Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-15
32,54425
Leaves a balance in favor
OF nenIIenfinrv in nirht
GAS 20

Leaves balance in favor
OF peniientary in eight
years, of 8 6s43 30
Or, an average yearly OF
1892 80.
The aver &c number Of prisoners confined in the
eight years, was one hundred and seventy.
mus, IN the i've years from the LIST October rs 6,
10 Inc SOth September 1920, II appears that the
rage balance against the penitentAry including oil
expenses, officers salaries and clothing of prisoners
permanent Improvements, purchase ofraw materials,
&c. (every thing, indeed, bu: expenses of guard
| and transportation Of conycts,) was
per annum, S2I9O6 10
And that in the eight years ending the
3O;h September 1910, (statng the ae-
counts upon the same prnciplel the
average balance in favour OF the penn
tertiary, was, per annum, 1872 90
Inns shows that the cOGTss OF legislation for the
improvement Of the prison as a manufacturing es-
Enlistment within the last twenty years, has had
The effect of saving very large amount TO the urea
sury of the State. And | am warranted IN saying
that the improvement IN pecuniaEy results has not
impaired the morals or health OF the prisoners
Table H. exhibits the accounts Of the peni enIiary
made annually according TO law, showing ils manu-
featuring operators. The law directs the debts
and credits, respectively, IN be made between the
prison and the commonwealth; and goes upon the
HYPOTHESIS that the prisoners are TO be supported
clothed, sc. and the buildings AID property TO be
improved, preserved, SC rs may be required. But
rs uDOcrStanO, you desire 70 know the actual cur
rent accounts betBeen The treasury and the penn
tentlary, 10 see whether IS, or is not prohtab 10
the State. IN pecunlnry point OF view, as a manu-
faeturng concern, abstractly from its moral effects
upon the community, | have continued table IT, 10
that part Of the subject. From this you will see
that the balance cash account against the peni.
ieniiary (leavlng out the items Of permanent in
provemen,s, ciohng and collins, nnd money paid
discharged convcts,l upon the average of eight
years. was S3275 Is. But, If the cost Of transport
ing prisoners to the PeDitentlary, which IS charged
upon the appropriation 70 "defray criminal char.
ges," and the expense Of the guard for the interior
OF the penrenuhry, which is charged upon the APP
preparation 70 "the public guard" and the expense
OF that portion Of the public guard used at the penn
tentary, be added, the balance will be very large
indeed against the institution. This however has
never been done. The cost Of trans portation in
eight years, s44,53s SO, or an average Of S.
56T %, and the expense Of the guard for the in e.
nor, is 9 40 per annum.
have felt II my duty frequently to urge, with
much sOIcitude, upon the consideration Of the Lee.
gisaturs, the proprety Of adjusting the punish.
monts, with a view 10 improve the mSSal effects
OF the institution, well as Us pecunary re.
suits. The heavy balances which appeared
against the penIeDuary, viewing 1t with reference
70 the money pad out OF, and into the treasury, I'M
der the adjustment Of punisment by the reyisaI Of
1872 induced the legislature, by act Of the Oh Of
March, 1926, 20 increase the short terms TO two
years, and af erwards, by an act Of the i2th Pc
bruary, 1873, % TX the punishment Of free persons
Of colour at not less than five nor more than eeh-
teen years. These changes have been found in ma
ny respects beneficial, and particularly 40 10 pro6
table results; but some further increase Of time 10
the short terms ior white persons, is necess,rv 10
mature what they may attempt 70 learn and enable
4 them TO render some equivalent 10 the common.
wealth. The small number Ofconyicts sent 10 tb -
prison fof which every Vrginlan ought Justly 10 lie
proud) - also one cause Of small profits. IL may
also be added that the free persons Of colour form
from one fourth 20 third Of the number usuai y
N PRISON, who, for the most part make very indif.
iercni workmen, and the slaves detained Tor "a .
| ano transportation, are always an expense eEeept
| when some improvement Is in progress. which re-.
I qures labOur without nechinical skill The ruf.
tvai0n Of vegetable garden Tor the prison will m
future, give this class Of persons some employment
/ ] found, upon examination made n few vc,ys o,c
That the proportion Of good mechanics received In
tbs PRISON was about ono sixth or one seventh p,r
| Of the whole number This might reasonable T.,
| expected In an agricultural State. IL is fr differ
( ent IN the manufacturing S atss A eon,iderabl,
/ source oi pfoht IN many oiher penltenuafies (ths
OF fees Tor vsiinR) has never been permitted in TIM,
From my own experience, and tina, Of other
with whom have interchauged opinions, | an
satisfied that TIC following particulars deserve con
"deraton m the government Of oil psnitentiaries
wit it, Tint each person should be sen .eo,ed ia
q term long enough TO learn trsde Nv which h
could acquire an honest living after his discberg,
20. That no person should be sentenced for ter
20 long as 10 eEtinguish reasonable hope Of Il,
ing 70 the end, and enjoying liberty again. unles
u be INTENDED for le and IN that case e' the ser
tenee be IN express terms 81. That punishment
ought rather 90 be npponioned TO The respects
cumes by Iawsand os little discretion left 10 ,be try
ers ne possible, 80 that MI men, IN every part OF n
state, guilty Of like offences, may sufsT like punsl
I monts and 9TH. That pardons should be granite
upon general principles, and the applications be su
ported by legal evidence; 20 that oil persons C,llir
within the reason Of the rules established ms
have meted 10 them the Same measure OF mercy
IL These suggestions form the outline Of q
!. best system q punishment, both for moral and .
n euniary results. Criminals that require less IN
/. prisonment, should be Otherwise punished.
Respectfully, g. s. MORGAN.
= AHpERsos MoggErT, Esq. Chairman on the part
4 the Senate.
JAWs. u. Cox, ESQ. Chairman on tbs part Of the
Of Delegates
~. u-ATTENTION, FIREMEN-Tbo De-
as ~ Directors Of the Richmond Fire Association wi
q fIuma ~ u ~.