The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-11-12
PRISON DISCIPLINE.

machine has lately been introduced into the
penitenfiaries in England, under the care ofthe
society Tor the Improvement Of Prison Discipline,
whch promises, in an eminent degree, to ac-
compHsh'its object. 1t is called the 'Tread
Mil - and consists of a wheel exactly similar
TO common water wheel, having tread boards
Of sufficient length TO allow of ten, twenty or
more prisoners 70 stand upon them; their weight
acts upon the wheel, and, as it moves round,
those upon il must continually lift their feet 10
The next step. This motion is constant, and can
not be RENTED without stopping the wheel,
which is Immediately known to the manager by
a bell connected with the machinery. There
IS a hand rail- running the whole length of the
wheel parallel with their breasts, for the prison
ers to take hold of and a screen is fixed over
their heads, to prevent Understanding above the
level. where the power is exerted TO most effect.
The wheel Of the mill in the house Of correction
at Brxton, county of Surrey, England, is feet
In diameter, and revolving twice in in minute,
the space stepped over by each man is 2193 feet,
or 731 wards per hour. The punishment is, that
OF ascending an endless flight of steps. 1t has
proved highly useful in decreasing the number
of commitments many prisoners having been
known to declare, that they would sooner
deSgo any species of fatigue, or suffer any depri-
VatOn, than return to the house Of correction,
when once released. The machinery is remark
able for its simplicity; it requires no previous
instruction: no task master is necessary to
watch over the work Of the prisoners. Neither
are materials nor instruments put into their
hands that are liable to waste or misapplication.
We understand these mills are introduced in-
10 New York-if the result is as has been des-
cribed, il cannot be long before they will be a.
dopted throughout this country as they are in
England.
1t is obvious from the construction Of these
mills, that they may be applied to several useful
purposes, so that prisoners may contribute to
their own support, while they are receiving
wholesome discipline.
They are constructed so as TO give degrees OF
punishment according 10 the offence.
.fgTfcuhure- the MANY extraordinary in
stances of the strength and fertility Of our soil,
we take pleasure TO add, that William Laid, Esq
Of Minot in this county, has raised on his farm,
this year, turnips of unusual size. lie stated 20
us last week, that he weighed three Of them, and
their Joint weight was s'afy pounds. Beat this
who can! Our farmers who have emigrated TO
the western states, in hopes OF doing better,
would do tceK. to stay at home and nv expend-
ing little more labour, save al least money and
care. Once father about dying, called his sons
dOout lttHl anu totu iictlls gnu
was buried on his farm; but that il was near the
surface, and that they need not go deeper than a
pillow furrow. He died--and the avaricious boys
turned up the soil, and beat il with unusual at
,ention. Ii need not be added that they found
no gold, except in the abundant proceeds Of the
succeeding harvest.
The election Of representatives to the 18th
Congress, took place on the 9TH inst. in AIassa-
chusetis. The following is the result, as far as
we have been able to learn.
Sufolk-Eon. Daniel Webster
Essex, north-Jeremiah Nelson. reelected
Essex, south--No choice. Candidates. Benjamin
Merrill Esq. and Hon. Benja Crowninshield
Worcester. S.-No choice. Candidates. Messrs.
Adams aud Sibey.
Worcester, Mo choice. Cand Messrs Bige-
low. Kendall and Dana.
PlyInouth-IIon Aaron Hobart. reelected.
Bfstol-Franeis l'aylies reelected.
Barnsasie John Read, DO