowed to handle them rudely, by throwing them down or injuring them. They say that the report of these three cases would not have been delayed had the Inspectors been informed of them by the Super 22 CITY DOCUMENT. - No. 35. intendent, or officers from whom or whose records they should have had full information; but they had to receive it from other sources, by way of complaints, and they were inquired into so soon as "reliable" statements were obtained. The next Report of the Inspectors was of a visit on the thirty-first day of July. This was received by the Board of Aldermen November twenty-third, 1863, laid on the table and ordered to be printed; but, before it was seen by the Aldermen, it was obtained by a reporter and published in the newspapers. The Inspectors say, I" We most cheerfully report the presence and operation of much that is excellent in the conduct of this House, and at the same time feel constrained to say with unanimity and in frankness, that the real aims and purposes of this Institution, in our judgment, very largely fail of realization." They then enlarge upon the general objections made at a former visit, and condemn the system under which some one hundred and fifty boys " have all their life and avocations promiscuously together," "dining at one table and at one time," "sleeping in continuous open dormitories," " taking their exercises and relaxations in one body,' " brought in contact with male teachers and overseers only"; that the House -is "too much of a prison, too little an institution of instruction, too much the residence of law and punishment, too little the home of grace and culture,"- the influence and surroundings too masculine and rigid, too little feminine and sympathetic, too much of the magistrate, too little of the family," - and the Inspectors recommend a radical change. The only subject which the Inspectors particularly commend is, " the voluntary effort of Miss Marianna Payson, the accomplished daughter of the Superintendent," and they are glad to avail themselves " of the testimony of her experience." "About a year and a half since she formed a boys' choir for choral service in the Chapel of the Institution on Sundays and public occasions. She has both summer and winter met every PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 23 week some seventy or eighty boys, and rehearsed them in the chants and psalmody of the Church. The pleasure of the boys in these meetings has been so great that they have urgently entreated her to hold them more frequently; their conduct and demeanor have always been delicate and exemplary; and in the absence of all the officers of the Institution, we are assured that the expression of her wish has been promptly and cheerfully yielded to, and that the simplest indications of her disapproval are sufficient discipline. Her success, in our judgment, warrants a larger experiment of female influence in the guidance and training of these children." As this seemed so pleasant an episode in this Report, the Committee were desirous of hearing from Miss Payson on the subject. By request of the chairman, a member of this Committee addressed a note of inquiry to the young lady, which she promptly answered. The note and answer are appended to this Report, to which we ask the attention of the City Council. (See Appendix E. and F.) The special complaint in this Report, is the severe punishment of a girl seventeen years of age, by whipping, "said to have been a troublesome girl, charged with open and direct disobedience of orders and insolence of lanrguage." She frankly admitted the offence, and for it was punished by the Superintendent in person, with a rattan half an inch diameter and twenty inches long, upon the shoulders and back of the neck, —the number of blows no one can report." The girl was then committed to a solitary cell, where the Inspectors found her on the 31st July, with "blue-black spots on the shoulder as large as the palm of the hand, and evident traces of blows upon her back." They say, "there were unmistakable evidences that her feelings were quick to respond to appeals of tenderness and good will as no doubt they are quick in passion." On the fifth of August she was again visited in the solitary cell, it being the seventh day of her incarceration; "her shoulders were still discolored." She had been visited daily by the Mat 24 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 35. ron with food, and by the physicians; but " had not been spoken to by any officer about her misconduct, her penitence, her resolves or purposes, or about anything connected with her imprisonment, and to this extent her statements were not denied." While on the subject of whipping, the Inspectors complain that in the boys department the punishments are sometimes inflicted with an ordinary wagon whip, by the Superintendent. They express their painful surprise at these revelations. They condemn the horsewhip as an unsuitable instrument for the punishment of any juvenile, and disapprove of corporal punishment as applied to females, closing with this strong language: " The civilization of our age and city imperatively demand that women in stature and years shall not be flogged." A statement was made in regard to the bathing facilities at the Island, couched in peculiar language, and conveying a most erroneous and scandalous impression as to the morality and decency of the Directors and officers of the Institutions, which we comment upon at length on subsequent pages. The Committee visited the Institutions at Deer Island, more especially the House of Reformation, several times. They also had three several hearings in the committee-room at the City Hall. They have examined separately and under oath the Superintendent, the Deputy, the present and the former resident Physicians, the Chaplain, the yard officer, the receiving officer, the farm overseer, the engineer, the clerk, three teachers of the Boys' Reform and the Pauper School, the matron and the teacher of the Girls' department, the kitchen matron, the matron of the laundry and bathing-room, five girls of the Reform School, and the boy, James Toner. They also questioned four boys of the Reform School privately, but did not put them under oath; and at the City Hall under oath the truant officer, Mr. Cole, Dr. Henry G. Clark, and the boy, Moses McCay. Having thus fully stated the charges, and the course of the Committee in obtaining evidence upon them, they now offer their comments and conclusions. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 25 The Committee are satisfied from the evidence of physicians and others connected with the Institution, that the use of brown or Indian bread, here as at the House of Correction, is not injurious to the health of the prisoners. In three months of the summer, when the boys work on the farm, they do not use the brown bread. The Committee do not learn of any cases of sickness from its use. As to the complaint about the boys not having proper schooling, the present system - six months at school and six months at farm labor-they consider generally of advantage to the larger boys sent to this Institution. Their physical health is improved, and they are better able and more willing to labor, and more likely to get employment when they leave the Institution. As to any falling off in the studies of the boys, the Committee can only say the boys appeared well in their exercises; but they requested J. D. Philbrick, Esq., the Superintendent of Public Schools, to visit the Island and examine the schools while the Committee were engaged with witnesses, and his report is annexed. (See Appendix D.) The Committee are of the opinion, however, that a case might occur, when a large boy is sent down on a short sentence, which would embrace chiefly the summer months, and he might not have sufficient schooling. They understand no such case has yet occurred, but they think some provision should be made for any such contingency. About one third, or the smaller boys, are at school all the year. In the Report of the Inspectors upon the three cases cited, of injuries to boys, — viz: the cases of McCay, Toner, and Conners, - an impression is conveyed that the lives of the boys at the House of Reformation are jeopardized and sacrificed by the employments to which they are put; and that in one case at least the treatment of a lad by the Assistant Superintendent was so rough that his arm was broken. The case of Moses McCay is the first in order. It is alleged that he was shoved or thrown down by Mr. Hutchinson; that 4 26 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 35. he " told the boys his arm was broken; that he continued to cry most of the night from pain in his arm;" that he refused to work the next day because his arm was broken, and was " sent to the Hospital, where he remained four months." The Inspectors add, " There was some evidence that before he was sent to the Institution, he fell from a pile of boards and hurt his arm, but it did not appear that any complaint was made by him or that any physicians saw or examined his arm, or that even his mother knew of it at the time." The Inspectors, anxious to verify their own opinion of the cause of the accident, requested Dr. Henry G. Clark to visit Deer Island and examine AMcCay; and in his letter, published by the Inspectors in their report, Dr. Clark testifies that it was c" an old disease of the upper arm, necrosis;" " that he has not had, in my opinion, any fracture of the arm, but that the disease was either spontaneous or caused by some probably slight injuiry or exposure, in a highly scrofulous subject, lpeviously to his entrance to the Inst itution." Dr. Clark in his testimony before your Committee confirmed his written opinion, and expressed the belief that the injury was an old affair, of weeks' duration, and probably of two or three months' standing; which, in the opinion of the Committee, disposes of the possibility that he was injured while at the Institution; for the act, which the Inspectors intimate caused the injury, is stated to have been committed " when he had been at the Institution but a few days." The evidence of Dr. Fisher, who treated the ease, substantiated the opinion of Dr. Clark; and Dr. Stone, who succeeded Dr. Fisher, and had charge of MeCay, agreed perfectly in his statement of the case. And in support of Dr. Clark's statement it should be mentioned that McCay, soon after his discharge, was, although quite a puny boy, able to ride and drive a stevedore's horse, and did so at Deer Island, and he has since followed that occupation in Boston. There was ample evidence to prove that MICay said he had been injured by falling firom a pile of boards, previous to his entering the Institution; and he admitted be PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 27 fore your Committee, when brought before them in the city, that he fell down on a lump of ice from a pile of boards; and 1Mr. Chase Cole, the truant officer, testified that when he arrested the boy and held him by the arm, McCav requested him not to hold so tightly, as he had a lame arm. Your Committee could extend their report upon this case, but proof sufficient has been given to show that the Inspectors in their investigation sought to confirm baseless suspicions rather than to discover all the facts in the case. The I" reliable information" which the Inspectors state they obtained, was not found by your Committee. The next case is that of the boy, James Toner, who fell from a window, 1st April, 1862. It was reported to the Aldermen July 27, 1863. Although severely injured, yet his case is not quite so bad as described by the Inspectors. His right arm is not entirely useless, " or nearly so." Ile writes a letter without difficulty with his right hand, and one recently written is in the hands of the Committee. Dr. Theodore W. Fisher was Resident Physician here from June, 1861, to August, 1862, and attended to this case. He speaks of the present condition of the Toner boy " as being good, with the exception of a stiffness of the right elbow; he is but slightly lame; his elbow is left stiff at a right angle; his arm is useful for nearly all purposes, and in time may become as strong as ever; his general health is good throughout." This accident is to be regretted, but it was attributable entirely to the boy's carelessness, as he himself admits, and would as likely happen if a window jack or stand had been used by a reckless boy. Precautions are now taken, however, to prevent any similar occurrence. The third complaint relates to the death of Patrick Conners on the first of August. 1l62, and reported July 27, 1863. From the evidence before the Committee, the situation in which the boy was placed would not be considered dangerous by persons familiar with that description of work. His death was 28 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 35. caused by the accidental slide, after a rain, of a portion of the top of a bank, which fell upon the boy who was at work near its base, and it would appear that a stone must have struck his head, for he was instantly killed. It was one of those unfortunate affairs which might happen either in or out of prison grounds. It was not deemed necessary to hold an inquest, after obtaining the opinion of the City Solicitor upon the subject. As regards the statement of the Inspectors, of the reason of their great delay in reporting these cases, the Committee do not believe there was any intention on the part of any officer to withhold any information. The particulars of each case were reported to the Directors at the time of their occurrence and were on the records of the Institution, which were open to the examination of the Inspectors. There appears to have been no occasion whatever for them to wait so long for "6 reliable information." As regards the punishment of the boys with a wagon whip (which is understood to be a stout-handled whip with a lash), the Committee state that the whip shown them by the Superintendent was of a different description. It was a long carriage whip of light weight, without a lash, and the Superintendent says, under oath, that he uses no other. The Committee would raise no objection that bad boys should be whipped, to a reasonble extent, as they have been, with an instrument like this, when they deserve it. They believe quick andl summary punishment to be best in some cases in this department. As to the managemlent and discipline, which is similar according to the evidence to that of' former years, the Committee cannot agree to the suggestions of the Board of Inspectors. The boys sent to this Institution require strict discipline. The Committee cannot endorse the poetical and sentimental ideas of the writer of the last Report. Of woman's influence in its proper sphere no member of this Committee can doubt, but before the House of Reformation can beconme " the home of grace and culture," it will be necessary to send a different class of boys to this Institution. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 29 The Committee think the course pursued here by the present able and experienced Superintendent the correct one. The system of instruction combines the advantages of manual labor and mental improvement. Under this system the boys are more likely to reform and become good and useful members of society. In the Inspectors Report for July, there appears a carefully worded remonstrance against the system adopted at the various institutions for meeting the requirements of the law regarding the personal cleanliness of the prisoners. The astounding character of these revelations of the supposed inhumanity of the Superintendent in charge of the Institutions, naturally created in this community a great excitement. The character of our institutions had been enviable, and the prevalent feeling among all classes was that of congratulation in possessing asylums where the criminal and the abandoned, the vicious and the unfortunate, were cared for with all the leniency that discipline would permit, or the most advanced civilization demand. The Institutions had been the principal places to which the stranger of distinction was invited, and though other cities on this continent possess more capacious establishments, and in some cases buildings better adapted for reformatory and correctional purposes, yet in hundreds of instances, those beyond our gates have told of the cleanliness of our Institutions, of the excellent physical condition of the inmates, of the fidelity of the Superintendents to their trusts, and have especially commended the many good ideas which they have adopted after inspecting and examining the Public Institutions of Boston. The City Council, it is certain, had implicit reliance in the ability, watchfulness, and humanity of the gentlemen composing the Board of Directors for Public Institutions. They were selected by the City Council and entrusted with an important duty. Their positions in society as business men seemed a sufficient guarantee that no mismanagement on the part of a Superintendent could more than temporarily escape their observation, and that a practice could 30 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. not long, be indulged in,, which would violate that regard for common decency and the proprieties of life which no misdeed even of the most abandoned would justify a departure from. The City Council'had even been assured, by the tone of previous Reports from the Inspectors, of the general excellent condition of the Institutions, these gentlemen having found time during their flying visits to ascertain so many facts regarding the brown-bread diet, that it seemed impossible that violations of decency and exhibitions of brute force upon females, should have escaped their notice, and the intelligence was therefore even more startling to the City Council than to the rest of our fellow-citizens, when the sensational report was made public. The portion of the document relating to bathing is as follows:"The facilities of the prisoners for personal cleanliness, bathing, washing, shaving, changes of linen and other clothing, seem not only all that the law requires, but all that are reasonably necessary for their health or comfort. One suggestion only seems to be of importance in connection with this subject, and that the Inspectors believe to be deserving of immediate attention and remedy by the directors of these various houses. With the exception of the House of Reformation for Juvenile Offenders, and in the boys' department, which is furnished with one spacious tub in which the frolicsorneness of boyhood can disport itself with a quite limited freedom, all the prisoners are provided with the ordinary bath-tub, from three to sever in number, and placed side by side at distances of from twelve to twenty-four inches apart; these are all in open rooms, without any screen or protection whatever, and in these publicly exposed tubs the prisoners - men, women, and girls, in their respective departmnents, in groups of from three to seven — are required to perform their ablutions. Old offenders, young offenders, girls of nine and ten years of age, alike must disrobe themselves, and in full observation of their fellows and officers, in a state of' utter nudity enter the bath, perform its duty, and par PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 31 take its refreshment. We are far from advocating any sentimental delicacy, but we do submit that there is scarcely any prisoner, however callous in the paths of crime, from however low and degraded a sphere of social life he may have'come, that at this required exposure of the bath-tub, will not feel his rudimental nature at least somewhat shocked. But not all the prisoners are hardened; not all are from the lower walks of life; not all are without much of the refining culture of our New England society. All life has here its representatives; young girls and maidens are here, tender, plastic, sensitive, full of the modesty of nature, and it may be of culture also; some with no other charge of crime than not habitually attending the public school, and the single question is,-Is it proper, prudent, reformatory, necessary, for any purpose, that these should be compelled, promiscuously, in public nudity, to the bath, when an outlay of from five to ten dollars would afford them a protecting shelter, without in any way diminishing the oversight or control of their keepers? It seems to us very clear, and admitting but a single answer; we therefore ask that the evil may be at once remedied, and no longer characterize any Suffolk prison." These remarks form a part of the introductory portion of the Report. The Committee would ask a careful study of' them, for, while there is much ingenuity displayed in their intimations and innuendoes, there does not appear to your Committee that fairness of expression which we. expect from judicial personages, or that directness and perspicuity of language which is desirable in an impartial report of facts. Your Committee would not charge the writer with any malicious intent to convey a false impression, but they most deeply regret that a statement so calculated to deceive, apparently so ingeniously worded, that the public and the press have been most grossly deluded as to the real facts in the case, should have been written, and sent forth to the world to impair the honor of our city. This Report does not state that men, women, and children, 32 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. old offenders, young offenders, girls of nine and ten years of age, alike must disrobe themselves, and in full observation of their fellows and officers, in a state of utter nudity enter the bath, perform its duty, and partake its refreshment. There is not a lawyer in the city who would give his opinion as a lawyer that it meant any thing of the kind, for the clause carefully inserted, " in their respective departments," redeems it upon close examination from such an interpretation, though even the insertion of that clause does not apply to the sentence where it is stated the male and female criminals disrobe in full observation of their fellows and officers, nor is there any intimation that females attend the bathing of females, and men attend the bathing of men. What is left unsaid which would have given a correct idea is more unjust to the reputation of our city than what is really said; and twenty words, placed with as much skill as is displayed in the omission of words which are necessary for a clear statement of the facts, would have prevented the.newspapers throughout this country from adopting the Report as a text for their expressions of just indignation at the supposed indecent conduct of those having charge of our public Institutions. Your Committee, when they first commenced this investigation, shared the impression with the public, that some new and economical system of bathing had been introduced. They would. inform the Council that no change has been made in the system of imparting bodily cleanliness to the prisoners for many years, and they therefore regret that the Inspectors who, according to the Statutes, are obliged to report to the County Commissioners " any evils or defects in the construction, discipline, or management of such prisons," should have so long irefrained from asking, as they now do, "that the evil may be at once remedied, and no longer characterize any Suffolk prison." Your Committee would not regard their work compllete without giving to the City Council a correct idea of the manner in which the bath is administered. Sarah D. Miller, who has PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 33 been in charge of the laundry, bathing, and ironing rooms for over two years, testified as follows:"The women are not, when bathing, exposed to the male overseers; of the prison women, seven bathe at a time, in my presence; every precaution is taken to close the doors and windows, and make the room perfectly private; there have been only two or three cases of strangers objecting to bathe in the presence of other women, but when told what the custom was, they made no further objection; the girls in the House of Reformation have a separate bathing- day; I have nothing to do with them; their Matron has charge of them; the paupers bathe the same day as the girls, at a different hour; the girls are bathed by classes, -not mingled at all; they are bathed every week; I never knew a week when it was omitted; there are young women fifteen or sixteen years of age among the prisoners under my charge; I do not think there is any objection to their bathing together; they behave themselves very well while bathing; I am not there when the other matrons are; I never knew the doors of the bathing-room to be open." In the same manner is the bathing of the men conducted. The boys of the House of Reformation, as the Inspectors facetiously remark, "are furnished with one spacious tub, in which the frolicsomeness of boyhood can disport itself with a quite limited freedom." The Committee. would remark that only a few boys at a time enter this tub, and always in charge of a Superintendent; and though their privilege is only that which "a quite limited freedom" permits, it is ample to obtain the desirable results which are supposed to be the object of bathing. The bath-rooms are secluded, and the windows and side-lights to the door are curtained. No officers, male or female, are allowed to enter excepting those whose duty it is to superintend. The Committee have been somewhat perplexed regarding the source from whence the information came, which induced them 3 34 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. to ask, — " Is it proper, prudent, reformatory, necessary, for any purpose that these should be compelled, promiscuously, in public nudity to the bath," etc. How was this information obtained? The Matron certifies that during her experience only two or three ever offered any objection, and as promiscuous bathing, in the sense which the Inspectors' Report conveys, never was permitted, when and where did they obtain their authority for a statement so utterly baseless? If promiscuous bathing existed they could have discovered it by inquiry, but as it did not exist it appears that they never took the trouble to ascertain the truth, though they have not hesitated to give the public an idea that a practice so revolting was permitted in a City Institution. A skilful artist, in order to bring out in strong contrast certain portions of his picture, pays great attention to light and shade, giving a bright background to illuminate some minor feature which he is anxious to introduce. The Inspectors' Report, in order to impress upon the public an idea of the depravity which requires seven females to bathe in different tubs in the same room, thus pictures the unfortunate inmates of our prisons. " But not all the prisoners are hardened, not all are from the lower walks of life, not all are without much of the refining culture of our New England society. All life has here its representatives; young girls and maidens are here, tender, plastic, sensitive, full of the modesty of nature, and it may be of culture also," etc. It is but a poor compliment to the true representatives of " the refining culture of our New England society," to state that twenty-seven girls, who compose the entire number in the House of Reformation for Girls, mostly from North Street, and in many cases committed to the Institution at the instigation of their parents, have been so I" tender, plastic, and full of the modesty of nature," that they have been sent thither by the Justices of the Police Court as being': PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 35 Common beggars, 1 Idle and disorderly, 3 Idle and dissolute, 4 Larceny, 4 Lewd and lascivious persons, 2 Stubborn children, 9 Truants, 4 Total, 27 This is a sad record, showing what an erroneous impression is conveyed, when the idea is put forth that these unfortunates have once known the care of fond parents, and experienced the genial influence of a true New England home. There may be exceptions, but the majority of these girls are the girls of the street, who may almost be said to have been born and reared in crime, and many of them before entering the Institutions have descended so low, that kindness, attention, and sympathy, even from their own sex, brings but a poor reward. There have been cases where girls have gone from this House to lead a new life, and these instances encourage all connected with the Institution to continue their efforts to reclaim and redeem, but the discipline of the fashionable boarding-school would be as undesirable as the attempt to show that they are the representatives of' "the refining culture of our New England society." The case of the girl who was whipped, the statement of which forms a portion of the same Report, and has been so widely commented upon, demanded from your Committee and received a careful investigation. The same latitude of description was taken by the Inspectors in presenting this case, that we have alluded to as characterizing the alleged bath-room improprieties. The case itself, corporal punishment of boys, ordinary wagon whips, the unmistakable evidence of the girl's good feelings, and some remarks made by Mr. Payson, are so strangely mixed and tied together with the remark, "' the civilization of our city im 36 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 35. peratively demand that woman in stature and years shall not be flogged," that public indignation was manifested at such an exhibition of barbarism. Boston, noted the world over for the philanthropy of its citizens, distinguished among the cities of the United States for the initiatory steps it has taken in the cause of humanity, was arraigned at the bar of public opinion, and where malevolence sought occasion, or ignorance accepted the charge blindly as unvarnished truth, the reputation of the city was tainted. The Committee ask your attention to their statement of the case. Here was a vicious and dissolute girl, who attracted the attention of truant officer Chase Cole from the fact that the school teacher gave him her name as one of the girls whose absence from school was frequent. He saw the mother of the girl, and she expressed her hope that Mr. Cole would arrest her, as she was beyond her control. Her nights were passed in the street in the worst section of the city, and all her surroundings were bad. Mr. Cole complained of her, procured a warrant, and on the 10th of July, 1860, accompanied by another officer, proceeded to North Street. Arriving at the premises occupied by the mother about eight o'clock in the morning, he pounded on the cellar door, and was admitted by a woman who was sharing her bed. Requesting her not to give any alarm, the two officers descended, and having procured a candle, began an inspection of the premises. A bed in the front portion of the cellar was occupied by the woman who admitted the officers and the girl's mother. The rear part of the cellar was divided off, and the door which was broken from its hinges stood against the entrance to it. Within were two beds, one occupied by a woman and a boy, (the brother of the girl, also arrested and sent to the Reform School at the same time,) and the other bed contained two women and a man. In the main room of the cellar on a settee, with few garments upon her, was the girl herself. The fetid atmosphere, there being no ventilation, induced the officers to perform their duty promptly, and taking PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 37 her and her brother, they left, and the Judge of the Police Court sentenced both to the House of Reformation. On the 11th of August, 1860, the mother was sentenced to the House of Correction for two months for keeping a house of ill fame. All the evidence of present and past teachers, submitted to your Committee, tended to show that she was the worst girl ever committed to the Island. Her conduct was unbearable, and never, except when, fatigued by her obstinacy, a teacher perhaps yielded to her whims, could she be said to be pleasant. Her disregard for rules, her contempt of punishment, and her indifference to solitary confinement, seemed to render her almost a hopeless case; while her influence upon others was bad, and her open avowal of her determination to lead a dissolute life, almost discouraged her teacher. Rev. Edward Abbott, Chaplain of the Institution, confirming this unfavorable impression, stated that he had labored hard to induce her to reform, but he did not think it of any avail. And in reply to the question if he would believe her under oath, the chaplain replied that he should not; and during their investigation this statement was confirmed by testimony given by the girl, which was known to be false to every member of your Committee. IHer own statement of her arrest agreed with that already given as regards date of year, month, and time of day; but, not lacking in shrewdness, she gave an entirely different version of the place, and named a different street from that given by officer Cole. Every effort had been made by Mr. Payson and the matrons and teacher to soften the nature of this wilful girl. Kindness bestowed upon her produced no beneficial results, and the promise of improvement, when reluctantly made by her, was often broken soon after her words were uttered. None of the attendants who have been with her for years, ever discovered the unmistakable evidences of her willingness " to respond to appeals of tenderness and good will," while several of the girls, her constant associates, spoke of her as a " bad girl." It is to 38 CITY DOCUMENT. -No. 35. be presumed that these persons are quite as competent to give an opinion as the Inspectors, whose flying visits afford only the most meagre opportunity to gain a one-sided impression of character and dispositions. The girl admitted to the Committee that she had not meant to be a good girl while an inmate of the Institution, that her disposition is obstinate and perverse, that punishment was inflicted upon her only when she violated well-understood and salutary regulations, and that when she obeyed the rules and behaved with docility her treatment was as kind and tender as she could ask. The Committee have not made this statement with any desire to prejudice the members of the Council against the girl. They feel that the unconquerable viciousness of the girl entitled her to consideration; that her failings being so apparent, great care should have been taken not to arouse by any needless punishment the evil spirit within; and your Committee are of the opinion that those who had control over her, were never unmindful of her unfortunate condition. The necessity of maintaining discipline in such an Institution must be apparent; and it is also evident that the discipline must be uniform and rigid, for any departure from the rules once overlooked, inevitably tends to the great injury of the Institution. The punishments are few, - deprivation of a portion of the food, solitary confinement, and corporal punishment, consisting of blows given upon the palm of the hand by a rattan one foot and eight inches in length, weighing five eighths of an ounce, are the means used to punish the offenders. About the 30th of July, 1863, this girl was reported to Mr. Payson as having committed a misdemeanor. He took the rattan just alluded to, and told her to hold out her hand, which she refused to do, and, rolling her arms in her apron, backed towards the wall, and sat down on the floor. Mr. Payson again ordered her to hold out her hand, and she again refused, using language obscene and improper, and personally PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 39 insulting to him. He told her that unless she complied he should use the stick somewhere else. She still refused, when Mr. Payson struck her with the rattan across the shoulders. This took place in the matron's room, and within hearing of the other girls. Finding that it was the girl's intention to triumph by her obstinacy, Mr. Payson requested the matron, Miss McWain, who' was present during this scene, to bring him a bigger stick; and she went to procure one, when the girl, finding that the Superintendent was determined to maintain his authority, yielded, and was punished on the hand. According to the evidence of Miss McWain, Mr. Payson was not angry, but was perfectly cool. In her opinion the number of blows given might have reached fifty. Several girls who were examined varied in their estimate, one stating that she counted one hundred and ten blows, and another girl asserting that she counted over three hundred, while the girl who was whipped assured the Committee that a girl who had left the Institution counted five hundred, a discrepancy which induced your Committee to doubt the veracity of such testimony, though upon statements made by prisoners and inmates the Inspectors base all their charges. Your Committee are of the opinion that the punishment was a severe one, provoked by the girl herself and merited in this case, when so much depended upon maintaining that authority which is placed in the hands of a Superintendent, where usefulness is at an end if a single obstinate and dissolute girl is permitted to give vent to profanity and obscenity, and to defy in the presence of her associates the authorized head of the Institution. It was not in any sense a case of woman-whipping, for though the Inspectors state that she was " in stature a woman grown," yet she was amenable to the punishments of a girls' school so long as the law required that she should be consigned to such an Institution The incarceration of the girl followed, and her meals, consist 40 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. ing of gruel and water, were carried to her. The Inspectors' Report implies that she was neglected. The girl herself stated that the Doctor asked her every morning if she wanted anything, and she admitted that for two or three days when he made his calls she did not reply to his questions, and subsequently she said, No. At any time she knew, and admitted before your Committee, that a word sent by the Doctor or the woman who carried her food, or by those constantly passing the cell which leads from the store, would have brought Mr. Payson to her, and she also knew that any expression of regret for what she had done, any promise of amends, however small the reliance placed in it might have been, would have procured her restoration to her usual mode of living. She preferred not to yield, and accepted the consequences, but she never complained to the Doctor or any one but the Inspectors that the blows had given her pain. The Inspectors paid two visits and found her in the cell and examined her back, and listened to a story from her lips which was regarded as sufficiently truthful to authorize them in making the statements to which we allude. The language imputed to Mr. Payson by the Inspectors he testified before your Committee that he did not use. He did not say, " It was the severest flogging I ever had to do," but he admits that he said "I punished her more severely than ever I punished a girl before," a remark which conveys a different meaning from that attributed to him. Your Committee do not hesitate to express regret that the whipping took place, and they trust that the new law which is now before the Legislature, - which will enable the Directors to remove a girl who defies the authority and regulations of a Reformatory Institution to a Correctional Institution, - will prevent, in the future, any necessity for subduing a defiant girl by such severe means. They do not generally, however, advocate the abolishment of punishment upon the hand with a rattan or ferule in this establishment, knowing from the admissions of the girls that they fear the rod more than they do solitary confinement. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 41 The Inspectors of Prisons have declined to appear before the Committee separately, at a private examination, for the reasons set forth in their communication, - although their own Reports are based on ex parte evidence taken privately and separately, — and their last Report was given to the public through the Press before the City Government had any opportunity to examine into their charges against the Institutions. There were good and sufficient reasons for the private examination of witnesses, and the Committee did not desire to receive the testimony of the members of the Board of Inspectors in any other way. They are fully aware they could legally require the attendance of all witnesses, Judges and Inspectors included, and that they had a perfect right to examine them separately and under oath, - but it was quite evident these gentlemen were reluctant to appear, and the members of this Committee had no desire to compel them to do so. The Committee object to the Reports of the Inspectors of Prisons for these reasons: — First. Because the Reports are not made in the proper spirit, and according to the true intent and meaning of the statute. The law did not contemplate an ex parte or one-sided report. The officers of the Institution should have been examined under oath as to the truth or falsity of the allegations against them before anything like a fair statement could be made to the Board of Aldermen. The language of the law is, that they may examine the officers of the Institutions, and may " also " examine prisoners. The latter, in the intention of the law, were to be the auxiliary and not the main source of obtaining information. The Inspectors have reversed this rule, and have taken care to leave no prisoner unquestioned, while they seldom seek verification or refutation out of the mouths of officers. Second. In the opinion of this Committee it is morally impossible to get correct ideas of the errors or abuses in the management or discipline in the very short time given by the Inspectors to the examination of the prisons and the prisoners. 6 42 CITY DOCUMENT. —No. 35. The visit to the House of Correction occupied only about one hour and a half, and one third of that time was given to the taking of statements from the convicts. Scarcely longer are the examinations at the House of Reformation. Third. The delay in making the Report when there are important complaints is certainly objectionable, and the Committee cannot refrain from making their comments. If the Inspectors really desired to relieve the prisoners from these alleged abuses, and were governed by benevolent and philanthropic feelings, would they have kept back for nearly four months from the Board of Aldermen, or, as it is a public concern, from the public at large, their serious charges against the Institutions? -" Prisoners begging for food," or suffering and " made sick by the use of brown bread and mush;" " treated with harshness and severity;" " boys beaten with a wagon whip;" " a woman flogged;" indecent and promiscuous bathing! Yet these things were to be suffered, these poor prisoners abused, and for nearly four long weary months, wrong and outrage were to control and pervade the City Institutions because it did not comport with official dignity to make immediate complaint! Your Committee deem it their duty in this Report to give expression to some general opinions which they have formed during the progress of their investigation, which may be of use to the City Council in obtaining a correct idea of the whole subject. While they are not disposed to claim that perfection has been reached in the management of our Institutions, they can but congratulate the public, through you, that there is so little cause to apprehend that any retrograde step has been taken, either in the treatment of prisoners or regard for the principles of prison discipline, which have made the so called " American System " almost a model for foreign countries to imitate. They admit the truth of the remark made by an eminent writer, that "the most elementary knowledge of human nature teaches that the kind of man has not been found in the world, who can be trusted with power absolute and uncontrolled over his fellow, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 43 and the history of prisons is an emphatic commentary on the text," but they also believe that the vigilance of the Board of Directors is so evident that we may rest secure in the belief that no wrong can be committed which will escape their eye. The Superintendents are men, and liable to their moments of severe trial, when they may deviate for an instant from their uniform line of conduct, but it would be impossible perhaps to supply their places with those who would equal them in their peculiar qualifications for the posts which they fill. That complaints are made at times against the management of our Institutions is to be expected, for we understand the Directors are frequently called upon to refuse admission to those who seek to gratify idle curiosity by visiting the prisons, while gentlemen capable and useful in their own peculiar spheres are sometimes checked in their desire to assume a surveillance of affairs which is unsolicited and undesirable. Theoretical reformers, who are denied an opportunity of testing their hobbies, rush into print, allowing their vivid imaginations to picture evils which may have existed in times past in other countries, but which are unknown in the history of our own institutions. The post of Director on the Board of Directors for Public Institutions is not a position which can be filled with honor or with justice to the interest of the city, without an experience of business affairs, the possession of administrative ability, and the leisure to attend to the varied duties which devolve upon the incumbent. It is of the highest importance that, in the management of the Institutions, there should be a division of the labor among the Directors, and that the influence of each member should be equal. Your Committee have had most forcibly presented to them the fact that the duties discharged are not equally divided, that while some members of the Board are known to the inmates and regarded by them as protectors, other members are scarcely known by name. As it was proposed, when the Institutions were brought under the charge of one Board, that 44 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 35. each member should have a general supervision of the interests of all the Institutions, the intent of the consolidation cannot be attained unless all give equal time and attention to the requirements of the office. Nor is it desirable that the management while nominally entrusted to twelve gentlemen should be in the hands of any less number. There are many applicants for these posts, gentlemen often seeking them under the mistaken idea that the duties are not onerous and that the pleasures incidental to the office are numerous. If a Director conscientiously discharges the duties, there is an amount of care and responsibility assumed which require thought, time, and labor; and the City Council, in their selection of men, should judge beforehand the ability and qualifications of the candidate to meet this burden. The visits of the Board of Inspectors, as it is now constituted, to the Institutions, your Committee regret to say are only productive of evil. Your Committee with great reluctance make this statement, knowing that it conveys a reflection upon some who are honored and respected in this community. Your Committee judge the Board by the animus of its two last Reports, and by the effects everywhere visible in the Institutions of the injurious influence exerted by their system -of investigation. They fully admit that, when properly conducted, such visits could be made beneficial to the interests of all parties, but when the Board becomes imbued with a spirit of fault-finding, censuring trifles which have existed for years under their very eyes without exciting a word of unfavorable comment till now, magnifying matters of little moment into questions which involve the reputation of a city, and either wilfully or ignorantly indulging in misstatements which create a public scandal where there are scarcely grounds for a passing reflection, your Committee feel fully justified in calling for such action as shall protect the city from treatment so undeserved, and from calumny so pernicious. The effect of such Reports might perhaps be submitted to, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 45 if the evil ended here. Unfortunately it does not. The publication of these unjust reports have given to the inmates of the Institutions a spirit of insubordination, which threatens to destroy their usefulness. The girls at the Reform School threaten their officers with the remark, " we will tell the Inspectors," for the most trivial causes, knowing the willing and credulous ear which some members of the Board have hitherto lent to their complaints. They have admitted that they concerted their stories beforehand, that they might have at least the appearance of unanimity in their statement of grievances. The statutes provide that the Inspectors " may, also, apart and without the presence of any officer or keeper, converse with any of the prisoners." It does not say they shall. It was never contemplated, in the opinion of your Committee, that the Inspectors should pass through the rooms of the prisons and seek to foment difficulty, or suggest causes of complaint among men, women, girls, and boys, held in confinement against their will, and never too ready to acknowledge even the justice of the sentence which deprived them of their liberty. The Inspectors almost invariably assert their prerogative and question the prisoners alone. The inmates are asked, " Are you well treated? Have you enough to eat? Have you anything to complain of?" and similar leading questions. Ask the same questions in any boarding or public school in this country, and it would not be difficult to find some, at least, ready to avail themselves of the opportunity to respond to such invitations. Ask the same questions in the ranks of any army to-day, and there would be a spirit of insubordination created which it would be difficult to quell, though the promptness of military law would prevent forever the same individuals from inciting a second time a feeling so subversive of all discipline. In these Institutions such questions prompt the replies. In the case of one girl, she expressed her belief that the result of all her troubles, and the reward, no doubt, as she expected of all her statements, would be her triumphant release from the 46 CITY DOCUMENT.- No. 35. Institution, and the arraignment of the Superintendent at the Court House in Boston to answer her charges. Every Superintendent, Matron, and Teacher, without an exception, employed in our Institutions, gave their evidence, corroborating the opinions which your Committee have expressed, and it does not require more than a moment's consideration to see how easily ignorant men, and vicious children, might be imbued with the idea that their superior officers were, after all, on a level with them, and alike amenable to the Inspectors. The chances of receiving credence, judging from the Reports, was much in favor of the prisoners. Your Committee do not believe that the Inspectors were ever appointed to perform such a work, which benefits no one, provokes discontent, renders a harsh discipline inevitable, and creates discord and trouble where there is not the slightest cause for any other than harmonious action. If the Inspectors have a personal feeling of animosity against members of the Board of Directors, they have no right to make their Reports the media of malice, when, as in the present instance, they jeopardize the good name of a city by sacrificing truth, and bringing insult upon our citizens from those who are not familiar with the relations which exist between members of the two boards. If your Committee have spoken warmly it must be attributed to the evidence which has accumulated at every steps showing the unfairness of the Inspectors' Reports. Many members of your Committee commenced their labors impressed with doubts as to the character of our Institutions, fearful that there must at least be something very wrong where there could be so much to find fault with, and so little to commend. Aware that the City Council expected an impartial Report, they have given time to the investigation, and due consideration to this presentment. They are not aware of having concealed or distorted any facts which came under their observation, that could palliate or prove any of the charges which they have been forced to confute by PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 47 the evidence which they have obtained through a somewhat protracted hearing. And, in closing, the Committee, with unanimity, express the opinion that the City of Boston need not be ashamed of the management and discipline of her reformatory institutions and prisons. They believe they will compare favorably with those of other cities, and they sincerely regret that the reports of the Inspectors should have given rise to such exaggerated and unfounded statements as have appeared in newspapers in and out of the State, to the prejudice of the honor and humanity of the City of Boston. GEORGE W. MESSINGER, WM. W. CLAPP, JR. JOHN T. BRADLEE, NATHANIEL ADAMS, ALEX. WADSWORTH. APPENDIX. APPENDIX. [A.] AT a meeting of the Board of Inspectors of Prisons for Suffolk County, held February 11th, instant, and by adjournment, on February 15th, a statement was submitted to the Board for its consideration. and action, substantially as follows: That three of the four persons composing the Board had received separate written notices requesting them to appear before the special Committee of the City Council, to whom were referred the Reports of the Inspectors for December, 1862, and July, 1863: the three members of the Board did appear as requested. One of the Board, Judge Rogers, was invited before the Committee, whom he found sitting alone, conducting the examination in private, without the presence of any person except the single witness, and requiring such witness to be examined separately and under oath. Some of the members of the Board were impressed with doubts as to the propriety of submitting themselves to be thus sworn and examined, - but Judge Rogers, having consulted with his colleagues, and having informed the Committee that he was willing and ready to give his testimony, had begun to state, for the consideration of the Committee some objections to the proceedings as proposed in their note, and the Chairman was making a minute of them, when the Judge suggested that the matter could be stated with more accuracy in writing, and the Committee assented to receive his suggestions in that form. Upon further reflection and consultation with his associates, in the room where they were in waiting, it was thought advisable, in the unexpected position of affairs, as the Chairman was absent, and the matters concerned the whole. Board, and were of public interest, that the statement of the objections 52 CITY DOCUMENT-No. 35. should also proceed from the whole Board. The Committee thereupon deferred the examination for that purpose. And now, the whole subject matter having been fully considered by all the Inspectors, they desire respectfully to say to the Committee, that the Inspectors of Prisons for Suffolk County are made such by a statute of the Commonwealth, which fillly and plainly sets forth their duties. Large and well-defined powers are conferred upon the Inspectors, to enable them thoroughly and faithfully to discharge a trust, where it would be so easy, without such powers, to interpose almost insuperable obstacles to a knowledge of the true condition of any prison inspected. The inmates of the prisons are the wards of the Commonwealth, whose rights it is bound to protect: that the Commonwealth as such has no part in the appointment of the Superintendents or other officers of these prisons, exercises no oversight nor control of their management except through this Board of Inspectors, to whom also it commits all its care for the treatment, welfare, and condition of the prisoners themselves, sometimes amounting to twelve hundred in number. The knowledge of the Commonwealth, as to any " evils or defects, " which may exist " in the construction, disciplifie, or management " of any of these prisons, is only obtained from the Reports which this Board are by statute directed to make; and hence the truth or falsity of the statements in their Reports become matters of the highest public concernment. This state of facts so peculiar, devolves the weightiest responsibilities upon the Inspectors; and, as if to impress all persons standing in such relations, with a deepened conviction of their duty, an official personage of the highest authority, one who has signalized himself, not more for the consummate ability with which he has administered the affairs of the Commonwealth, than for the touching tenderness and humanity he has never failed to exhibit in his numerous efforts to promote the welfare and protect the rights of the humblest dweller within its borders, the Chief Executive, in his last annual message to the Legislature, holds the following language: — "I have on former occasions alluded to the absence of uniformity in the government, economy, and discipline of our penal institutions, and to a fact somewhat remarkable, that while a man may be sentenced to the State Prison, where he would be under the immediate guardianship of officers and inspectors appointed by and responsible directly to the Commonwealth, he may also, for the very same offence, at the discretion PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 53 of the same Judge. be sent to the House of Correction, where, though convicted and punished for breaking the laws of the State, he would be governed and disciplined wholly by officers over whom the Commonwealth exerts no control. I respectfully submit that abdicating this control does not discharge the responsibility of the Commonwealth; and I trust that the condition of our county prisons and prisoners, and the character of their discipline and treatment will receive the faithful attention of the General Court." Surely, if this be the duty of the Legislature, with much stronger reason are the Inspectors invoked to be faithful, impartial, and fearless, in the discharge of a trust so important and responsible, specifically committed to them, as servants and representatives of the Commonwealth. Entertaining such views of the duties and responsibilities of the Board, the Inspectors are unanimously of opinion that they cannot, neither as Inspectors nor as citizens, engage in any act which would seem in the least degree to give countenance to any proceeding which might tend to thwart the purposes or defeat the ends for which the Board of Inspectors has been, by the Commonwealth, established. They object, therefore, to submitting themselves to a private examination in the method proposed, and for the following reasons: — PFirst. Because such an examination is to all intents andl purposes a secret examination. That it is so, is too plain for argument. Second. Because a secret examination in a case of this kind, is unprecedented, and deservedly repugnant to the common sense and common feeling of the whole community, and is thoroughly opposed to the spirit of our institutions. The matters in the Reports under considertion are, as has been stated, of public concern; in their statements the whole public have an interest and a right to hear, and an interest in hearing the evidence, and for themselves to judge of the truth or falsity of what is therein contained. This is not a case of ordinary municipal legislation, but one in which the rights of every citizen are involved. The Inspectors would respectfully suggest that the Committee is not a grand jury, to determine who shall be put upon a fair and public trial, but is the court of trial itself. Nor, again, a Board of Prison Inspectors, clothed with peculiar powers to meet the exigencies of a special case, where by the benignant care of the Commonwealth private examinations are permitted by statute, to the end that the convict may escape the overawing influence of his prison-masters, and at whose mercy he would otherwise be. 54 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 35. Third. Because a secret examination is but very little better than an ex parte investigation - may be very unfair, - and can lead to no satisfactory public results. Fourth. Because a secret examination may be the means of great injustice to the witnesses who are examined before such a tribunal. The Inspectors respectfully suggest that no man ought to be asked to put himself in a position where he has no means, independent of the Committee, of verifying the statements he may have made, or the connection in which he made them. No tribunal has a right to deprive a witness of those safeguards by which, in our courts of justice, he is always surrounded, If the witnesses are separated, the court-room is open to the public, to the representatives of the press, and to any one who wishes to be an auditor or spectator of the proceedings. This consideration is submitted as an important part of the general subject, but is deemed by the Inspectors of minor consequence, so far as they themselves are concerned, for while they desire to be freed from imputations upon their veracity, it is scarcely possible in faithfully discharging the duties of such an office to escape severe and unjust criticism and reproach. Fifth. And the gravest objection of them all, because that, by such a secret examination, the very matters themselves submitted to be investigated, which are of public interest, are removed from all the usual safeguards of public investigations; and the character, extent, and result of your examinations being thus withdrawn from public criticism, public judgment, and public correction, become a matter of practical irresponsibility. For these, and other reasons that might be stated, the Inspectors decline to attend a secret examination, in compliance with your request. This decision makes it unnecessary for the Inspectors to allude to the method proposed to be followed by the Committee in the examination, to wit: interrogating each Inspector apart from his associates and everybody else except the Committee. It is presumed that the Committee are informed why this unusual mecthod is sometimes pursued in courts of justice, and also what necessity there may be to separate the Inspectors, whether for fear of collusion among themselves, or conspiracy to tell the same story, true or false, or such weakness of intellect as shall lead any one of them to assume that to be the truth which another states, and because he has so stated it, which are reasons for this course in such courts, your Committee must be allowed to judge for themselves. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 55 But the Inspectors desire to be expressly understood that they will allow no considerations of pure personal indignity, nor any other, except such as concern the public welfare, to stand in the way of a full and fair investigation of the subject matter of their Reports. ISAAC AMES, JOHN G. ROGERS, SEBEUS C. MAINE, EDWIN WRIGHT. Boston, February 15, 1864. [B.] IN COMMITTEE, CITY HALL, February 24, 1864. AT a meeting of the Joint Special Committee of the City Council of Boston, appointed to investigate the alleged abuses at the City Institutions, held this day, a communication from the Board of Inspectors of Prisons for the County of Suffolk, under date of the 17th instant, was duly considered. As the Committee had decided there should be a private and separate examination of each witness under oath, it was so stated to a member of your Board, the senior Justice of the Police Court, and the only departure from this rule, in case the members of your Board should accede to the request of this Committee for a separate examination, would be this, that they would not be required to make oath to their respective statements. The Board of Inspectors having declined a private examination for reasons given, this Committee forbear making any comment, other than to express their regret at this determination on the part of your Board. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, G. W. MESSINGER, Chairman, at the request of the Conimmittee. HON. ISAAC AMES, HON. JOHN G. ROGERS, I Inspectors of' Prisons for the HON. SEBEUS C. MAINE, County of Suffolk. HON. EDWIN WRIGHT, ) PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 57 [C.] BOARD OF INSPECTORS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, February 26, 1864. Hon. GEORGE W. MESSINGER, Chairman of the Joint Special Committee, ec. SIR: The communication of your Committee, bearing date the 24th instant, was received this morning. Whether the members of this Board should be sworn or not sworn, formed no part of the objections to attending before your Committee, and is a matter which the Inspectors deem entirely immaterial. Their objections were that the investigation, as conducted by your Committee, was a private examination, without the safeguards usual and essential to such investigations; and one also, from which, while the subject-matter was of the highest public concern, the public were excluded. As your Committee have decided to continue your investigation in the same private manner, the Board of Inspectors, for the reasons suggested in their former communication, feel compelled to adhere to the determination announced in that communication. With great respect, yours, &c. ISAAC AMES, B JOHN G. ROGERS' Board S. C. MAINE, spetors. EDWIN WRIGHT, J Inspecors. [D.] OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 23 Chauncy Street, January 27, 1864. Hon. GEORGE W. MESSINGER, Chairman of Committee on Public Institutions. DEAR SIR: Agreeably to your request, I visited the Reform School 8 58 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 35. on Deer Island, yesterday, and made an examination of the pupils in that Institution, with reference to their progress in their studies, and the methods of teaching employed by their instructors. It gives me pleasure to report to you that the results of this examination were on the whole very satisfactory.'The reading was, in general, good for such grades and classes of pupils, and in some of the sections of the classes, was excellent. Questions on the meaning of what was read, were answered with great promptness and accuracy. Some of the classes in arithmetic also were especially good. And the same may be said in respect to geography. I should say that, on an average, the boys compare very favorably in respect to their advancement in their studies, with boys of similar age in our public schools. The school arrangements and methods of teaching were, in the main, satisfactory, though perhaps some improvements might be made in two or three particulars. For example, the text-books ought to be the same as used in the public schools; the system of teaching penmanship might be improved; more use might be made of the slate in the lower classes, and perhaps a better classification might be made. But I left the school fully convinced that, with six months wholly devoted to schooling, under such teachers as are there employed, it is perfectly practicable to advance the pupils as far in their studies as we can do in our public schools, during the whole school year. I do not mean by this to say that the boys there could be advanced within a year of consecutive schooling twice as far as ours are in the public schools. One reason why the Reformation boys accomplish so much during the six months they are in school is, that they are not kept at their books all the year round. The work on the farm in summer is the best possible preparation for a winter of successful and profitable study. Another reason why they can do so much is, that they are in the hands of the teacher so many hours of the day. The teacher in the public schools has his pupils under his immediate control only twenty-five or thirty hours each week, which is long enough, if the pupils are kept at school year in and year out; but in the Reform School, the teacher has his pupils under his control during all hours of every day. Very respectfully yours, JOHN D. PHILBRICK. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 59 [IE] DEER ISLAND, January 20, 1864. Miss MARIANNA PAYSON: — I am requested by the Committee of Investigation on the charges made in the Report of the Inspectors of Prisons, relating to the management of the House of Reformation, to call your attention to a statement made in said document, City Document No. 98, on pages 23 and 24. Will you be kind enough to furnish the Committee with any information which you possess, which will corroborate the remarks there made, or which will furnish any light as to the source from which the Inspectors obtained a knowledge upon which they base their remarks? In behalf of the Committee, WM. W. C LAPP, JR. [F.] BOSTON, January 25, 1864. To the Committee of Investigation relating to the management of the House of Reformation. GENTLEMEN: I have received your letter calling my attention to statements made in City Document No. 98, pages 23 and 24. I cannot corroborate the assertions there made, they being incorrect in nearly every particular. The Inspectors commend what they term a "voluntary " effort on my part. I have been paid since the commencement, for my services as organist at the Institutions. The Inspectors state that they availed themselves of the " testimony of my experience." I never gave the Inspectors the " testimony of my experience," nor did they request it. 60 CITY DOCUMENT.-No. 35. Their Report says: "About a year and a half since, she conceived the thought of forming a boys' choir, for choral service in the chapel on Sundays and other public occasions." The idea originated with the Superintendent, and the choir was in operation when I came to reside at the Island. The Report says: A" The pleasure of the boys in these meetings has been so great, that they have urgently entreated her to hold them more frequently." On the contrary, the boys sing only upon compulsion, and their frequent entreaties to leave the choir have become so annoying, that the Superintendent has been obliged to make the asking to leave the choir without sufficient reason, a cause for punishment. The Report says: " In the absence of all officers of the Institution, we are assured that the expression of her wish has been promptly and cheerfully yielded to, and that the simplest indications of her disapproval are sufficient discipline." I have never had anything whatever to do with the discipline of the boys. The boys from the House of Reformation never rehearse without the presence of an officer, and all misdemeanors are by that officer reported to the Superintendent. I am, Gentlemen, Yours very respectfully, MARIANNA PAYSON. [G.] With respect to the punishments inflicted in the State Prison and House of Correction, the comparison instituted by the Inspectors is evidently unfair to the latter Institution. The convicts in the State Prison are all on long sentences, and the numbers vary from,month to month, very slowly. Whereas, in the House of Correction, the sentences are mostly for short periods, and there is a constant succession of commitments and discharges going on. The actual number of persons PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 61 who were inmates of the House of Correction, and subject to punishment, from December 11, 1862, to July 24, 1863, was as follows:Number in Prison on December 11, 1862, 258 4" committed up to July 24, 1863, 303 Total, 561 If this number is taken as the basis of calculation, the result would be as follows: - As 438: 182:: 561: 233, —it is 188 As 438: 99:: 561: 126, -it is 111 As 438: 489:: 561: 656, —it is 522