Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-20
From the Christian Waterman.
PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY.

4.
PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY.
The thirteenth anniversary of his So
clety was celebrated at the Marlboro
Chapel on Tuesday, at | O'Clock, Hon.
). i. Armstrong presiding. The Chapel
was full, and the exercises were rendered
more than usually interesting, by the pres
ence Of about forty boys, neatly and uni
lformly dressed, from the Boston Asylum
and Farm School, who were conducted to
conspicuous seat in the orchestra by
Capt Chandler and Dea. Moses Grant.
Selections of Seri pture were read and
prayer offered by Rev. w. NJ. Rogers, of
this city; after which the Secretary read
an abstract of the annual report of the
Board, from which we gleanthe following
lnformation:-l. In relation to AsyIums
for poor lunatics, it was stated, that meas
ures are in progress in several of the
States for erecting such institutions, which
are great Y encouraged by the great sue
cess attending those in operation in Mas
sachusetts and Vermont. The expert
ment of religious instruction in the Chap
ell Of the Hospital at Worcester, was de-
scrlbed as more successful even than was
anticipated. About $50 insane persons,
some of whom are noisy and profane
while in their galleries, regnlarl y attend
public worship in the Chapel every Sab
bath, and conduct with the utmost deco
rum. The labor of building the new
Hospital at South Boston, is to be per-
formed by the convicts in the House of
Correction, who are happy to be thus use
fully employed, where they can be kept
from their worst enemy-Rum. A SINH
lar institution is also being erected in Ohio,
by the convicts in the State Prison.
2. Penitentiaries..-In Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and
I New York, crime has diminished, or at
least the number of commitments to the
State Prisons has been considerable small
er than the average for ten years previous.
In Massachusetts the average has been
the same, while in New-JerSey there has
been an increase. In most of the North
eru States the labor of the convicts pays
the expense of their punishment, and
means of reformation, and in Massachu-
sets, Connecticut and New 7 ork, much
more. Moral and religious instruction
,, is given to the convicts by resident chap
Iains, as well as by Sabbath school teach
ers; and many cases of permanent reform
are known to have resulted from conhne-
ment under the present excellent system
| of Prison Discipline. Of the State pris-
ons Of Pennsylvania, on the p an of soil
tary confinement day and night, the report
gives a most unfavorable account. The
hoe m
prisons on the Auburn plan; the expense
far greater, having been more than SlO,-
l 900 above the income from the labor Of
the convicts; there is no opportunity for
: moral and religious instruction; and ten
5 cases of dementia, or loss of mind, are
f reported, caused by debasing practice
!, prevalent among the convicts.
The subjects of imprisonment for debt
and capital punishment, have attracted
f much attention, and considerable improve
r n ents in relation to them have been made
: in several of the States. An asylum fol
|. reformed convicts, after they are dischaIg-
S ed from prison, where they may be en-
r couraged 10 continue in well-doing, and
i be entitled to earn an honest livelihood
was spoken Of as great desideratum.
= The expenses of the society have been
d about $500, being an access of about
e 500 over the receipts.
: On,motion of Rev. DIR. Woods, the Re-
e port was accepted and its publication
9 ordered. In support of his motion, DR.
t w. read two letters recently received by
the Secretary of the Society, showing the
estimation in which the labors of the
Y Society are held in other countries. One
\ was from Samuel Hoar, Esq. of London,
the other from William P. Burton, Judge
! of the Supreme Court at Sydney, New
n South Wales.
n s. E. Cowes, Esq. of Portsmouth, NH.
# offered the second resolution.
# Resolred That the great national work of max
ing suitable provision for poor Lunatcs is but just
e begun: is however we'll begun, and the agency Of
this Society should not cease till it is accomplished
i Mr.. G. in few words, spoke of the
e effect produced in New-Hampshire, in
y awakening an inquiry in relation to the
s suferings of poor lunatics, the result OF
: which is, that measures are in progress
a for the erection of Lunatic Asylum in
e that State. There is every encourage
= ment for the Society to GO forward in the
n good work SO nobly begun. "He tina!
g laid the first stone is blessed-more blessed
II he that builds-but most of all, blessed
g willie be,that completes the noble work. D
/ s. A. Eliot, Esq. Mayor of Boston
e offered the third resolution. =.
e Res0fred That this Society derives great encour
agement to perseverance,, in its efforts to introduce
= the system il has uniformly recommended, by tbs
facts which experience has developed in relation e
ii Prison Discipline. sszEez. ,-4s-szE.5
ne Mr.. Eliot's remarks in support of the
= resolution were chiefly occupied in con
Of Of trasting the system of Prison Discipline
of recommended by this Society, and adopt