The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-06 00:00:00

PRISON DISCIPLINE.

Lord BROUGFIANi presented a petition from Dr.
Rice on the subject of prison discipline. The Noble and
Learned Lord then proceeded to move the following
resolutions on the subject of imprisonment:—
" 1. That the legitimate object of all imprisonment
for offences being to detain persons committed until trial,
and persons convicted for punishment, or until trans-
ported, or until executed, it is a matter both of justice
and sound policy that due means should be afforded in
every prison of classifying prisoners, so as to keep those
who are detained for trial apart from those who are
detained after conviction.

" 2. That it is further expedient to provide the means
of separating different classes of prisoners, eipucially
keepi►,g the young apart from the old offenders; and
that a per`ect system of prison discipline would also
afford the means of further classifying prisoners both
before and after trial.

" 3. That the food, raiment, and lodging of prisoners
after trial ought to be on the lowest scale of expense
and of comfort consistent with the sate custody and the
health of the prisoners.
"4. That the object of punishment being the diminu
tion of crime, and the means thereto being example and
reformation, so much labour should be exacted from con-
victs as shall make every prison a place of terror to the
indolent, and at the same time a school for teaching in-
dustrious habits.
" 5. That the economy of prisons further requires
such aid to the public funds as may be obtained from
prison labour.
" 6. That such branches of industry only should be
cultivated in prisons as do not interfere with the indus-
trious p.ar in their c +flings.
" 7. That it appears expedient, whenever possible, to '
connect with the prison a piece of ground which may be
lab6ured by the prisoners, in order to raise such produce
as can most beneficially be obtained front the soil and
their work.
" 8. That subject to tho limita'ion in resolution 6,
when agricultural or horticultural labour is inconvenient
or impossible working at, manufactures or handicrafts
should be required as part of tha prison discipline.
" 9. That with a view to punishment as well as refor-
mation, separation with labour should in proper cases be
effected, but not solitary confinement, wiless for prison
offences and for short periods of time.
" 10. That both with a view to economy and to
punishment deterring and reforming, it is expedient to
award time sentences, with compulsory labour, instead
of time sentences only, and to make the duration of
imprisonment and the quality of diet depend upon the
prisoner's conduct and the amount of his labour, due
regard being had to the differences of sex, age, and

strength.
" 11. That in all prisons due attention should be
always given to religious and moral instruction, and
a proper provision of useful books be made.
" 12. That as in all prisons the reformation
of prisoners depends more on the zeal and
knowledge of the officers than as rules and mechanical
arrangements, it is of the highest importance to select
such officers with great care, and so remunerate them as
to command the most efficient service.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
POOR-LAW (IRELAND) BILL.
(Continued from our Afternoon Edition.)
. Sir ROBERT FERGUSON then moved the follow.
ing clause:—" And whereas by an Act passed in the
tenth year of the reign of her present Majesty, intituled,
' An Act to amend the Law relating to the Valuation of
rateable Property in Ireland,' it is provided that every
rate for the relief of the destitute poor in every union
which shall he made after thirty days from the time
when the board of guardians shall have received the
valuation of all the townlands comprised in the union,
shall be made according to such valuation, and it
is expedient to amend the said provision ; be
it therefore enacted, that from and after the
passing of this Act, so EOM as the guardians of
any union shall have received from the Commissioners
of Valuation the valuation of all the townlands situate in
any electoral division of such union, all rates thereafter
to be made on such electoral division shall be made cc-
cording to such valuation, until the same be revised, as
in the said Act is provided, and thereafter acecording to
such valuation as revised from time to time: provided
that ail salaries, establishment charges, and other
Mans payable by the union and chargeable on
the several electoral divisions, according to the
net annual value of the property situate
therein respectively, shall be chargeable on such electoral
divisions according to the net annual value of the rate-
able property therein, as set forth in the rates last made
on such electoral divisions, previous to the time when
the board of guardians received from the Commissioners
of Valuation the valuation of all the townlands situate in
any of the el, etoial divisions as aforesaid, until the
guardians shall have received the valuation of all the
iwioeuhldopl
emitocattor:ilv:isei:ns in the union, sad no longer."
Sir W. SOMERVILLE said there could be no doubt
that the bringing into optrati n a speedy valuation was
and confusion.
et
adt,i
ho
ee
roebnfuot.rtidel:eerhaett,hwrettotgu,mhldbtainrhoretitstr-imedsiestri,Litn. of this clause