The Madisonian., 1840-01-14

OF coz victs who were sentenced for short periods
and whose labor was found 10 be mosi unproductiye
In pursuance Of The latter principle, lhefls, TO The
amount OF $50 or upwards were subjected 10 punish
ment in the penileniary, instead OF $40, which was
the former minimum sum this was easily done
But the great difficulty remained 10 determine what
should be the punishment Of those numerous laree-
nes below the sum Of $50 BY some, whipping was
proposed; by others, punishment by hard labor inihe
county Jail and by oilers wasthouSht besi 70 make
them work on the highways. To all these there ap-
peared nsuperable objections; fine and imprison-
ment were adopted by The House OF Representatives
as the only alternative; and as II was weli known
these vexalious pilferings generally perpera-
le by the more worthless vagabonds in society, II
was added that when they could no'pay the tnes and
eosts ~hieh We're always part OF The sentence ana
punishment their services should be sold out to any
person who would pay their fine and costs for them.
1 MS was The clause that was passed l believe,
py unanimous vote Of the House and stricken out
IN tue senate, IN opposition - the twelve who have
oeeh denounced. little futiher trouble in examin-
ing The Journals would have shown your correspon-
dent that this was considered a substitute for
whipping, which was lost by a single vote OF the Sc
nate, and in the House by small majority after be-
ing once passed.
thiak, Mr. Editor, have said enough to show
that this obnoxious law would not have applied 10
unfortunate debtors Of sxy-four years" but 10
Infamous otnders W no depredae upon the properly
OF their fellow citizens and who, by the Conslilu-
lion Of the State as we'll as The principle Of existing
laws, were subject 10 Involuntary seryiluds must
confess had no very sangune expectations OF be-
nehcial effect from the measure, as il would apply
10 convcts who had obtained the age Of maturity;
but had supposed that woman, or a youth, who,
convicted OF an offence remained in Jail for the
payment of the fine and costs imposed, might with
great advantage BE- transferred 10 the residence OF
some decent, virtuous private family whose precept
and example would gently lead them back to the
paths of rectitude.
! would appeal 10 the candor OF your correspond
en TO say whether, if there an individual con
fined under the circumstances have mentioned for
whose tate he was interested, he would not gladly
see him transferred from The filthy inclusure of
Jail, and the still more filthy inhabitants to the COM
Portable mansion of some viriuous citizen, whose
admonitions would check his vicious propensilies,
and whose authority over him would be no more
than is exercised thousands oil apprentices now
in our country, and those bound servants which are
tolerated in our, we'll in every other State in
the Union FAR FROM ADVOCATING THE ABoMiSABLE
PRINCIPLES ATTRIBUTED ME YOUR CORRESPOND
| EST THINK THAT IMPRISONMENT DEBT, UNDER
| ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BUT THAT WHERE FRAUD Is Al
LEGED, Is AT WAR WITH THE BEST PRINCIPLES OF OUR
CONSTITUTION, AND OUGHT ABOLISHED
| am, sir, your humble servant,
WIN. II. HARRISON.
North Bend Dec % 1921