The following is a more condensed summary of the work done in this department for 1876:

New names entered upon register, 1,041; furnished with employment in the city, 216; furnished with employment in the country, 77; sent out of the city to home or friends, 201; provided with board and lodging, 537; supplied with clothing, 94; supplied with tools, 56; prisoners' families aided, 21, making a total of 1,202 to whom relief was extended.

The opportunities for the discharged man to enter into honest employment have been greater than they were during the previous year, though at certain seasons, the difficulties in the way of securing work of any kind, either in or out of the city, seemed almost insurmountable; and numbers, discouraged by repeated failures, have relapsed into to a life of crime. Business, so long depressed, has not sufficiently revived to furnish employment for all, and employers, in their selection of help, give preference to the man who has never committed crime. When help was difficult to obtain, and when there was work for all, character had little to do with a man's securing a situation, provided he had the capacity or the muscle to do what was required of him. Now, however, it is different, and it seems to matter little what a man's character or capacity may be, or what especial fitness he may have for the place for which he is an applicant-employers are in need of no additional help and the honest man who is in search of work fares but little better than the discharged convict.

Persons confined in the several detention prisons of this city have been carefully looked after and their interests faithfully guarded. The General Agent has endeavored to see all who were at all likely to require his services, either in the prison or in the courts, and few, if any, have been disposed of without having an opportunity to see and converse with him if they desired. The field is so extended and the work so great, the opportunities for doing good are so numerous, and the number requiring aid is so large, that the work performed by any one individual must seem small when compared with what remains unaccomplished. It was said by a deceased judge that every man in the "Tombs" required the unremitting attention and constant watchfulness of a lawyer and a minister, and that he was never for a moment safe unless one or the other was by his side. While this is not true in all respects, certain it is that few get into our prisons who do not need counsel and guidance as to the proper course for them to pursue.

Among the many of both sexes will be found some hopeful cases, who will derive the greatest good from efforts exerted in their behalf; to this class the Agent's time has been mainly devoted. In the boys' department of the prison there are usually from ten to thirty inmates whose ages range from seven to fifteen years.

DETENT'N PRISONS

107

Temperate

45

17

11

Intemperate..

169

64

23

36

76

139

262

387

...........

Habitual drunkards

107

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44

17

609

253

12

2

14

428

95

Kings Co.

Albany.

Blackwell's Isl'd workhouse.

House of refuge.

formatory.

Elmira Re

Totals.

DETENT'N PRISONS

Here, perhaps, is where the greatest good can be accomplished, where the results of labor will be more apparent and satisfactory, and the benefits more lasting. These boys are, in most instances, confined for their first offense, and for a crime which is punishable by a few days' confinement in the city prison. The term of their imprisonment here is not of sufficient length to render reformatory influences of much avail. Four thousand five hundred and sixty-five prisoners have been visited and conversed with in the several detention prisons of New York and Brooklyn during the year, and after listening to the story of each one, those cases were selected for further investigation which it was possible to aid. Four hundred and sixty-two were advised and assisted in some manner in the preparation for their examination or trial.

Three hundred and twelve complaints were carefully examined. Seventy-one were withdrawn as being trivial, after investigation had developed the fact. Sixty-seven were discharged upon the recommendation of the agent; a hundred and twenty-four were defended in the various courts. This makes a total of five thousand six hundred and one who were aided during the year in this branch of the Association's work.

In closing this report, the General Agent returns his thanks to the different officials with whom he is daily brought in contact in the performance of his duties, for the many courtesies shown, and for the attention which has been paid to his numerous requests.

No. 42.

IN SENATE,

March 8, 1877.

COMMUNICATION

FROM THE COMPTROLLER RELATIVE TO THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF THE

STATE.

STATE OF NEW YORK:

To the Honorable the Senate:

COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
ALBANY, March 8, 1877.

}

In answer to your resolution of February fifth, I beg to hand you herewith detailed statements covering the seven inquiries made in relation to the Geological Survey and Natural History of the State of New York, excepting the second inquiry, which covers the various acts under which payments have been made.

As I understand it, these appropriations have been made in the appropriation bill, the supply bill and in special bills. Should you deem it necessary I will, as early as practicable, procure the information.

As to the third, fifth and sixth inquiries, having no means at my immediate command from which to make answer, I have applied to James Hall, curator, and his reply I send herewith, marked A.

Inquiry number one covers the amount paid on account of the work from 1836 to and including 1876, a period of forty years. Statements herewith, marked B and C, answer this inquiry. In the matter of the cost of printing the annual report, I find that in numerous instances the legislative printing has been done for a lump sum, and it would require a careful reading of the journals of both Senate and Assembly to ascertain the number of copies ordered, and the opinion of an expert, in many cases, to determine the cost of the work. I have, however, given in exhibit C a detailed statement of [Senate, No. 42.]

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