The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-21

last capture, the prison is believed 10 have
been purged of such dangerous contriyances.
1t would be needless to detail the manner OF
efecting these discoveries. 1t is sufficient TO
say, the means used were successful.*
Secondly, the credit Of detecting the officer
of the prison who had furnished the coDyicts
with materials for extracting ink from bank
bills, preparatory TO their fraudulent altera-
ton, is due to the perseverance and fidelity OF
MIR. Director SoLEY, and not to any exertions
or sugs estion of this agent Of a philanthropac
Socaety. Unfortunately for the cause of pub
lie justice, this delinquent escaped before a
warrant could be served upon him. This
aithless officer, who had till then sustained a
fair character, had probably aided in the in
PRODUCTION of cards and spurious liquors into
the prison; though such articles may have
been occasionally introduced over the walls OF
the yard, in the night, by some discharged
prisoner. In fact, during the week IN which
the first set Of plates was discovered, several
bladders filed with rum were found in the
yard, which had, doubtless, been let down
over the walls. On this discovery an order
was issued to the keeper by the director for
that week, for strict search of the yard, par
tlcularly at the foot of the walls, every morn
ing before the unlocking of the dormito:ies.
This order was approved by the whole board
OF Directors, and has been and will be rigidly
| enforced.
Thirdly, Immediately after the detection of
the subordinate officer alluded to, the DiTec-
tors were in almost continual consultation
upon the state of the prison. They went
| through laborious examination of every Of
hcer, from the Keeper to the probationary
Waterman, and took every measure which
seemed expedient TO promote the order and
| interests of the institution.
In consequence of the rumors in circulation,
the Governor made communication to the
BOARD OF Directors, which received their i'm
mediate attention, and to which they made an
immediate and doubtless satisfactory an
swer.
nave thus far endeavored to give the
Conformation" so earnestly sought by the au-
lhor OF the article in the Sc Massachusetts
| spy" and hope this statement of facts will
satisfy the public concerning the good govern
inent OF the prison, and cause the credit of the
recent discoveries to be given, nat to an agent
o. PhalanfhTOPic society, but TO those to
"hom 1t belongs. In fact, the institution was
never in more orderly and fourishng con-
oltion than at present; in proof of which it
may be said, the revenue from it to the State,
Tor the present year, will amount, at least,
TO the SUN of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
JUSTICE.
we considered it but an act of Justice to as
certain to whose vigilance the public is indebted
Tor The discovery of the plates, keys, &c. &c aud
on inquiry, learn that WILLIAM c. JARVIS, ESD
was Director for the week.
-
alive to the late execution! of Horace Carter,
in this town, both of which are on file. to be
disposed of, as, on more leisure examination,
we shall deem best. One of them Joins in the
dissatisfaction which appears pretty generally
| to perVade the community, and condemns the
execution. The ground assumed by those
who were opposed to il, is, if we understand
1t Alright, firstly, that the law is Unnecessarily
severe, and that death ought never to be in
fiicted for this crime; secondly, that, allowing
the law to be proper, the circumstances, nm
der which Carter committed the act, were so
palliatory, that they ought so far to have recon-
nended him to mercy,a as to have his punishment
committed for imprisonment for life Mirdly
and more especially, that no man should be
bound to risk his life on the oath of person
OF character SO VIGOROUSLY abandoned as
Ruth Ainsworth is represented to be.
The other communication is in defence Of
the execution. The arguments used on this
side, are, that the safety of the weaker part
OF our species imperiously demands the sever
est penalty for this crime, that the Execu.
tive should, except in extraordinary cases.
suffer the laws to take their course. or thew
will soon be shorn of their terrors; that if,
in any case, mercy is to be dispensed, Horace
Carter was not fit subject of 1t, and that
there was no evidence produced, and none
could be produced on the trial, that the char
acter o! Ruth Answorth, for thirty gears past,
had not been good.
1t is much to be regretted that any circum-
stances should ever exist to create such gem
eral dissatisfaction with the execution of the
laws, as is manifested in this case. because,
whenever it prevails, the object of the pun
ishment is defeated, and whatever good might
L.
its desired effect, should be in accordance
with the judgment of the community. 9th
erwise irritation is produced, and the conf
dence in the law, and the respect for it, so
necessary to the ends of public justice, are
essentially impaired.
We are aware that many believe the Grim
inal law an unsuitable subject of pnhl;c die
onssion--ior what reason we do not know.
we have sufficient confidence in the good
sense of the community to believe, that. when
the laws are founded on reason and justice,
they are capable of properly approaching the
arguments in their favor. And if there are
any which will not bear scrutiny, they
had better be modified oNrepealed.