Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-09-29
TIE STATE PRISON.

1t Is known to most of our readers that the
subject OF changing the location OF the state
Prison, ilom Windsor 10 some other point IA
the State, has been agtatcd to u considerable
extent within the past few years. The pro-
prcty or cXpedcncy of such a step has been
suggested by TIE fact that the Prison has been,
and Is, an expense to the State; whereas, IT IS
argued, with proper facilities for the profitable
employment of convict labor, it might be made
to produce revenue sufficient, at least, to de-
tray its own expenses. In both the economical
and moral view Of the question, it will not be
denied that such result is desirable.
We do not understand that the inhabitants
of Windsor regard the presence of the State
Prison in their village as contrbutory to their
business prosperity; nor if they did, do we I'M
agine that they would ntcrposc any objection
to its removal, provided the step should be
clearly justified by considerations of public
good.
We suppose that no establishment of this
character is likely to prove productive, in pc
cuniary sense, where the convlcts are employed
in the various departments of mechanic labor,
each of which demands no inconsiderablc out
lay of expense for materials and tools. The
best department of labor for convcts has been
found to be that wherein the least expenditure
| for implements and materials, and the least
amount of mechanical skill, are required such,
for instance, as mining and quarrying.
1t will be remembered that the very intell-
gent and sagacious Committee, appointed by
the Legislature in lSi6 to examine into the
,choie question of altering the location of the
State Prison,-NIessrs. CAwr, Low and SMILE
were unanimous in recommending change
of location, and, from considerations ably set
forth in their Report, submitted in lSl7;-in re-
commenting Isle LA Mott in Grand Isle Coun-
ty, as The best spot for the new location. The
facts and reasoning Of that Report were, we
believe, very generally satisfactory. A bill was
introduced at the last session of the Legislature
in conformity with the suggestions and recon-
mendations of this Committee, and would have
passed both branches of that body, we doubt
not, but for the disposition, which is natural tc
Legislative body constituted as ours is, no
to make so important and decisive a novcmen
without the .fih'e inquiry and dcliberatlon
The bill was passed by, therefore, and Com
mittec, - Messrs. WESTwoRTH, of Below
Falls, and IIuBBELL of FairfaX-appointed t.
investigate the subject farther, to examine TIN
State Prisons of other States, and to report
this fall, the opinions, in the premises, at whcI
they should arrive.
We have very little doubt that the views G
Messrs. WENrwoRrm and IlunBELL will b
found to coincide with those of Messrs. C,MI
Low and SMILE, and that the necessary legi,
d lativc steps will thcreupon be taken to carry OF
j" their recommendations ! he location at "Fisk
81 quarry" on Isle La Mott it seems to us, is tn
e very best that could be selected in the Stat
" The labor of the convicts there, while it woul
!" be less liable to the objection whether well {
r. i'll tounded) of competing injuriously with ~
rietY OF the mec anlc Interests, would be mol
directly profitable To the State, i'll material
reducing, if not wholly preventing. the presei
d. drain upon the Public Treasury for its manar,
!. ment. The Marble Quarry known as " Fisk
r Quarry" is stated to be nexhlustiblc, and Il
" marble itself to be of the finest quality. and vcI
70 easily worked" 1t is Immediately upon Il
Lake shore. whence II can be shipped, witho
VI breaking bulk" to the Atlantic markets whe
N it is most in demand. For building and orn
Is mental purposes, this marble Is of very sup
Ia rior description, and we entertain no doubt tina
. under ludiclouS management (such, for n>tunc
:! as that bestowed, under existing emJmrdS
Is monis. by Col. HARLOW, the present eiiicie
r, and faithful superintendent the labor of Il
a. State convicts might b. employed there in
manner to render the Stale Prison source
" revenue, instead Of expense, to the State.
he Upon this Quarry, we understand it To be Il
olinion of Messrs. CAMP. Low and SMILE tn
!, the new State Prison should be located. "
have the fullest confidence in the sound iud
- ment Of these gentlemen, and will undertake
guaranty that their opinion was formed on
honest and intelligent consideration of I
whole question As we have minated abo,
es We doubt not Mcssrs WENTWORTH and llU
N, BELL will be found TO have arrived at the sal
IT. conclusions The question is one the detern
nation of which should have exclusive reicien
70 to the interests OF The Siaie, and the best ina
nar of employing its convict labor. That co
Il" wet labor SiOUH be so directed as TO interie
lat least with the interests OF FIRE labor, we presul
IN. will not be Dis pl,cd. To employ it in quar-
VS. ing marble, willie ii appears to require I
-, smallest expenditure on the part OF the Sta
;! for implements and Stct, and to promise the M
'ed profitable return, will, we are confident encor
as ter no objection from those OF our citizens "
ho are engaged in the same department oi busint
in other sections Of the State.
'' We sincerely hope, therefore, and belle
he tina, the next Legislature will pass a bill loo
my ing the State Prison, as recommended, on !
he La Mott.
g, u In the last Van Barren Courier, l..
ne. Barber, w. p. Russell, r. l.. Fuller, J. c. II
.,.l1 : Ii Die 1 L, l,L.....L !. ~