Amador weekly ledger., 1858-03-13
state Prison.

State Prison, and has inaugurated some ex-
cellcnt reforms in its management. He says
a Branch Prison is absolutely necessary, and
we suppose that one will probably be built at
Folsom. The following address Of the Gov
ernor to the Prisoners was read in the prison
every morning for week.
The Governor Of the State, who has for
the present the control Of the prison, deeply
sympathses with the unfortunate men who
are now incarccrated in the prison, because
OF their violation OF the laws of the land
He is disposed to do everything in his power
consistent with his duty as Chief Magistrate
of the State, to ameliorate their condition,
aud reclaim them, if possible, back to the
paths of virtue. Having understood that
the most nhuman punishments had been in
flicted upon them previous to his taking pos
session Of the prison, he has ordered that
as soon as dungeons are provided, corporeal
punishment for the present should be aban-
doned, and that no officer or employee should
be allowed TO strike convict unless in self
defense, or to prevent an escape. He has, also
directed that they should be treated with all
the kindness consistent with their security,
and every proper effort made to induce them
to reform. He has given orders which he
doubts not will very materially mitigate their
sufferings. He trusts that these changes will
have a salutary effect upon the prisoners and
that they will show, by prompt compliance
with the rules Of the prison, that they proper
ly appreciate his clemency. Many Of them
are young men, still in the morning OF life,
with brave and generous impulses in their bo-
SONS, and capable Of becoming useful and
honorable members of society. A few years
of honest, upright conduct will remove the
stain which imprisonment has attached to
their names. The world although not gener-
ally charitable, always respects honesty and
integrity. Those of the conyicts who faith
fully observe the rules of the prison, and give
satisfactory evidence Of reformation by their
good conduct, will at the expiration of their
term of service be restored to that right so
highly priced by all Americans-the right OF
citizenship. This will aid them in getting
immediate employment, and assist them in
their efforts to lead an honest life. Those
who attempt to escape or violate the rules of
the prison, have nothing to expect at his
hands The record of their conduct will be
carefully examined before he restores them to
any of the rights forfeited by conviction
They must be discouraged from making APP
plcations to the Executive for pardons. This
power will only be exercised in extraordinary
cases, and upon the most satisfactory proof
that public justice demands it, He has no
power under the law, to consider any appli
cation for pardon until notice has been Civ
en- to the Judge before whom the convict was
tried, for thirty days. and published in a
newspaper for twenty days. This be dare
not violate or waive 1t is useless therefore
to address him on the subject.
The STATE PRlsoS, AND WHAr THE LEGIs
LAruRE Is DoISG.-0n this subject the Sac
ramento Union says - 1t is something
gained TO be rid Of SO disgraceful a customer
as the San Quentin ogre, even on the costly
terms at which we are squaring these old
scores. There is disposition in the Legis
lature to allow the payment Of the arrears on
the contract. Meantime. the special commit
tee charged with the construction Of gener
al law for the government of the State Pr's,n,
to supcrscde the one passed on Friday, are
making due progress, we are informed They
viii probably frame bill appointing Board
Of three Inspectors to reside at the Prison
(which it is proposed to remove from San
Quen tin TO within the mining district. as soon
as j. can be done without prejudice to the
public interest), giving the actise manage
ment Of the prison to Wardens. and conform
ing its details to the best systems in practice
in the Eastern States. The contracts for
supplies will be awarded to the lowest bid
ders and it is roughly estimated that the
expense to the State of each prisoner need
not exceed ffty cents per day. and that in
two or three years the institution may be
made self-sustaining
singular Confession or MuRDER-Com-