Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-14

clDhne, or any Ou0TE MADE 'tOlFaEtAa tiie A1oF
al or religious Improvement OF the inmates
the buildings totally unfit for the purposes
Of prison; and where the prisoners become
schooled IN vice, and even 'ually graduated
prepared for as life OF lawlessness 10
some of the prisons the cells are represented
as contracted dungeons, into whish not
ray of sunshine or a draft of pure air can
enter, aud in which a human being could
not possibly live through lengthy term Of
sentence And 10 still others, IN conse-
ouence Of the want of proper accommeda-
tians. all classes of criminals, from the most
hardened and aged to the youth of tender
wears, are permitted to conggegate, and IN
dulge in card playing, profanity, and almost
every species OF immortality aud crime. I'm
/ der such circumstances, reformation, which
/ s the grand object of divine, and should be
/ Of all human laws and punishments, IS rem
dered imnossibie; whilst hideous lessons Of
1 vice are taught and learned, 10 be pItcticed
/ when future opportunity occurs. Ihis Is
4 all wrong, and a remedy for the evil should
1 by all means be applied. No community
4 has a moral or legal right 10 lntllct punish
ment as mere retaliatoTy measure, or m
l such manner as to endanger the health
and life Of the criminal, 10 deaden him to
/ all the better seusibilitieS of his nature, and
/ to absolutely harden him to the commission
Of crime.
The commissioners appointed "to inquire
/ into the various systems of prison discipline,
/ as practiced in other States and countries,
[ as compared with what is known as the
/ Pennsylvania system, will submit you
/ their report at an early day, from which
/ you viii learn that the capacity of our
! penitentiaries is at present competent for
: the safe keeping and proper punishment Of
all offenders Of the higher grades, and that
work houses and houses of correction are
1 needed for those whose crimes are OF a more
/ trivial character, and whose reformation
and future usefulness may be accomplished
by a humane system Of discipline, such as
4 will be recounme nded.
The Judiciary.
Communications have been received from
various parts of the State, representing that
the present judicial force Is inadequate for
the purposes designed. Since the number
Of Judges was liked, the business OF the
courts has greatly increased, with our rap
idly expanding population, and the null
tiplcation Of commercial aud business op-
erations Of our growing Commonwealth
How far relief should be afforded is well
worthy Of careful consideration.
| In one district of the Supreme Court,
over seven hundred new cases have been
| dOcketed within one year. Many of these
involve very large amounts, and important
legal principles; and their proper considera-
tion imposes upon the judges great labor
! and responsibility In the other districts
/ Of this court the argument lists are also be-
coming SO crowded that it is impossible to
dispose of the business with that prompt
ness and intelligence demanded by the pub
lie interests; and especially, wish one Of the
judges, as now required by law, assigned TO
duty IN the court OF nisj prius at Phaladel-
phia ! therefore earnestly recommend an
additional Judge for this court, believing it
a public necessity, in justice to the many
suitors, and to the judges who have more
work than should be required Of the pres
ent number of men, let them be ever SO
laborious and efficient.
Boundary Line.
Ia obedience to an act to settle, deter
mine aud locate the southern boundary line
of the Commonwealth, approved March
20, 1869, | appointed James Worrall, Esq
of Harrisburg, and Strickland Kneass,
Esq, of Philadelphia, both civil engineers,
Commissioners on the part of Pennsylvania,
TO act in conjunction with like Commits
sioneTs on the part Of the State of Della
ware.
The Governor Of that State was prompt
ly furnished with copy of the act. and in
formed of the appointment Of Commits
sioners under it, and his cooperation in.
vited But, so far as | am advised, 10 ac.
ton of any kind has been taken by Della
ware on the subject, and consequently the
work contemplated by the act above re-
terred to has not been performed
Your special attention Is invited to the
report of our Commissioners, which Is here
with communicated.
Ii Nenaorian
1t il eminently proper that special notice
should be taken of the decease of such per
sons as have occupied prominent positions
! in, and rendered distinguished services tC
the State. Conspicuous among these were
} Hon. Joseph Ritner and Hon. David r.
Porter, both Of whom died during the pre-
present administration. During their event.
iul lives they shared largely IN the public
confidence and regard, and filed many
posts OF honor, trust and responsibility, in
cluding that of Governor, with distinguish.
ed fidelity and patriotism. They we're con
spieuously identified with all the grave and
important questions Of State policy and ad.
ministrat!on, through the eveDtful period
10 which they lived and contributed largely
to shape and strengthen the firm foundations
: of our Commonwealth, upon which other.
have been enabled to build securely. They
have passed away, ripe In years and full oi
honors; and it is respectfully submitted
whether 1t be not proper for the Legislature
to take some appropriate notice Of the la
mented death Of these two distinguished
public servants.
FaYd0HS.
It has grown into a custom to regard an
application for Executive clemency as an in
dispensable part OF the machinery Of crimi
nsl justice because the Executive il IN
vested with the power to pardon, it is hy
many supposed that he has not only the
right, but that it's his Gv TO examine into
I every allegation Of error, aud give a favora.
bic response to every application; and hence,
petitions for pardon are becoming SO numer,
ou5 that the mere examination oftbem +,
exhaustive Of q large amount of valuable
time at least an hour in each case. exclD-
sive of the time occupied in correspon IeDce
with the judges, district attorneys and other
parties. Criminals are no sooner convicted
than their friends, and other interested par.
ties, who seem to think that it IS the Gov
crnoT' 5 constitutional duty to nullif the
laws Instead of seeing that they are faithful
Is executed, prepare raid upon him, and
employ in their opportunities for pardon
every device that human ingenuity can sug-
gest; and II but tithe Of the representa-,
I tons set forth were believed, one would be
led to suppose that our courts are daily
guilty of the grossest blunders, and that
justice Is far more blind than She has ever
been painted by the most skillful artist.
During the year ending December 81
I 1869 there have been fifteen hundred and
fifty applications for pardon, OF which sixty-
two, or four per cent, were granted, eleven
hundred and eight rejected, and three huud.
red aud eighty are still under advisement
For some reason, not easily understood
1t seems that public sentiment has become
perverted on this important subject Of par
dOns. The trainers of our government. as
understand It, never contemplated or in