Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-07-18
RICHMOND, JULY IL. 1920.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Pe"itentia'y System fer The United States.
No ~


Penitentid'y System fer the United States
No. Il.
10 demonstrate the advantages likely
TO be derived 10 The L. S. over the imdi.
viduai states, tits proper to consider them
under three separate heads, viz :-criRies,
iaD0ur and economy. As there are fewer
crimes cognizable under The laws Of the
former. than the latter, il is presumable
that "a smaller number of corivicts will be
confined, and OF course be more protiiaily
employed IN manufacturing The necessary
articles wanting for the various PURPOSES
Of government. The labour should be
principally that required for ship build
lng-viz cordage, spikes, bolts, blocks,
DC. and The clothing of the army and
navy. This would prevent The imposilions
OF contractors. and produce great saw
ing In The cost OF the articles /; anu lastly
economy. the proverbial subject OF The
day, will be- greatly advanced by LESSEN
ing The eApence Of supporting, guarding,
and attending criminals before aud after
conviction. This is very clear from The
expence attending the fifteen prisoners
confined IN Richmond under a charge of
piracy. am crrdibly informed That
The daily expence Is between 80 and $40 !;
but say S 80, giving each 3 per dav, ex-
cinsive o: clothing. makes on aggregate
Tor the year OF I0950: when two of
the U. States prisoners that are confined
In ibef VirgiBiaf peniientiary, cost oniy
$3.50 and 10 CENTS per year each. ineIm.
ding every thin. except The PHYSICIANS
bill. Take this statement for ihe data.
and what will be the saving i'm the wear TO
The government am very much i'm.
cliped TO believe that in few years sum
sufficient from this source alone would
drfFay the eXpence of erecting tie neces-
sary building Tor pcniieBiiary.
III must he borne ia mind that The u. s.
have no Jaiis but use those of the states
located III each county (per!,aps more ex-
pens've and acknowledging institutions do
not ex'Si In or cour'ry:) and where they
are crowded with offenders, or unsafe. re-
sort Is had 10 n g renting OF houses and
hiring OF guards, which produces The
enormous expense before stated.
There are other advantages more mo-
mentous, which in government like
ours, should be of the first consideration:
that OF endravoring 10 Improve The minds
aud correct bad habits, and extend AL
equal hand OF Justice 10 our fellow men.
Governments were Instituted for tile
good aud happiness Of the governed
therefore, every expedient should be re-
sorted 10, likely 10 improve its condition,
ahd not enGanger It's safely. In England
there have existed the most cruel and
bloody laws, that ever disgraced a cOun-
Try 4; YET even there, they have awakened
from Their slumbers " iih an eye less dim,
and set about correcting the cruel and
sanguInary policy that has so long stain
ed the character of that nation; aud shall
We, her offspring, who disciaiwed and "A
bahdened her (aa parent because of
The muiilphed injuries and tyrannicaI op-
pressions inflicted OH us, be now behind
her III acts of beurvOence? No, | hope
not; let those enlightened friends OF hn.
manly and domestic economy sci OH foot
The work OF reformation, in our criminal.
as they have IN oIr civil institutions, and
shew to England and the world, that we
are not people making general abstract
provisions, aud governed by laws incon-
sisleni with ourselves, but acting on the
most laudable and rational principles of
doing justice 10 our ciiiZens, endeavOur-
ing 10 correct their moral depraviles and
place them IN situation, where they NAV
beceme useful members of society. In
this way too, we demonstrate the absurd
policy, the unjust and uucbrisiian prac.
lice Of putting il OUT of The power of The
unfortunate culprit 10 make reparatou
for the injury lie has doue-befole an
opportunity is given him of correcting
his vicious habits, and ENJOYING IA Lille
more usefully emploJ ed in cuIlivaling a
good understanding with peniient grail
iude for the lpni,y shewn by the meJciiul
and just laws of country whose govern.
meni is founded on tie purest PRINCIPLES
OF Justice aud humanity.
DCCCApI.