Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-12-10

the mayor OF The CITY OF hlchmond, DC
fore any adequate punishment can be 10
h,cted."
% this subject | speak more posiiivel
because | speak from experience aad acsa
al observation. We heve given 10 the sys
TEN OF mild treatment, the fairssl tria
and sad experience teaches as that, 10 man
instances, nothing bus the most rigoroG
punishments allowed BY the law Can I'd
strain the upgoyernable spirits OF some Il
the conyicss. To the friend of humani.s|
and of the digoiiy of human nature, il
painful to be compelled to inAict corpora
punishments. Bus, when no others will
answer, and necessity requires them, hl
humanity which would forbear, is misplad
ed, and becomes injustice 10 the comaJ
nifty. Five convicts, who had been dis,
charged from the peni,en.iary, have bee
returned for second offences, ihsreby rs
n'festing that 90 change or reformation hs
been wrought upon then by their preyiou
confinement, and the discipline of the ia
stItution. Ibeg leave to suggest that tod
Gath section of the act of 1896, which va,
intended by the legislature to apply 70 such
cases, and TO ;uhcs an increased punish
ment. is defective, apd has never been carl
ricd INFO effect, because it prescfibes nj
mode Il legally ascertalning tile fofmaI
conviction of she same person. subiurI
for ,hs considerations of the assem- bly, ,whoI
Their it BIZ not advisable in such cases, nj
direc. az in@es,igasion in tae districv conn
Of Richmond, where NAY be easily prs
cured me records OF the formar ceDvic,ia
and the evidencc Of the idensity of Ia
person.
There is one circnmatanee in relations
this institution, which, conceive, IS h;a
iy worthy The attention Of the legsJa.us
Il is the frequency with which the mes de, ]
pera.e and daring attempts are made by tai
couvlc;s to effect their escape. ThssS
plans, although vel! conceived and deeA
lsid, have not succeeded ID any ins,aOsh
since your Las: session: but sacF aast
sometimes approached the very monaeg
OF execution before they have been disco
vered. Disappointment seemed not u
discourage tEean and il was az lcug i fouGi
necessary TO incyeasz the detachneot ds
the public guard stationed az stle peni;e1GS
ary, and 10 reqa;re the constant presenc4S
both day snd night, OF one Of toe coaImisy
stoned officers. Il hiss net since been f9uod
advisable TO lessen the force etasioatdI
there, aor 20 dispeass with he presence
tins officer so that although escapes az
thus prevented, the obj4ct is accouplIahd
at a vast expense 20 she com muoi;y, a0i
greatly TO the public injury, by SO wsshsl
ing the pabIic guard, as 10 render 1t les
compesent-io protect The pQblic properly.
this city, for the preservation oF '.hica ii
was originally established. Il is thetef2.s
respectfully submitted, whelher ound ype
licv does not require an encfeastI scveTjIs
of punishment. fer escapes or asgcmpss NJ
escape.
On he training and discjplining hi
great b,'dv of he tnilitia, so treqnea,iy h#
subject OF communication to the ass4mbIA
forbear 70 make any observations; al
because / deem the sub]ec, uniaterestogsl
bu, because lis importance at al ti.ues, aaI
particularly in 'he present aspect of oga
foreign relations. is 50 obvious, ,aat il h
impossible any thing cos!d say cG.,Id ND
crease the impression already existing ol@
the mind Of evetv member of The assem-
bly,. | beg leave. however. to remain
that the rules OF discipline as establish:i6
By congress in their resolution Ct :he 29ds
Of March, 1779, and which BIZ the dirtra
items of the assembly have been dssfi5and-
among the oGcers Of The militia have 10 ]
relation 80 cavalry exercise or discipiMi8
nor has any system of discipline ever b's'EE
furnished the officers Of cavalry f9r .asf@
Information. Permit nae TO Recommending
the consoles alton of the assembly, q sn4s
'lreatise on the new sword exercise t1'a