The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-21
Oar new Jersey Correspondents.

Our New Jersey Correspoudcnse.
TRENTON, N. j., Oct. 2, 1862
Curious Precedent for the Maine Liq,.oy Lsu-
Visit to the Trenton State Prison.
The discussion Of the temperance question in this
State is waxing warm between the friends and tho
opponents Of the "Maine Law" II is a ourious
fact that the legislative history of New Jersey fur
nishes very early precedent-perhaps the EARLIEST
on record in the United States-for such q law.
So long ago as the year 1858, an act was passed
which very similar in principle with that which,
the temperance party now propose TO enact. The
law applied, it is true, only to selling strong drink
to the Indians, and whipping was then prescribed
instead of imprisonment. In old volume Of laws,
passed in the year which have named, find the
following, entitled
An act prohibiting selling strong drink liquors to
Indians hath occanoned much mischief and troubIe II,
this Province and the laws concerning the ssma havs
hitherto proved Intellectual partly under the noon Of
selling strong liquors in moderation it hath been sold inn
moderately, by which meaps many mischefs and III CON
sequences have followed both to themselves ana their
majesty subjects In this Province, and partly because
pecuniary mulct hath hitherto deferred several nom
selling to tAem immediately, As Aforesaid
In assembly and assembled and by the author
iy Of the same that whatsoever shall
directly or indirectly cell truck trade any other way
procure to- or for Indian Indians way
nsh them or any Of them with brandy rum vne syder
OF strong beer or any other strong liquor whatsoever
costs OF Court receive for the first offence lahss
the bare back for the offence ten Iashes on the
bare back the fourth offence twenty lsshss on the
bare back and 80 many and for every such Of
fence thereafter the said corporal punishment OF whip
ing to be inflicted by order Of the Courtn
Finding myself possessed Of q few hours leisure
this afternoon, accepted invitation to visit ths
State prison, situated short distance from the
densely populated portion of tho town. The build
ing is composed of three separate walls, divergine
from common centre, in which person can stand
and look through the whole length of them al. On
both sides Of the halls are cells. The system Of
solitary confinement is pursued far practicable,
and most of tho prisoners work in their cells but
in the machine shop, and some other departments,
several prisoners labor in the same room.
Mr.. Brown, the ,gentlemanly keeper. who con-
that the solitary system did not appear to operate
unfavorably upon the health of tho prisoners; but
in connection with this is to be taken the fact that
for shorter period than they are imprisoned for
the same crime in many States. system Of pun
ishment may answer for limited time, which would
be found prejudcial to health if continued for long
for from six months to three years, though there is
one sentenced for twenty years. and another for if
teen One prisoner is here now for the fourth time.
great part Of his life has been passed within these
sOmbre walls. Whom he first came, he was quito y
small boy and they had to put sort Of 'pig yoke
on him, to keep him from getting through the
gratiEgs. He is an inveterate thief. As his last
keeper, .'you are about TO 60. and hope we shall
never see your face here again. Now, don't you
steal anything, for as sure as you steal yox are
found out" ''No. amt" quickly replied the
His old father and brother are both in the same
prison for the same offence.
One. white headed venerable looking old pr-
soner has numbered his seventy three years, for
more than forty Of which he has been preacher
Of the gospel. He is in for horse stealing, and
is said to have stolen more horses than any
other. man in New Jersey; or rather, his
practise was not exactly to stea but to hire horses
and carriages and sell them, and appropriate the
proceeds. He has married no less than five wives,
and has had . "son born unto him." by one Of
them during his incarceration He was sentenced
for three years, and requistion from the Governor
Of Maryland awaits him when that time shall have
expired. He is about the only intelligent looking
prisoner whom l noticed. Ny own observation hiss
taught me that the average Of men confined in
exeeption-are decidedly below par in point Of in
tellect.
The Whole number Of prisoners here now ID little
more than tive hundred, only seven or eight Of
whom are women. Chair making, and various
other kinds of mechanical work, are carried on in
the cells and shops The prisoners have stated
their own benefit One man, who was parisned
out the expiration Of his sentence, had sscu-
INFLATED over four hundred dollars BY extra
U0