The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1845-02-07
NUMBER is.

very SIMPLE one, that an additional tax OF
three cents on land and eight cents
on the poll for four year would pro.
duce SUN sufficient TO build Penten-
tiary al the rost estima ed above. And
II should be borne IN mind that after
he building is in a state OF ior~ardoess,
The convicts Themselves can DO nude TO do
! The work and nuke such additions
time TO lime as NAV be needed. La II not
be forgotten, that this additional tax Of three
aud cgh, cents, is less lban is usually paid
! by our CT, gems to defray State prosecutions,
&c, under the existing laws as shown by
preceding purt of this iepo ~
There are various subj
the consideration of the Pc
TEN not now necessary tG
end which will more arpr,
questions Of discussion, j
lncni, when il shall he dtclcc.4
build penitentiary. The question
rlsce, how and by whom is this decislel
be made We answer by the Peop'c
themselves, by direct vote. Your con-
miree do no, feel themselves warranted,
under the presen, aad prospective embar-
rassmenis in the finances Of the State, in
recommending that tax he laid by The
present General Assembly for The erection
Of pen,.entiary, in the absence Of en- une-
quivocal and decisive expression Of the pull
lie will on the subject. Your committee
are not insensible OF the claims which pro.
positions for other public institutions OF per-
haps equal importance, have upon the Ia
vorable consideration OF the people and OF
the Leg stature. The deaf aud dumb-ihe
blind and the insane, have claims upon the
public sympathy and the legislative bounty.
Their msfor,uncs, their suferings, and
their helpless condition appeal to US through
Urgent impulses OF humanity, aud the stern
est teachings of public duty. Almost every
civilized community has responded TO these
appeals in the establishment Of suitable in-
siiiulions and asyIums. The happy results
these State charities have more than realiz.
ed public expectation. Hundreds have
been rescued from the sufIerings and hor-
rors OF insanity, and restored 10 reason and
10 society. Deaf and dumb mu,es have
been elevated from the mere animal evis-
lance Of the brute 10 the sen,ient and NOR.
al condition Of intelligent men. To the
Llind-those whose organs Of sight arc clos
ed against the ordinary modes Of instruc-
tiou--hus been given that istellectual Wis
ion, that light of the mind, which enables
them TO be freed from continual dependence
to be useful in soriety--and 10 find sour
ces Of enjoyment and happiness in the stores
Of int leclua! requirements. The commit
tee, therefore, would moi invoke exclusive
attention 20 the speciel subject committed
to their inquiry, excluding or postponing
all others, alike entitled opuhlic considera
lion, but are still deeply impressed with It's
gFca, importance, and tho propriety and me-
cessity Of some expression OF public opinion.
The committee have annexed TO this re-
port, and ask tina, they may be taken as part
of il, two tables, which may serve for refer
cnce and comparison One marked A, ex-
hbting the number of convic,loIs for the
crimes annexed, in each year, during Ia
years as taken from the Register Of the
Auburn Prison, n. Y. The other, marked
B, exhibiting the . Progress Of Crime in
the various States incuded therein.
That the views of the committee, as set
forth in this Report, may be carried out,
am instructed TO report the accompanying
bill and recommend .s passage, and ask to
be discharged from the further considera-
zion of,he subject. Respectfully submitted.
II. B. ELLIOTT,
Chm Penny Committee
December, %, ls44,