USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > History of the Albany penitentiary. > Part 5
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"When my resignation of July, 1858, was not acted upon, and when, afterwards, at your re- quest, without my knowledge. the supervisors,
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mayor and recorder in joint meeting changed the rules so as to admit of my non-residence at the Penitentiary, and in so flattering a manner (with the citizens of Albany) desired my continued supervision of an institution in whose welfare I take so deep an interest, I felt that I could no longer decline the trust, but made arrangements for having a representative, educated in prison management and discipline by myself, constantly at the Prison at my own expense, guarding its interests, watching closely every thing affecting its welfare, and exercising faithfully (as I was sure he would) my directions to the minutest particu- lar, in relation to its discipline and business affairs.
"I, myself, have visited the Penitentiary as often, and remained there as long as seemed necessary, and have received daily reports of its condition.
"Thus supervised it has been highly prosperous, and the profits or net gains for the year just ended are larger than they have ever been before in the same period of time."
In estimating this happy result it is necessary to remember that in seasons of embarrassment and distress there is a stronger disposition and a greater readiness to help those individuals and
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firms that are of tried character and practical energy, than those which have a less honored reputation. So it is with institutions that need public patronage on a more extended scale, espe- cially those where convicts alone are employed. At all times their reputation for discipline, energy and efficiency will have much to do with the ease with which contracts for labor are secured, and with their remunerative character; but espe- cially so in seasons of commercial depression when enterprise is crippled, and work is hard to be obtained.
This principle received a signal illustration in the history of the Albany Penitentiary during the general commercial depression of 1857 and 1858. The contracts for labor were not discon- tinued there till after they had been at the state prisons in this state and elsewhere. And others were effected for this Institution earlier than for those in other parts. This was unquestionably owing, in great part, to the high character it bore among those manufacturers and employers who needed such labor.
It will be remembered that Mr. Pilsbury re- sumed the charge of the Penitentiary on the first of June, 1858. There were then over three
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hundred prisoners in the Institution with almost nothing to do. Many of them had so long and so greatly suffered "from mere want of employ- ment, that the officers were most happy to accept any work for the convicts, however small its avails, that promised to mitigate, in any degree, the tedious weariness of their long days of idle- ness and silence."
Prison labor was at that time a drug in the market, and there was but little prospect of securing this necessary boon. Nevertheless the Superintendent during the month of July, and within forty days of his reappointment, succeeded in obtaining a contract for their work.
The next month another contract was secured which was favorable to the interests of the Insti- tution. And though these contracts were for work which had not been done there before, and consequently necessitated a change of tools and machinery, still they changed the entire aspect of affairs, and encouraged the Superintendent in his report for 1858, to promise the Inspectors that the next year the income of the Penitentiary should meet its expenditure.
This pledge he happily more than fulfilled. In June, 1859, another contract was effected, on
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equally advantageous terms, which provided suf- ficient employment for the convicts. The shops throughout were again the scene of active indus- try, and the officers were relieved of what had been a tedious and oppressive burden. Every thing assumed a promising aspect, and the finan- cial year closed more prosperously than ever before.
The income for that period was, $18,119 06
The expenditure for the same time, 13,562 45
Leaving a balance in favor of the Penitentiary of, - -
- $4,556 61
This balance, it is but just to say, was not, in a single fraction, secured at the expense of the prisoners, by depriving them of good, or a suffi- cient quantity of food, or of necessary clothing; but it was by a careful watching of every ex- penditure, by making purchases for cash, and by the practice in every department of a rigid economy. The Inspectors who had exercised a constant oversight of the Institution through the year assured the joint board in their report for that period, that its management in every particu- lar had "been eminently fortunate," and that these gratifying results had not been secured by
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accident or any unfair means, but "through toil and patience, by skill and industry, superior to all the difficulties that rose in the path to success."
It would. however, be unjust to leave the his- tory of that important period here, for the report of the institution for that year shows that of the one thousand two hundred and seven prisoners received, four hundred and forty-four were sen- tenced for only ten days, and could pay nothing for food and clothing, as the contractors will not usually accept any prisoner for a less time than three months : and four hundred and eighty-one were sentenced for terms from one to three months. while only two hundred and eighty-two were committed for more than three months. Thus it may be seen at a glance by what number of convicts the industry of the institution was sus- tained, and this financial result secured.
At that time the Inspectors presented a tabular statement of the earnings and expenditures of the Penitentiary from its commencement, October 31. 1849, to October 31, 1859, from which it appeared that the aggregate earnings for the eleven years, over and above all demands, expenses and contin- gencies of every character, were 86,445.34, notwith- standing every draw back. They added: "Thus it
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may fairly be claimed that the Penitentiary has never lost the character of a self-supporting Insti- tution, for the amount of its earnings, during its whole existence, has largely exceeded the amount of its expenditures, and the overplus, instead of being reserved for the wants of unpropitious times (as, perhaps, they should have been), has been used for such permanent repairs and improvements of the property as-if the relation of landlord and tenant existed in the case - might have been pro- perly charged to the county, as the owner of the premises.
"Permit the Inspectors to go a step further, and perhaps correct an impression which may possibly be entertained, viz. : that although the convicts' earnings have sufficed for the maintenance of the Institution since the time it went into operation, yet, that the 'Penitentiary and its equipments have cost a large sum, for which there is no money equivalent, and that thus the public have been burthened. To this we say, that from the time the land was bought, and from the day on which the first stone of the buildings was laid, every dol- lar drawn from the treasury, and all expense of every name and nature incurred (including even the pay of the Superintendent, who has always
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been a salaried officer of the county), up to this time, is compensated, and more than compensated, by the present value of the real and personal estate comprising the Penitentiary property, which, at any moment, would sell for and realize more than it has cost; while the expense of main- taining the prisoners (who would otherwise have lain idle) in the jail, for eleven years, would have amounted to a much greater sum than the cost of all the land and buildings and all the personal property of the establishment up to this day. So that while on the one hand the support of the pri- soners in the Penitentiary, for eleven years, has cost the county nothing, on the other hand, if the Penitentiary had not existed, the expense of their board alone in the jail, under the old system, for the same length of time, would have amounted to more than the present cost of all the land and buildings, with all their appurtenances, furniture and equipments complete. Leaving all moral influences and effects, therefore, entirely out of the question, and viewing it only as a simple finan- cial matter, the whole project has been a perfect success, and it is doubtful if any municipal enter- prise here or any where else, has ever equaled it, or can show similar results.
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" But during all these eleven years the reform- atory influence of the Prison has suffered no abatement from financial calamities or depressions of business; at no time have the reins of disci- pline been relaxed for a single moment. The great objects and ends of prison restraint have received unremitting attention, and the Peniten- tiary, whether its inmates could be supplied with employment, or no sound of industry could be heard within its walls, has, from the first, main- tained its position among the foremost penal institutions of the world."
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RETURN OF THE SUPERINTENDENT TO RESIDE AT THE PENITENTIARY.
WHILE Mr. Pilsbury was diligently attending to his duties on Ward's island, and superintend- ing the affairs of the Penitentiary, he was, with- out his solicitation or knowledge, unanimously chosen general superintendent of the Metropoli- tan Police. This was then a peculiarly difficult and trying position. Not long before the state legislature had in response to numerously signed petitions, but in opposition to the wishes of a con- siderable number of citizens changed the police system of New York city. Instead of having it under the control of the city government, and consequently subject to the political changes which might annually occur, a law was passed creating a board of police commissioners, who, irrespective of party polities, had the entire direc- tion of the force. This law was for a time strongly opposed, but having been decided con- stitutional the commissioners had assumed their duties. The first Superintendent did not long
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retain the office, and at this time they wanted a thoroughly competent man to fill that place.
Their attention was directed to the super- intendent of Ward's island; and as his tact, firmness and administrative talents, had by that time become well known, he was elected thereto. At first he regarded the proposition with disfavor. Ilis hands and head were fully occupied. The positions he held were both important and useful. Ilis services in both were kindly desired and valued; and it was doubtful whether if he left them the good work he had begun, would be carried on to completion. Still those who knew the wants of that important position, and Mr. Pilsbury's fitness for it, urged his acceptance ; and some of them, who occupied high stations in social and civil life, presented strong inducements for him to do so. At length he signified his will- ingness to accept the office provided he could have the power which the law granted, and which was indispensable to efficiency. This was readily pro- mised, and the condition of his acceptance was embodied in the letter which informed the com- missioners of that fact. He said : "I have con- cluded to accept, with the understanding that all power and authority, consistent with law, necessary
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to enable me to fill the office with credit to the public, the commissioners, and myself, shall be conferred upon me as its chief executive officer of the police department."
In entering on this office Mr. Pilsbury received from the large force subject to his direction, the appellation of "General," and instantly applied himself to master its duties and details.1 Devot- ing to police affairs from twelve to sixteen hours of each day, he ascertained minutely the condition of the department, and set himself earnestly to the great task of remedying its defects and in- creasing its efficiency. Too wise and practical to attempt more, at first, than he would be likely to accomplish ; too cautious to make any ill-consi- dered move; too firm ever to retreat or falter ; and too modest to proclaim, in advance, the good he meant to do-he proceeded quietly but surely in his arduous work.
A great reform soon made its appearance at the rail road stations and around the steam boat landings. The importunate and often insolent hackmen, who had so long thronged those places
1 The following statement is chiefly taken from a history of the events published at the time by a gentleman residing in New York.
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on the arrival of car and steamer, received for the first time, a lesson in good manners. Under a vigilant and efficient police, order and quiet, and civility took the place which had been usurped by rudeness and noisy confusion. To estimate the value of this single improvement, we should consider how many thousands daily enter our great city through these gates of travel-many of them strangers-and not a few of these ignorant and unprotected.
The Superintendent turned his attention also to the protection of travelers and emigrants against the wiles of bogus ticket sellers and their infa- mous agents, and so effectually were the arts of these villains counteracted, that the evil was well nigh eradicated at the time when the useless scheme of an emigrant bureau was put forward with such a flourish of trumpets.
Changes of like character, though, from the nature of the case, not so immediately promi- nent, were effected through the entire range of the Metropolitan Police. A new spirit was in- fused into the force. Its patrolling operations became more faithful and more efficient. Police- men began to see that they really had a head, and that one wakeful eye and strong, impartial
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hand would, sooner or later, reach them, if delin- quent ; that fidelity to duty and not to party, was the standard by which they would be measured ; and that real merit, under such a chief, would be neither unnoticed nor unrewarded. As a neces- sary consequence the number of burglaries and other crimes was much reduced, rowdyism was repressed, and Sunday tippling, which had so long been the fruitful and irrepressible source of disorder and crime, was so far restrained, as to make the day, a day of comparative quiet and decency.
Nowhere was the complete efficiency of the police under Gen. Pilsbury more decisively shown than at the polls. Elections of unusual excite- ment passed off without furnishing a single item for the columns of crime. At the choice of muni- cipal officers, which then occurred, great trouble was apprehended and seemingly with reason. But the regiment which the mayor kept ready at the armory, had nothing to do. Thanks to the precaution and the energy of the police chief, the balloting, even in the worst wards, was conducted with all the quietness and order of a rural town meeting.
The results of that election were not so happy.
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Through the ill-timed jealousies of two great parties, and, as it seems to us, the mistaken ambi- tion of their leaders, a man obnoxious to a large portion of the people was elected mayor. During a previous incumbency, it had been his successful aim to rule the police. How great and how mis- chievous such an influence might become, was seen but too clearly, when it became necessary to call on the militia to put down the police. Foiled as Mayor Wood had been, by the creation of the Metropolitan Police, and by the failure of all his efforts to reinstate the old force, it was to be expected that he would try to regain his former ascendency. So it turned out. He had been in his seat but a few days, when he asked the Superintendent "as a personal favor," to change the officer in command near the City Hall. As this was not refused, he went a step further, calling on the Superintendent to detail twelve men, extraordinary, whose names he fur- nished, for special duty in the City Hall precinct. With this demand, Gen. Pilsbury very properly refused compliance-not only as interfering with his powers, but as needless in fact and mischiev- ous in tendency. Indeed, that it was only meant as an entering wedge, was perfectly clear.
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The mavor immediately took his grievance before the police board. What mutual pledges passed on this occasion between that virtuous functionary and three of his colleagues can be known by inference only His vote aided by the votes of those three gentlemen. deprived the Su- perintendent of that very power which he had made the absolute condition of his acceptance. The most important element of command was transferred to a committee, who at once con- sented to all the mayor asked for, and thus did these officers strike hands with the very man to whose unprincipled ambition it was owing that their board had been established. and that they held places on it.
But for the earnest entreaty of many friends, Gen. Pilsbury would have resigned immediately. Meanwhile the matter was discussed in the daily prints. Among others, the Times, the Post, the Express, the Journal of Commerce, and the Adver- tiser. took the part of the Superintendent, show- ing beyond a doubt the reasonableness of his demand, and the great importance of retaining him. A request to that effect, signed by many of the wealthiest and best citizens, was presented to the board. It was all in vain. Though three
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other commissioners stood nobly for the right, the majority persisted, and Gen. Pilsbury retired.1
While these things were going on in New York, a new police act was brought before the legislature, and eventually passed. Among other important changes, it reduced the number of commissioners to three. Gen. Pilsbury, much to his surprise, was appointed one of this commission. Being convinced, when he saw how it was constituted, that he could not act on it with comfort or to advantage, he endeavored to decline it at once. Urged, however, by the friends who had given him the office, he consented to qualify and to hold on for at least a few days. At the first meeting of the new board, one of the commissioners, with the aid of another, chose himself president, and very soon showed that he meant to keep in his own hands the virtual superintendency and the entire control of the Metropolitan Police. Gen. Pilsbury, convinced beyond a doubt, that his first impression was right, and perceiving that under the new law, he must relinquish his office at Albany, if he retained his place as commissioner, resigned and retired. Why he had been placed
1 See Appendix.
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there under such circumstances and in such a connection, is among the mysteries, which are yet unrevealed. Finding himself in a false position- where the principles which had governed his action through a long and successful career, were to be ignored, and where his peculiar talents and great experience were to pass for nothing, he did as every honorable man would do in his place.
Gen. Pilsbury then returned to Albany where a long cherished home was open to him; where friends were glad to welcome him; where the duties of a highly important position awaited him; where his services had always been appreci- ated, and he had never been harrassed or foiled by the selfish schemes of designing politicians.
The event occasioned mutual congratulation between himself, the Inspectors and officers of the Penitentiary, and many of the citizens. He ap- preciated the welcome and the position, and immediately applied himself, with all his wonted industry and tact, to extend his own, and the usefulness of the Penitentiary.
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EMBARRASSING EVENTS-AN IMPORTANT CHANGE- AUGMENTED PROSPERITY.
Ir will not occasion surprise to any one who distinctly remembers the sudden outbreak of the late gigantic rebellion, and its immediate disas- trous effect on the commercial interests of the country, especially those involved in the trade carried on with the southern states, to find that the year 1861, was one of peculiar trial to the financial affairs of the Albany Penitentiary. That crisis occasioned a complete prostration, for a period, of almost every kind of manufacturing industry. No person, not even the most shrewd and experienced, knew what to expect; while those engaged in the southern trade found them- selves not only without any thing to do, but unable to get pay for what they had done.
This was the case with the contractors at the Penitentiary. The convicts were then, and had been for a long time before, generally employed in making negro shoes for the southern market, and from this business the chief income of the
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Institution was derived, but it almost immedi- ately failed. "Indeed," said the Superintendent in his report for that year, "the contractors found no sales for the shoes on hand, and were unable to obtain payment for those already sold. They also found it extremely difficult to procure stock, and hence were unable by changing the kind of work to keep the prisoners constantly employed.
" Under these circumstances it became necessary to reduce the working time of the convicts to a half and three-quarters of a day each, or to have the men at once thrown upon my hands entirely unemployed. With your concurrence I made such an arrangement with the contractors, which continued for several months; but even with this reduction of time and wages, one contract for fifty men was given up."
Another event that heightened the embarrass- ment of that period was the fact that near one- half of the convicts then received were drunkards, who were sentenced for only ten days, and were not only such as contractors would not employ, but a tax on the industry of the Institution. Indeed more than two-thirds of the whole number committed that year were on sentences not ex-
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ceeding two months, and were consequently not inviting to manufacturers disposed to contract for convict labor.
Such were the adverse financial circumstances of the Penitentiary for more than the first half of the year 1861; and they occasioned the Su- perintendent and Inspectors deep concern. But, as in former instances, the reputation of the Institution, the untiring diligence of the Superin- tendent, his attention to every detail, and his economy in every expenditure, were again at- tended with success. Before the end of that year the amount of labor offered was largely in excess of the number of convicts to be eniployed, though it must be said, that the number of men then in the Institution was thirty less than at the begin- ning of the year; and the number under sentence for three months and upwards, was less than at any time during the preceding five years. Not- withstanding the close of that period found the Institution not only not in debt, but with a balance in its favor of $1,048.07, and that with- out depriving the convicts in the least degree of comfortable food or clothing.
Owing to the urgent demand for men in the army and navy this decrease of convicts con-
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tinued, so that the number received in 1862 was five hundred and seventy-four less than in 1861. " This unprecedented reduction, taken in con- nection with the short sentences which so great a proportion of the convicts received, and the large number of females among them, rendered it difficult for the Superintendent, during the larger part of the year, to supply the number of men, required to fulfill the terms of existing con- tracts, to say nothing of the new ones offered. Yet these contracts were of the highest pecuniary importance to the Institution, as affording it, not only then, a suitable description of labor for the convicts, at reasonable prices, but also the means of employing the increase of prisoners expected on the termination of the war."
Just at that time an event occurred which, most unexpectedly, supplied all the men required, and greatly heightened the prosperity and usefulness of the institution. "Early in the summer of 1862 it was found necessary to enlarge the United States Arsenal in the city of Washington, by adding to it the adjoining buildings which had long been used as a Penitentiary for the District of Columbia. The authorities at Washington, actuated no doubt by considerations of economy,
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decided to procure elsewhere quarters for the in- mates of that establishment, instead of building a new prison for their confinement."
The Superintendent, ever watchful of opportuni- ties to further the interests of the Penitentiary, early learned this intention of the general govern- ment, and hastened to Washington for the purpose of commending this Institution to the authorities there. The effort was attended with success. This Penitentiary was finally adjudged to be the most eligible place to which to send those pri- soners ; and on the twentieth of the ensuing September, an arrangement was entered into with the secretary of the department of the interior, by which one hundred and thirty-one convicts were transferred from Washington under an order of the President to this Institution, where they arrived on the 25th day of the same month. Four only of these prisoners were females, all the rest able-bodied men. The terms of their sen- tences ranged from six months to nineteen years. They, and others received from the same source, not only supplied the requisite number of hands to fulfill the contracts then existing, but enabled the Superintendent to make others, advantageous to the Institution. It instantly assumed moreover
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