Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-02-11
Communicated.
AssApotis, ND.
IAu-A- .nar 81

hNEAPOLiS, MD. e. -
| Jandeiy 10Th 1867.
The Connsittee left here on Friday morning
according to notice given that morning and
met a. the fenetentiary the Directors Of tia
INSTITUTION. As they had but two And hal
hours notice Of Our visit we of course caught the
establishment in its every day dress NV eyes
| were particularly directed to its sanatory, con
dition. The uncovered floors every " here Ere.
sented O specimen of cleanliness which bespoks
condition not the result of .hasty design OF
accident but Of premeditated aud perseyerins
sy stem; its bright and shining floors might dc
the envy of many good and tidy housekeepeefs
This cleasliness was not confined to the floors
but embraced every thing from floor to ceiling.
1t was Just their dinner hour, and We passed
ut once thro the kitchen TO the DINING room
when the same ncatncss was manifested: We
walked thro' il to see the arrangement and has
tily returned 10 the upper end Of the room as
the signal was about to be given for the in
mates to march in, Near the side door at which
they entered We're stationed two black atten-
dants, one furnished to each as he marched past
a knife and fork and the other spoon (soup
ftis day being one Of their dishes. They
marched ia single file and in good order, filling
the places AT the table as they went In, from
the lower TO the upper end of the room. When
all had catered and rcaclsed their places the sig
nal was given and they sat dow and commen-
ced eating; when all were done the signal was
given and thcY arose from their places and
marched out at the side opposite 10 the one Of
the entrance, into large yard for air and re-
taxation for fifteen minutes. This was a new
feature in the discipline which had beed Intro
duced only day or two preceding our visit.
An opportunity was then offered me TO converse
with three who had been sent from Allegany
County At the dinner table my attention
was attracted by sable sou ofAfrica' sitting
bolt upright with closed eyes, whose senses
seemed to be feasting on other than terrestrial
viands having watched him for some time and
thinking bis dcvotions rather longitudinous
my inquiries elected the fact that for some vio-
lation Of discipline or neglect Of duty he had
baen adorned with 'bsll and chain" and
that The contemplation of this ornament super
seeded the necessity Of food.
Alter recreation time had elapsed we visited
the workshops where we found almost every
variety of manufacture carried on save that of
dry goods; ''the loom is silent and ''Peniten-
tiary Plaids, are AMONG the ''the things that
utre but are mott 9'' " e'fl
In the Cabinet making shop our attention
was attracted by many articles of furniture but
the most attractive was bed stead of black
walnut, deliberately and richly carved, which
for goodness of design and ncatness of execu-
ton taken with the excellence Of the plan showed
a specimen of workmanship seen in but few
shows in the State. From the specimens OF
skill manifested by some men in this department
should they be discharged reformed no doubt
they will be able to command not only safe
anu certain employment but also most remu-
nerauve wages. One man coming attracted my
attention and un entering into conversation
with him admiration of his skill was utterly
by surprise when he informed me
that he had been but three weeks AT the trade,
and that he had never before served at any me-
chancal business.
Having passed thro the shops we viewed the
cells and found some fifteen or eighteen insane
persons inhabiting these lower regions. II is
a stigma or this good old State, that she has
no other place in which TO coniine this class OF
and misfortunates. We learned
that man had been sent here for stealing a
pan of milk somcebread and meat The jury
covicied him of ''being insane at the time he
committed the act and insane no,c his sentence
was to be CONFINED in the the Maryland Peni-
Tertiary house until he shall recover his rea
sons" This we learn was because there was
no room elsewhere for him. After passing thro'
the cells we visited the female department,
Hospital, wash rooms &c. and found everywhere
the most perfect cleanliness neatncss and
order.
Ending that the time we had allotted 10 our
selves was inadequate to Il full performance OF
the uuty hssaneu Us, anu HnNiLS 10 urrihSe
for visiting the Insane Asylum the House OF
Refuge and other places we left the building
between four and five o'clock highly gratificd
with the management and appearance of this
Institution. rp
On Saturday morning we proceeded SONG
'even miles out the Frederick road to the Insane |
Asylum. We found the building unfinished
md nnoccupied. The plan and Arrangements
Of the building are most admirable and when
will be an endeavoring monument
10 the reputation of the State as atTording a
nate class Of individuals.
On our rerurn we paid flying visit TO the
House of Refuge and also to the House of the
two Institutions too little known
TO the people Of this State; but my space will
not permit me to give an account of even our
hasty visit to; and the doings at these places.
r. y.