The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-01


shoes made here, into competition with the pri-
vate industrial pursuits of the citizens of this Dis
trict and adjacent towns and villages, ii could
have them made TO order for the navy good
and cheap at any mandatory either north
or south OF Washington, and thus afford ii
slant and safe customer at all times, without in
curing any of the risks and losses to which il is
unavodably exposed under the present method Of
doing business.
But it may be said that those articles can be had
cheaper at the north than here. This deny. But,
admitting such to be SO, still the advantage of get
ting this establishment to do the work for the navy
would be on the side of the government, for, whe-
ther the profits be greater or less upon any given
quantity OF the work done for that branch Of the
service, IT would be but Government trans
actioH in ei5ha5TY fife ipu8ilc money from one
end of the public purse to the other; and that
which would be of advantage to this place in the
way Of an excess of profits, over what might be
paid to private citizens upon contracts for shoes,
would be an advantage to the Government in the
end, because the amount thus gained in profits
would go to its credit in the accounts Of the peni-
tentiary with the treasury.
Nor would the act of Congress requiring that pro-
posals for contracts of this kind be first published
and then given the lowest bidder, apply to this
case at ALL according TO my opinion, any more than
il does to the mode Of purchasing manufacturing
articles for public use at our arsenals and navy
yards. II is only where the Government has to
contract with private citizens, for such articles
il cannot or does not make at its own establish
ments that the law above referred to has any force.
The reasons assigned in favor of cash payments
for the materials for the manufacture Of boots,
shoes, &c, will apply to the purchases Of provisions
also.
In the distribution of rations to the prisoners
great saving can be made, if care and economy
be used All beyond what is necessary for their
legitimate wants is waste and although specific
quantities of food have been given heretofore to
each prisoner as a ration, soon found that the
aggregate number Of those was more than what all
could consume at meal, and therefore brought
the quantity down to the necessary standard for
each, that little, if any, waste of provisions Is
now seen. The result of this essential course Of
economy has been saving in the ordinary an
nual expenditure for provisions of 1892 4S, or
about 25 per cent. less than what it was the year
previous; the sum expended in ls4S for this pur-
pose being 81 sol 20, with average of Az pris-
oners, while in ls49 it was only $l,los 70, with
an average of 43 prisoners.
Next to the physical are the moral comforts OF
the prisoners. Although you are fully empowered
by law to provide for them "religious worship"
and "rehgious and moral instruction." have felt
it to be less part Of my duty to do the same to
the extent Of my power, and accordingly gave di-
rections to the oficersn attendance on them at meal
time, at the commencement of my administration
as Warden, to read for them during those periods,
lessons Of moral character, entirely free from Sec
tartan or doctrinal tendencies Of every SORT
am happy in having to inform you that this
experiment. in addition to the weekly services
Of the chaplain has had the best effects upon their
general conduct; one of the most gratifying fea-
lures Of which is, that insubordnation to my as
sistants and guards want OF due attention at work,
quarreling with each other as opportunity might
offer for 30 doing-in fact all those causes that
usually lead to punishments--are seldom or never
to occur here, the blank pages of the record
book OF punishments for the last six months will
| show. There are, however, as there always will
be, few exceptions to the general rule, which no
kindness or indulgence on the Warden's part can
change.
In addition to the lesson of good advice thus af
| forded the prisoners daily, and the extension TO
Of tpht1
Of discipline, have impressed them with convic-
ton Of the certainty of punishment whenever they
may deserve it.
Nor can ! disguise the fact If ! would, from the
! friends of humanity, that among the primary
causes of acts deserving Of punishments in prisons
90 far my knowledge extends, the i'll nature
and domineering spirit but too often manifested BY
those clothed with little brief authority" ovei
prisoners. This conduct is productive of the wors
effects for all concerned, and should be carefully
guarded against by the Warden, and suppressed
by him when seen. have, therefore, given strict
orders 10 my subordinate officers TO avoid every
thing of this kind by which the peace Of the
prison might be disturbed and am proud in
\ having to say OF them, that in no instance
| during the time that they have been here, have
4 had occasion TO remind them that a strict COM
| plance with my instructions on this score is a
necessary requisite for retaining their respec-
| tive places.
| And while am thus obliged TO bear this willing
| testimony TO the good conduct and fidelity Of those
officers, am bound 10 express the regret that
feel for the arduous, if not excessive, share Of duty
| which each has to perform for the small salary
that he receives monthly for il. This duty 10 each
officer is not ess than thirty sir hours without inter
mission; and should only of the six officers al
lowed me 10 guard the prison be taken sick ia fire.
qucntly the case the others have TO perform siIty
four Of continuous duty!
But this is not all. These men, who respect.
| able and intelligent mechanics, except one who i.
| a druggist by profession, have but one Sunday in
the month which they can call their own; and
| should sickness 10 one more happen, above
stated they would not be able TO get off, to either
their families or TO attend divine worship, oftener
than once in six weeks.
Surely the Government does not contemplate,
by any parsimonious regulation on its part, TO COM
pei its public servants TO perform such severe
duty this for so small compensation as they re-
ceve; is there any duty in the service OF the
government, in any branch whatever of il, that Ia
at all equal, that approximates TO il in severity.
| am aware that complaints have been frequently
made that there too many officers here for the
number Of prisoners confined but such complaints
were made by persons not acquainted with the duty
which those men have TO perform, or Of the re
sponsbility Of guarding, during the day and night
even the small number Of the most depraved o
mankind usually here.
Taking, therefore, into consideration the sever,
duty thus imposed upon my guards, and the in
creased responsibility incurred by them and me II
| the reduction Of their number from eight 10 six
do not think that Congress will complain Of the ex
pense Of keeping the former number Of guards
eight-in this service, after they shall have rca,
tho foregoing statement of the duty which elk hav
| to perform, 20 allow them some slight relax
alton from their almost perpetual presence in tn
prison.
Indeed have every reason for thinking that th
will be cheerfully granted by Congress; for tn,
1 Hon. Horace Mann, in his report to the House o
Representatives this subject, March 2, ls49
says:
That "displacing from the government Of the in.
stituton two or three under. officers, or guards
would cause but trihing reduction Of the annual
expenditure"
| Now that the number Of prisoners here is ncrcas.
ing, and still likely 10 increase more, by the addi
ton TO Il of those confined at present in other peni
entaries for offences against the laws Of the United
States, would direct your attention TO the mme.
diate necessity Of increasing the number Of my
guards 10 what IL was when first took charge O
| this place, and also Of making the messenger dC
guard duty by increasing his pay 10 8 $50 a year
4 This number-nine-would enable each guard Il
be on duty night in three, while the Who'll,
number would not be too many for day service.
And here will remark, that 8 $50 n year IL no
enough for the services Of such a person. "a me-.
senger, that would be willing TO intrust will
the safe keeping delivery Of the public property
TO persons customers purchasing II here, or will
1 IL H.. - A =