Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-11-02

lions for prisoners in their cells VIC admit
that these are as good as they ever have
been, ard perhaps a little better. We have
been in the habit of visiting The Jail, pro-
fessionally, at times for the last II years,but
we have had occasion to 90 there and enter
several of the cells quite often Of late,-and
the condition Of things there has induced us
to write this article. Not the slightest
blame or responsibility rests upon the eih-
cient Sheriff of the County, Mr.. Lake, or
the excellent and humane Jailor, Mr.. Tag
CART. Both of these gentlemen are kind and
liberal to tho last degree, and do all in their
power for the comfort of those unfortunate
beings who are entrusted to their custody,
and ever moro than the law would re-.
qnirc of them, or, perhaps, more than many
others would do, in similar official positions.
The family of Mr.. Taggart are kind and
sympathising, and do all that is possible for
the alienation of the condition of those who
are compelled to be inmates of the Jail.
But the General Assembly should see 10
the matter, aud for the credit of the State,
|. if nothing more, vote such an appropriation
as will make the cells habitable by those who
are of necessity there. In the cells on tie
first floor, and in the rooms above, the only
articles are a common pine frame or bunk,
upon which is very scanty clothing, AMI
perhaps one chair each in one or W cells.
This is the extent of the furniture in any
and all of the prison apartments this is
wrong, all wrong morally and legally
wrong.
We do not belong TO that class of moral
reformers who sympalhize with all rogues
and criminals, indiscriminately, no matter
what may be their offences or crimes,-and
we do not think that those who are guilty
or suspected of being guilty of offences and
crimes against the laws of the land, should
be provided with the comforts and ~luxuries
of life,--far fromsit ; but a common hui
mainly prompts us to urge that those I'M
fortunate beings who are made the inmates
of Prisons and other necessary public in
stitutions, should be well cared for by their
legal guardians they should be supplied
with such clothing, food, places to sleep,
&c, as shall make them measurably com
forlably,-and, at all events, they should be
SO provided for that their health shall not
suffer. Every cell and room in the Jail
should be supplied with Il cheap but sub
%stantial bedstcad, a maltrass, bolster, pillow,
sheets, blankets, and other necessary bed
ding articles F; q looking glass, a chair or
two, and suitable accommodations for wash
inc. The Tailor could make the female
prisoners do the washing, &C., and the
males should be made to carry water, Sc,
and perform such other work as might be
necessary. 1t is right that the State should
legally punish the gully, but it has no right
to administer what perhaps might properly .
be termed extraj&dicial punishment, by<
mans OF tortuing The unfortunate in de-
priving them of those common and nccessa-
ny articles, which wo have named, and
which are absolutely essential for the pro-
motion and continuance Of health. We
make these remarks from a deep conviction
of duty, and because we think that simple 4,
justice requires that u small appropriation
should be made for this purpose,-and the
amount required would be very small, cs-
pocially in comparison with the great bcnc-
fit that would be derived thereby.
As far as the condition of the Jail is con.
ccrned, throughout, it is in most excellent
clearly order everything looks neat, and
its general appearance reflects the lighcs,
credit upon Mr.. Taggart and his eslimablc
amily,-but the deficiencies which we
have named are of an absolutely necessary
nature, and it is the imperative duty Of the
General Assembly to supply them without
delay.