The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-07-02

The following report of the Committee of Thir-
teen will be Of interest TO our readers:
MARSHAL AND sHERHFs.
change is needed in the manneebf the perform
ance of the duty of the Marshal and the Deputy
Marshal.
The gentlemen who fill these two ofiicn are old
servants of the Government, and are esteemed for
their integrity and personal worth, but they have
fallen into certain routine performance of their
duties which tends 10 impair the value of their
services Instead of devotiug their energies to the
active supervision and personal inspection of the
Police Department of the Kingdom, their time is
largely spent in the petty details of their respective
Offices. The most of this detail Office work might
be performed by clerks; and competent clerks can
be secured with the funds now at he disposal of
the Department.
The Marshal should exercise larger personal
influence than he now does and the Deputy Mar
shAl should devote the greater part of his time TO
the personal supervision and direction of the force
Property interests, and the proportion of the for
eign population, have grown rapidly in the past
few years, and a style of administration adapted
to the wants OF ten years ago Is not adequate to
the state of affairs which now exist.
We would reiterate, that the blame for the lack
of discipline and efficiency of the Police Depart
Inent Of the Kingdom should not be charged to the
system or the class Of constable employed; but 10
the lack of supervising officers possessed Of the
requisite qualifications. Justice demands that we
should here remark that some of the Deputy
Sheriffs now holding offices admirable offcers
but many are incompetent.
THE PRISONS.
The objects Of imprisonment of criminals is
not public revenue, nor for the vindictive punish
of offenders.
1t is for the protection of society, and the re-
formation of the criminal
The prison system of the Kingdom has many
excellent features, but is susceptible of much i'm
provement.
One of the benefits of Oahu Prison, is, that a
Board of Inspectors be appointed TO make frequent
examinations of the prison and its workings; to
render stated reports to the Minister of Interior
and to publish semi-annnually, or oftener, state
ments of the number, and nationalities of the
prisoners, together with such other information
may tend 10 enlighten the public upon the sub
lect of the prison and interest them in its workings
and TO make biennial report TO the Legislature
with such recommendations and suggestions as
thsy may deem proper.
We would suggest that the Board of Inspectors
consist of the Police Justice OF Honolulu as ex-
oticio Chairman, and two other members to be
appointed by the Minister of the Interior upon
the nomination of the Attorney General. The
two members of the Board, thus appointed, to be
selected from among citizens of Honolulu, who
hold no other Government position to hold Office
for two years and serve without pay.
The Recommendations of the Board of lnspec-
0dors, which they may make between the sessions
Of fneIegislature, to be adopted by the Minister
of the Interior and Marshall SO far as may be
practicable.
We believe that much may be accomplished for
the benefit of the prisoners and the public good,
in the way Of classification Of prisoners, and of
viii tend 10 improve and elevate them.
There Is great cause TO doubt the wisdom of
compelling all classes and grades of prisoners to
work alike upon the public works exposed to the
public gaze. We would urge that an earnest and
Intelligent effort be made to provide employment
for the prisoners within the prison walls. The
establishment of work shops for all of the pri-
soners may entail too large an expense to be at
tempted at once; but an experiment of some kind
should be made in this direction.
The subject of prison discipline and prison re-
form opens up such wide field, that we can bare
ly touch upon II. But we feel sanguine that such
a Board OF Inspectors, as herein suggested, would
be able to render valuable assistance to the Leg
islature and the Government in submitting plans
for the improvement of the condition of the pri-
soners, and the regulation of the prisons.
The State has great responsibilities in the mat
ter of the care of Its prisoners, which are not
limited merely TO the furnishing them with quar-
ters food, clothing, medical attendance and work;
and II needs 10 summon TOTS aid the best thought
and advice of intelligent and phianthropic clti-
zens who will interest themselves in the subject
and assist the Government in solving the weighty
problem.
OAHU PRISON
The Committee visited the Oahu Prison, and
examined its condition and arrangements. As q
result of the many matters which attracted oui
attention We would state that were much i'm.
pressed with the pressing need of certain impro-
Vements.
The accommodations are insuficientthe crowd.
ed condition of the prison making il necessary
oltcu ~ pldce pIlsontEs u cell. Iutre J.
no suitable place for the occupants to take thei
meals, there being nothing but an open shed, in
sufficient in size, without floor, and having N
tables Of any kind; the water-closet arrangement,
are inadequate and in a filthy condition. anC
located in such proximity TO the eating place al
to be most objectionable: the bathing faclitie
are most primitive and scanty; and other defect
Of similar nature indicate that decided reforma
ton is necessary.r
That some of the wants had not been supplied
and evils remedied, seems inaccessible for thes
might have been accomplished with but trilin,
outlay, while the matter of large cell accommoda
tons require an appropriation.
We cannot pass unnoticed the fact that sine
the 9th day of January last, there has been M
responsible Governor of the Prison in charge
With the large number of prisoners confided ant
the responsibilities involved, this condition o