Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-04-16

i've measure. Two psEsrecon mesdea
as being likely 10 produc< The elIees: Grst
plseing the iast,tsiion pader better mar
sgemen,; snd secondly. .csseuing the
number Of convict, who were sentenced
Tor short periods. and whose labor Vas
found OF course-ao be most anproduciive.
10 Pursasnee Of the latter principle thefts
TO the amount OF 500 Or upwards, were
sobiecied 10 punishmenf 10 the peniten.
hary. Instead Of $40. which was the for
met minimum sum: this sas easily done.
Bot the great difiepliy remsined 10 de.
terminus what should be the punishment
OF those numerous lsrcenies below the
sum OF $50. By some whipping was
proposed; by others. punishment by hard
labor IN the county jsils: and by Others, IL
wss though. best TO make them work on
the highways. To eli these there APP
.Peared insuperable objections; fine and
imprisonment were adopted by the House
OF Representatives as the only alierna.
tive. and rs j, is well known these vexs-
iious pilferings were generally perpeirat.
ed by ihe more worthless vsgabonds in
society, IL was added that when they
could no; pay The fines and costs which
are always parrot the sentence and pun.
isbment. their services should be sold out
10 any person who would pay their fines
and costs for them. This~aS the clause
l believe. that was passed, by a unari.
nous vote Of the House, and stricken out
IN the Senate, IN orposiiion 10 the twelve
Who have been denounced. A little fur
:her trouble in examining the journals
would have shown your correspondent
that this was considered as q substitute.
for whipping. which wss lost only by
single vote 10 the Senate. and in the
House by small majority after being
once passed.
Think, Mr. Editor, I have said enough
TO show that this obnoxious law would not
have applied to "unfortunsie debtors Of
64 years" but 10 infamous offenders W no
depredate upon The property Of their fel.
low. citizens; and who, by the Constitu-
ton OF The State, as well as The principle
OF existing laws were subject 10 involun-
tsry serviiude. must confess had no
very sanguine expectations Of q benefi.
eial effect from this measure, as IL would
apply TO convicis who had obtained the
age o. maturity; but ] had supposed that
= woman or ayouth 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 re-
sidenee Of some decent. virtuous, private
family. whose pTecept aud example would
gently lead them back to the paths OF
Tectitude.
/ would appeal 10 the candor Of your
l.. A.
were sn individual confined under The
circumstances l have mentioned, for
whose fate he was interested. he would
not gladly see him transferred from The
filthy enclosure Of jail, end the still
more filthy inhabitants, 10 the comforts.
bic mansion OF some vittuous citizen.
whose admonisions would check his vi.
eiouS propensiiies. and whose authority
over him would be no more than Is exef.
cised over thousands Of apprentices in
our country. and those bound servants
which are tolerated 10 oor. as well as 10
every other State in the Union.
Fer from advocating The a6omina5Ie jpSin.
eipies attributed 10 NE By your eorrespon-
dent, think that imprisOnmsnt for dsbf
under any eiFcunStaHees Dat fhof tohers
fraud Is alleged. Is al par NTH ne best
principles Of our Consultation and ought
10 Be 0JoHsked.
am. SIR, your humble servant,
WIN. ~. HARRISON.
North Bend, Dec. 81, 1921.
I a