The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-10-09


the duty OF the President of the United States.
within twelve months after the ratification of this
amendment by three-fourths of all the States "a
provided by the Constitution Of the United States,
to divide the whole number of judges as near az
may be practicable, into three classes The seat
of the first class shall bevacated At the expiration Of
the fourth year from such classification of the second
class at the expiration of the eighth year. and of
the third class ct the expiration Of the twelfth year
so that one third may be chosen every fourth year
thereafter"
The article, as amended. viii read as follows
ARTICLE III.
SECTION l. The judicial power of the United States
shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and such
inferior courts the Congress, from time 20 time
may ordain and establish. The Judges both of the
supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their Offices
during the term of twelve years. and shall at stated
times receive for their services, a compensation.
which shall not be diminished during their contin-
nance in office. And it shall be the duty Of the
President of the United States, within twelve
months after the ratification of this amendment by
threefourths of all the States as provided by the
Constitution of the United States, to divide the
whole number of judges, as may be pract-
cable, into three classes. The of the judges
OF the rst class shall be vacated at the expiration
OF the fourth year from such classification; of the
second class, at the expiration of the eighth year,
and OF the third class, at the expiration Of the
fourth year thereafter"
"This is merely submitted as one pan of amends
ment, to accomplish the contemplated change in the
constitution of the United States. ANY other man
more perfect and more in conformity with the
whole structure OF the Government will be equally
acceptable. 1t is expected that the amendments
viii be put in the most perfect form possible that
be devised by the exercise of your better judy
ment."
Weights and Measures
By joint resolution of the General Assembly
adopted March Sd, 1854, the Governor was au-
thorised to appoint suitable person as superin-
tendent of weights and measures. In compliance
with this resolution Mr.. John Herrigus has been
appointed superintendent to take charge of the
weights and measures, as furnished by the Federal
Government, under resolution passed June 18th,
1886. Since the. appointment Of the superinten-
dent the weights and measures have been received,
and are under his control, and by him have
been deposited in one Of the rooms of the Capitol
set apart for that purpose by the commissioners
The weights and measures all received in good
order, and now subject to the inspection of both
branches of the Legislature. The resolution au-
thorizng the appointment Of superintendent Of
weights and measures made no provision for any
compensation for the time and labor necessary
/ for taking the proper care of the weights and
measures which are now in his possession. Ii can
not be expected that the superintendent lose
his time and labor without some pay. The resOlu-
7 ton also authorized the Governor to have made
under the direction of the superintendent a set of
standard weights and measures for each county in
| the State. This portion of the resolution, so far
has not been carried out by the Governor, believ-
ing he did, that, the cost would be mach grea-
ter to procure a set of standard weights and meas
ures for each county in the State than the Legisa
ture was aware of at the time the resolution was
passed. The cost Of set of standard weights and
measures such as would be suitable for the respec-
tive counties, frOm the most reliable source Of in-
I formation will not be much less than two hundred
dollars per sett which win make the aggregate cost
near sixteen thousand dollars Notwithstanding
the aggregate cost may t. be high am still of
the opinion that sound policy aud the best interest
/ Of the State requires law to be passed making
J the standard of weights and measures Uniform
/ throughout the State, and that each county in
the State ought TO be furnished with a set Of
standard weights and measures for that pur-
pose; aud unless the Legislature repeal the reso,
luton, the Governor viii at early day, proceed
as authorized, to have each county furnished with
a set of standard weights and measures, author
lied by law.
Peniteniary.
Upon this subject, my general views have under
gone change since the sitting of the last Legis~
ature; and would most respectfully call your at
/ tention to the suggestions and recommendations
then made in my message to that body.
'This institution has, far failed in all the lead
ing objects OF its creation. The confinement of per-
sons within the prison house or prison walls of
penitentiary, with the view Of reforming them in
their moral character, has been proven by all eIpe-
rience be great error audit is not cOntended
for as a reforming institution by any one who has
become at all familiar with the subject. There is
not one in every thousand convicts whose moral
condition is improved by such Imprisonment; but,
u. - 81 q al
worse than they were before, and become moro
confirmed i'll crime.
upon the subject Of cOnvicts becoming reformed
by pententiary Imprisonment and association, DR..
John s. Young, former Secretary OF State, in an
able and elaborate report made the 18th Of Sep
tember lS45 to the Commissioners Of Public Build
ings, and by them submitted to the Legislature,
used the following language: Il am entirely skep-
tical on the subject OF reforming convicts by teach
ing them mechanical trades little good results
from it, When convict leaves the prison, he lays
down his cap and with il his trads. He looks back
upon both as the badges Of his disgrace and the
companions Of his imprisonment he aims to some
thing else which be considers better than his trade
or returns 10 the FecommissOn OF crime. His trade
in most instances, as ! believe, serves to better
qualify the william without reforming the Those
who would attempt the moral reformation Of tho
feloa must employ other means. They must bear
in mind that three fourths of those stained with
. crime can neither read nor write. The mind must
be cultivated IN order to produce those genial inu-
ences which are calculated TO remove vicious incll-
nations and base propensities, and give place 70
proper sensibilities and corrected feelings, RON
which altered intentions and virtuous actions muss
spring
sFhe trial, conviction and sentence By the court,
Of persons the penitentiary for violation OF the
laws, has had no restraining influence whatever on
immortality and carries little or no terror TO the mind
, Of the evil dOeF. The announcement in the court
, house yard that such person has been sentenced
! for so many years imprisonment is received with
, no alarm but on the contrary with great indfer~
ence and it is the frequent remark that il Is better
for the individual who has just been sentenced to
so many years conference.-the viii be far better for
him. He will, while there be enabled to learn a
good trade and will live better there than he ever
( did before. The sheriff then prepares with hs
guards and starts with the convict for the penises7
tiary, making rather the impression, as ho leaves,
upon the mind Of many spectators, that the prso-
> ner has done well in obtaining travelling trip OF
+ pleasure and money making business for the
; sheriff and bis escort and be in the end BE- made
> Que OF the mechanics OF the country. In fine, on
these two points, il will be readily perceived the