Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-10

mote the public welfare. Government cannot
be administered without pecuniary SUPPORT
WHY do we appropriate three millions, annual
ly, to support Navy? 1t is not because it pro-
duces any direct pecuniary profit to the Go
vernment, but because the peace, security, and
commerce, of the nation require it, and it has
been found, by experience, that no system, less
expensive, can be adopted, which will equally
well answer the purpose. Why do you appro-
pirate large sums annually for the support of
the administration of justice? Not because it
is profitable thing TO the Treasury to hold
courts, but because the tranquility and happi-
ness OF the country cannot be secured, without
justice is administered among its citizens at the
common cos. You adopt system of military
defence tor the country, not because it costs less
thar any other that could be devised, but be-
cause it is best calculated to promote the end
for which il is designed, and best suited to the
dignity and honor Of the Nation. On the same
principle, we ought TO adopt that system of pc
nal justice which the public good requires
Not because it costs least, but because It gives
to society the greatest security against crimes
But this is a subject on which there is no need
of speculation. Society has a right to punish
crimes in such manner as 10 make the cri-
ard add to the public wealth, if that be posi-
bic. without diminishing the moral effect of the
infection That it is possible, experience has
fully proved. 1t has shown, further, that, wher-
ever penitentiary has failed TO support itself,
it has been, in every case, owing TO its being
located where the labors of the convicls could
not find profitable market, or TO some misma-
nagement of its officers.
T.. 20
nitentiary system was first introduced into the
United States, the officers Of the institution
were directed, by law, to keep separate ac-
count for each convict in which he was charg-
ed with the costs of his prosecution, and of his
support in the institution, and credited with the
proceeds of his labors. For many years after
the system was adopted, it was conducted to
such advantage that nearly all of the convicts
were found, at the expiration Of their term Of
service, to have balances on the books, in their
favor. Some of these balances have amounted
to as much as ten pounds, which were paid to
the convict, at his discharge. Thus the peni-
Tertiary supported itself, and more; but the
State did not appropriate to itself the surplus
of the earnings Of the convicts. She paid it
over to them, when their term of service ex.
| pred, that they might have some means of COM
mencing life Of honest industry. These hap
py results continued to flow from the system,
| till the number of convicts had increased so
much that the buildings did not afford sufficient
room to execute it properly. The present con-
dition of that prison, furnishes no argument
against the system For want Of sufficient
number Of separate cells, the convcts are, in
numbers, confined to the same room at night,
which, in great measure, destroys its moral
! of e., 81 IA, IN
yards and shops, the convicts cannot all be adj.
vantageousIy employed, which interleres, ma
| terially, with its pecuniary profits.
| In the State Of Ohio, the pententiary has
been small charge to the State. This, howe
yer, is easily accounted for. In keeping the
accounts between the institution and the State.
it is charged with the costs Of prosecution of
every convict brought to it. This item of cx.
pense amounts, annually, to from $4,000 to
$4,000. AS this is an expense which the State
must incur, whether it has pententlary or
not, it is not properly chargeable the institu-
zion. The present highly respectable keeper
of the prison says, "that exclusive Of the ex-
pense, the institution is nearly, if not quite,
able TO meet its own expenditures" This pc
nitentiary is located at Columbus, in a thinv
| inhabited country, far from any popuous and
mercantile city, which might afford it ready
market for its manufactures. If it had been
placed on any of the great navigab'e streams
Of that State, or near the city of Cincinnati,
where IFS manufactures would have found rea-
dy market, it would not only have supported it
self, but afforded revenue to the State In
this prison it costs Slsa year per head, to sup
port the convicts in food, while this article
costs, at Auburn, in New-York, but abou, Sis
so cts: and at the States prison New Hamp-
Shire, and in Massachusetts, it costs about SI4.
his shows the immense disadvantage which
this institution labors under, in being obliged
to barter its manufactures for the means of its
support
To be concluded in our nert