New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-25
4 EEW TREATMENT fOR CRIMINALS.

In The Irish Times We find an account OF q
treatment of criminals so new, so surprising,
and successful, as to be worthy of especial no.
tice. About 10 years ago Government secured
the title to 40 acres of land, at Lusk, ID miles
north of the City of Dublin, overlooking Dub
lin Bay, and beautifully wooded country.
The object was to make an experiment with
convicted criminals in redeeming land and in
carrying on a farm. This was to be by what is
termed the intermediate system" For many
years the land had been a common; part
was swampy, much of the surface had been re-
moved by neighbOring farmers, and it was OF
little value. gang of cOnvicts was brought
on, and, under judiciOUs managers, the land was
drained, the subsoil brought to the surface,
manure was applied, and also lime to correct
the acidity; houses, barns, and Outbuildlngs were
erected, and, finally, the tract has been brought
10 a high state of fertility. There are about
60 acres in grain, 40 in choice meadow III
root crops, in vegetables and the remainder
in pasturage. So good is the farming that this
wear. while crops throughout Great Britain are
below An average. the crops Of the cOnvicts are
above. The productions consist OF fat CATTLE
hogs, grain, and considerable milk and butter
and as they have a surplus it is sold at high
prices
At first it was proposed to have police depots
around the farm, to prevent escapes and 70
punish violations of orders I; but this has not
been done and, instead, few warders are EN-
Moved who act more as OverseeTs and man
aocr, than "a sentinels. The order of the day
is as follows: o'clock a. M, bell ringing when
the beds are made; $50, officers parade; 6,
breakfast; $780, parade; to 12y work, then
dinner; / to >, work; 8, supper, followed by
lectures, prayer, lock up, and bed. AT the lee
lures the criminals receive instruction in ele-
meutary studies and on social and moral sub
jects and in particular regarding the ma
tural results which flow from labor and from
vice. On Sunday they are allowed to attend
meetings in the neighborng towns. What are
called prison earnings are allowed them, that,
after their term expires, they may emigrate, or
have means to start again in life where they
are not known In the vicinity, such is their
reputation rs faithful labOrers, that at present
the demand for the discharged oonvicts from
the farmers exceeds the supply. Thus the
indolent. the stubborn, and reckless criminal
is trained to a life of honest toll, more through
announcement and hope than through cOer-
con and threats He appreciates his cOmpar-
ative freedom and enjoys the pure air and
rural occupation. There can be no doubt that
the success of the system lies IN the active
calling of agriculture, which is the foundation
of whatever health and innocence the human
race possess.
We submit that this is most remarkable
account. Ii is obviously the duty of our legis-
/. IN oct further
and 10 consider what obstacles prevent the
system from being carried out III our own
country If any exist, and II they can be re-
moved. it will be a Christian. even common
duty TO remove them. We have millions OF
acres of land which need TO be redeemed;
when brought into cultivation they Will be the
most fruitful and enduring of any in our whole
domain. Wide districts Of marshy and over
flowed land on our seacOast, and along our " est
err rivers breed miasm, pestilence, ana DEATH
and so long as they remain in their presentcon-
dition, the air of the adjoining districts now
under cultivation will be contaminated. II our
criminals were set to the task of bringing such
Iand-or, indeed. any other land-into cultiva-
tion. orr supplies of food would increase, and
a desrable end would be gained. inasmuch -
they would cease to be competitors with our
mechanics and artisans. In addition, many
who were led into temptation and into crime,
because they had no employment. OF who did
not know what work means, or who did not
even know how to seek work where il was 10
be found, will acquire industrious habits aud
taste for rural life, by which, after time, IN
some remote locality they will he proud To
live. "
IN. RenubIicsns of Arkansas will hold a