Rock Island Argus., 1871-06-19
g)ailp argus.
Yhe illinois Yenitentiarv,

The penitentiary bill, which has passed
the Illinois legislature, provides for con-
hnuance OF the present system of manage
ment, the appropriation of $3.50 900 for the
payment of outstanding indebtedness, and
$3.50, 1000 to meet future expenses. The bill
passed by a strict party vote, the radical
majority sustaining the swindle and the
democratic minority repudiauDg it. Why
the majority we presume contains a
fair proportion of honest and sensible men
should support such measure, Is mys-
terry quite above our comprehension. There
ia no logical connection between the peni.
tentiary and politics; the success of this or
that candidate cannot depend upon the con
duct of affairs at Joliet, nor does the peni
te rtiary Of the Union require that the con
victs should be governed and worked ac-
cording TO any particular penal theory.
The Penltentiary is simply state institution,
the main object of which is, OF course, the
punishment of crime. The object beng
secured, the next and only remaining ques'
tion is, shall the establishment be so direct
ed as to pay its own way, or so mlsdlrected
as to be continual burden upon the people
Regarding the code of discipline there is no
special dispute; both parties are agreed on
those general principles which experience
has shown to be the best calculated for the
preservation of order and health among
those who are condemned to suffer the pen
atty OF violated law but when what may
be termed the financial branch
of the subject is reached, then
there is wide divergence of
opinion-or, at least, of action. Up TO
within o comparatively recent period, the
legislature leased the penitentiary to respon-
sible individuals or companies, who gave
| bonds for the faithful discharge of certain
duties, and assumed the whole responsibility
of the concern, subject always to the inspec-
/ ton and criticism of a board OF commission
eFs. 1t is not contended that the leasing
/ plan was absolutely perfect, but it Is so-
knowledged by all who know anything about
/ the mater, that the convicts were well
/ treated, carefully guarded, and properly dis
ciplined, and that the State was not required
to furnish any money for their maintenance.
We do not blame the radical party for wish
ing to try another system which, as it was
said, would secure all the ends accomplished
| by the old one, and at the came time make
the institution a source of profit TO the State;
but we do blame that party for sdhering to
| the experime mt after results have proved ii
to be ruinous failure. None of the frien ds
of the bill alluded to, dare assert that the
penitentiary serves the purpose tor which ii
was designed any better now than it did
before that the inmates are better treated
better guarded or better discipliued-so nc
advantage has been gsiaed in that quarter
On the other hand it is conceded that from
the beginning of the new order of things IN
til the present time, the State not only has
not made a dollar out Of the institution, bat
has paid out nearly or quite million. Thi,
very bill which ia likely to become law
throws at one dash $3.50, 600 into the peni
tensisry pool, and two years hence there il
every reason TO believe the same thing vii
have to be done again. Figures will no
lie, and all their testimony in this business
points one wsy.-No. Rep.