Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-19

Cor. MAsyprssys--I see that The Legisla-
sure have again before them the subject o'
building a new Penisentiary; and that many
msmbers are much exercised in their minds as
to whether one Is really necessary.
lido not think such necessity exsts--and Will
state q few Of the reasons for my OPINION,
II the present institution could be MADE py
its discipline ssterror 70 evil doera, instead
NJ an asvlnm for criminals, there would be much
Ie.a crime committed in our State. Its present
diacinline IA creditable to the humane feelings Oh
those whose authority directs 1t; but such hu-
manitv is misplaced, and actually leads to iplus'
tice and cruelty to the innocent citizen 10
not sneak of the abolishment OF severe punisn-
ments for disobedience to the rules oftne prison.
but to the general treatment OF the convicss
Every annual report, and numerous newspaper
paragraphs, proclaim the excellent fare proViueu
for the criminals, which is, indeed lar Des'er
than large majority OF them were ever rcs cc.
cpatomed 10, when in their innocence Inc
isw reouires them to have "coarse but whole
anne iood''--yet they get all the dainties ana
many Of the iuxuries Of life-haYe access 20
the news of the day, and too frequent inter
course with their friends; 30 that there Is Dus
triHe's difference between their treatment anu
that Of the unfortunates in the Benevolent lns'i
tutions. A change in this respect az sooh as !,
becomes known among the evil disposed, wouio
lessen the number OF boarders at the Asylum
Oh Judpes err, in too many cases, In the
,.ngtb Of time to which they sentence criminals
and thereby keep the institution filled; ana as
too long service, in most cases, breaks ooWl
the manhood of the convict, and crusnes ou,
hjs hopes for the future, and embitters his near
i = aAr.aa ar
towards society, all the lenity IN connnemen
fails to incite purpose of reform when released
thus doing no service by way oi reIorma'io1
| and the object Of the sentence Is paruaily ue,
feated. Short terms and rigid discipline woulo
be more refofmatory In efecti ana woulu isss
an ma nermanent number in confinement.
4 "a. The Reform School, which is now a.littit
/ Iesa than humbug, ought to be go constructed
1 and managed that nearly all the conyicts no "
IN the Penitentiary, under 20 years OF age, snouio
4 he sent 10 that institution. This would tak'
1 ant nearly one hundred from the latter. Then
nearly ali Of those who are sent to the v; iol
oniv one wear should be transferred TO the ne
i form Farm; this would take out over hity
4tb There are now in the Ohio Penitentiary
from on hundred to one hundred and htty con
v;cta. Who might safely and justly be pardonet
out. These changes in the policy OF the State to
wards criminals would work wonderful cnang'
| In the number Of crimes committed, and sool
1 deplete the cells in the present institution
But, continue the present policy, build pes
prison, and in few years another viii De neeo
cd, for all the broken down thieves anu PICK
4 nockets in the Union will flock hlther Tor al
| asylum, when their race OF vice ana crime !
/ nearly run ont, and they no longer look iorWar'
/ N home Of livelihood to any other way.
I might cay good deal more on this subject
but viii not trespass on your valuable columns
Enough has been said to induce legislators
Iiuyestieate the subject--and that sall desire
80 -'T3FF E Ajax PAYER.