Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-01-15

erecting extensions to the present buildings,
or an additional penitentlary. The appro-
priation made at the last session Tor the e.
rection of hospital in connection with the
Western Penitentiary has not been expen-
ded. the board of inspectors beng unwilling
to select site until 1t Is determined by the
Legislature whether or not additional wings
or cells will be constructed.
COUNTY PRISONS.
Unfavorable reports are made respecting
many of the county prisons. Some OF them
are alleged to be insecure and otherwise un-
fit for the purposes intended others are OF
insufficient capacity and so over-crowded as
to endaDger the health OF the inmates
while the management and discipline OF
nearly all might, doubtless, be materially
improved. The policy is not asound one
that crowds together, iudiscriminately, chill
dren and others convicted OF their tlrst and
trifing offences, with men and women whose
whole lives have been blackened with crime.
PRISON COMMISSIONERS.
In accordance with an act of Assembly,
approved on the 18th Of April last, Messrs.
William II. Armstrong, of Lycoming coun-
ty, Theodore II. Nevin, Of Allegheny, VIM
NJ. Watts, of Cumberland, and Alexander
Henry and n. b. Browne, OF Philadelphia,
We're appointed commissioners Ito inquire
into the various systems OF prison dlSclp-
line as practiced In other States and coun-
tries" These gentlemen entered upon their
duties and have visited various prisons, one
of their number having gone to Europe for
that purpose. The act, however, requiring
them to report to this session OF the Leglsla-
ture does not allow them sufficient time to
do Justice to the subject, and they ask an a
mendment extending the tlme Tor their re-
port until the session OF 1869.
Among the accompanying papers Will be
found a report by Mr.. Mahlon ii. Dick
enson, who was appointed IN conformity
with an act of the last Legislature, ito
visit, for philanthropic purposes, the pris-
ous, and aims houses in the various counties
of the Commonwealth. Tt, report will
be found interesting in all its details, and
the writer suggestions deserving OF cspec-
iai attention
PARDoNs
A report is herewith submitted OF the
pardons, remissions of fines, forfeited re-
cognizance and death warrants, issued by
by me during the past year, with tabular
statement of those issued from 1871 TO the
present time. This report is made in ac-
cordance with sense of duty to the LegIs
ature and the public who have right to
be informed in what manner and what ex-
ployed toward convicted criminals. Itls al
so due to the Executive himself that his ac-
ton in this regard should be understood.
On no subject has there been greater mis-
representation than on that which relates to
the exercise Of the pardoning power. Ac-
cusatIOnS have repeatedly been published OF
its abuse, and cases have been cited in proof
thereof, which were never even presented to
mynotlce. Criminals were liberated nom pris-
on after sentence, and clamorS raised III re-
lation to their pardon in cases in which no ap
peal tor ciemency had ever been made. Upon
investigation, 1t has been ascertaIned that
custom prevails In the court OF quarter seS-
sons of Philadelphia, to reconsider, remit
and change sentences, weeks and months at
ter their delivery, and in this, much of the
misrepresentation has originated. During
the last year, as many conylcts were thus
liberated from the Moyamensing Jail as were
pardoned 10y me from all the prisons In the
Commonwealth Besides which a number
more have had their terms OF sentence re
duced. How, or when, or under what au-
thOrlty, this custom originated, 1t Is lmpos-
sible to learn but that it is liable to abuse,
and is without the sanction OF the law, seem 5
evident The sentence of convict Is a
matter OF grave importance, and should re-
ceive the most serious consideration before
1t is determined upon and delivered for
when it has become a matter of record, the
criminal passes beyond the jurisdiction of
the court sand there is no legal or cOnstitu-
tional remedy, even for errors that may be
committed. except through appeal to the
Executive. If judge can remit or shorten
a sentence. he can increase 1t, and that is a
power dangerous to allow any one to WELD.
And further, if it be lawful for the Judge OF
r no court fD remit sentences ot nj II
follows that judges of all other courts should
be invested with the same perogative; and
1t requires no argument to show to what a
dangerous extent it might be used. Happi-
| ly, the custom appears to be confined to the
| court named, as judges in other counties
disclaim any such authority.
Former Legislatures have had their at
tentiOn called to the fact that persons are
now confined III our county prisons under
sentence of death. some of them for many
years, whose death warrants were never is
sued, and towards whom the several Gov
ernors, during whose term they were sen
! fenced, could not discover sufficient cause
for the exercise of the pardoning power
| The custom has been for each Governor to
decline issuing death warrant which had
been withheld by his predecessor. Hence,
these convicts, sentenced to death, for whose
execution the previous Governors did not
issue warrants, and whom, it is presumed
they believed deserved mider punish
ment, must either be pardoned or remain
prisoners for life. To remedy this the Gov
ernor should be vested with authority to
commute the death penalty in the cases on
ly to which allusion has been made. to such
term OF imprisonment as his Judgment
would approve, and TO remove the convicts
from the county jails to the penitcntiaries
earnestly invoke the blessing of Al
mighty God upon your deliberations, and
that He will prosper your exertions to pro-