Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-24
EXTRACT OF AN ADDREss

SO the Bill was passed.
EXTRACT OF AN ADDRESS
Or Tus DEaocHiric CENTnAL CoMMrrrgE TO |
THE rkopLE oE PENSsrLvANtA
The facts connected with the Chester County
Prison, are briefly these The act for the manage
ment and regulation of the prison, passed on the
lst of February, 1889; and, in Consequence Of the
prison being unfinished, did not go into operation
until April, 1910. Before sufficient time had clap
sed TO give the system fair trial, although not u
shadow of dissatisfaction existed, or had been ex-
pressed, so far as the operations of the law had been
tested a change was sought. BY whom the
people no. for a vast majority of all parties we're
opposed to any further legislation on the subject
BY the visitors of The prison, consisting OF .hc De-
putty Attorney General, the Judges Of the Courts,
the Grand Jurors, and the Commissioners Not hy
them. On tho contrary, the Grand Jury in their
report at the last February term, declared unan
mously their satisfaction with the institution under
existing regulations. In addition to this in May
last, since the Governors veto was placed in the
hands Of and read by every person interested in the
affairs of the prison, within the county Of Chester,
grand Jury composed OF men of all parties, have
reported to the court their entire satisfaction, with
the regulation and management aud with the oIIi
GERS of the prison. BY whom the repeal of the
original act sought Why, by some one two OF
three persons, whose Unsuitable thirst foi office,
let it be so small one, contemplated the
change and pIostIa ion Of a system of Wlson dscp-
line proved by experience, in the Mayamensng
prison, TO be not only wholesome, but the most
economical and stable, yet devised. These fi.cn ap-
pesed TO their political associates in the legislature
to aid them in their designs; and they, regardless
of the public welfare, lent willing hand. The O.
| rigina act gave to the court the appointment OF
three and the commissioners of the county two of
the Board of Inspectors The act vetoed by the
Governor, reversed the matter. The court was to
| appoint two and the commissioners three. For
| what reason q! Why the Judges of the Court are
democrats and the Commissioners federaliss,
and therefore majority being appointed by the lat
Ter, the keeper democrat, would have been forth
with removed. This was the governing, and only
motive for change The public good had nothing
to do with the matter.
When the original act pissed, Judge Darlington
was on the bench. He had been re-appoin,ed by
Governor Ri,ner, under peculiar circumstances, in
Eecember, 1888. He died, and Judge Bell, a
democrat, succeeded him. While Bell and his as
sociaes remained on the bench, there no hope
of change Of keeper He had discharged the du
ties Of his office to the satisfaction of the official
visitors, and having a walk and conversation void
OF offence, he could only be reached by reckless
federal legislature. He was saved from immola
ton by the Executive, who shrunk from the heart
less task Of consguing him aud his family to des.
truciion, when not blcmish or the senbl4nce o
a fault attached to him, officially otherwise
For n further illustration of this honest, upright
and patriotic exercise of the veto power, r,ier
the reader to the message ITSELF to be found tn,
Journal OF the house, page 729. 1t is only ncces-
sary to give perusa to be convinced oi It's unan-
swerablc character. Out of the county of Chester
no man has reasonable right to complain Of tn,
course of the Executive, in this particular matter
Within the county of Chester, public opinion com
mends and approves Of the fearless aud honest vet
which saved prison and its management fIom he
ing hurled into the vortex OF politics, 10 crafty ,h
aspirations Of few hungry office hunters.