The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-16

verdict ofthe guilt OF the accused. Every offender
is aetuated by different motives, Influenced by va
Individual In society his lack OF advantages, his
associations, his mental moral personal disabilities,
present system only presents fact to be ssoer-
taned The interests of society dem and that crime
has no other interest, SO far as a pa particular
onense is concerned. But growing out OF the
considerstions to the very best interests Of
society. For what degree of crime. for what period
and d causes that Induced him to violate ia Y. the
effect upon the individual directly and society in
cety finally to prejudice to greater degree
II the guilty has been punished without regard TO
ment in social condition than the feeling which
harness and injustice produce in the administration
OF justice. The first OF the dangers is the unwilling
ness to convict for crime, or the anxiety in the
minds OF juIies to except the case from the
between the extremes OF unwillingness to convict,
and the prompt conviction, in the latter case to
maintain the law by sporadic 1rmness In the admi-
nistration of justice creates disrespect for the law.
When enc Is guilty OF less crime than that for
bitrary CT fixed definition of acts crimes, which
the trial shows the accused has not made himself
technically amenable to, there is left the public
mind feeling OF insecurity and dlstrust OF public
justice. So on either hand the present system con-
victs certain portion Of offenders, and society has
however, the system Of jurisprudence was In har-
moDy with the views expressed to the CODE these
defects would probably be remeded.
"By the judicous sub division into degrees and the
consequent reduction OF the higher grades or crime,
| the assimilation OF the ofiense to the acts ana
motives OF the accused, the certainty OF, well
wise discrimination in the punishment, the dmi-
mutton Of the number OF individuals united with the
crime class, the better would 1t be for all the great
interests associated in and protected by penal egis
| lation."
That some system should be made lawful by which
the opinion OF the inspectors, and that
as to the propriety OF dschaTging prisoners deserv
ing Liberation would be effective IN producing their
discharge by competent authority, is most desirable
| The inspectors respectfully call this subject to the
attention OF the Legislature. 1t may hot meet with
favor until a thorough investigation OF the question
is made free from those objections which first i'm
| preston is most likely TO suggest.
The inspectors are economically apply wing the ap-
proprIation for repairs and alterations to the wants
OF the institution. There are from time to time new
wants, as It's population increases and these are
better supplied, in time, at less cost, than procras
tnation would render necessary.
| The Inspectors have heretofore expressed their
opinion that increased accommodation for convicts
In this Penitentiary was necessary. The increase
causes which have been noticed as tending to
crime, have already added TO our total population.
1t is not possible now to give each convict separate
| rooms, and no option is believed to exist
| by the Inspectors to receive those sentenced and
1t is earnestly to be hoped that the Legislature
will see the Importance OF requiring the counties OF
the State In which the population Will justify 1t, to
which those convicted for lesser degrees OF crime,
or otenses for which as short term OF Imprisonment
only necessary, and all female prisoners should be
Al the same time It is OF the greatest importance
| that these county prisons should be managed by
inspectors appointed for capacity and ability to dis
charge their duties without regard to any other
| sideration. Their appointment should be for good
behavior and thus appointing the chief officers OF
| selecting the subordinate officers.
Once establish this system, induce those who
the discipline should rest and require yearly full
are directly connected with penal science, and then
the Pennsylvania system Of discipline win be placed
where It belongs IN the advance OF progress phi
The suggestion occasionally made that the growth
| Of improvement will render removal OF the Peni-
time. has not iasa to attract the es notice 81 81
be accomplished in the lifetime OF this genera
| ton. The neighborhood surrounding the Peniten-
lie institutions There are now three OF the largest
in the city situated within close proximity to each
other, and also large basin for water. To remove
would avail but little In advancing the price or
value OF private property while the others remained
most auspicious influences which make public opin-
ion harmonious on the subject, bristling it must
| with pIeceaent subseq uent questions.
| When the people Of Philadelphia are satisfied,
and the Legislature fully informed ana the interest
for these changes proposed even then serious Dues
tioDs will be presented for consideration bearing
| closely and directly upon the subject.
The State ought not to be required to make extra
oTdnsry sacrifices for the benefit OF afew especially
6e SS1P9 Of % DC
| ON the 29th day OF October 1870, the Supreme
Court appointed the inspectors, with the exception
| OF vacancy filed by the selection OF John NJ Maris
| ESQ.,, whose personal character and experience In
public institutions qualify him for the responsibilities
OF the station.
The inspectors respectfully invite your attention,
gentlemen OF the Legislature, to the reports OF
| the Warden, Edward Townsend, Esq, the Resident
| Physician DIR. Klapp, and the Moral Instructor
| Mr.. Ruth, which accompany this report. These
officers have the entire confidence OF the inspec tors
ana by their ability, long experience, devotion to
| their duties, and the unpretending fidelity with
| which they discharge them, merit The commenda-
ton OF the Legislature and the people OF Pennsy-
vania.
| Mr. Townsend, the present warden, was selected
to I'LL the vacancy which occurred year ago. by the
death OF the eyer-t0-be-lamented John S. Halloway
| Esq. MIR. Townsend was not an applicant for the
position, but the inspectors, with accord Invited
him TO leave profitable profession to accept this
responsible post, because they were satisfied he was
| the proper person to discharge its duties.
The Overseere whose positions depend on fidelity
and cheerful obedience TO the regulations, perfOrIa
their respective duties to entire satisfaction They
merit this acknowledgment. Training and the ex-
perienee obtained by service yitally important
in the successful administration or this any penal
| institution.
1t would not be in accordance with the feelings OF
| the Inspectors to omit commendatory mention OF
the esrnestnts and integrity Which characterize the
abors OF the Clerk OF the Penienuary, Mr..
| Sheneman
Respectfully submitted,
RIoHARD VAUx, President.
| Attest-3OHN M. MARS,
Secretary OF the Board OF Inspectors.