Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-10-19
THEALTERNATIvE SENTENCE.

custom OF the courts, directed by stat
ute, to impose fines, and in case these
fines are not paid to commit theperson
TO the house Of correction to work out
the fine and costs, at the rate OF 80 Is
cents a day.
The newspapers are almost a unit in
condemning this system. Their argu-
ment is that, in effect, the man who
does not pay his fine is made a con-
Wet, not by reason of the offence he
committed, but because he hasn't the
money to satisfy the penalty. In 9th
err words, he is jailed for being.poor'
and is dragged Off to prison to work it
out, at the beggarly rate prescribed by
law, while his more Opulent neighbor,
convicted of the same offence, goes
free because he happens to have the
ten dollars, the hundred dollars or the
thousand dollars that covers the pen
atty. Thus a heavy and unjust dis
tinction is made between offenders,
based on their property holdings. 1t
is argued that if one man is sent to
Jail, or work-house or prison for com
hitting a certain offence, all others
should 90 the same road, and the mere
possession OF dollars should not save
any.
1t is M deniable that much force at
taches to this argument. The emo
tions are moved by it. 1t is an appeal
to the heart. Yet, when studied care
fully, and with the impress OF the SEN
timental side fully in mind, it must be
agreed that we are confronted with a
condition am not a theory.
The law-and we think wisely does
not demand for the infraction of its
minor provisions the penalty Of inn
prisonment. Not many persons would
favor, if the question were brought to
them for judgment, putting everybody
convicted of the most trivial offences in
prison. 1t is against public policy,
It's effect would be to require dozens OF
penal institutions, where single ones
now exist. No possible good could re-
suit. Instead, the law satisfies society
by taking OF the property OF the Offend
err. He is fined. The money derived
theretrom goes to the support Of gov
eminent, but this is secondary; the
first object is to punish the offender by
making him poorer. Generally, the
lesson is sufficient, the offence is not
repeated and the person resumes his
place in good citizenship.
But what will you do with the man
who, when fined, does not or cannot
pay? That is the real question which
presses for settlement. win you let
him 90 because he is obstinate or
poor? In such a case he would es-
cape all punishment, and the effect
would be altogether damaging to soci-
ETY.. What, then. will you do? There
is but one way to punish a person OF
this sort-make him pay the fine by
working it out.
1t is the manner in which this is
done, rather than he principle, that
otfends, and there is room for reform
here. Persons committed to work out
a fine should not, in our opinion. be
sent to such a place as the house of
correction. This puts the stigma OF
convict upon them, when they are not,
in reality, such. 1t throws poor men
and women, not naturally inclined to
be criminal, onto the level of,
and into the association With,
hardened vice. As a "house of cor
rection, it is a misnomer. The name
is a byword and a reproach, but a
short degree removed in offensiveness
from the states prison itself. Would
you take to your employ or your home
a person with a diploma from the
house of correction, even though his
offence might have been nothing more
than catching understood trout, for
which same offence your next door
neighbor may have paid a fine, with
no loss in your esteem resulting?
. / We hold that the process Of falling
in default of fines is too summary.
: To the poor man, unable, immediate
3 ly. to raise the money, more leniency
, should be shown.
, He should be given a chance to earl
, and pay up like a man, not like gal
? ley-slave. As a last resort, the stat,
, should provide some decent, honorabl,
o employment to enable him to square
t accounts with it, that does not partak,
! Of the nature OF Jail OF prison. With
. so much public work that needs doing
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