Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-06-19


A. and with his oratory dspossess the minc OF pre-
Judice Most men convinced of the injustice
and cruelty of the old system OF punishment and
feel how inconsistent it Is with the republican inst
buttons ot America yet few understand the prin-
| cipcs which are sufficient avert the danger Of
| introducing it again OF the states THIS
IS almost certain, unless juNcious reformation
| tie and more rational system OF purishMen nj
| can be effected.
HAYES but little effort and progress made
III improving the system. The great object has been
TO icgisatc on the fiscal concerns OF these ins;itu
tons, IN order that they may maintain themselves,
| and deiray all The other expenses incidental 10
| their existence (Which a certain extent is Neiy
dcsirabe) but, the first aud great object OF better
| ing the condition of our fellow men, aud securing
To the public greater safety in their persons and
| property, should become oi the first importance.
Were these institutions 10 produce after
| paying all the expenses OF their maintenance and
criminal prosecutions, &c. and were crimes to CON
Time TO increase, and those that render
cd more 10y the mode of punishment, what a,vau-
| tase Would accrue TO the state other than Il small
| piiiancc, and this too from institution ayowedly
intended TO punish and reform offenders IL has how
ever become rather nursery for young germs of
| corruption. Year aftcryear furnishes with
counts OF the general increase OF conyics, who have
| been more than once tenants OF some OF these
institutions, and they have pointed the causes
and defects existing iu the system well as the
means of correcting and improving il. S;ll no adj
/ cquatc step Is taken 10 chcca the progress of the
evil, and lettering the condition of the institutions.
because of the expense rs if If practicable TO
introduce any mode oipunshnent without expense.
Guil!otinng in France, burning in India, hanging in
E.ngland and mprisoning in the United States
| all expensive. To render the pcnentiary system
| less so, would be arrange the buildings on plan
more efectualy TO inilict the punishment and Inn
prove the morals of tho oonyicts, make the nstitu-
tons school of morality instead OF vice, give the
necessary aid 10 their operations; and then, and
until then, viii their fiscal concerns be improved.
The Virginia Legislature has at its last session
made material change in the fiscal concerns Of its
| Penitentiary, while the most important matter
connected with it urged in vain, that of prov-
my and arranging the building order separate
the conyicts a; the hours of rest and enable them
10 be worked more proiitabty, as well rs the pro-
pricty OF amending the penal laws with other
subjects connected with its prosperity. These in
| stitn,ions viewed by most persons, too much
upon the principles Of large manufactures, without
| considering why they should, or how il is possible
Tor them to be confined as they generally i'm
small contracted area, and the convicts crowded
gcther like swine 10 fatten, received without trades
and for short periods of time, giving opportunity
for the most expert and ingenious 10 acquire trade
before their discharge, with many other nconyeni
| ences and disadvantages unknown III regular manu-
factories, where every thing is studied and practis-
| cd to the most advantage Notwithstanding there
IS no doubt but they can be brought that state of
| perfection, manufacturing institution, as 10 be
able TO maintain them elves. But, this must he done
| by something more than merely directing how
| things shall be bought, and sold, and by whom.
| were littlc or much bought or sold, and that 10
J quire an undue proportion of expense nconyeni-
| ence or labour (Which would TO the same
thing) TO prepare it for SALE it still would produce
no profit the iabour. There is certain and fix-
| cd expense which cannot be avoided ; and to meet
| this, those acquainted with mechanics and what is
| necessary to enable factory give profit on the
labour OF the artizan, will say that every facility
should be given 10 Its operations that susceptible
OF receiving. This may be in great measure
| applied TO the pentcniiasy, without the least injury
| 10 Its system as punishment for crimes.
We're the combined wisdom of all the legislatures
| on the continent devoted to the fiscal concerns of
| these institutions, their Iabour would be in vain,
| unless the cause which produces the expense were
| removed.
Accompanying :e reports from the Virginia Pc
ntentary last year, there were many improN emenes
| BOUNDED upon experienced suggested by the super
intendent and board of drectors essential To the IN
ture favourable operations OF its institution the dc
| tails of which had hcen heretofore strongly re-
commented to the proper authorities Much time
| had been devoted to the examination of the laws,
and to the system, which is complained of rs not an
swering (in any instance) the ends Of its insti-
tution. The have been pointed out, and the
remedies recommended, as far as practical expert
cnce has been able 10 discover. The subject is
passed over for subsequent legislatures so things
remain from year TO year. anticipating tina, the
next legislature provisions will be made for improy-
ing the penentiary, and making it answer the ends
! for which it was intended, and Becoming benefit
TO society. IL the opinion and experience OF those,
who have devoted their present attention TO it, a:id
gathered all the Information practicable on the sub
| jcct, is not regarded know not by what means
proper view of ii can be acquired by the proper au-
thorities, to enable them 10 Judge of the means ne
| cessary TO effect so desirable object.
| To ascertain whether the penitentiary mode of
punishment Is more or less expensive than the old
system, cannot see upon what rational grounds I'm
| Vrglna) the chargeifor money paid to discharged
! convictS, maintaining and clothing the slaves sent
there for safe keeping, can be debitcd TO the ins
tuition. Suppose every slave in the state convicted
| of crimes, were to he sold and transported, and
they sent 10 the pcnitentary for safe Keeping (for
an indefinite term,) until AN opportunity offer
| ed OF selling them Their expense would be very
| considerable would it be fair 10 tax the institution
| with this expense; when drawing comparison
| between the old and new system of punishment
should think not. But, say some, "ther labor will
pay the expense, they will make strikers for black
| smiths. TO such would reply" YOU know moth
ing ofthe subject Smiths must first be strikers before
| they are smiths; aud unless due regard be paid
to nstrucng those In trade that have none, the
victs IN short time will of be strikers and
| laborers. Therefore, If the different mechanical
! branches are TO be kept up and improved those
best qualified for particular trades must be put TO
| tnem. How then rs transport slave, or even con-
vets for short periods OF confinement to be worked
| to advantage say, they cannot; therefore the
| Judges and attorneys salary is equally proper to be
charged to the institution, for neither grew out of
| the systenl and both are equally unconnected with
| it,"
| To give the public correct an idea of the real
expense OF the operation Of the Va. penitentary for
the asttwelve years, up TO the LIST Of Oct last have
taken some trouble to procure authenticated docu-
ments upon which the following statements are pre-
dcated. They will then be able TO judge of the pro-
priety Of fostering the institution upon the prnci-
pies of economy. In the first place, it will be pro-
per to bring into view the criminal expense anterior
TO the revision of the criminal laws. i find from a
statement taken from the records Of the General
Court, where the criminals were then tried, that
the number in the year 1883, was 60, of which 10
were for horse stealing, II burglary 1 negro steal
ing, % murder (the others were for minor offences
OF these, 25Nyerc executed. The expense Tor that
| year, exclusive Of county and corporation court
charges, was S2O,759 SO IT. 1900, the first year
! of the operation OF the system, the expense,
exclusive Of the transportation of criminals 10 the
penitentiary, was 2l7,O6 81, growing out Of q POI