New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-01-22

nation Of this grand aud noble enterprise. Now
that tho wsf, oifacoties have nearly all been SUP
mounted II viii be reproach upon the character
Of the City Il the work is suffered 70 fail Foa -
There's no such sord az fsir
Prison Observation-Disclosures Testimony.
Some years ago tho lash and the shower-bsth
were the chief instramentaliiiss employed in the
Massachusetts State Prison to enforce obedience
70 the rules At length the Warden was murdered
By a convict who had been driven 20 madness by
this mode Of discipline and FREDERICK ROBINSON,
ESQ. was appointed in bis place Mr.. r. is man
remarkable for his kind disposition and for his
hlence in the power Of Love 70 reform the degraded
He determined as far as possible, IN bis govern.
ment Of the Prison, to substitute moral infu-
ences for physical force, and 70 grant 10 those
placed undor bis all tue privileges consistent
with the indispensable requirements Oi the law.
His experience during nearly four years has fully
proved the wisdom Of bis determination and dis
PEELED the doubts Of his success which enter
tanned by persons less sagscous il not less humane
than himself We are not able to speak with pre-
else accuracy Of all the reforms which he has intro
duced. but we believe he has carried the theory Of
kindness much farther than it has ever been prac
uced ~ sing sing 1HS use VI TUG i"'H inns DSSN
almost entirely abandoned; the rule prohibiting
prisoners from looking up in the presence Of
stran ger has been abolished as las also that, we
believe. imposing absolute silence while engaged
at their work; an excellent choir OF singers has
been organized, with appropriate instrumental &C.
oompa niments, and they are allowed several hours
every week for practice and rehearsal Temper
anee Society has been formed. and also an Assoos-
ton for Mutual Improvement, the members OF
which are allowed to meet together at proper times
and tbs Association last named was permitted to Gel
citrate The Fourth Of July by appropriate exercises
10 the chapel when speeches were made by Pr
soners and hymns composed by them were sung.
These ara some Of the measures Of Reform IN
troduced by Mr.. Robinson, with the concurrence
and cooperation OF lis associate and the results
have more than reax ed his ondest snticipations.
They are exhibited in more cheerful observance
Of the rules ia an Increased sefrespect, IN more
ardent and general desire for intellectual and moral
improvement, and in consequent better prepare
ton for the falflment Of their duties as citizens
whsa they leave the prison. We have had iesti-
uoay TO this effect from various quarters, Blu, we
are particularly happy now in being able to place
on record that Of ms Excelency the Governor in
bis recent Message to the Legislature. This testi
rnpny is the more honorable when il is remembered
sss, Mr. Robinson is politically opposed to the
Governor having received bis appointment under
the Administration Of Marcus Morton. Gov. Briggs
says
From too reports Of the oficers, and from personal
inspection aIn satisfied the sfars Of The State Prison
at Chsrlesnwn never in better eonciuon than Al
the present tune The earning. for the last year ia
about I'VE hundred collars short OF the expenses but
the s owing that do not reject the least dis
credit upon its economical management Only seven
eonvcts we're released by pardon daring the year yet
at ita close there tnu saa;es than here hdUt ben
~ cay period fer liosay years past Win the excep
tton OF two years. lSN Gud 1881, smaller number
were received than IA sny year since lsl2 From Dc
oemher eS 10 the close OF tho last year there were
IN the prison $50 different persons and but one death Oc
cured Within the las four yesrs ~ convict hiss been
released on account OF III health The convenient AZ
ransemeas and order ct the shops the nesness which
pervsdes every part Of the establishment the quiet and
healthy appearance OF the prisoners .' rey JeH "ssa'
Ia sk5A personal discipline has been accessory Ae
general dHd ,ospsotfI otsrrcHcs q he raiss II ne
ises the desire Of the prisoners to obtain
and read the books from the library al hear testimony
In favor OF the competent and faithful Warden aud the
other officers " no have cheeruy cooperated with him
In executing the important duties OF their stations The
hn.s,s Of rsd aa9 ANdns irsa~sa i0cdra he nRJor.
tsssie eSsaaers against tAs l4rs Of soesy and
more nsatsa IAs essGH Of tis apartment "a or PIT
so hsosss % iAs Pressf Baraes. IA9s far has bsea
Successful
whaeyer difference Of opinion may exist rs
thosc MN are with ability and real. theoretically dis
epssng the comparative me.its OF the social ard soil
tsry systems Of prison discipline for the accomplish
raent Of all the objects sought 10 attained BY the pen.
itensry naooe Of punishment the present condition OF
tho Massachusetts state Pfleon must place very high
among similar Institutions In this and in other countries
This testimony we hope will fluid favor with
some Of those who are bat too ready to decry
every effort 70 establish a milaer discipline in the
Prison @, our own State. and IN whose estimation
punishment, no. reformation is the great ohiecg os
which criminals shoeld be deprived Of their liher.
~. From the spirit in which this idea is so often
and 50 vehemenlly urged as well as from the
pr.ncip!e which sppears TO be involved in IT, one
would be al-nos; ready 10 conclude thar those who
regard il as the proper basis Of Prison Discipln
would do their worst to make the life Of the crnt.
inal scene of hopeless wretchedness and alter
despair Their notions could hardly be carried on,
Ia faA without some extraordinary means Cor max.
ing tho prisoners unhappy. Their food, for in.
stance, ought by sorae means to Be made unpalAis.
be, los. they should lose sight Of the object fr
which they were lnosrcegated their keepers
should always be US mogose and sour as possible
and above all never speak TO tAem word O. Kind.
ness or encouragement. they should neysv be Ter.
n.irsed to listen 70 music, because such delights
cf The senses are not punishment; and ,aeir
AA1pt4l0 >ncdAA % ttAllI4S4ci u stupid, AiSl~
sreeabe dance, lest they shoald some how or o;hes
derive pleasure aud lot punishment from the
religious exercises. Ii il IS iuseadea that our Pr.
sons shall become hotbeds 0! vice. REFRESHING in
their inmates every noble aspiration and confirming
them in their purposes Of evil we have only TO car.
ny our tots legitimate results tho principle here
referred to. Having thus extinguished in their
loiads the last skoagAt Of personal reform and IN
dacei state Of despair ana desperation, they
would leave the prison Only 70 plunge airesh into
crime and cone back again aud again to b pan.
isis6 aatl death en6s the scene
~ Hoe. WIN. L. GoeeIS has been unanimously
nominated as the Wing candidate fos Congress in
tho Albemarie District OF Virgins.
x Reuben Davis. Esq. cas- been e.ested Colo