Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-10
THE PENITENTIARY.

Governor message ContSlnS, 10 one particular,
what we consider 10 be an important departure from
principles; and before it is too late, desire to
call the attention of onr readers to it, Abuses often
creep into the State unobserved and it is one of the
duties the press to watch their seahy approach,
and challenge them at the threshold 1t is this
way and, let us add chiefly by this means, that the
administration OF public affairs is kept in healthy
oudition. We would not be understood as condemn
Jog the message throughout; on the contrary, there
many portions Gift which deserve, they have re-
csived, the public appreciation.
On the eighth page is contained an account OF tn e
present condition of the Penitenary. From this it
appears during the last three or four years the
public revenue aceruing from this establishment has
undergone slight dimnution, and that the number OF
persons confined for the commission OF the lower
grades of felony has been enlarged Both OF these
consequences sscrbed 10 the cause, W. the
introduction of shorter terms of confinement by the
amended Code OF ls4s. Both he proposes to remove
by the re-adopton OF the harsher scale of punishment
then abrogaed.
We think it highly probable that the diminished re-
eeipts accruing from this are attributable to the
cause indicated for conceive OF no surer way
of swelling the criminal revenue than by the adoption
of the system re recommended. The skill and dexerity
OF the convict, and consequently the value OF his la
bour, attains higher point of perfection the longer
the duration OF his Imprisonment. Yet do no,
consider thatthe General Assembly is cloahed with
authority to consult this Objectionable principle in its
distribution ofpunshments.
But il is by no means so clear, that the multiplied
ton of crime since 1913, osght be referred the
changes then made in the general law. We are in
cIined rather to ascrbe it to more remote
Laws OF a general description necessarily slow
in their operation aud, consequently, gradual in ne
development of their effects II is great TO
attempt Calherthe fruits of legislation too soon. If
would test the policy OF our laws ~ their own
action, rather than by the general experience of the
law-raker we will be eompelled1 to watch patient
ly their operation through long series of years But,
in the penalties of the law, the Governor the
only checks and correeves of crime, so, in their
ieniency, he behods the only for its increase
We think in this particular, that his Excelleney is
tremely and confined in his observation upon
public affairs. Every OF reflection knows that
there is more fruitful source of crime than that
resulting from the gradual advance of society in pop
ulaton and wealth. Foreign emigration, too, contr-
butes largely to magnify the number OF offenders
To neither of these acknowledged parents of crime
does the Governor make any sort of alusion in his
specuatlons to the root of the evil. We do not pre-
tend to say in how great degree these causes may
have influenced the result. But, sorry to see,
the entire increase IN the per cenage in crime attri-
Duleu 10 what we DeileVe 10 De an heOuS c6uSe
1t is generally agreed that the certainty, rather than
,he severity of punishment, is the true corrective.
Now for the lower grades of felony, the larceny, for
example, of small sums we cannot but believe that
years Imprisonment with hard labour is a penalty
high enough, If inflicted with certainty, deter fron
the commission of such crimes. An able bodied man.
at any of the handierafts, would realize money
in that time, than he would by theft.
Below, insert an extract which contains the
perncious above alluded to: In the last two
years, uader the law, the aggregate clear gain
only $775 Sc. The Board of Directors and the
Superintendent thereof, concur in recommending an
increase in the minimum terms oil confinement, the
best remedy" The best remedy for what Why, for
the diminuton in the derived from this source
Here is plain avowa Of the and tyrannical
principle in criminal legislation, that the terms of i'm
prsonuient ought to be heightened, that the State may
be enriched by the abour OF coLvics. But the Gov
proceeds in the next sentence fully to de-
veope this startling principle and to endorse the rer
commentator of the directors: "Whils the mora
effect upon the community and the reformation of
offenders the first great objects of the system pro
per economy should be consulted &C. Governor John
is plainly wrong. There no primary and &C.
condary objects in the penal code. 1t has but OBJ
ject-the protection Of the community from crime
and after that has been attained the light of society
to punish at all is extinguished Ii go along with
the idea that in the second place the State author
lied to prolong the detention of the convict Tor pecu
mary reasons the law then abandons the basis of sound
principles and without their guide, the State pr-
son will riot in abuses. The charges the Penten-
,ary justly fall upon the propertyhohers for the
penses incurred principally for their protection and
benefit Ii during the season of expiration the labour
OF the oenoer be turned to the service of the pnb
lie, the commonwealth has, without question, right
so to apply it. But this benefit ought ever to be
purely Incidental, and should never be allowed to enter
into the objects of the law So the demands
public justice have been satisfied the prisoner is
titled 10 his dischargehe and the State is then
titled the fruits oi his labour although the product
OF il has not paid off the expenses OF his custody
The commonwealth that took him in its keeping Tor
a definite object. ought 10 justice to bear the expen
ses incurred in its attainment We protest against
tins innovation al the threshold. Why look This
Democratic Governor would arrange the scale of
punshments he would adjust tariff
Heseems inclined deal with the liberty and labour
ct white men, as he would with wooden and cotton
CLOTHS.
he only apology TO be made for the opinions adopt
sd aud recommended by Governor Johnson, is that
they nave been manufactured at the Penlen tiary-
FROM tas residential morass have they been exhal ed
snd hghiP concerns the public that the poisonous
eifuvIa shall not be waited abroad We are not pre-
pared to bow with aubrzisso to, OF to adopt in the
gross, the crude ideas upon criminal reform that ema-
nate from that asylum, 10 regard with compacen-
cy its rank aud noxious growth As this establishment
has not yet taken its place among the seats of learning,
nor yet become celebrated for the enlightenment of its
conductors we hope to be pardoned for not regard.
ing views which emanate from iz midst with blind re-
speet. These su5ordinaes OF the government the
Directors and their actotum the gnnerintandeot ~.
doubt excellent people in their way Indeed we are
willing 10 60 farther, and admit that they may have
genius for bolts and bars but from the specimen youch
saied oil their wisdom, it would never occur to US to
turn them into Councillors OF State.
We hardly believe that his Excsllency weig he'd
well, OF wei ghed at all the recommended changes in
a. l..