The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-15 00:00:00

TUE 811 N, LONDON, WEDNESDA Y EVENING, JUNE 15, 1864.

at having been made on sound grounds of public
convenience and practical common sense, we cannot
suppose that the adverse vote of Monday evening
will produce any sensible Eff,:ct.

Sir WALTER CROFTON is an undoubted authority
on all matters connected with prison discipline and
other questions relating to the treatment of con-
victs., It is, therefore, very gratifying to find thet
he should have addressed soma remarks on the sub-
ject, for they cannot fail to be of service at this
juncture, He speaks what he knows, and discourses
on what he is fully acqainted with. All the obser-
vations of a man who has been prieicularly suc-
cessful in any special department are deserving of
attention, and should be paid due regard to. It is
want of experience and ability that occasion so
many mistakes, and gives rise to so many mis-
chances in the carrying on of the arduous duties
that are necessitated by the conduct of prison
establishments. The supervision of ticket-of-leave
convicts in Ireland was for some time under the
control of Sir WALTER CROFTON, and, therefore,
he very appropriately introduces his comments at
this crisis, when so much discussion has taken
place, and so many doubts are urged on all sides,
as to the practicability of attempting the like ex-
periment in this country. It will be encouraging
to those who have advocated the adoption of this
measure, and reassuring to those who fear its effects,
to hear from this good authority that it is a desirable
plan to undertake, and also the only sure safeguard
that we at present possess. It is here stated that
at first no " police supervision" was exercised in
Ireland when tickets-of.leave were issued, but it
was now found out that the system could not thus
succeed, and recourse was, therefore, had to the surer
means of attaining a fit control over these dangerous
characters. It stands to reason that an occasional or
irregular check upon them will not be suffi-
cient, and that before all things some decided
and definite system must be organised. Doubt-
less much of the trouble that has been felt here
in the arrangements of the convict system has
arisen from the irregular mode of treatment surd
uncertainty that prevailed among authorities, and
also among the men themselves to the enact
amount of control or interference which would be
exercised. The Commissioners who attentively
studied the subject i❑ all its details, gave it as
their opinion that a " thorough and more efficient
supervision" was abso'utely necessary. As they
had considered the question in all its bearings, and
weighed well the pros and cons of the affair, they
must have been more qualified to judge fairly, and
arrive at an accurate conclusion than those who
jumped at conclusions, and were well-meaning but
mistaken in their estimate of the affair. A due
exercise of supervision is essential for the well-
doing of the ticket-of-leave man himself, for other-
wise he may be tempted by too much laxity to
relapse into his old ways, and return to his former
reprehensible practice. Some plan must perforce
be employed that will establish a check, afford
safety to the public, and exert a restraining in-
fluence on these lawless and desperate members of
the community. Sir WALTER states that the evils
of undue interference which have been adverted to
so frequently in the discussion were very prevalent
in Ireland before the introduction of "police super-
vision," but that since that period no complaint has
been made on that score. That this is very likely
to be the case may be seen after a few moment's
rsfhction, for nothing that is conducted in a
settled form, and a firm and fixed basis, ever occa-
sions half the annoyances, or produces the irritation
that ensue from the irregular and uncertain em-
ployment of controlling agencies. These irritate
and excite without possessing sufficient power
and their check being only an occasional one,
its deterring effect cannot for long produce
a beneficial result. Besides, as Sir WALTER
CROFTON very truly observes, there are mitiga-
tions which, judiciously employed, may tone down
and temper the stringent and arbitrary decrees that
in some cases are absolutely necessary and impera.
tively called for. Thus the report or guarantee of
prisoners' aid societies can be accepted in lieu of a
convict's personal appearance. The Home Secre-
tary can also release the convict from further super-
vision, when this is found to be unnecessary. In
Ireland this plan has been tried with success.
Therefore it is not unreasonable for the writer of
this letter to declare that " it will surely not be
difficult to devise such regulations, and in-
structions as will judiciously apply, and bene-
ficially use, the power given by this clause." It is
idle to denounce any measure until it has had fair
play, and it may be said that the notion of " police
supervision" has had its trial in Ireland. If there
it has worked well—if it has gained the object for
which it was intended, and reconciled the hard
measures of authority with more benevolent
innovations—if justice and mercy have gone
together, as it were, on the part of the criminal—
it is not out of character to Eay that there can be
no valid reason why, in this country, we should not
go and do likewise. There is always so much pre-
judice to encounter in making any changes and al-
terations that it is not to be wondered at that the
powers that be so often shrink from the exertion
and shun the odium incurred by making them. The
errors prevalent in our penal system, however, were
of so flagrant a nature that they spoke trumpet■
tongued to Cie community, and some change was
absolutely necessary. A very p inlet and moderate
system has been suggested, and now an outcry has
been raised as to undue interference. This is as
serious an error as any legislator can fall into, to
substitute consideration for weak and insufficient
control, and the sensible remarks of Sir WALTER
CROFTON are most apropos at the period we are
now arrived at. A confirmation of the wisdom of
the enactments now proposed from so good a judge
is a very encouraging thing, and it is to be trusted
that time will prove the truth of his remarks, and
that speedily and satisfactorily.

We aro pleased to be able to state on sound
authority, that another volume of poems from the
pen of Eliza Cook will be published in the autumn.
Despite of severe suffering, her brain has, at inter-
vals, powerfully displayed its vitality, and the vo-
lume will not only contain numberless charming
lyrics, but will also present an original poem of
considerable length, marked with vigour of thought
and beauty of sentiment, which cannot fail to charm
old friends and attract new admirers. We shall
hail the volume with pleasure, and earnestly hope
that this genuine English poetess may long be
spared to enjoy her well-merited pension, and
gratify the public with her gifted productions.
TIIRER FATAL ACClDENTS.—Yesterday informa-
tion was received by Mr IV. Carter, the coroner for East
Surrey, of the three following dreadful accidents :—A man
named Joseph Smith, aged 40, in the employ of an under-
taker, was riding on a hearse at Bslham-hill, when he was
jerked off and fell with considerable violence to the ground.
In an insensible condition he was conveyed to St. Thomas's
Hospital, where he shortly afterwards expired. The second
happened at 'Wandsworth to W. Parker, a gardener, in the
service of Mr Neale. The poor fellow was proceeding along
the road carrying a scythe, when he was knocked down,
falling upon the scythe, which entered and ripped his arm
up, and caused such other shocking injuries that he died
soon after his admission to the hospital, The third case
was that of Celia Turner, aged 13 years, who whilst en-
gaged cleaning out a room at her parents' house, No. 10,
Joiner-street, Westminster- road, went too near the grate,
and her dress quickly ignited. She was most frightfully
burned, and was con; Eyed to St, Thomas's Hospital, wheie
she expired,