Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-03-21
For the Journa!
A Penitentiary.
M. Editor

4kr. Editor
BY some, TIE agitation of this question Chat
of Penitentiary) at this early day, may be
deemed rather premature but the importance
Of the subject, certainly merits from the peo-
pie Of North Carolina, the most serious COM
sideration. Perhaps, then, your readers will
pardon us for giving something like a synop-
sis Of our views in reference to it, at the pre-
sent time. In the first place, then, if the
measure is adopted, our criminal code of laws
must undergo thorough revision. suitable
building must also be erected for the recep-
ton and safe confinement of corvic,s, which
will involve, on the part of the State, the ex-
pehditnre Of no inconsderable sum. Still,
there are principles, as we conceive, inherent
with the scheme, which should not be lost
sight of, or disregardcd; and to which, in adj
justing our calculations, due preponderencc
should be awarded. That some kind of refoI-
nation is needed in our penal code of laws,
will strike the mind of the philanthropist, if
! it does not reach the hearts Of those who have
grown callous TO the more refined feelings OF
human nature. The scourge, the Pillory, and
the branding ron-relcts of barbarlsm as they
are-may sound with potent effect in the ears
Of the vicious end deprived, hut do these APP
pnrtenances o. the laws oper"te in any proba-
Bile or apparent degree, TO prevent the commits
sion Of crimes. to which they are affixed as
penalties? Alas our criminal dockets fur
nish fruitful evidence Of contrary character ;
a fact which demonstrates that the most rigid
penal enactments are barriers too feeble IN
themselves to restrain, at all times, the evil
propensi,ies of the lawless. Neither does
the incarceration of the victims Of the law
within the gloomy walls ofous pr'son-houses
in them to while away their time unemployed
except, perhaps, in planning new schemes
b, of mischief: companions, too, of their owl
guilty,thoughts alone;-this we say does moi
ans cannot tenI in the remotest degree either
!. TO promote health, or TO improve the moral
OF the offenders. Indeed, consequences quite
; to the reverse can only be feared or appre
,. hended. The question then naturally sug
J. gests itself, can we substitute some oshe
mode Of punishment, which, while 1t wonI
s. nf1ict penalties in keeping with the natnr
and aeoravation of the offences committed, ye
at the same time accord more nearly with tn
dictates of humanity :" This question w
O will reply to in the affirmative; and Peni
OF Tertiary, with we'll devised system Of inter
l. nal regulations, we would name as the mos
a, likely, in our humble opinion, to meet this We
at ~ desirable consummaton. 1t is true tn
I'd plan may not be entirely free from objections
II but it will require the abduction Of cogent al
u, euments to convince Us that the influence
to such an institution would not be highly salt
he tary, at least in physical and moral point
o. view. If so, this fact alone ought TO con
10 mend the project to our favorable consider
ton. AS to the economy, &C.. ofthe plan,
re have at present but little to advance. Howe'
he profits accruing from tho State Prison 10 Co
Of nectlcut from 1927 to the year 1914, inclusiv
Dr. were :" one hundred and three thousand Of
or hundred and forty-six dollars" The State
ny Massachusetts, too, we are confident, (thou2
ed We have no definite knowledge upon While
p to found our POSITION also realises an incoE
n" yearly, from her public Prison. We'll the
D. is itnot safe to assume, if Penitentiaries
IS other States are source of income, that
{ Peni'eatiagy properly conducted in North G
y 'clina would prove alike profitable toher.