The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-06-16

were adopted by the Honse Of Representatives as
The only alternative; and sitis we'll known these
vexaiions pilferIngs were generally perpetraed by
the worthless yagabonds in society, ii wns added
that when they could not pay tho fines and costs
which are always part Of the sentence and punish
ment, their services should be sold out TO any per-
who would pay their fines and costs ior them.
This was the clause TINT was passed, as be,
lieve, by unanimous vote oil the House, ana
stricken out in the Senate, in opposition to the ~
who have been denounced A little further troub-
le in examining Tho iournuls would have shown
your CORES pondent that this considered
substitute for whipping, which was lost only by a
single vote in the Senate, and in the House by Il
small majority, after being once passed.
think, Mr., Editor, have sad enough to show
shat this obnoxious INV would not have applied TO
unfortunate debtors of sixty four years. but to in.
famous offenders who deprelato upon the property
Of their fellow citizens and who, by the Constu-
ton Of the Stale, as well MS the principle Of exist
ing laws, were subject To involuntary servitude |
must confess had no very sanguinr expectations
Of bcneicIa effect from tins measure, as il would
apply to convicis who had attained the age OF
turity; but had supposed that woman or youth
who, con cted fany offence, remained in Jail
for the payment OF the fnn and costs imposed,
might with great advantage be transferred to the
residence o! some decent, vlrlnnus private family
whose piecept IL example would gently lead them
back to tho paths OF rectude.
1 would appeal TO the candor of your correspon-
dent to say whether if there individual
confined under the circumstances have mention
ed for whose fate lie was interested, he would not
gladly HIM transferred from the filthy enclosure
Of iail, and the still more filthy inhabitants, to
the comfortable mansion Of some virtuous citizen,
whose admonitions would check his vicious pro-
nensities, aud whose authority over him would be
no more than is exercised over thousands of APP
prentces in our country and those bound servants
which are tolerated in well as
in every other State IN the Union. Far from adj
vocang the abamiuabe princ pies attributed 10
me by your correspondent, think that imprison
ment for debt, under any circumstances but those
where fraud is aliedged; is at war with The best
principles Of our Constitution, and ought to be
polished.
l. am, sir, your humble servant
w II. HARRISON.
North Bend, Dec. 81, 1921.
RIcHmoND, Sept Is, 1896,
DEAR SrR--I acknowledge the receipt of your
favor of this date have before heard of the
cusation to which it refers. On my wav hither,
met yesterday young gentleman from Maryland,
who informed me that vote Of mine in the Senate
of Ohio had been published, i'll favor of a law t"se!l
persons imprisoned under Judgment for debt for
term of years, if unable to discharge the execution
did not for moment hesitate 10 declare that |
had never given any such vote. and that if vote
of that descr pton had been published and ascr-
bed TO me, il infamous forgery. Such
act would have been repugnant 10 my feelings, and
in direct conflict with my own opinions, public and
private, through the whole course of my io' No
such proposition was ever submitted TO the Legs
1ature of Ohio,-none such would for moment
have been en,ertained-nor would any son others
have dared to propose IL.
So far from be Ing willing to sell men for debts
which they were unable to discarge, am, and ev-
er have been opposed 10 all imprisonment for debt.
Fortunately, have il in my power to show that
such has been my established opinion and that in
public capacity, l avowed and acted upon 1t.
Will those who have preferred tho unfounded and
malicious accusation, refer to the journals of
the Senate Of the United States, Cd Session, 10Th
Congress, page 235-it will there be that Twas
one OF the Committee which reported bill TO a.
bolish mprsonmen Mt Tor debt When The bill was
hefo he 4
list Session, Goth Congress, pages 1O1 and 1927
1t is not little remarkable, that if the effort
am accused of having made, 10 subject men to sale
for the non payment of their debts, bad been sue
cessful, might from the state of my pecuniary cir
cumstances at the time, bave been che first victim
l repeat the charge is vile calumny. Al no pc
riod of my life, would have consented 10 subject
the poor and unfortunate to such degradation
nor have omitted to exert my self in their behalf,
against such an attempt 10 Cypress them
am, dear sir with great respect,
Your humble servant,
VIM. Ii HARRISON.
J. ii. Pleasants, Esq.