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

Another table shows the number OF 626 conyicts In
pTVate Schools, aad likewise those who never went
TO school, and from which we learn tnat q OF Ine
whole number (62e) attended the public institutions
of the State; 2-s private seminaries; and that q
never went 10 school at all. Another statement
victs received during 1S7O to have been 25s years
the average age OF 46 minors being 1873 years, and
OF heS aaus o9 SS Sea eonvcts rezs
and adults received from 1860 to 1869, 1856, whose
ages averaged 26I years, were Iliterate 25S whose
ages averaged 26 years, could lead only; 1881,
whose ages averaged 2IS years. could read and
write -,.,,
prisoners received into the penten ary was 1905 OF
whom 243, 1914 per cent, were nllteratei 247 or
1889 per cent. could read only; lllo, or 6941 per
cent could read and write. or this whole number
1911, or 1872 per cent, were qnapprentced
During the decade from 1860 TO 1869 inclusive, the
whole number OF prisoners received was 23S3, OF whom
4l0, or lT'2l per cent, were llterate 296, or 1912
per cent, could read only; 1911, or IOsI per cent
could read and write, and 1850, or sl's3 per cent,
It Is but TOO apparent, from the foregoing exit
bits Of statistical information, that some state au
thoIity should be charged with the duty OF collect
ing and systematically arranging year by year, the
facts be derived from authentic sources as to the
social condition OF the population OF Pennsylvania
particularly as TO crimes, educatlon pauperlsm, the
II is most respectfully submitted that unless the
causes OF the Influences which produce abnormal
Of societv tsef are RvesSated special iegsiatIon
10 without any real advantage TO the interests OF
society, and will be inadequate to correct these
evils, protect the public, prevent crime, punish
criminals, and practically TO educate those who be-
come vicious first from idleness, and thus become
criminal.
So short a period has elapsed since the "Com-
mutation Law" as it 1t is styled, has been in opera
tion, that as yet opinion can be given
on It's practical benefits TO the convlcts. BY
this law, the good conduct OF the prisoner
is made what may best be described as a
statutabse recommendation to the Governor, who
by an Executive order directs the prisoner to be
discharged before the expiration oft he time for
which he was sentenced by the courts The table
presented shows, that OF the 1868 prisoners dis.
charged by the law, 6bl per cent. have been recon
victed. II may be remarked that the probable pur-
pose OF this law where II was first introduced was
10 aid In the control OF Conyicts in con-
glegate prisons, whose good conduct earned
the premium realized IN shOr ened terms of
Imprisonment Those on whom the law operated
we're lDdhced 10 bring themselves within its prOyi-
sDLs Dy waIehiul oversight over 'her fellows, in
order ether 70 give notice OF intended violation OF
prison Ilies, or 10 exempt themselves from any
supposed combination with others intending 70
violate them. Be this as 1t may, 10 was a labor
saving machine 50 far as Supervision and control
are ne CcessaTy for congregated cOnyietz rbis l4y
Was Ia force in Peunsy lnauia on the 22d
daY Of July, 1863; and while gfs
cOHyicts. f6em that period TN 8lst OF December
1870, were discharged by its Provisions only 2s were
IA the san time discharged by expiration Of thelr
sentences. W
Itwli be observed by the returns made by the
Inspectors In this report thai a large number
vi prisoners have been sentenced for unu-
suaiiy long terms OF imprisonment These were
ios ct mes OF the highest grades, aud the iDdl-
Fiuuais are reported 10 be men Of danger.
Gus eAaiacler IN society. Nhel Z Is known that 10y