The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-01-15
Total cash, which has been paid
COUNTY woRK-HoUsEs


In INV fret and second messages to the S1t
and 5sth General Assemblies, l recommended
the establishment OF WORK houses i'll every coun-
ty for the incarceration of persons convicted OF
nISticmPanOrs and the lower grades OF larceny.
The last General Assembly, by its act OF March
p, 1870, took an initial in the direction OF tins
much needed reform. But observation and in
QuiTy conf IN my prtCOnCeiyed opinion, that TINS
act comes far short OF meeting the emergency.
Near twO-tairds OF the conyicts in the State
Prison are there On convictions for larceny,
and confidently assume, that OF this number
more than twO-thirds were convicted for stealing
less than $50. Repeal the present statute dem
ing petit larceny, and declare that Ottense the
stealing OF all sums OF property OF the value Oi
$50 AMI less, and provide that all persons con
victed Of petit larceny, together with convictions
for misdemeanOTs, where ImprlSOnm nj IS part
OF the penalty, where the fine and costs are OF
secured, sha [ be sent t. the county work-Aouse Z,
and there kept at hard labor, upon inc puDIiC
road, or other public works of the county, until
the CNUiiatiOn of the sentence, anu until all
fines aud costs are paid. And in case Of lar
csny, until the value OF the stolen property is
paid for III labor, upon such terms aS may De
JUS These provisions applied to all cOn'ict7
in the State Prison, would prove a most JUDI
c Gus reform.
no meet the objections that small counties
cannot sustain work-hUuSeS, YOU might provide
that all counties having a population OF say
/ 900 votes shOuld establish wOrk-hOUSes, and
that those Of less population, II they eject not 10
construct them, should contract Win one OF
more adjoining counties, either 10 baIld JOINT
work-house or upon fair terms take their pris-
oners, and repay their labor either at a fixed
price in money, or by an equivalent in labor
1t nav be confidently predicted that TINS
system OF punishment would be more efectutl
than the present, tor the prevention of crime OF
the lower grades. Punishment has increased
terrors to the eyil-doer, when it carries with II
DEGRADATION, under the daily observation OF
friends and kindred. And reformation under
such circumstances, IS more likely to meet Its
mcrltEd reward.
Another beneficial result might be anticipated
The public roads of the country would be rapid
" improved. without resort to additional taxa
fFtnT, hi
country.
The accomplishment Of these objects need not
involve the counties in much expense. The
warehouses would necessarily be connected
with the county iai's, and in majority OF the
counties, would involve little or no additional
cost
1t will be seen from the report of the Comp
troIler that the costs Of transporting COnvlctS
from county jails TO the State Prison, for tae
last two wears, was over S25, OU0. BY the system
just recommended, large part of this expense
would be saved.
a stiu further saving would be effected by di-
recting that all COlviCus be delivered to the near
est prison to the point from which they are sent.
There is no good reason why convict should be
sent first to the chief prison when there is a
branch prison nearer.
Both mileage and per diem, to large amount
would he saved. And still further saving
might be effected by adopting more stringent
rule, by which excessive numbers OF guard
summoned by sheTitfs would be reduced. In this
connection attention is called to two provisions
in the Code of Georgia, page $50, Cobb 5 Digest
sections y and 2S, JO-wit:
IS CtiOn 27. Every person convicted IN any
county OF this State OF any crime or otlenSe puh'
iShable with confinement in the PenitentiaTy
shall, as soon as possible after conviction, to-
gether with a copy of the record of his or hel
conviction and sentence, be safely removed arc
conveyed to the said Penitentiary, by guard tC
be sent therefrOm for that purpose. and thereld
be safely kept during the term specihed IN the
Judgment and sentence OF the court.
"Sec. p. In all cases where persons are con-
yicted and sentenced to imprisonment IN the
Pcnitentiary it shall he the duty of the clerks OF
the inferior courts of the respective counties
when such person may be convicted and sen
fenced, TO inform the principal keeper OF tht
Penitentiary Immediately thereafter, by mai, ol
by private conveyance, when there IS no post
Office in the county, Of the cOnv c ion and sen
tence of said convict, and that he or she is de
tanned in the county jail or under guard, az tht
case may b., subject 10 the order o. the Keeper
aforesaid " and again, page 81 l. 1t Is provided oN
rule ,.
THAT the principal keeper of the penitentlarl
| shall be authorized to make such arrangement!
! rs he may deem economical and safe, for con
veving convicts to the Penitentiary, and for TIM
| service he shall employ portion OF his guard.
| CRIME AND ITS PUNISHMENT.
Our Penal Code is based upon the idea, tina
| the most certain means of preserving the peac'
! of society, is to punish these who are guilty o
| crime This punishment 10 be ettectual SHOULD
| be swift, certain and commensurate with IN
magnitude OF the OfienSe. Under the exist
| ing practice there is too much delay in bringing
| offenders to trial, and too many ways in whlcl
| final conviction is postponed and delayed.
| The result j., an unnecessary accumulation o
! ccsls and expense, and at the same time, los
| in the moral power and effect Of the law Itself
There is not that efficiency and dispatch in ar