Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-05-29
Freedom TO Prisoners.
EDITOR RERPOTER /:

! EDITOR RERPOTER =
The Tribune of last week contains
an article rejecting upon me in my
official capacity. The Tribune dis
claims any design to "rebuke," and
perhaps it is sincere, yet l cannot
allow the article to go to- the good
people of Wood county without some
comment. My silence would be mis-
construed, and possibly there are those
who might consider that I had met
with a deserved reproof.
The Tribune in the article referred
to, descants not only upon what it con-
ceives to be the facts in relation to the
treatment of prisoners in my charge,
but also delivers an elaborate opinion
of the LAW that Gin the estimation of
the Tribme) governs the care and
management of prisoners.
AS I am no lawyer I decline to argue
the legal proposition laid down by the
Tribune, !. e. e.that 1t is the duty Of
the sheriff to lock him (the prisoner)
up, not oaly fer safe keeping, but as a
puntshnaent(2) for the crime of which
he has been accused. Such propo-
sition had some force about 200 to 800
years ago. Then persecution, under
the gulse OF law ana justice, punished
a party simply because he was accused,
but [ had presumed that in our en-
lightened era, no one should be pun
ished for an ofense, until after form
al trial, proof of guilt, conviction and
sentence. l had also presumed, that
even sheriff S and jailors, were ''men
and brothers, " and were actuated by
humane and charitable impulses, and
could, with perfect propriety, without
violating any law, extend to a prisoner
certain privileges, or favors, the sheriff
or jailor being always responsible for
the safe keeping Of prisoners committed
to his charge, and also liable to prose
cution in case OF their escape, through
his aid, carelessness or neglect. It is
unnecessary for me to say anything
with reference to the unftness of the
Wood county jail for the confinement
of even guilty human beings. An act
that in some places might be consider
lenjency, would in the case Of pris-
oner in our Jail, be looked upon mere
" as an act of humanity. It is the
custom of prison officials throughout
the country to permit prisoners in
many instances, to go at large, and
the practice is extended even to the
cases of oonvicts in the penitentiarieg,
many Of whom may be seen going
about outside Of the prison walls, with
out guards or attendants, the priviI-
eye being granted because the wardens
have confidence that they will not
escape, and [ have permitted John
Sharp to have a certain degree of lib =
erty for the same reason.
To say that imprisonment in the
county jail is often the only punish
ment that the Enthusiastically guilty get'
is no argument, and is bad logic. Such
a statement implies that the Tribune
would have the sheriff or iailor take
upon himself the duties of Judge and
jury, with the question Of the guilt and
punishment Of an alleged offender, the
sheriff has nothing to do. He would
be unfit to hold his Office if he presum-
ed upon the right to decide. He may
have his opinion. but may not allow it
to influence his action. Were it 9th
wise, the sheriff might conclude to
either hang or pardon prisoner, just
as his own convictions decided the mat
ter of his guilt or innocence. Human
ity, justice and civilization have Saught
US to accept, and believe as one Of the
grandest maxims Of our law, ''that no
man shall be presumed guilty until
after he shall been proven 50, and Of
all men, the sheriff and jailor should
observe this MAXIM. Ne prisoner has
escaped from Mr.. Ward, or myself, nor
do 1 apprehcnd that any will escape,
hence [ conclude that the Tri6une's
fault finding is not occasioned so much
by fear for the safety of prisoners, in
general, as it is because Of petty an
neyance at the lenienty shown to Par
aicular prisoners. Either this or the
Tribune is cultivating a hitherto I'M
suspected ferocity and since it has pro-
crossed backward to the extent Of
advocating the punishment of persons
simply accused Of an ofense, it may
yet favor the restoration of the thumb
screw and rack.
P. MCCARTNEY.
| -=-s-s s-Gz
1t seems good to be no longer a
captive to sickness. It is emaneipa-