New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-02-25


allowed to be inflicted by the Keeper without a
special order from the Inspectors. They are ar
ranged with reference to their comparative Sc
verify
l. Privstion Of food. 9. Change Of dress
2 Privsiion Of bedding ?. Change Of rsnons
3 Privs,ion Of books :. solitary confinement
g. Privsnon Of Tobacco O. Shower bath, with or
s. Change OF work, 10. The lash without hgnt
The lash though sometimes used In extreme
cases is going out of use and we hope before long
to record its entire Punishment from this and every
other prison in the State. Its in the female
prison is strictly prohibited, and we have yet 10
learn that its brutalizing effects either dimin
ished or increased by the sex Of the prisoners.
A Sunday School has been kept open in the male
prison most Of the time during the year for the pur-
pose Of instructing that portion Of the convicts go
or 20 in number who could not read. This school
has been under the care Of Mr. Campbell and sew
eral young gentleman residing at the village
Many of the prisoners thus instructed manifest deep
gratitude 10 their teachers. Their progress has
been considerable, notwithstanding the brei time
allowed for the purpose.
The use of tobacco is now allowed under certain
restrictions, it having been found by experience
that the attempt 10 exclude it is not only unsoe
cessful but productive Of more harm than good.
Visitors 10 the prison are now charged 29 cents
for admission. The reasons for this aye obvious
II appesrs unreasonable that the time Of the officers
should be eratuitously consumed in waiting upon
visiters. many of whom wish only to crafty andle
curiosity.
Of IN. report of Mrs FARSHAM, Matron Of tho
Female Prison we have already spoken. a few
IL. ~ h..r
ment we will quote
am happy TO report that the moral character oil our
prison has been higher the past year than al any pre-
yious lime since my connection with H. The violations
of discipline have been fewer than during any previous
period OF equal length II may not be uDihlereslhs
here 20 note few facts exempliyng the progress
the reformation The present system oil government
was introduced in April 1874. From the lst OF tnat
month TO the lst of December following the Voiauon'
at discipne were no. from the let of December, 1874
10 81 December 1875 there were a. IRON mat cate up
TO the present time they are 10 But these iacts consul
ute only part Of the evidence OF the Improvement Of
which ] speak ,-.,
STRONGER proof sl IL manifest 10 those acquainted
with the Internal condition Of the prison al the respec
tive periods Where prescribed rules ana the lear OF
punishment formerly restrained offences are no" iet
The Influences of self respect kindness, moral oOhga
ton and those other restraints "nch al the go0o must
ejoice suppanting mere external Is" Inc cur
re of these virtues ia such class Is work requiring
nstience and unweared effort These believe, would
be- greatly encouraged in most persons by knowledge
of the results Of such efforts Il is cheering TO know
that they not only modify the conduct OF the crmins
while in confinement but that their sustained influence
prepares her 10 return the world aud live In the pro
per exercise OF the various social relations.
"Of - prisoners who have been discharged since the
LEI Dec ls45 Is leading reputable lives and two
been heard of since their departure from the
prison, that two emily known TO have relapsed-
This reformation may not be permanent In all the cases
and probably will not be but something gained II the
criminal prOpenses are restrained for seafon, snd
other things being equal the chances that they will be
permanently controlled increased by every success
ful effort on the part of their unhappy possesscrs.
Ia pursuance of the system of government, which
have endeavoTed briefly 10 explain in my last annual
report have within the year Just closed, made some
important changes In the rules ana conduct OF this de
partment Among other things have sought to enlarge
the individual responsibility of each person in our com
munity much and rapidly AS her native capacities
previous training and other circumstances would admit
Thus the rule of silence set aside at the opening OF
the present year to large majority OF our prsoners
and gradually all have been Pormi''od to oaos tho PRIV
ilege of speech at all convenient times when II would
not interrupt OF retard labor
The restriction upon speech removed on tho hrst
day of January. ls46. When the prisoners were m
formed that we intended to adopt that measure they
were also informed that their own efforts al seeonuo
and good conduct had them this privilege that our
confidence that they would not abuse II was derived
from their past excellent department and that II was
extended them not only tor their comfort o9t IN 'he
hope that they would farther use As Zoo nAd designed
II should be used for their mutual consolation and ad
in the paths Of virtuoushie | may mere remark tna'
readily be called in question by those who are unsc
ouainted with the prepare which had been msoe Tor
taking IT. With the persons who understood TINS ho"
ever no apprehension entertained as 10 It's oenehcA
effects and the result has proved far as we can uoge
of one single measure. when adopted In comoihSuoh
with many others tending TO the same end most hsppy'
The Chaplain. Rev NJ d. GoRDoS, states IN his
Report that he has been pleased with the very gen
era readiness on the part Of the convicts to receive
religious instruction and with their susceptibility
to its influence. The Library. he says. rs wholly
inadequate to the wants of the prison. The demand
for books cannot be supplied, and many have to
spend their solitary hours with nothing to occupy
their attention better than the "reminiscences OF
their past lives which rarely can be profitable.
This deficiency will be in part supplied by the
grant of slOO which the Legislature made at its
last session but this will very inadequately meet
the demands of nearly thousand adult minds
Mr. Gordon urges with great force the Importance
OF making provision for the instruction OF such OF
the prisoners as cannot read and write. majority
of the inmates Of this prison young men. These
persons are not beyond the educational care OF the
State. MANY Of them now, for the first time IN
their lives, begin to feel the want, and appreciate
the advantages of education. and are eager 10 I'm
prove their minds A teacher, with supply Of
instruction books, such as spelling books, arth-
metcs sc. is great desideratum. We hope the
Legislature will see that teacher is provided.