Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-10-27
SELLING WHITE MEN.

This tale is still ndustriously used 10 the
prejudice of Gen. Harrisun-not indeed in
the shape il was originally put firth, because
that was met by plain denial from Gen. III.
himself, and triumphant refutaton in the
| fact that he was OPPOSED TO ALL IMPRI-
soNMENr FOR REBT having both advo-
called and voted for its adjustment while II
The concession has therefore been wrung
from his prosecutors that he DID NOT uote
"tO sell poor debtors into serUitude for the
benefit Of their creditors." Still they have
not the generosity 10 withdraw the story en-
tirely, but give 10 il new vamp. and one
which is much better calculated to- mislead
They now say that the criminal law for
which he voted was susceptible of applica-
ton TO fines assessed in cases Of assault and
battery that men unable TO pay under
such circumstances were liable 10 be sold as
well as ielons. Now that this is equally, with
! the first version, uniounded in fact, we have
not the shadow OF doubt Gen. Harrison
ia his explanation OF that vote, made in 1921
says that the bill originated in desire to re-
lieve the people of Ohio from the excessiv @
burden Of their PENITENTIARY SYS-
TEM-the expenses of the establishment
having exceeded the receipts, at the COM
mencement Of the session, by TWENTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS. "This growing e.
vii, (remarked Gen. Harrison, required the
immediate interpretation of some vigorous
Legislative measure: two were recon-
''mended as being likely TO produce the eff
eject first. placing the Institution under
| better managemeDt-and secondly, lessen
cling the number of convicts who were SEN
| "tenced for short periods, and whose labour
'twas found OF course 10 he mos. unproduc>
Give. In pursuance of the latter principle.
"TnEFTs 10 the amount of $50, or upwards
"were subjected TO punishment in the Peni-
cary, instead Of $40, which was the former
minimum sum--ihis was easily done Blu
''ihe great difficulty remained 10 determine
&C" bat should be the punishment Of those nu
"meIous larceDies below the sum OF $50
By some, WHIPPING was proposed, by d.
others, punishment by HARD LABOR in the
County jnilS and by others il was thought
chest to make them ,Uork on The highways
''Fo all these, there appeared insuperahle
OBJECTIONS : Fine and Imprisonment was a.
'dopted by the House Of Representatives a.
"the only alternative, and as il was wei
"known these veXatious piIferings were ge,
"neraIly perpetra!ed Ivy the worthless vaga-
"bonds in society, it was added tina, when
"they could not p1y the fines and costs,
(Which are always part Of the sentence and
| punishment, that their services should b c
"sold out TO any person who would pay their
''fines and COSTS for them. This uGs The
"c!ause lchich ,Uas passed, as ! believe B.,
''G unanimous Uote Of The House, and sfricL;.
cen ont an theSenate, IN opposition Of The u
"GhO haze been denounced. a little farther
"Irouble in examining the journals would
''have shown your correspondent that this
"was considered as a substitute for whip
'ping, which was lost only by a single
"vote in the Senate, and in the House by
''a small majority, after being once passed. -
Thus it is clearly shown what was Gen.
Harfison's understanding Of the origin and
the object Of the bill. II originated in de-
sire TO Tighten the burdens Of their PENI-
TERTIARY SYSTEM, and had refer
ence 10 the smaller grade oI offences then
made punishable in that institution. Ii had
nothing TO do, according 20 The understand
ing OF Gen. Harrison, with common cases oil
assault and battery. They were not Pc
| NITENTIARY OFFENCES-and I'M
less they were specially named in The hill,
they could not by any rule Of fair inlerpre-
talion be embraced in lis professionalism in
criminal iotD, INFERENc is not allowable
Besides, the bill is entitled can act for the
punishment Of CERTAIN OFFENCES
| THEREIN NAMED" And tina, cases
Of common assault and battery were not SO
1 NAMED, we have strong presumptiye
evidence in the fact That no clause ofths bill
10 that effect is p, oduesd! True-however
the omission is attempted 10 be supplied
by some remarks Of Mr. Lucas, made ia The