The Placer herald., 1859-02-12

in transporting wood and brick to and from the
prison. During the yeal. however, we have re-
captured 26 prisoners who had previously escap-
ed. To abolish the "trusty" system, which has
always prevailed at this prison, would increase
the expenses at least 81 900 per month 1t is
gratifying however, to be able to show that the
escapes are much less frequent than in former
years. The whole number who have escaped
since the State took possession Go months) is rs
before stated, 10; average number OF prisoners,
552; during the previous year there were ~ es-
capes, and the average annual number from the
lst OF Januaay, 1854, to the lst of March, 1858,
is found 10 be 64. During this period, the ave-
rage number OF convicts was 43S. Whilstwe are
not advocates of the policy Of deriving revenue
from the labor of convicts. they should he made,
if possible, to support themselves They are i'm
prisoned because they have by their conduct rem
dered themselves unfit for society, and society
ought not to be taxed, if it can be avoided for
their support. Aside from the profits of daily
labor it is decided blessing to the prisoners,
| Deprive him of it, and he broOds over his misfOr
tunes and the wrongs he thinks society has in
hicted upon him in a spirit OF revenge, until his
health is impaired and his heart becomes nsensi
BILE to all honest impulses. When proper accom-
mOdatiOns can be provided. we think that associ-
ated labor and solitary confinement will be the
best S stem. 1t will be seen by the report that
there are only small number of convicts who are
mechanics. and this OF course, operates against
the interests of the ins tuition. 1t is proposed,
as soon as the building which is now being erect
ed is completed. 10 put the young. whose sentence
has two years or more 10 run. in The shops, and
endeavor to learn them trades. In this way we
can perhaps elevate their characters iusll into
! their mines the necessity of apot, and, ny giving
| them trade by means Of which they could OBJ
tain a livelihood when thrown again upon society.
make them useful in their d?y and generation.
| How much better how much cheaper CIT it is re-
| parlpd as a question of economy to give them
| t,nIn thnn In
poor and pennless, ignorant OF any landicraft
and thus compelled to seek their old associates in
crime. and again return to pe supported in prison.
Aside from the obligation resting upon us TO do
all in our power to reclaim the nioi tunatc vio-
laors of The law, and prepare them for usefulness
! in this world. and happ jess in that which is to
come we are bound. as mel. looking TO The pres
ent and future welfare o. ihe State to use all the
means at our cOmmanu to prevent them from
again dcptedatlg upon tie community. SO lar
as the future employment OF the convicts is con-
cclned we deem it proper TO submit few obscr-
vations. The clay for the man'factr'e of bricks
on the ison ounds is entirely exhausted and
| if this b,a1ch of labo' is continued taS we think
! it should bc) land adjacent TO the prison OF
suitable cha .actc. mnst be ob''in"d Ii is pro-
bable however that hc owners. A'n2 advant ge
o. the necessities o irc State. may demand an
e;orb;tant n.ice. Tn is encl'llv the case how
ever when Government is at the me cy Of indivi
dnals 1t is not tOnbt".i. however. hat a suil-
cient number of cOnvlcS can he pr0ltably en-
ployeo in the maui actrging. say onc-ha'f The
quantity which WAS m .de during the past season.
In the meanwhile. the mechanics shOe-makers,
tailors ahi blacksmiths. will be requ red to sup
plv the wants Of the prison. Beyond this they
could not 60. even IL were desirable.
The Act creating the Board Of Directors pro-
hibited them from creating any debt or liability
against the State. Having expended in round
numbers twenty-fOur thousand dollars on the
purchase of wood for manufactmln brick. and
finding but limited demand iO' them, we anti
cipated that the whole appropriation would be eX
hausted before The meeting of the Legislature.
and hence no site for Clanch Prison was pui-
chased. A site cal be purchased at or near OIL
som. embracing. il is supposed. immense qna"res
of gra1ite, where, the construction OF c'l"l
little over a mile in len. III. fall of Sky eet
of water can he readily obtained This will al
ford water power sufficient to supply AL Inn
mense number of manufactures. This canal cah
be constructed at a very small expense 10 .he
Sta.e. and il is no. to be doubted tina" large
amount of the power hus obtained can be reaul-
| w disnOsed O. and unOn remuneratlve TERMS
| in the meaotimc the SAFE can use The water in
the manufacture o. plaJb cts end ;se clothes.
and in other branches wnicb may be found pfott-
able. Besides. in the manufactures which may
he established by p ivate enterprise employment
may be found for portion OF the convlcts. IL a
| site is purchased, in our judgment the better
plan would be 10 put up builo AZ with free la
Dor of sufficient dimensions to accommodate 70
| or 100 pi isOneIs heiO colvlct IS removed.
Then as fast rs accommodations are p>ovided,
send them up, until San Quentin is reduced TO
the proper number. This would be found cheap
er than 20 attempt to work convc.s before sale
places of confinement were secured. III 1t should
De determined not 10 purchase size, at present,
for Il B anch Prison then a 0lgcmenS snOulu
be made TO commence puildilg Capitol at once.
The Plaza can be eDced in and Temporary
building foe d ming room and Kitchen put up ut a
small expense. The cell at tDe basement story OF
the present capitol can readily be fitted up for
the confinement of the prisoners when not at work.
An appropriation OF, say $4,000 would be sufli-
cient to complete one wing o" the Capitol which
could ne done next season. sufficient amount
of bricks NIGH be Obtained IN this market 10 eX-
change for brick which the Safe has now on hand
at San Quentin. This exchange would be profit
able to both parties,
In the present crowded condition of the prison
at San Que1tin, no system can be devised Tor tile
instruction OF these unfortunate men, morally or
intellectually. They cannot be separated or
classified so as to aid those who desire 70 improve
to do SO. There should be classification of age
and character and every effort made TO reclaim
the Young and the nOvices 1t is certainly no
credit to the State to throw these men back up
on society worse, in all respects, than when tney
entered the prison. Through the kindness OF
some clere ymen we have had divine service at
the prison occasionally, during the past year;
but moral instructor, to be useful, should see
them in their daily walks. In other words, he
should reside at the prison.
II is grea! mistake to suppose that all these
men are hardened in crime, and beyond the
| reach of reform There are many youog men I'M
nrsoped who are the victims OF drinking and
gambling, in whose breasts beat warm and gener-
Gus hearts and honest impulses, and ii properly
encouraged would yet become useful and honora-
BILE members OF society. Unfortunately, however
no opportunity is afforded at San Quentin thoo lop
their Improvement; but, on the contrary, those
So disposed are necessarily thrown into the sooe-
ty of men who have abandoned all expectation of
leading honest lives. Besides, after they leave