Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-08-04
CUR1'IUS.
FOR THE ENQUIRER
Pea'tentia'y System for tie U,used States.
No w

FOR THE ENQUIRER
Feh'teWiG'y System for tie Uuted States.
No. w.
shall here consider The construction
o! The necessary buildings for such an I'm
siliution. This has been generally over
looked by most oi the States las far as nv
ih!ormainn exieHds,) and elegance IN.
stead OF utility, has been adopted. There
can be no objection 10 combining both :;
bni al any raie, The one should be para
mount 10 the other, where lie sys,,m
would be benefited by preference in
The construction. II should. in my iudy
men', be square block of building 3
WIN dividing walls, making three grand
nivisions, with Il corresponding area 10
each, separating HE couvicis agreeahly
to their classes. This should be sub
Jeci OF Tie first importance III the orcaui-
za'tou OF the government for il is all
important in good police. lis effects
can only be appreciated by experience ::
The ihwcr floors nf the buildings iniended
Tor workshops, should be large. and airy ::
lie upper stories, with archcs bctw cen
each, divided INTO small apartments 70
ioaSe the convIcts, where they couIl
nave ne communication whatever with
each other thus locked w, after work
Ing all day, seeing and hearing nothing.
they are III a proper condition Ia reflect
on their past conduct, and icci the effec,
OF punishment. They are likewise de.
prlvcd OF The opportunity ot giving and
receiving lessons IN vice and in morality.
as we'll as dcyisIng plans tor insnrreciion
The police must De bad indeed 10 give an
opportunity 10 form such plans In their
work shops; nay,i n is impossible, without
a great declenSirn OF duty on The parl OF
their officers.
TIE CHASING Of The convicis is verv
imporianl and necessary i'll a well rcgu-
lated government ltS effects have been
clearly demonstrated IN theVrginia peni
ientIary, and 1t the building, vas such
as desired, iis beneficial tendency would
be greatly increased.
la some of the Northern States. tlley
complain exceedingly Of their institutions
ot similar nature, particularly IN New
York; and well trey NAV, unltss a recent
change has been maze IN fireir police: If
is as much impossible for them 10 move
smoothly OIL under their present oresni-
zatioD. a. i, would be 10 haveawelI regu
lated aud disciplined army, without a
skilful General or 10 manage slim of
war with success, in fine Of q, tit n. With
oui commander 10 d,rect,, movements.
There is generally attached 10 these In
s!IiniIOns group al officers without a
responsible and efficient bead 10 direct
Their operations. Good governments in
al countries, situations, and places, de-
pend on good officers aus they cannot
he secured without q corresponding res
possibility, and odinm attached where
there IL n misspplied administration.
There has been too much Of IA sickly.
and squeamislI humanity introduced into
lie government OF these institutions. no
doubt from the puresi, though very mis-
taken motives; 100 much of abstract DTjn
cIPles applied in the place of practical
reason IL is as necessary 10 the good
government OF these Institutions. Thai the
Executive and Police officers should fave
HE power 10 put down obstinate ano
turbulent conduct in the cOnIicis, with
prompt eiieci, as their existence can br
expected.
]he frequent and unnecessary visitors
from wanion curiosity ,anI the intercourse
between The COnvIcis and their friends
(cl'her IN PRISON, or by ~riting,) have u
strong aud peruIcious effect Upon The be si
interests and objects of the institutions
that II waptOn and curious riSitoys degrade
he convict, saps The punishment, and
makes II mockery. I'e cOniine fclOns
and furnish them With ailthe ueceSsafies
OF life, III health az well az in sickness.
aud let item have communication will,
lheir TRENDS 10 inform, and ia return be
informed, OF health, condition. DC. v iih
all The occurrences Of life, las is tie case
III some Of the insiiiuti0ns,) reudefs The
system radically deiectivea and upmauage.
able this must inevitably be amended
or abandon it altogether.
The foregoing remarks are not visiona
~ ideas OF speculation, but lie result OF
deliberate reflection OF one who has paid
attention TO The subject and endeavored
To become acquainted with human ma
ture under belief, that were the Uni.
ted States 10 adopt The Peniienliary Sys
Ten, with suitable laws fOrits government.
asOi';ing the rock on which most oil such
institutions have split, il would be a seri-
GUS benefit 10 The nation.
Accept my thanks, Sirs, for the iDdul-
geucc gives me by the use of your faper
~ this eudeayOr 10 promote tic objects
Of humanity. | now leave the subject "a
be taken up by DeD Of greater talent. and
greater lcisuic. BECCAIlA.
~ Admomii0p fofCierks of The Conyts ot
Justice. ....lt Is universally known 10 BE
| material That records which are TO last
for ages, should be wriiteH wi,h streng,
durable ink, and il is deep 10 be lament.
| ed that but little attention, (generaily
speshlng) is paid to this important cir
cumslance, by The clerks OF our courts oil
justice as the experience OF many years
rlearly evinces mary copies Of record.
ltespecislly from some Of the Offices Use
superior courts 81 chanccrS, wbich au
generally !eng'hy) have roMe up 10 Hs