The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-14
TEL E REPU BLIC.

tney nave great pleasure IN stating that on scru-
uny o. every portion of the buildings and grounds
sne SANG were found to be i'm the best condition
lney arrived while the male prisoners. eighty one
- naancef were at dinner, and found them mr.
ranged intwo classes, separating tho white from
tne coiored the latter being about third of the
Wnoie. Having dined, they were marched out in
70 .ne workshops and re- umed their various
eaniployments, the chief of which appeared to be
the manufacture of boots and shoes although since
| the present very efficient Warden, Mr. Jonas r
Ell's. nas had charge of the institution. other me-
cnancal branches have been introduced, and car
flages, wagons, wheelbarrows cabinet furniture
ec', &c;, are now made BY sundry of the prison
ers. All the work appeared to the Grand Jury to
De weli-executed, and the entire proceeds of their
iaoor during the present year betrayed, within
lew tnousand dollars, the whole years. expenses of
| the institution.
The convicts were all clean and conforta-
ply clad, and their fare, although simple, as
| 1t should be, abundant and wholesome The
Gems, bedding, and every part of the building
exhibited neatness, cleanliness, and order which
oeeerve the highest commentator. There is not
single patient in the hospital fact manfesting
the attention paid to the health of the prisoners
Besides the convicts above referred to- there are
eight females, four of whom white, making the
totai number OF prisoners eighty nine These are
Kept entirely separate from, and without having
any communication whatever with, the other con-
victs. The making and mending Of the clothes.
Washing and cooking, are performed by certain of
toe prisoners detailed for these services Every
cell 10 provided with the printed rules of the ins
tuition, Bible, and Psalm and Hymn Book The
prisoners nave the use of small library of books
presented by Miss Dix, SO celebrated for her phi
lanthropy; and have also the benefit of religious
services on the Sabbath, by their chaplain. The
discipline of the prison is mild but effective and
IN only one instance, for long time, has it been
found necessary to resort to any thing like severty
and In this very refractory man was brought to
submission simply by seventeen days. confinement
In dark cell on bread and water.
nria
ner, about hfty-three years old, and who since
his confinement has been subject to fits, par
tioularly attracted the notice of the jury; and
they learned, In conversation with the war
den, that Mortimer had been sentenced to
fourteen years imprisonment, as a receiver of
stolen goods, and had served out nine years of the
term in an orderly manner; that he had wife and
seven children living; and that the convict who
was sentenced at the same time for stealing the
goods, and who has since died, declared shortly
before his death that Mortimer was innocent, he
having had no knowledge of the theft. Consider
IN these to be the facts, the Grand Jury cannot
put nope that this case, if properly submitted to
the President Of the United States, would be
deemed by him tit one for the exercise of Exc
cutive clemency. III
The Grand Jury, in the course of their INQUIRIES.
derived information which they take great plea
sure in mentioning, as to the highly meritorious
course OF young lady residing in the centre of
the city, who, without any other reward than an
approving conscience, has, during the last two
years or more, regularly devoted several hours of
every Sunday in imparting religious and other
instruction to the female prisoners course so
benevolent as to be worthy of all praise.
The Grand Jury will further remark that they
were highly gratifed with all they saw and heard
in relation to the management of this institution
Ihey believe that no other of the kind in this
country is better conducted, and they indulge the
expectation that some, if not many, of the inmates
who entered as cEjminals without reputation, and
perhaps without hope, will, with the ability to
gain an honest livelihood when released, become,
by reason of the moral training they have received
virtuons members of society, and thus accomplish
one of the chief purposes for which they were
placed there. sA IR
q All of which is respectfully submitted
By order of the Grand Jury:
8 49,. e2ies w. GUNTON, Foreman.
The Hon. Thomas H. CRAWFORD, Judge of the
Criminal Court.