Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-17


added by raising another story upon the
| present three story wings.
An enlargement of the dining hall is also
| imperatively required, At present only
one~haif of the convicts cap be comfort
ably seated while the remainder are stand
ing without, or continue at work and in
either case an ordinary sagacity can see
that both ineonveniencies and great evils
will naturally arise
Among other improvements, a much
larger and better located hospital is Of pri-
mary importance. The present one is only
some thirty feet square, with low ceiling,
| and immediately over the kitchen range,
| where both the heat and fumes from the
| culinary department ascend to inoculate
the already unwholesome air of the sick
room with poisonous efiluvia from below !;
and this is the only accommodation for the
sick and disabled among five hundred con-
| victs.
Again, no chapel for religious instrue-
tion has ever been provided, and the un
inviting dining hall, even if large enough,
is altogether an unsuitable place for a
healthy ilculculation of morals.
We, therefore, respectfully suggest that
building be erected that would combine
accommodations for the three specified
wants-say first story for dining hall,
second story for a chapel and Sunday
school room, and the third for a hospital.
To accomplish the above objects, and for
further advantages, the necessity for en-
Iarging the outer wall Is every day be-
coming mere apparent. The area within
Is entirely too small for even the present
l.. 4. Ill - IL i
and the uses to which they are put, will
convince any one of the propriety of the
suggestion.
The calamitous fire of June 81, is now
an irretrievable event. 1t was undoubt-
eddy the work of one or more criminals,
as sufficient evidence atiests, and the
closest scrutiny may not prevent similar
conhagration, yet the destructiveness of
such an attempt may be provided against
by a precautionary supply of water, and
the presence of an engine, both being in
the right place. Heretofore the prison has
always depended upon cisterns and two
wells, the latter of great depth, while the
former in drought furnish but meagre
quantity for such an emergency. The
slow process of dipping up water in
bucket is a poor provision for a large
combustible workshop in flames. But now
running water has for the first time been
introduced from the city pipes, and a
large open fountain has been located in
the center of the yard, and an engine and
hose will be in readiness for any future
use. The embarrassed condition of this
institution and the general desire for
economy, have prevented the urging of
even necessary improvements and con-
veniences hitherto-but the sad experience
through which the prison has passed, en-
holden us to urge upon your honorable
body wise liberality in reference to the
suggestions of further needs and expendi-
ture, looking to the permanency and Sc
curity of so much valuable property as is
embraced within the penitentiary grounds.
The general health of the convicts has
been measurably good, though we have to
chronicle the death of ten since the date of
the last report The diseased condition
and improvidence of many of the inmates
Of the prison will account for greater or
less mortality among 50 large a number as
over four hundred.
The moral training and improvement of
convictsare subjects that require grave con-
sideration, and however laborious efforts
may be in that direction, results are often I'M
satisfactory. Bibles and library of suitable
books are very much needed, while reading
matter of an instructive nature would
greatly contribute 20 a profitable occu-
pancy of the many leisure hours al
those disposed and qualified to read.
But a large proportion neither read nor
write and no greater service could be per-
formed in the field of human philanthropy,
than for teachers to instruct this class of
unfortunates in the elements of primary
education. The progress of the age III en-
deavors to enlighten and reform those ad-
dicted to vice and crime cannot be over
looked, and demand that your highest wis
dom be exercised in determining the best
methods of properly earring for the moral
and intellectual improvement of those now
under penal treatment.
The matter of punishment for gross neg
lect of duty, to say nothing of the greater
offenses of attempted reVolts, incendiarisms
and man.slaughter, require the best coun-
sells of those skilled in the laws that govern
the human mind, heart and passions What |
kind-hoW severe the Observation-Disclosures |
solitary confinement, partial starvation, the |
pangs of corpOreal chastisement, a prolon- |
cation of imprisonment, the cold shower |
bath, or moral suasion-all have advocates |
according to the peculiar standpoint of |
education of the various parties sitting in |
Judgment Perhaps no subject is more
difficult of solution, in the whole range of |
the treatment of prisoners, than the hest |
method of securing implicit obedience to
the rules and regulations, and the kind and |
degree of penalty attached to their VIOLA
ton. 1t is patent to the most casual OBJ
server, that where some five hundred con-
victs, supposed to be among the worst |
specimens of humanity in the State, are
congregated together, that the certainty of |
severe discipline will alone control them,
and secure diligence in labor and a proper
regard for the rules of the penitentiary.
1t is the unsolved problem of the age, how
to best manage and deal with the corrup.
tons and wickedness of our fellow-men, so
as to secure the highest results and their
speedy reformation. If your honorable
body can define certain landmarks that
can be relied upon to secure the proper
discipline of the turbulent and malicious,
by certain modes of punishment as a
fnality, it would greatly relieve the re-
sponsibility of the Warden, and lessen the
public censure as to painful chastisements
when the causes and necessity therefor are
not simultaneously reported.
By reference to the tabular statement of
aad receipts, it will be seen
that the large and expensive outlay for
growing out of the late fire,
necessitates an appropriation at the earliest
day to meet the Indebtedness, a great part of
which is already past due, and is urgently
demanded. Some $4,000 was borrowed
from the First National Bank on the notes
of the directors aud lessees, and falls due
in few days. The practical Judgment of
your honorable body win see the propriety
and force of immediate attention to this
always pressing consideration. The direct
of $4,000, to pay off all
outstanding liabilities, and the misfortunes
incident to the late FIRE, interfering with
the income of the convict labor, compel |
us to urge that amount as ofimmediate
necessity. We would further suggest that
The earlier the day the contemplated ex-
tension of the walls and other improve
ments can be commenced if determined
upon, the better, in view Of the pleasant
foil u-aathar for x-orl- ORC tho not ond |