Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-07-23


lets received was l,G22, OF one in GIG in u
abitants, and OF this number there were d
G. Hl3nitRlents go. s,
In 1857 the policy was changed, the com d
lutation law adopted, the lash abolished, Ii
nc recognition that, though fallen, they were n
till men created in Gods own image with
Minds to he improved, and with souls 10 be
ayed, and various methods instituted to en-
ourage, enlighten and elevate them, with A
he following result = I
From October list, 1857 10 October LIST, lS6l, b
average population in the State,
,20o,0
Whole number of conyicts reed. Lbs
Or one in SO inhabitants.
Re-commltmenls -"
This improvement in the percentage Of
convictions and recommitments, is shown
still more stgikingly when the figures for the
first three years of the last named term Of ten
years, are compared with those Of the last
three, thus;-
Whole number Of cons lotions,
1851 10 1850 800
Re commitments %
Whole number Of convictions,
Is,;t 10 1860 :50i |
Re-commitmcnts 40
Ii is evident therefore, that the proportion
OF prisoners discharged, who arc so enamored |
Of prison life rs to commit crime for the pur-
pose Of returning 10 it, is rapidly being
lessencd.
The fears Of those who deem that this
must be the result Of these philanthropic
efforts to ameiiofatt tile condition Of the
convict, and to bring him within the reach
Of Christian Influences are titus shown to
be groundless; and we arc furnished with
proof that mercy is the better system. as q
mere matter Of policy.
Tie finances Of tnc institution show an
equally gratifying result, and one upon
which the Warden dwcls with spark Of
honest pride which reminds one in spite q!
himself. that the Yankee will have his in
vestmens PAY indollars Is we'll a. in morals.
If he can bring It about
The receipts ior last year were Slls,oll.1o
and expenditures 9l,Gbi9l
Leaving clear profit Of S2s,5lG.iG
This result has been accomplished lo
withdrawing the increase 81 salaries, and
tie advance in price q. many nti.cs q
provision, says the Warden,
:. With our present number and the price,
we now receive for their labor, even if the
cost ot provisions and clothing should re
main Tie saiae, The Stitc may hereafter
count uppA nn annual profit from the prison
oi at least So 800 The realization at Ills
announcement will he, trust, satisfactory
10 The community and readily appreciated
rs our tax payers
We should think 50, indeed. Think oil
this. citizens Of Delaware, Massachusetts
has discovered The secret Of turning her
criminals and lruuIpWs into elective Ia
boreis and producers. She takes a burglar
or 4 pick pocket, places lin within tom
walls. washes, dresses and feeds Him, and
he forthwith becomes paying institution,
! aud helps 10 tighten the burden Of tile STATE
But She does more Than this /; she makes /;
man Of him. ii is true, by the very process
Of discipline and education in labor Which
produces the economical result. that seems
to us so wonderful bnt She also surrounds
him with moral, humanislng and Christian
influences, which have horne their appro
pirate fruit.
Many persons have been accustomed Il
regard The inmates Of cur prisons as being.
I So hardened and abandoned, that they alt
inaccessible To moraland religious influences
and consequently that their reformation i
hopeless. ltsto be regretted that somt
1 pious people have imbihcd this mistaken
/ notion, and that even some ministers OF tit
gospel, who preach that the blood Of .lesu
Christ clcanseth from all sin, think il is q
no use To preach 10 cOnyicts. Some hav
4 said that they did not wish to preach in tn
prison, because they did not believe that
would do any good. So then, according [,
them, while ministers should preach tina
y puhlicans, and harlu,s, and drunkalds, an
+ diving thieves. can be converted outside
t prison, the moment they pass its threshold
. they must be given over as beyond the mel
" cy and power OF Him who has died on tn
e cross, that WhOsoere]' bclieyclh in Hi
h might not perish, but have everlasting life
u (Chaplain's report page 10
y In the same connection, the Warden say
n page l5J:--
Are we not ali sinners before God, an
docs il necessarily follow that because me
is are found inside OF prison walls that tho
=. are the only sinners, or that they are To
!, excluded altogether, or reach heaven
Y some other way or means than those of Il
o. outside world? Ten years of Observable
id and intercourse with them has had Il te
drncy to convince me that they are We
like people outside, subject 10 the same ie,
ie ings and desires, influenced and actuated
rs the same motives, and il saved at last,
ir must be by the same Saviour upon who
we all rely.
Sin addition, the convict should be 81
$, rounded with every good influence possib
be such as religious and secular instruction,
all eases, and lectures, holidays, and pri
lcges Of various kinds 10 be earned by go
" conduct But above all, none hut gent
re manly, humane, and reliable persons shot
be allowed to come in contact with him
liz officers or Instructors as much ,lependi
upon their influence, as ON all the 0tl
70 agencies united. The IDEA that it is OF lit
consequence who has charge OF these mt
)st provding that they are sufficiently muscn
We and athletic to cause them to be feared, Il
great mistake; these accomplishments ;
~ very desirable, but Of secondary cOnsidc
III tion il is brains, not muscle that is require
is They are not governed by fear, but by
in intellect, quick 10 discover and take advi
- tagc of the slighte3t failing the officer.
Is therefore necessary tlul nc snoulu DC
'a| true man, capable Of controlling his tenn
he and governing him.clf under NIL circu
nu stances, discharging his duties firmly, iai
= fully and unosteniatiously, avoiding
ny slightest familiarity, and by so doing he {
nd mould them inc any shape he pleascs
,se on the other hand, he is irritable, vacilaiil
~ open to temptation, or in any way unrel
-. lie, he will certainly fail, and confusion q
M disorder reign whercve~ fc has control."
IL have no doubt that at least eighty