The Sun.
London, England, 1839-01-03 00:00:00

SURREY SESSIONS, JAN. 3.

Mr. HAvas, M. P., called the attention of the Court to the
important subject relating to prison discipline, and said that
there were now three new systems before the public, and the
object of his bringing the subject before the notice of the Court
was, in order that a model prison might be erected, to ascer-
tain whether it would be an improvement on the systems al-
ready in operation. The experiment might be tried in any
of the metropolitan counties, and he was of opinion that the
separate system had the advantage over the others; it had
?seen ten years in operation in Pennsylvania; and in one pri-
son in Sussex where it had been tried, it was found to an-
swer the purpose, and had elicited the approbation of Lord
Mansfield. The same system had also been approved of and
adopted by several of the Continental Powers. It appeared
hat the great objection to this particular system of prison
discipline was that it led to very considerable mortality
amongst the black population of the West Indies, who,
extraordinary as it might appear, were more affected by its
operation than other persons. Notwithstanding this, it was
considered the best system in the West India Islands, and
,vas therefore carried out in those colonies. He admitted that
at present they had no accurate knowledge of the working of
ihe system in this country, but if a model prison were built,
to put it to the test, and it answered expectation, it would be
of vast public benefit, and have the effect of diminishing the
present enormous sums expended in the transportation of
felons. He concluded, after making some further remarks on
the subject, by intimating that he should move a resolution to
that effect

Mr. BARCLAY perfectly coincided with the Hon. Member's
view of the subject. He had no correct information with
respect to the working of the separate system ; but he was
,)f opinion that it was necessary to give that system a trial, and
therefore he should second the proposition.
Lord KING also spoke in favour of the motion.
___

Mr. WiLsoN said that the Government had the full power
to build an experimental prison, with entailing an enormous
expense on the county by such an erection.
Mr. BRISCOE was favourable to the proposition introduced
by Mr. Hawes, and said that instead of entailing, the object
was to prevent expense.
The Rev. Mr. ROGERS inquired if the separate system had
not been carried into effect at the Millbank Penitentiary ; and
whether two prisoners had not died in consequence of its ope-
ration on them ?

Mr. HAWES said that the Millblnk Penitentiary was not the
kind of place adapted for such an experiment, and he added,
in reply to the Rev. Gentleman, that it was erroneous to sup-
pose that two prisoners had fallen victims to the system. He
then proposed the following resolution on the subject:—
" That it is the opinion of the Court that the erection of a
model prison upon the separate system, at the public expense,
would be of great general benefit, inasmuch as it would enable
the local magistracy to determine the comparative merits of
the systems of prison discipline, now dividing public opinion,
nd thereby prevent, as well in this county as elsewhere, all
useless expenditure of the county rate, either in continuing the
! resent system of classification in gaols or for the adoption of
the silent system (which in two large prisons have now been
übmitted to the test of experience), until some authentic and
I,ractical knowledge of the separate system is attained under
:!e direction and responsibility of Government."
The above resolution having been put to the vote it was
!-Irried with only one dissentient, and it was directed to be
forthwith transmitted to the Secretary of State.
The Court afterwards proceeded to the trial of the prisoners,
none of which possessed any public interest.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

MANSION-HOUSE.

CHARGES OF STEALING AND OF FORGING MEXICAN BONDS,
&C.-A great sensation has been occasioned, particularly
:::.ongst foreign mercantile houses and the members of the
Stock Exchange, in consequence of the detection of a number
(.1 forgeries committed by David Macnin, the clerk of Messrs
Lizardi and Co., who was some days ago charged with having
st,)len and appropriated to his own use several Mexican Bonds,
shich had been sent to the firm to be converted.

Yesterday, he was brought up again, re-examined, and af-
, rwards remanded.

Q UEEN-SQUARE.

Mr. Wilson, said to be a nephew of the present Lord
,N 1 lyor, and a member of the Common Council, was yesterday
( Lai ged with assaulting a constable of the metropolitan police
v. !lile in the execution of his duty.
Mr. WHITE, the sitting Magistrate, fined him 10s. which
%.‘ paid.