Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-07-24
RICHMOND, JULY "a, 1891.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
PENITENTIARY-No. 4.


ever IS to be prosecuted effected the CHARGED
with ITS execution should be responsible either in his
character, orly pecuniay penalty mterestedn faith
iu discharge OF his duties. \ responsibility TO a man
whose character stake; is by Ear the most power
iu excitement TO stimulate his rxertioDs in promoting
the cause III which he is engaged IL is only neccs-
sary tn furnish him with the requisite means to prosc
cute his undertaking. When his reputation is al stake
Tor dcreliciion OF duty, so long he regards his
standing IN society and AN honorable character (he
most valuable requirement attainable in this worldly
he furnishes the greatest security 10 a faithful dis
charge of his duties, and which is most likely 10
crown his labonrs with success. The is self inter
est Tor the sake OF GAIN and of il others the most zen
era excitement prevailing amongst mankind with
some, this predonnatcs every other passion of the
human heart.-These being the governing PRINCIPLES
of the world il is like changing the course of nanre ia
place men III a situation, where neither of those mo-
uves has any influence in directing the duties that ,,c
TO be performed by public agents such is the ease of
me pentent'iry agent as established by the lac act of
The virginia Legislature. This law is one of the most
incomprehensiblc documents that perhaps ever GOT
through legislative body. The wisdom of able law
yeis mas NOT been able 10 find meaning and in
tcntion 1t Is 50 loosely and ambipously expressed
That to execute II literally prevents the accomplish
ment oil what no doubt the intention Of the Lecis-
laiure should be effected.
question: occurs under this law, hOir fi. or 7ref-
e IT was the intention that the abour of the conyicts
should be turned to the advantage or whether
they should only be closely employed and depend on
chance Tor the disposition of the manufactures +? If
IT was intended that the greatest facilities should be
afforded 10 the selling goods and articles manufac-
tred the object is defeated by the law in prescribing
the mode and by dcpviyng the seller of any Interest
either by responsibility, or by the quantum of goods
SOLD, IN consequence OF fixed salary, instead of
COMMISSION Upon general principles, where is III e
iluuccmcni or stimulus for person to fatigue him
sell with endcavouring get off ycur manufactures
when matters not, las prospects his compensation
how much or how little he may sell Will any man
attempt to say that agent is responsible for the
qualify OF the goods when he was the manuiictu-
firerj or that lie might have sold them when tits evil
dent that his store doors always open OF all
things, q liked salary without responsibility TO excite
thiu discharge of duties, is The obnoxious in
srepublc. 1t engcnders an apathy aud dronisb dis
position n the incumbent. Why is it the custom TO
gave commission TO collectors, sherifis, and all other
pub,c officers, (where the nature of the Office will
admit OF it) instead fixed salary but 10 induce
them II discharge The duties OF their Office more adj
van'aseousiy TO the community Suppose the shcr-
Ills were 10 have fixed salary as full CONDENSATION
Tor al their duGes is il to be expected that they
would give the satisfaction and perform their
duties rs we'll as they now do Ii is the same case
with an agent for the disposition of peniieDiiary manu-
iaetures There is something essential to effect
sales, than merely 10 keep the doors OPEN and
| to wait on a customer when he calls in This is
wen known TO every commission merchant that does
sucl business They are satisfied with merely
SAYING that they have such and such things for sae
no indeed they put every INTO requison to aid
iher interest but had they fixed salary, they could
sumber at their ease They have and can show the
articles deposited with them for sale their rcspon-
siby IS at an end their employers cannot with pro-
preiy charge them with neglect, because they have it
hot Nv tleiT power 10 Know whether they could or
would not effect sales. Still, should be opposed to
commission where it came in conflict with an indie
! pendent discharge OF public duties
III there We're not sales TO a large amount, and at
less expense, whIle the agent appointed by the
directors OF the Virginia Pentcntiary who prescrib-
cd ms duties III every respect than there will be un
der ITS present organization, shall be very much de-
| ceived.
! This agent is likewise 10 purchase ali the raw ma
ters, however great the variety Isl and though most
OF them can only be judged of by mechanic or the
Inn lnnV tl. ii 4.
has the direction of the work and who is and will he
responsible TO your customers for the quality of The
manufactures, or work done Can il be expected
that thus situated, things be continued with pro-
Daoie expectation of success, when one person, and
ne not responsible for the quantity and quality OF
work, is TO procure the materials and another
WHO Is lesPonsble) to have IT executed. Suppose
article should give out, (altough timely requisition
be made) Is II likely, that he who is Responsible
VIII 60 as far out OF his ordinary TO procure it.
as one who has great deal at stake say il is not
Are the hands then to be kept idle, until some lucky
chance throws it in the way of your agent al the re-
sponsIbiiity of the manufacturer This must be the
case notwithstanding the law docs not, in express
terms, hold him responsible, the public will II
certainly is very inconsistent and destructive to reg
ular business orthc head of il select the things
wanted IN ITS prosecution, and TO be held the same
time responsible Tor its good management II is RI
dIculous policy to have two persons do that which
properly belongs to, and can be better done ly one
FOR instance, article is ordered Your agent is not
a workman or mechanic, and of course not Judge ;
Il y
tentay there TO be Judged of and rejected with the
double expense of transportation or tile superntend-
ant lwhose duties are by law confined TO the inter-
| " nal police and management of the penicntiary
mousse must attend TO its selection. IL is supposed
10y some, that his time is TOO valuable TO he spent i'm
procuring the materials. This is a very mistaken
idea Tor that of selecting the crude material from
which an useful and valuable article is to be wrought
IS next to proper system Of punishment, the most
important object that claims his attention There are
none upon which his time can be more proftably and
usciuly employed. What was the character of the
work done AT the pcnentiary a fewve:rs since when
the same course pursued in relation to procuring
the raw materials, that has been again introduced by
the late law They were so inferior rs not 10 self
excePtwhep supplies couIdno be obtained elsewhere
within the last three years the manufactures have
been greatly improved This was owing 10 tho manner
oil selecting tile materials by the person who was re-
sponsble for The work and practically acduained win,
mechtucal business, and OF course better acquani-
! cd with Tire things necessary to carry OH business
than any other person As the same causes produce
the same effects, tine uncertainty and dificultV Of
procuring the material and maintaining the cha
racior OF the variety OF aFtclcs manufactured, will a.
| gain occur.
This was n subject that claimed the serious cons;
| Iteration OF the directors Upon the formation of
! that board, (thcy acquainted with the affairs of
Tue tenlieniafy before their itsiaisncpt into Office
! they knew when an oVcrlOwinq comuetition had
grown out Of the effects of the late war bat the
cnce OF the peniioniiary depcuted ON improvino ire
| manufactures. and introducing others which we're
hkely TO come INTO domand.-To effect this they we're
equally aware that proper selection of raw o1tcri-
| ais was all important Notwithstanding tbev were
desIrous of giving TIC appointment of purchae agent
| 10 Others they were induced 20 give il TO the tLcu
! keeper, under q conviction that from the nature Of
things. else could do 1t ~ we'll thaf lac was
more deeply Interested than any other person and
therefore would make such selection as would ena-
Die him to promote the prosperity Of tie institution
! nave been told the duties performed u their
entire satisfaction. II il true that il look up part of
i lttfu IL,