The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-16


appeals, is to expect denial Of the plainest practl
cal experience Of the religious mind.
congregational worship is very grateful TO the
MIND, very agreeable, very impressive, for those
who have the fullest opportunities for private devo
tlons; but convicts are not sentenced TO peniten-
tiary punishment for the purpose OF enjoying an
agreeable or interesting mode OF worship. Its to
be doubted II an opportunity for idle curiosity TO
crafty ITSELF which is frequently the wish OF those
TO whom the company OF ones self is the most dis
agreeable, can be the true basis for religious asso
ciatiOn.
To advocate congregational labor Of convicts is
to require not only the associated labor OF the con-
vcts themselves but further to uniteit with the best
appliances OF machinery or mechanical devices, in
order either TO make II self-supporting or profit
making; and when these results are reached then
created, which must destroy the former or depre-
ciate the latter The evils which are thus created
in society, both in the outdoor industries and in
vastly counterbalance the satisfaction which the
advocates OF contract associate labor in prison
attain by Its enforcement
General disturbance in social and Industrial or
ganiZatons, thus produced, is but an inadequate
compensation for maintaining system involving
persistent disregard OF science, pubic opinion,
and sound political economy.
1t is not the wish OF the inspectors to further dis
suggestions must lead the reflective and dspss-
sonate to consider the subject in all its relations to
the State, the people, and the convics themselves.
1t is with this view 1t is earnestly hoped that the
Legislature will not without the fullest investigation
of the principles which underlle this important
branch OF social science, destroy the separa te sys
tenn it is administered at the State Peniten-
tary at Philadelphia Rather protect 1t in its efforts
to fully demonstrate the real character which
doubtedly distinguishes it from other systems.
Let the opportunities be continued, that the cu-
muiatve experience gained in this Penltentiary may
make the theory and practice OF the separate con-
finement OF convicts so undoubtedly satisfactory
and convincing, that it will be accepted as the best
system yet devised for Penitentiary punishment
The Inspectors would most respectfully and with
deep earnestness invoke the attention OF the Legs
lature to other and more serious questions connected
with penal legislation, than changing destroying
what s deemed wise and effective, or accepting
what is elsewhere OF doubtful propriety in prison
discipline.
The cause OF crime now demands attention. For
many years the effects OF crime cause have been
considered. The penal laws have been revised, the
punishment for crimes has been modified. But little
attention has been paid to the conditions in society
which produce these effects. The idea has been to
legslate for persons convicted, but not much has
been attempted to restrain the commission OF the
crimes for which they suffered imprisonment.
1t is submitted most respectfully that before
legislation is perfected putting into operation a
comprehensive system OF correctional or penal laws
and destroying established penitentiary discipline
the mind Of the Legislature should be enlightened
on all questions which are SO intimately connected
with this important subject The first duty is to
obtain full statistical information as to The actual
condition OF the whole population as to crime, pau
perism, education, industry; and then it would be
less difficult to enact such correctional preventive
laws as are imperatively demanded.
The necessity for such laws would then be less
commanding, for the preventive would take the
place of the penal At the suggestion OF any citizen
who feels himself to have an inspiration, without
adequate knowledge or even capacity to learn, it is
~,
to make either correctional or penal laws for the
government OF society.
Yet SO it is, that the law-making power has, by
legislation made rules governing penitentares and
convicts therein which were only known to be laws
by one or more citizens who were instrumental In
their enactment. Such action by the Legislature Of
a great State On grave and important questions Is
unworthy the name Of legislation, however it may
be in harmony with its practice
1t will not be denied that stability, in any system
of laws relating to particular or special Objects is
more to be desired than frequent or sporadic at
tempts at change, and even If 1t Is thought such
change in itself might be beneficial. The whole sub
ject, its completeness the just relation OF its par
culars to each other, in word, the system in ope-
ration requires to be thoroughly understood, before
it is possible, from the best motves to alter or
amend It.
The change whatever it may be, frequently pro-
duces evils serious In their effects than those
which the change imposed was intended to correct.
The close observer OF the effect OF even the general
legislation OF States is forced to regret that laws
have been specially enacted which, in themselves
innoxious, have, by disturbing the interests pro-
tected by former legislation, produced Unforeseen
and mischievous consequences.
II this be true in general then 1t is more strkngy
so Of the results OF incongruous laws introduced
systems of social condition 1t follows as an indis
pltabe fact that the system Of penal Jurisprudence,
with its manifold special relations to society, to con-
vcs to crime cause and to the best interests of the
cuar without affecting the harmonious working OF
all parts Of the system itself.
Statistical Tables.
SHOWING TIE VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS AND RELA-
TI0Ns OF THE 300 ADMITTED PRISONERS FOR THE
YEAR 1867
Natural relations of convcts received in 1867
Maies. Mais aSG 81 sis Is Mses iesa N q rs fi5sa s.
Females. 6 194 Females. 1 32
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