The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-01-16

and complicated associations. may equally
disappoint the Gale ulations of the legislator
and the hopes of the phianthrcpist. Nhoa
the State Prison was founded, the subject We,
entirely new. A restitution of practical re-
suits, at moment too, when publick opinion.
had already decided on an ainelioration of the
criminal code, led to the assumption of the
most promising theoretical principles, and
the faults IN constructing the edi6ces belong
to the period in which they were reared, and
not the projectors. The destination of GRIM
inals to hard labour was little understood, and
to the extent TO which, in the progress Of
events, 1T has since been carried, could hardly
have been anticipated. The great expert
ment Is still IN progression. and the result is
only to be learned by experience.
II may here be observed that if the mis-
chiefs which have been known to originate
IRON the causes which have been stated, more
especially fIom the free intercourse that has
necessarily been permitted from the confor-
nation OF the dormitories, yards, and work
shops OF the establishment, the inference is
strong IN favour OF solitary confinement. If
the intercourse and interchange of senti-
nents among the convicts nourish and height.
en- that spirit Of restlessness and eagemess to-
escape, incident to priyation of liberty. and
at the same time supply the means of cfIectins
the purpose, loneliness, by placing the convict
beyond the reach of associates and concert.
precludes both the means and the hope of es-
cape. Solitude, moreover. would ensure order
and quietness in the prison, and inspire strong
er hopes OF the moral effects OF punishment.
ne causes OF the disorders and Instructions
winch have taken place at the Penitentiary.
ana nave produced some degree of publick
disappointment, have endeavoured concisely
TO state. by detecting speculative errours
and mistakes, we shall be the better prepared
10 adopt a practical course, and to attain ulti-
mately the desired results. The pententiarv
, system has high pretensions. TO estimation ana
regard, and will, presume, never be abau-
doned until its claims to be allied to humanity
aadth Pubiiek good are practically disproved.
| am aware that measures for placing the
prison ~ condition efiicacieusly to obviate
the existing defects in the construction of n.
and 10 obtain all the good effects which a,
well ordered penitentiary can afford, must
be attended with considerable expense.
hope, however, is INDUCED that the requisite
changes may be gradually effected. in a man
ner that shall ensure the safety of the prison.
and without sensible pressure on the publice,
treasury. But under the existing arrange
nents am persuadedtha no attention. how
ever assiduous, no watchfulness, however
intense, can efettually counteract the keen
vigilance OF large number of men, who are
full OF health, impatient OF restraint, eager for
escape, and fearless of danger
During the recess, have received from the
Governour Of the State of Ohio sundry reso-
buttons which had passed the Legislature of
That state, upon the subject of the proceed
lngs of the Bank of the United States against
the officers of the State, in the United States
circuit Court" with request that those
resolutions and the report of committee of
both Houses OF the General Assembly might
be laid before you.
During the same period | received two
communications on the subject of a report
and resolutions of the Legislature of Mary
land, relative to the appropriation of publick
lands for the purposes of education in those
Statos which have yet received no such an
preparation, one from the Governour of New
Jersey, and the other from the Governor of
vermont, accompanied with sundry resolu-
lions OF the Legislature of each of those
states, approving the Resolutions of the State
OF maryland, requesting me to lay the same
before you, and to solicit your cooperation.
Should the two Houses think fayourably of the
propositions of the State of MARYLAND. shall
readily yield my assent to measure that an
pears TO be.founded on the principles OF equal
justice.
Among the documents which will be now
communicated, is an exhibit of the state of
the treasury on the first day of the present
month AT no period, perhaps, has the fiscal
department Of the Government been exhibit
\ ed IN a manner more creditable to the Com
monwealth or to the administration of its re-
venue; as on examination it viii be seen that
no town in the State stands indebted for anv
amount of taxes assessed prior to the year
1920. 1t will likewise be seen that the whole
sum due on warrants, committed to several
sherifts to collect, most Of which the Treasurer
states have been but lately issued, amounts to-
about eight thousand dollars so that the
Commonwealth has realized all the taxes lev.
ied before the aforementioned date.
The several documents to which have re-
ferred, will be laid before you by the Secre--
taTy. JOHN BROOKS.
Council Chamber, Jan. 10, 1922.
The Treasury.
The Treasurer and Receiver-G General made.
two communications to the two Houses-one
containing statement of the expenses of his
Office: and the other giving information that
he had disposed of the U. S. deferred stock,
the property of the State, and had applied
the proceeds to the payment Of the State
debt, agreeable to law. That of the & &c, 900
he was authorized to borrow for the purpose
Of paying the debt, he had borrowed only
\ 5000; which had been obtained at an in.
terest of az per cent. per annum and notes
given therefor, which are redeemable, in whole
or IN part, whenever there are unapprcprated