The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-07-09


highly appreciated.
e. During our recent absence we nassed
very agreeable day at Windsor, in the course
of which, through the polieuess Of Col HAIR |
Low, the efficient Superintendent. we look
ed in upon the convicts at their work, and |
were shown through the various parts Of the |
Prison. The grounds belonging to the State
are about four acres in extent, a considera-
BILE portion Of whi-h is occupied by the
buildings connected with tue Prison. and the
remainder is under cultivation as a garden.
Passing rough the gate, we spproach
door, which is securely locked, furnished
with bolts aud bars, ami guarded on the out
side by sentinel, and stand of arms.
Within, and several feet from the strong
walls on each side, are three tiers of cells,
sufficiently wide to admit a narrow bed. In
these cells, the convicts are confined, except
during working hours, The doors being lock-
ed and firmly barred on the outside, and
guard stationed within the room. at all
hours, during their confinement. Here al
so their meals are ea'cn, consisting of brown
bread meat, the usual vegetables. served on
lin plate, ana coffee, night aud morning
In the space around the cells. seats are ar
ranged on Sunday, and religious exercises
are held once during the day, by tie cler-
aymen Of The village in rotation.
Passing from this room through large
court, or area, we come to another building,
where most oil the convicts are hard at work
during the day in the manufacture of scythe
snahs. About seventy are engaged in this
business. They begin with rough ash tim
Der and steel rods, and, following the manu-
iacture through oil its stages, end with the
most finished snaths anywhere made We
noticed that Pemberton, from this county,
was employed in wheeling in the timber
and Slingcrland, the pension forger, in CIV
ing the finishing touch from pot of warm
ish On SONS of .ho intermediate work,
Bristol Bill was toling indus, riously, and
with one OF the most worn and tororn coun.
tenances we ever saw. He evidently feels
his confinement deeply, snd seems to be
constantly troubled with harrassing thoughts
In another room the iron work is done,
the machinery being propelled by steam
engine. In this shop there are evidently
some quite ingenious hands.
In still another building were six convicts
engaged in shoemaking AID in the kitchen
were two-one white and the other black
engaged in cooking the plain though sutii-
cient fare provided. The whole number
now in Prison is eighiy-four-grea,or than
for son.e time previous.
The labor of the convic,s is all let out
on contract TO Messrs. Lamson Co, who
pay so much for each days work, the State
to ird the prisoners in food clothing, &C.,
and giving the rent of the buildings occupied.
lIeretoio the business has been los ing
one 10 the State, but the present year, we
infer from the statements Of the Superin-
tendent, will show small balance in its ia.
vor.
On one part of the grounds, we observed
the old prison building, the marked contrast
between the plan of which, and that of the
new one, showed that very decided, and
we think salutary, reform has been effected,
since the construction OF the first Under
the present system, the convict has good
and wholesome air, which can be kept at a
reasonable temperature, and at the same time
his confinement is close all direct commn
ncation with the outer walls, and with the
world beyond, is cut off and though ming
ling every day with his fellows, in the bust
ness assigned, he is allowed to converse with
none of them. from his first entrance within
the prison to his departure. Guards are sta
toned at two points of the yard by day, and
within the walls that contain the prison cells,
by night and in each Of the rooms devoted
to labor, competent oyerseers are in con-
stanl attendance, who strictly enforce the
rules OF the Prison authorities. Ii any one
is refractory, or refuses to work, he is easily
brought to terms, the Superintendent in-
formed us,by solitary confinement in his cell
A day or two usually sullices TO reduce the
most stubborn.
The State Prison is now evidently under
intelligent energetic, and very satisfactory
management. One thing is certain; every
thing about the Prison moves like clock
work, and is perfectly under the control of
the proper authorities Decentralization and
conspiracy are impossible. The labors of
Col. HARLOW must certainly be arduous, but
we believe he omits no duty, and leaves
nothing uninterrupted, that can properly be
done for the interests of the State ana for
the substantial good ofthe convicis, so far as
consistent with their condition.
We also, in company with our friend
Tnos. HALE, Esq, of the Journal, aud 9th
ers, visited The extensive and widely se'e