Daily Republican., 1880-06-07
THE QUAKEk CITY.
Philadelphia Facts and F1ncies-
I'm Favor Of the whipping Post
Personal Gossip, &c.

! In EhVOf Oh tn0 WnBpplnK Post
Personal Gossip, &c.
Special Correspondence Of the REPUBLICAN.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, June 7, 80.
People here often indulge in caustis
filings at the Delaware whipping post
The crack of the "relio Of barbarism, "
resounding from the backs of criminals
as they hug the post in New Castle
jail yard, has often made the average
Philadelphian's heart bleed, and has
caused the idea to become 60 deeply root
ed that Delaware folks are cruel, un-
feeling people. They don't reason the
case in reaching such a conclusion, but
form their opinion on the ground that
1t isn't right. Why, they will not
state. What, therefore, must have
been the surprise of those people,
when, on Saturday last, one Of their
juries came into Court with recon-
msndation that the whipping post BE-
introduced in the Keystone State
The jury in making its recommenda.
tion spoke Of the crowded condition of
the prisons, particularly the county
prison, where prisoners are generally
sentenced for short terms. The jury
believe this overcrowding to be occa-
stoned in great measure by idle per-
sons who voluntarily commit some Of
Tending crime for the purpose Of getting
comfortable quarters with nothing to
do, while they should be out earning
an honest living for themselves and
those dependent upon them.
The jury therefore suggests the en-
actment Of q law by the Safe Lsgisla-
ture which would allow a mode of pun
ishment, subject to the will of the
Judges, to criminals for a second and
subsequent o9ense similar to that now
in vogue in the State Of Delaware, as
the best mode of overcoming the pre-.
sent evil OF overorowded prisons.
In reply, Judge Biddle, to whom the
report was made, said he did not be-
lieve in the whipping post and he did
not think that 1t would be for the well
fare ofthe community to revive such bru
tai mode Of punishment. 1t was against
the spirit Of humanity of the age and
had been abolished years ago in Penn.
sylvsnia. The severest punishment
that could be inflicted upon the class Of
offenders to whom the grand jury refer
red would be to make them work, and
that could be far better accomplished
by the adoption at the prisons of the
system of the Eastern Penitentiary
than by any other prison discipline.
"THE EVENING EEwn."
Among the Philadelphia papers
which appear to be meeting with sue.
cess, and which Justly deserves its pros
petty, is the "Evening News" 1t was
started some months ago, and at two
cents copy has hurt the circulation of
the big afternoon dailies like every
thing. 1t is bright, uewsy, enterpris.
ing and well edited, and since its es-
tablishment by Z, H. Nevin, Jr., who
knew just what he was about, it has
become very popular. Good taste has
been shown by the management in
making that good and enterprising To-
cal worker, H. Grafton Donnelly,
its city editor. Donnelly made
record on "The Press" before they be-
gan to shake things up in that Office.
He is the author, though very few
know it, of that clever pamphlet, pub
lished months ago, entitled, "The COM
ing Crown" 1t is one of the keenest
pieces of satire out.
PERSONAL.
Lots Of Whining ton people remember
Charles T. Crutehfsld. He was there
some years since and made O'Byrne's
Morning Herald" popular despite
what he had to work against. He now
has position on tho "Record's" editori-
al staff.
DR.. R. Shelton Mckenzie, who will
deliver the address before RRgby Asad-
emy at commencement in Wilmington
On Thursday evening, lives quietly at
his pleasant home on Locust street;
He is a true type Of the cid Scotch |
and still does good bit of
literary work. Young writers always
ind in him friend. II he speaks half
Is we'll as he writes, those who attend
he Commencement will receive quite
reat. B.s,B.