USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > History of the Albany penitentiary. > Part 8
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When in the year 1848, the Institution passed into the hands of the Inspectors, they resolved that the same rule should be inflexibly main-
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tained. They truly said in their report for 1855: "Among the hundreds of subordinates who have received appointments from them, or the Super- intendent, they have never known the political sentiments of a single individual; fitness and capacity were the only requisites necessary.
"The Inspectors in all their reports have con- stantly kept this great leading rule uppermost before the county government and the public mind, as the sole cause and foundation on which the success of the Penitentiary must rest. As old members, fully satisfied of the value and cor- rectness of this policy, retired from office, and their places in the board of supervisors were occupied by new members, by whom this funda- mental principle was supposed not to be so fully realized, the Inspectors reiterated their opinions, until they in turn became sensible of their truth and importance."
In anticipation of appointing a Superintendent on the resignation of Gen. Pilsbury, they said : "At the risk of being thought prolix and perhaps unnecessarily fastidious on this point, the Inspect- ors repeat what was said in their fourth annual report, made December 16th, 1852.
"In all that constitutes excellence in a prison,
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both morally and physically considered, so far, as the Inspectors have seen and know, the Albany Penitentiary has not its superior in the world.
"The cause, the reason, of these beneficial and satisfactory results is plain. When individuals seek and expect success in their private under- takings, they generally use such means as are best adapted to the ends in view, and no other con- sideration is suffered to interpose. Not so, how- ever, in public matters. While none but capable men find employment with individuals, any body is qualified to superintend public affairs. ‘Indi- viduals employ the best talents-the public employs the best politicians.' Were private citizens to conduct their business in the same way the public does, it would not only be counted absurd, but would, in most cases, prove ruinous to themselves.
"That principle, then, which governs individu- als in their aims and pursuits in private life was established and prevails in the government of the Penitentiary. It was settled, and resolved upon, by the commissioners appointed to construct the prison, before a stone of the edifice was laid. It was constantly urged upon the attention of the joint authorities, in every communication ad-
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dressed to them on the subject, and it wisely received their assent and concurrence. It is this, the total exclusion of party politics from the man- agement of the Penitentiary, the fitness of every instrumentality employed for the object it is intended to accomplish, and the perfect capability of those to whom the administration of its affairs is confided; these together, without regard to any thing else, make up and form the principle of action, the strict observance of which, as a car- dinal, fundamental rule, has contributed entirely to the success of the Penitentiary scheme; and so long as it is maintained inviolate, so long will the Institution prosper and be a public blessing, but whenever place and patronage are made the reward of political services, and whenever office in the Penitentiary is held by that tenure, then will it fail and all its usefulness be destroyed."
In 1858 on the resignation, as Superintendent, of Louis D. Pilsbury, the names of a large number of individuals were mentioned in connection with the appointment; and the Inspectors felt that this great principle they had so long and so thoroughly maintained, might be overlooked ; they consequently called renewed attention to it, and to the importance of its decided maintenance.
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They said : "It is unnecessary to remind the appointing power of the settled rule, established and determined on, fourteen years ago, before a stone of the Penitentiary was laid, to the rigid observance of which, all the prosperity that has since attended the enterprise, is justly attributable. That principle, or rule-the total exclusion of party politics from all influence in its affairs - has become the standard of action, and the sole foundation on which the success of the Peniten- tiary rests. It is not a man's opinions on state or national questions of public policy, or his ser- vices in support of them, that qualifies him for place in the Penitentiary; his individual and personal fitness and capacity for the station, and not his political course and conduct, is alone the passport and recommendation to office there, and the Inspectors rejoice that this great and leading principle (which so far has been productive of the best results) has been followed by each succeed- ing board of supervisors with admirable firmness and consistency."
Another quotation will show how, with advanc- ing experience, their matured judgments honored and commended this rule. These, in 1860, were their significant words : "The idea that led to the
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establishment of the Penitentiary was coupled with the purpose of excluding all partisan influ- ence from its control or direction, and the first act of the authorities at the commencement of the work was to declare that party politics should not be recognized in its management. Succeed- ing boards with a firmness and consistency credit- able alike to their wisdom and integrity, have steadily indorsed this policy, and have invariably acted upon the principle, that the Penitentiary should be conducted in the manner that private individuals find essential to the prosperous advance- ment of their own business, and that fitness and capacity alone should be the passport to office in the Penitentiary, without regard to the political opinions of the individual. By this means the county has hitherto been enabled to secure the best talents, and the services of men who would decline positions of such care and responsibility if subject to displacement merely by the revolutions of the political wheel or the caprices of party.
" The fruits of this policy are before you and before the public, and whenever it shall be aban- doned, the Penitentiary will assuredly go to swift destruction."
These quotations have been given to show how,
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amidst all the mutations of events, the insidious and powerful temptations of party politics, and the predictions of failure by political partisans; this important rule has been maintained in the government of this Institution. Respecting it the Inspectors and Superintendent have been in per- fect accord. And there has never been at any time the least disposition to disregard it. Though the latter is decided in his political views, yet it is believed he has never in all his extensive business operations and purchases for the Penitentiary been influenced by political friendship, but has consci- entiously sought the fulfillment of his high trust. May this rule be always thus firmly and practi- cally maintained; for if the time should ever come when it shall be disregarded in the govern- ment of the Penitentiary the glory of the Institu- tion will be gone, and its usefulness materially lessened if not entirely destroyed.
Would that this rule was thus applied to all our alms houses and penal institutions. It is essential to their good government, and the attainment of their proposed ends. The adoption of the opposite rule has been always, and widely pernicious. And never will those institutions be what they should be in economical management,
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discipline, and reformatory power, till it is totally supplanted, by this which is commended by reason, experience, and the welfare of society.
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THE INSPECTORS.
A HISTORY of the Albany Penitentiary would be incomplete, and would, indirectly, do injustice to those gentlemen who have been its Inspectors were not a record made of their valuable services. Those services, though often requiring consider- able time and labor, have always been rendered without the smallest pecuniary reward. They have kept themselves particularly acquainted with the state of the Institution, maintained a constant oversight of its discipline, regularly examined its accounts, advised, when required, its Superin- tendent, prepared its annual reports, and dis- charged, when necessary, other duties, simply for the promotion of its prosperity, and the public welfare. It is, therefore, only just that their names and deeds should be had in remembrance. The reference to them will be made in the order of their appointment.
Samuel Pruyn was a well known and highly respected inhabitant and merchant of Albany,
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who, after his retirement from business devoted his attention with great assiduity to the penal and eleemosynary interests of the county. He deeply felt that there was at that time great need of this, for the expenses for crime and pauperism were rapidly advancing in this city and the county towns.
Being a member of the board of supervisors, he introduced to that body, on the 10th of May, 1843, a resolution : "That a committee of five be appointed by the chairman, whose duty it shall be during the recess of this board, to make a complete and detailed examination of all matters relating to the expenses of this county, in order to ascertain if any reduction or reform can be devised con- sistent with the due administration of justice, the protection of property and the just compensation of its executive officers; to the end that such measures may be adopted as this board may deem necessary for a more economical expenditure of the public money."
This resolution was unanimously adopted, and Mr. Pruyn was appointed chairman of that com- mittee. At the next meeting of the board he presented for himself and his associates a report which resulted in an application, from the super-
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visors and common council of the city, to the legislature for the passage of a law authorizing the erection of a Penitentiary. By the enactment of that law, Mr. Pruyn was made chairman of the board of commissioners. His associates were Lewis M. Dayton, Esq., and Dr. Barent P. Staats. But while their aid was constant and of great value, he, having time and inclination, cheerfully took and discharged the burden of the service. He directed the course of investigation preparatory to definite action ; wrote the admirable report which the commissioners submitted to the board of super- visors; selected the location and secured plans and estimates for the building. He watched with deep interest, and untiring vigilance, the progress of its erection, and it is believed that his gratifi- cation on its completion was nearly, if not quite equal, to that he would have felt in the realization of any cherished personal object. His labors in this commission gave entire satisfaction to his associates, and to the authorities of the county.
It was, therefore, highly proper and desirable that, on the consummation of this trust, and the organization of the Board of Inspectors, Mr. Pruyn should be appointed one of its members. This was cheerfully and unanimously done
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December 26th, 1848, and to this office he brought all the interest and zeal he had previ- ously cherished. He studied the history of penal institutions ; the different systems of prison disci- pline prevalent in this country ; the objects to be sought by convict confinement; and he felt and practically manifested, till the very close of his life, something of a paternal interest in the pros- perity of the Penitentiary. To him the Superin- tendent never looked in vain for aid. They worked most harmoniously together, and the latter will never cease to cherish an affectionate remembrance of his service and friendship. All the annual reports of the Institution, up to the time of his decease, which occurred on the 18th of February, 1862, were written by him. And his associates in the same office have truthfully said : "In whatever concerned the interests of the Penitentiary, he was animated by a zeal that enlisted all the sympathies, and which never faltered before the most discouraging prospects. To the business of the Institution his time was most liberally devoted; and the solicitude and per- severance with which he watched over all its in- terests was of the kind which men exhibit in the care of their individual affairs. In his intercourse
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with all associated with him in the management of the Penitentiary, Mr. Pruyn was uniformly courteous and kind. His surviving associates, looking back upon the many difficulties and embarrassments through which the Penitentiary has made its way, and at the position which it now occupies in the history of American penal institutions, and mindful only of the duty of jus- tice to the dead, desire to record their testimony, that a large share of the success and fame of our Penitentiary are to be attributed to the sound judgment and the disinterested labors of Samuel Pruyn."
Gilbert I. Van Zandt, of the town of Watervliet, was one of the original Inspectors appointed on the organization of the board. He is a man of amiable temper, sound judgment, untiring industry, and excellent Christian character. His interest in the Penitentiary and devotion to its welfare, never failed, but the distance of his residence from Albany, and for several years past the grow- ing infirmities of age, have prevented him giving to it that constant attention he would otherwise have gladly done. Between himself and Mr. Pruyn, there existed a cordial friendship, and an entire harmony of sentiment, respecting the
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government of the Institution; while the Super- intendent cherishes deep respect for his character, and gratitude for his valuable and long continued services. This excellent man, after eighteen years' service, felt compelled, on account of age, to resign his office as Inspector in December, 1866, on which occasion the joint authorities of the city and county adopted unanimously the following resolutions :
" Resolved, That the thanks of the citizens of Albany county are eminently due to Hon. Gil- bert I. Van Zandt for his long continued and valuable services as Inspector of the Peniten- tiary, and that this joint board desire to give this public expression of their appreciation of his unceasing efforts to carry forward to complete success the Institution with which he has been connected since its foundation.
" Resolved, That we learn, with regret, that so estimable a man and valuable official has signified his intention of retiring from the position he has so honorably filled, and that we extend to him the assurance that in whatever capacity he may hereafter serve his constituents, he will most cer- tainly enjoy, as he deservedly merits, the confi- dence and respect of the people at large."
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William W. Forsyth, of Albany, was also another of the original Inspectors appointed with Messrs. Pruyn and Van Zandt. To the extent of his ability he cordially cooperated with his asso- ciates, but bodily sickness proved a serious hinder- ance to his efforts. He resigned his office in June, 1853, fourteen months before his decease. His associates bore this testimony to his worth and labors. Mr. Forsyth "had been in office since the time of the present organization of the Peni- tentiary. His position in society, and the experi- ence he had acquired from personal investigation on this special subject, eminently qualified him for the place he held; but his declining health, and his contemplated absence from the country for an indefinite time, seeking its restoration, made it indispensable for him to retire from the office. The valuable and gratuitous services of Mr. Forsyth, his great usefulness, and the deep interest he manifested in the affairs of the Peni- tentiary, deserve the gratitude and thanks of the community."
At the next meeting of the authorities, the following resolution was unanimously passed :
" Resolved, That this joint board deeply regret that the Hon. William W. Forsyth has been com-
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pelled, by reason of impaired health to withdraw from the office of Inspector of the Penitentiary; that they highly appreciate the intelligence and zeal with which he has always discharged the duties of his office, and that they cordially con- gratulate him on the distinguished reputation and usefulness of the Institution, to the success of which his counsels and labors have so much contributed."
Mr. Forsyth's resignation took place in the middle of the year, so that the other Inspectors, under the authority given them, selected John B. James to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. Subsequently in commending their selection to the joint authorities for approval, they said : "The reasons for their previous choice, and for their present recommendation are, that Mr. James is a large landholder and taxpayer in Albany. He is a gentleman of wealth and leisure, and can therefore afford to devote his time to this object, gratuitously. His education, intelligence, practical knowledge, and inclination, fit him pecu- liarly for the office; and further, the undersigned [Messrs. Pruyn and Van Zandt] differing from Mr. James politically selected him for that very reason as their associate, that they might evince
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by their acts the sincerity of those professions which have so frequently led them to admonish the county government against allowing party influences to control, or enter into the manage- ment and direction of the Penitentiary. They are satisfied that although Mr. James is as de- cided in his political views as they themselves are, yet he will cooperate thoroughly with them, in not suffering any feeling or bias of that kind to have the least effect in the discharge of the duties of the Inspectorship."
This action of the Inspectors was entirely satis- factory to the joint board, and Mr. James was unanimously appointed an Inspector for the term of three years.
He entered on his duties with cheerfulness and zeal, was ever ready to render any service that was necessary, and greatly commended himself by his urbanity and devotion, to his associates and the Superintendent. He did not, however, live to serve through this official term. His death occurred on the 22d of May, 1856. His col- leagues bore the following earnest and honorable testimony to his excellent qualities and official worth : "The undersigned now discharge a painful duty in officially announcing the decease
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of their late colleague, John B. James. They had been connected with him in the oversight of the Penitentiary for nearly three years. He pos- sessed noble and generous qualities, and it was always pleasant to be associated with him in any business, whether of a public or a private nature. In the necessary and familiar intercourse of the undersigned with Mr. James, he won their esteem and regard. Traits of genial and amiable cha- racter, constantly shone forth. Although unob- trusive, and undesirous of a foremost place, he was always ready to be employed, and on several occasions by his innate tact, courteous manners and kindly disposition, gained concessions for the Penitentiary interests, from those, whom mere matter of fact, business men could scarcely ap- proach.
"Nor is this a mere conventional formality on the part of the undersigned, made for the occasion, but a sincere and honest tribute to his worth and memory.
"Faithful to the rule they themselves helped to establish, as the cardinal principle on which the success and high standing of the Institution must ever depend - a rule excluding all political considerations and partisan influences from any
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control in its government-the undersigned sought amongst those holding a different political creed from themselves for a successor to Mr. James - for one whose opinions on questions of state and national policy were decided and well known, and which differed from their own, but who neverthe- less would entertain their own views and unite with them in maintaining the special policy which has hitherto prevailed, and thus far proved so successful in the management of the Peniten- tiary."
Subsequently the joint board unanimously adopted a resolution deploring the death of this excellent man which deprived the Penitentiary of the services of a highly qualified Inspector, "and the community of an amiable and esteemed citizen."
Occurring as this event did in the midst of the official year, the other Inspectors were again called to exercise the authority invested by the rules and regulations in them. They accordingly selected and. appointed William A. Young, late recorder of Albany, to fill the vacancy until the joint autho- rities should direct otherwise. A more suitable appointment could not have been made. He possessed all the qualifications required, and has
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honored the office he fills. The Inspectors in announcing to the joint board this action said : " To introduce him to the joint board, except as a formality, is needless. As a citizen, as recorder of the city and a judge of its municipal criminal courts, he and his services are already as widely known as they are favorably appreciated by the public. His experience in criminal matters and long acquaintance with the theory and discipline of the Institution, his social position, inflexible integrity and lofty independence of character, all qualify him peculiarly for the place; and the undersigned [Messrs. Pruyn and Van Zandt] felt quite sure in making the selection, that they were only forestalling the action of the joint authorities in the matter. In this view they need scarcely ask that their doings may be ratified, or that the appointment of Mr. Young may be continued for the next succeeding term.
The anticipation cherished when this appoint- ment was made has been happily fulfilled. Mr. Young has rendered highly valuable service to the Institution, and it is earnestly hoped he will be spared and enabled to do so for many years to come.
In December, 1862, Robert Babcock, of the
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town of Bethlehem, was appointed Inspector by the joint board to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Samuel Pruyn : and in December, 1864, he was reappointed for the term of three years, and still worthily fills the office.
At the last meeting of the board, held Decem- ber 14th, 1866, Eli Perry was appointed Inspector for the term of three years from the first of March, 1867. As Mr. Perry has been for several years mayor of the city, is well acquainted with its public business, and has long shown an interest in the prosperity of the Penitentiary, this appoint- ment has gratified many of its friends, and pro- mises good to the Institution. It unquestionably demands and deserves the warm and disinterested devotion of every one officially connected with it, and, this given, in the future as in the past, its career of signal prosperity will continue and increase.
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THE PHYSICIAN.
THE sameness of the duties required from year to year, of a physician to an Institution like the Albany Penitentiary, allows but little room for remarks of a general historical character. The same diseases generally appear from time to time, and the same course of treatment must be pur- sued. And though there may be varieties in both which would deeply interest the professional man, their presentation would fail to engage the public mind. There are, however, some peculiarities in the present case, which must not be overlooked.
Dr. Barent P. Staats, was one of the commis- sioners appointed by the legislature to locate and build the Penitentiary. In that position he dis- played a most commendable interest and devotion. Its duties were faithfully discharged ; the service he rendered was valuable and appreciated, and since its completion he has always evinced a practical concern in its prosperity.
On the organization of the board of Inspectors,
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he was immediately appointed the Physician of the Institution, and from that time to the present, a period of more than eighteen years, he has filled that position to the satisfaction of the In- spectors, the Superintendent, and other officials. His promptness in attending to its calls has been unfailing; his fidelity has been exemplary ; and his skill has been indicated in the compara- tively small number of deaths which have occurred there during this protracted period.
During the existence of the Penitentiary, it has been visited six times with malignant diseases. These were cholera, ship fever, small-pox and typhus fever. But though a large number of prisoners were afflicted thereby, only eighteen died. And some of the latter would have re- covered but for the debility or disease previously existing and consequent on their intemperate habits. This is a circumstance which indicates both medi- cal attention and ability.
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