The Express.
London, England, 1855-10-19 00:00:00

(Stamped ld. Additional.) [TWOPENC E.

committee felt, under all the circumstances, however pain-
ful it night be to them:, that they had no alternative but
to bring the nutter under the notice of the court. He
oemeloded by emending the resolution that had bun emb-
odies& to the court.

Mr. Hum= and Mr. Haunt both strongly denied that
they had ever given any inattuctions as to a violation of the
rules of the prison, either directly or indirectly.
Mr. Wittnies, thoogLt the proposition of the
worthy magistrate did not deal sufficiently with the qua-
tin, where there bad been • flagrant violation of the
rules of the wart, sanctioned by the Enerstary of State.
They bad that day dismissed seven inferior officers for very
venial crimes. [lt may be hers to state that this
was in allusion to a matter referred to is the report of the
visiting justices of the House of Correction, Coldbath fields,
in which it was recommended that seven sub-warden should
be dismissed for having employed prisoners to periods
trifling services for them, the gravest part of the Muse
being, that the prisoners engraved the warders' seam me
bite of instal, to be attached to coffee-pots to be used ist tb
prison, which recommendation was confirmed by the sewn.]
Ent In this case there was a violation of all the rules es He
part of the superior officer of the prison. After such continued
violations of the rules by the governor, as set forth in the
speech of the gentleman who seconded the resolution, be
was surprised that he should bays some to the endemism
he bad stated. He thought that it was a question that ought
to receive their consideration, sad that at least in the mean.'
time the governor should be suspended. It might be that
the magistrates would be charged with making regulations to
which they dinned the sanction of the Seeretary of Bette,
but Mini they aimed openly to be violated. They should
remember the public eye was on them, and they should be
especially meted to deal oat even handed justice. The
governor having taken all the responsibility upon himself,
and having actually allowed one of the visitors to sleep in
his home all night, he could not see how the magistrates
could acquit themselves in public opinion by dealing with
the ease in the way proposed by the resolution. (Hear.)
Mr.lirimix said, as he thought the question was of mums
importance, he was not in favour of its being disposed of in
the hasty way now proposed. The public eye was upon
them, and what was now said would be reported, and it
would go forth to the public' to morrow in the papers that
thus three persons while In the prison had lived there with
as much freedom as in their own houses. There could be no
Marie of a more serious nature, and he could see nothing
whatever to justify the governor in the course be had taken
on the present occasion. The governor had the power to
appeal to the committee if he wished to make a relaxation of
the rules in favour of any individuals, but nothing mold
justify him in the course he had taken, or them in dealing
with it in the proposed. Their rules had been set
at nought, and it would go forth to-morrow in the press,
and be carried to every house in the country—sod what
would be said of the magistrates ? Would it not be said
that the poor men for a trifling sffence was treated with
harshness, but to the highly criminal offenders the greatest
leniency was shown ? He hoped, therefore, that the matter
would be reconsidered, and not disposed of in the hasty way
that was proposed.
- - - -

- -
Mr. ARMSTRONG said in the early part of the day he was
called upon to confirm a recommendation to discharge seve-
ral subordinate often, and although there was but a slight
charge spinet two, they felt it to be their duty to discharge
the whole of them ; but what would be a reprimand to an
individual under • much g charge, who would then
walk out of the court unscathed and untouched ? If they
tolerated this offence, it woald soon spread through the other
institutions of the country, and would prevent them 'tag
other officers with anything beyond a reprimand, let their
offenses he what they might. As their rules were subject
to a higher power in the person of the Secretary of State, he
thought they had no right to let the matter pass over with-
out getting his sanction to the course that the court should
paring as the rules that he had sanctioned and approved
had been violated by their governor. Alter that, in com-
mon fairness to the 'minor culprits, they ought to go tome-
thing beyond a mere reprimand; but before they came to
any decision, he should like to bear what the governor had
to say in his defense. Before they ridded themselves of the
matter, and pissed sentence upon Mr. Hill, be thought that
the evidence taken ebould be submitted to the Secretary of
State.
Mr. B. B. ANTROBIDI raid he could not forget that he had
that day been a party to the dismissal of seven officers of the
House of Correction, Cold bath-fields, and one of the House
of Correction at Westminster, for misconduct; and he could
not ace how they could pus over one of the gravest offences
that had ever been committed since he bad bad the honour
of befog in the commission of the peace. He moved se an
amendment That the Governor of the House of De-
tention be suspended, cad that the evidence that has been
taken be circulated and taken into consideration on a
future day."
Mr. 000DRART seconded the amendment.
Mr. W. PATNI remarked that they should not lose sight
of the fact that the great object of this prison was to secure
prisoners from ems" so that they might be forthcoming on
• future day in &wart of justice. By the rules of the prison
persons were required to do certain work, such as to make
their own beds sad wash the yards and cells of the prison; but,
by application to two justices, he found that certain privi-
lege+ could be granted to them in their exemption from such
duties. He found also that by the rules prisoners could
have a pint of wine per day. (A laugh, and cries -rf
" Porter.") Gentlemen might laugh at it, but he
would read it to them from their own printed regulations
for the Hones of Correction,Coldbath-flelds,and House of De-
tention. (Mr. Payne here rend from a report that prisoners
might be exempted from having their hair cut, from bath-
ing, de. but it appeared that it was an old copy of the
rules not, now in force.) Mr. Payne said if these rules were
obsolete he could say nothing more upon them, but still be
obtained from them this fact, that at that time certain jai-
'lieges were granted to certain individuals. It was in this
way, that the common thief or prostitute did not want such
privileges as were granted to parties in a higher station of
life. Ile thought the governor acted from superabundant
kindness, and if he erred it was only on the aide of kindness,
and not with any inteation to do wrong. He believed that
justice would be fully administered by adopting the course
pointed out by thiresolution.
Mr. WOODWARD, in reply, said that some gentleman had
remarked that the eyes of the public were upon them in
reference to that question, and such no doubt would be the
case, but the proceediegs of that day would show that it
' could not be done without coming under the notice of the
court. if the governor, or other officer, violated the rules
of the prison, it would be found out by the visiting justices,
and he believed the justice of the case would be answered in
the way be had proposed. If the governor was reprimanded,
it would go forth to the public, which would in itself be •
great punishment to a person in his position, and it was by
no means necessary to keep the matter open for further dig,
carton.
The CHAIRMAN then put the question, when there
appeared—
Foe the amendment 24
Against it -19
The amendment was then declared to be carried, mad Mr.
Sims, the deputy governor, WY appointed governor pro
gem.
Some routine business was disposed of, and the court
adjourned.