Newspaper Page Text
JJj UtiUlMMA JOURNAL
1 H «*«r»«.ISNKli wr.KRl.1 »T
..TDII90.1 Til WE ATT,
rb K UfiM l*‘^>PlUKrc
ron,
p V)M.ARS PKR ANNUM, IN ADVANCE,
*Q r pOVil P'dlsrs *t the end cf />w» jear.
, 1* • »Mr,*or will
l**" 1
-V *" ’ * b« *o.»t io*«> f«r*»»n *tM» of «l.« 8uu, until tko
p,,,r 411 o- «iti IV.torjr rnfnnmcr |f(Y«n-
• ""...hkj .»«iii«nriad u( 7.i until* per itiunra for tkn
'••rtiiin ihfrrnfW A
null containing,
... r« • "i, 4^ tlViN r.H irolmorloJ .it7-» MnU
i *!*it« par k'|U fo fjr t»ack in«i
h>• * hr ‘t*** oftjnlUjoln in
ill 1 '!'?. laOwnrJ". .... . . . v
ibttfta ''Mmixtml
mUry, nf Atlniini*
nlrcl. rt.M git ins SIXTY
/-otto* «f thin 8tntc, nud »1
li •ale*arctn lie lie!<1.
uuat bogivcu in Hka man*
.M* Pr«l»«tiy,-mat
|' y ireiini*lo thn .lirof.alr.
„i,fJ* I | h . |) Nn «i Crn.litnra of an F.itat« mnatba publiahod
rtffjAfy : h ywill b** raid* to tho Court of Ordinary foi
<».«<>'< I,- ,,.,IU,.l«»a fqr FOUIt MONTHS.
(.,r«l* '* , C J| \|* IROK.A, mild be published for FOUR
orJ^r ahioluta ali ill be wade tbfraon by the
y I <fil 5 ' h r " f J
«ir»* • .ifi'iiakind mui*l«u«** toreceive prompt attention attbe
4 ^.V-‘UKUR'II l JOURNAL
V nPftNUUA nr M\n.-* , Apo.tmaatfrm«y
l,r .«i».M. iMi*h. r of n new mm per, to pay thr subscr iption of a
frinkth# lettfr, if writtonby hiinaclf.”— Amo* A'an-
fiT?«'
VOL. XXXV
RECEIVED AT BANCROFT’S
THUS />./ 1%
W>0 jrili. Rich ('lm<n«s,
liUO Vila Rich Alaislm Del.ainc.
i>OII “ •• I'liglmli l’riui*.
150 Not Shawl#.
•Super l.ncc Mitts,
14 Net “
dent's Jllack Kid Glove,
« - Hitk “
Soper Wool (Tlovca,
Kino I’naliniere do.
Millodgovilli*, Nor. 21.
25 to C2)
25 to 50
121 lo IB)
$1,00 to $2,26
$1.00
Ittfto'ti?
__ 1MIEL1SDGEV1LLE,
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
tottri
I I..J6
V 3 -
X. II. HKOWN annoanen hiinarlf n« a
,•nnil <l ito lor J iiatii*o of tho Pence of tlie :i*J0tli diet.
..flUldwin county, at the election in January next.
WKire authoriz* > il m announce WllsIiillRtOll
1 Stills, ot RnMwin'rowntv, «* n cntvUttaio (or Tax
r i»t the ensuing election in Janunrv in xt.
12, J. L. EAST EH i« n Can.li.lntn for
* Clerk of thn Inferior Court, at the ensuing Janu
ary election.
WR are anthori?.cd to nnnmtnee Mimtrick
HIVllIN, an a t* tmliilntn lor tlie olhen of ShurllTof
II,l.|win county, nt the next January election. If
*!-t*l-Cll\Kt v.- KXX13 ja to he the Deputy. M tf
ri H ii. t* uiinununcee himself u
Can.li.lute for Coroner ol'Unldwin county, at the
lj£& running Election.
PK.|9th,1fll3.
JUST RECEIVED AT THE
NEW CLOTHING STORE
•'Ind Tailoring Ilslablisltmmt,
1 MI.K. CluthCloakr, • |$25 n $:
1 -w 6 Super do do " n d
50 super IlcnverJFWk nnd Stick Conte, 10 n S
('nasimere I
Sntlinet
I’lniu Sn
Fig’ll «
1*1 tin Velvet
Cloth Frock nnd Dresa
Vests,
4 a b
12 2t
nnihoriaed to nnnoitnco the iiaiue of
*.1011!V \\• OUAYIUI-E.na a Candidate
for County Surveyor, ui the ousuing January elec-
U«c.9lh, 1813.
4CK SALT, largo.
R*
txXOUH—A large and splendid lot of Canal Flour, just
X T "ri vcd “ nd fur ’“ ,0 hy WRIGHT & 8TF.T8ON.
a "rtN!lliX UCT’l'Elt, nrimn arllolr.fnr anla h»
Nov.iii. WKimiT &. -sriri-.sil.N.
I'iR'il
Also, n now siipplj- or IIroiidcloths nml
Cassiiucros.
nik. numctci.iti.) »S,,er yard.
Super do. d». i! lo *1li “ ••
Blue do. ,3 u «
Mixel do. ,2 •• ..
IMk Caeriinere, ,1 « «
Fancy do. 1,53 n 0,60 “ ••
HE XT DOOR TO THE TOST OFFICE.
Nor. 21. 8 if F..W. BANCROFT.
ailOAKS-St.i'rou
J5 Orleana Sugar., furs
No*. 21.
WNEW FALL G001)S„®
330 PACKAGES OF GOOD^l
OPENED AT
BANCROFT'S,
THE HIIQEST AND AS WELL SELECTED STOCK OT GOODS AS
can re found in the interior or gkokgia.
’200 piccvti Broadclotlifl, Ciissimcrcs nnd
hUtllllClk.
Good Mixed Brondclolh, f
" Green and Brown do.
Super do do do
Super Blue and Hlnck do
Stiperiur Fnglish Cnttsiineres,
Ki:i»OUTOI THE JOINT STANDING COMMIT
TEE ON THE PENITENTIARY.
The Joint Standing Committee on the Peniten
tiary have had under consideration the various mat
ters connected with that Institution, and as!t leuve
to submit the following
REPORT:
The first question which naturally presented it-
self to the consideration of tho Committee, wa9 (he
propriety of ubolislung the whole system of Potii-
UMitiury imprisonment. They are awn re, that in
many sections of the Stale the popular voice is clam
orous for its abolition. Allowing the proper dc-
gree of deference to popular opinion, in all legisla
tive proceedings, the Committee are of opinion that
in this instance, it is an unsafe criterion. There is
perhaps no subject upon which public sentiment is
so impulsive as that of punishing crime. The
Peuiicnliary system fails to accomplish all that was
expected of it. Convicts are not converted from
rogues into honest men. The Treasury is annu
ally called upon for n .small sum to meet the deficit
of tho institution; and the muss of the people, with
out waiting to look into nil tho different bearings of
tho subject cry away with tlie Penitentiary system,
and ruatore lo us tho more sanguinary code of our
futhers. Tlie Legislature yield to the popular
voice—the system is abandoned, and tite more san
guinary code is adopted—the courts commence
their sessions, and under tite operalim of tite code
thus re r lured, individual* arc swung off into eterni
ty fur petty larcenies—the lush, liie branding iron
and tite pillory aro applied upon the public square
of our villages for misdemeanors commuted—hor
ror takes hold of the people at witnessing these
tragedies—grows into indignation at the system
which inflicts them, and the succeeding Legislature
is driven, by a popular tornado, into the restoration
of the Penitentiary system. This is not theory, but
u simple recital of a portion of the history of Geor-
WR.GHT Sc 8TF.TSON.
MUFFLE, a large lot of nil kiiuK just rernve.l nnd lor
C Mlel.y WIUGHT & STETSON.
b : :
LTkaviieat I'l.OI It. jn.-t received
mi for nl. by *" “
Nuv.21.
T EAS—Imperial, II) »
fur.(ilc by
Nor. SI.
mCKEHEL, No. I,
Mnov.21.
7iAVlH.US-Sponn.iml Ti.P
L, Nor.21 '
Camlla.ju.t rac’d auil
fir aalc by WRIGHT & STETSON.
M olasses—a i-™- lo1 ' ,l N.wAhri—a.»«dcuba
Muin.io. ill .tore ami foraala by
Not .,l. WRIGHT & STETSON.
WIUGHT Sc STETSON.
TAILS, of till kinds, and of euperinr quality, for sale by
\ kS;J|. WRIGHT & STETSON.
C OTTON BAGGING. sii|i*;rior article,,44i inch
wide, for sale by WRIGHT Sc STEISON.
•' American and English do.
Satinets, very good,
" super,
Tweeds Cntsitnere, new article,
Heavy Sheep's Gray, Vermont Cloth,
“ Blue and Blnek Felt do. for overcoats,
4000 yards 4*4 Black nml Col’d Eng. Alrnno,
1.50 to $2,00
2.50 to 3,50
4.00 to 7,00
3.00 to 10,00
1.75 to 3,00
1.75 to 3,00
1.00 to 2,00
43
3-1
do
1000yards Black and Col’d Alpacas,
5000 “ Mouslin l>e l.aine,
2000 “ Fowlaril Silk,
Super Pnrmenta Cloth for Ladies'Cloaks,
Super hlnck, blue, fix’d and striped Silks,new style,
One TIioii&siihI Shawls.
Net Shawls,
I'lniu do
Fine Damask do
“ Merino do
Black and White Coir
Super do di
Brown Half llosc,
Hosiery,
I 'ills,I 1*0 IWTOES—26 bills, prime Irish Potatoes,
in More and for lule by
Nuv/ji, WRIGHI Sc STETSON.
NEW GOODS
again uuceived
AT TPIETjSA^©m s §o
O PENING this day at Tl'dllior's, a fresh supp ly o
Fancy nml Muptlc l>ry CSootte, in addition
to hi* former large and well selected stork. The Goods rc-
ceirril consist, in part, of the following, vi*:
Rich Changeable Alapaccas, for ladies dresses.
Rich ('litis Cbusans.
Rich Striped M. Do Lane, double width,
4-4 French Prints,
Fancy Gimps,
Sup. Superfine Brondcloths,
Hrocnde Coat and Vest Buttons.
White,Red,and Yellow Flanneln,
Black and White Cotton Hose, Scc. See.
UTAH in want or
I GOODS AND GOOD BARGAINS,
would find it lo their interest lo call and examine, us the goods
will be disposed ofnt unusually low prices. Please to call at
theaign ottlie Now-York Dry Goods Store.
JOHN TREANOR. Adm’r.
Dec. 12.ff ^
JUST RECEIVED
AND NOW OPENING
AT TREANOR’S,
FaRY CHOICE LOT OF CHUSANS.
»nd a variety of other Goods too numerous lo men
tion. Pleuse call nnd examino.
JOHN TlXEANOlt.
Nov.OPth. 9 if
5000 yards 4-1 brown Homespun
5000 “ 3-4 do do
3000 “ Bleachod do
10.000“ Dark Calicoes,
10,000“ Red and White Flannels.
in) to $3.oo
50 to 1,50
3.00 to 5«50
3.00 to 10,00
10 pnlr for ^1,00
12 1-2 to 25
HI
5 &.*0
fi to 12 1-2
CJto 12 1-2
t. 25 to 50
Also, si large Mot h of Nc‘k r ro Goods,
Superior Twilled Kerseys, 22
“ Plain do 20 to 31
Lowell Culde Kerso.vs,new suparior article, 31 lo37 I 2
1000 Twilled Blankets, 0-4, 95 to 1,121-2
do do 7-1, 75
oOO superior 9-4 do. dufiii 100 to 1,50
Lindseys, Osnnhurgs, &c &c.&c.
Every variety of Goods can Im found at tho Subscriber’s,
nil of which are too numerous to mention. Pleuse call uud
nee. !\«*xt Door (o the Post Office.
Oct. 17. 3 tf E. \V. BANCROFT.
.\L\\ F.\LL ANY) WINTER
GOODS
NOW OPENING AT
S1IAIIA.VS.
J UST received nnd now offered for sale by the Subscriber,
■ Ill/e and well selected stock of Full and Winter Goods.
He respect fully inviteaihe attention of all to call and ace.—
Among the Goods received will be found—
1000 pa Calicoes, from fij to 37|
(>00 “ Homespun 64 to 25
50 “ Red Flannel 25 to 75
100 dox. Cotton Hose 12| t» 50
Silk Hose, Hairdo., Linen Cambrlek Hdkfs from 37 to $1.
A ItandsMiie selection ol Mose D’Lains, rich and new style.
Hi# stock is extensive andcomplete—the itema ton numerous
to mention. JAH. H. SHAMAN.
P.Ji. A handsome assortment of Broadcloth*, Canimeres,
Vestings, Jeans of dilfereut styles, French Duflle and Negro
Blanket*.
Gcases Leghorn and Straw Bonnets, of the lntest styles.
All ofwhich will be sold lower ihuncan be hud in Augusta
or Savannah. SIIA HAN.
Oct. 10. 2 tf
BONNETS 1 BONNETS! I
ECEIVED at Bniirroff 'st a full supply of Fashion
$1,00
R ecei
aide Bonnets for Fall nnd Winter,
Velvet Trimmed Bonnets,
Lk
do
75
Fig’dSilk do 2,01)
Velvet do 2,25
Tarleton Silk do 3,50
Silk Trimmed do 12,00
Willow, Florence nnd Palm Leaf Bonnets, any price
Milledgcville, Oct. 10,1013. 2 tf
30
AT BANCROFT’S!
*d this week.
CASES H ATH
Fur Huts,broad rii
Fusliionable Cashmere,
“ Denver,
Fur Caps,
Glar.cd, Velvet and Cloth Caps,all prices.
Milledirevillc.net. 10, 1813.
$.150
250 n 1,00
4,00
4,00 a 7,00
1,50 worth 3,00
3.00 worth 5,00
tf
New Ea\V and YTinter Dry (Voods
RECEIVED AS SUBAXTOR’S,
ForOeiHlomcii’s Wear S
rtUP. Broadcloths, fiom$2,50 up.
O “ Cnssimeres, ui all prices.
“ HutinetsandTweeds, ull prices:
English Fustins,
Hup. Woollen, Velvet and Valencia Vestings,
Satin '*
all of w hich will be disposed ofnx low ns nt any house this si
uf New-Ymk- Please call at the sign of lUe
Ncw-York Dry Goods Store.
Oct. 10,1013. 2 If JOHN TREANOR. Adm’r.
s k o .t n s.
Ett’Kcitedasmullhilnf S EO AR S among wlachart
Star UcKalin.,
L.a Surcnla.-iun,
I.a Hllann,
l.a Molina-,
rillons,
Oiprlaaonial Pi'lacipir,
Fw LA 11 ONLY.
WRIGHT Sc STETSON.
Q** 1 -31*i,|B43. 5 tf
Also, itlai'RC stock of NEGRO GOODS !
£1 UP. Plain Kerseys, 28 to 311
O Twilled do 25
“ Lowell cable Kerse. ,
* inseya, IB to ST|
Ab
supply ofNctri'O Shoes, Which will bo dispi
of lower limn any liuose in thisplare.
JOHN TREANOR. Adro’r.
let. 10.1843. 2 If
€lien|» Tailoring Establishment*
i Starch.
m Imperial
l • n ii | ■(• w dei
A large lot of Bagging.
Manrliu Rope.
Itusi
ATTENTIOWl
\\^U*rc now receiving our Full and Winter supply of
. Fnniily Groceries,
I e °* ,,,, *ng in part of the following article#:
1 , | , . ,d ^O'ernment Java Coffe*
"•MHio Coffee,
"Cuba do.
\ heguirn do.
-*»i u cn.!; , B„«;.
‘ portoriro do
' Ma*c»viido do.
o do.
Dnulila i,•lined Loaf do.
. in.
Lru-hed M ** do.
H -ybit** llavnnnah do.
H Jperm Candle*.
I, I/" 11 Sc Soil’s Tallow d
„ do. n new arlirk*.
. Sc Burk wheat FI
M Jo. I, Mackerel.
ii boelwii Butter.
• «n .' ,0 1’heeec.
''®lgatc'a Soap.
»n;l muiv nibor nrlirl.
"wb-illb.
IC43.
CS
s of fashiutiable Ca
r|MIKaitbserilier, ever tlinokful for the patronage which li*
I has receiicd since raiding in Mille igevillo, would
spcctfully infoim bis friends, customers nnd the Public gene
rn 11 v, that he lias just received the luteal Loud
Philadelphia Fall fashions.nnd is now prepared to make up
gentlemen’s garments in Ilia neatest and most fnshlonahli
style, lie w ill warrant his work t»* be done erjuat
the City, lie lir»« on hand a f»
mere which lie will s. II low;.
lie hopes, by strict attention to business to merit a ihnrc
of public patronage.
j\’. |t.—Old Clothes neatly repaired.
Cutting done with neatness amf dispatch.
He hus a Coal Pattern draftedexpresslvforlhe lion. Henry
ClVv. LIT I'll Ell HW INK.
lie will employ a Journeyman, if immediate application he
made, to whom the highest wages will be given.
Milledgcville,Oct.t», 1843. 2 lit
Hemp do.
Nail# of all kinds.
Iron uiit' Steel.
Castings.
Best sperm oil winleratreintd.
*• Fail do.
“ Whale refined do.
•• Linseed do.
New Orleans Molasses.
Cuba do.
Boot's Patent A xes.
A large lot of Salt.
Bucket# and Brooms,
numerous to mention, all of
correspond with the times, by
WRIGHT dc STKTrtON
New Book®, Novels, Ac.
t|JST RECEIVED, ‘ V’/o Tmdncnlr an Histon. nl ft
• J uni lire, by the author of “7'fce Fain fi*<” die; Alan, by
Frederica Bremer; “.l/ogic nml Mi nnu riitn," a story of thu
ICtli century; u l \fc nnd public tcrvicet of Henry Ctny\
•• The Jhtnl.tr's IIVc,” by Mrs. Gore. The FretidcuCi
Daughter**
A I.HO
“TllF. MV8TF.ltIES UF PARIS,” A Novel by Euge
NaiatIVI TlUVIil IRD AIULUHOMS Ti.u>.
(Toi'itx IliKTOX; Et.i.rx IhvilV. or “the adrentorrs of
Green Horn hi Town ami Country”. SLKKr-RlD**,
•Tho Old Boy in the Omnibus;” Al.t.isox’* Histoky, fro
tho commencement of the Revolution lo the restoration of thr
Bmutmns. Tint l.iric «•»* John C. Calhous; I'hi:
ItiioTiinir, THE WORKS of Lord Byron complete, l o-
r,.il,,. r wj()i u nttinber of oilier valuable publications which
can be purchased at the JOURNAL OFF ICE.
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 26, 1H43.
It b< comes, then, a question whether, in the
faco uf (hose facts, adequate inducement it ui*
fered for such rcmovul. A suggestion was
made tu the committee, that it might be profit
able to remove thu pti.xon to the north-uc»u*rn
part of tho State, nnd employ the convicts in the
munnfitcturu «»f iron front the oru which abounds
there in great quantity. But the Committee are
satisfied that it is by no means n curtain business,
even in tlie bauds of an individual, himself alone
interested in tho investment, and they think it a safe
rule, where profit is iho object, never to employ
pubiic ngcnlsitt a pursuit at all precorious in the
bands of a private Company. At be*', it would be
but on experiment, nnd if it should fail, from the
fact that it proved unprofitable, or from the exhaus
tion of the ore within a distance warranting Iran*,
portution, or from other causes, tho whole cost of
the enterprise would he a total loss to die State.—
Taking n view then of the whole question, tho com
miltce believe Hint it is inexpedient for the present
to remove the Penitentiary from its present loco
tiop.
Perhaps tlie Committee ought lo anticipate an
inquiry, which will naturally be made. “Will it
nut cost ns much or nearly so to rebuild iho Peni
tentiary, as to build u new prison 7 Tho Commit-
me think not. Tie true the shops were ulmost nil
I destroyed by tlio late fire; but the wall, cell build
j ing. offices of keeper and book keeper, repository
j of finished work, with the outbuildings, sheds, Ate.
i are left. Besides, there are brick enough on the
, spot for nil the necessary purposes of rebuilding;
and, n portion of the convicts not required to work
on the improvements, may be kept manufacturing
such articles ns may be most readily converted in
to money. To remove and erect a new prison will
necessarily suspend all operations in manufacture*
unless a portion of the convicts bo left in the pres
ent prison, while the others are engaged in building
tite new one, to lo which will require mi additional
corps of officers and guard, at an additional expense
..f over eight thousand dollars annually. The
Comniiiieu will submit very concisely, some of Hi
impediments, which, in their opinion, have been in
the way of u successful prosecution of labor in
Penitentiary. In tho first place, the prison was
badly constructed; this lias been a complaint from
the keeper and inspectors for years. Tho wall a-
round the prison yard, is but little protection against
escapes, and makes it necessary to employ a grea
er number of guard Hi m would ot tcrwisc be neccs-
i sary. Tito shops were so constructed ns to require
an overseer, in each department constantly, nnd
the convicts were always aware of every move
ment, bis eye was not on them. If tho shops were
so constructed, ns to permit the overseer to have
an eye upon tho movements of tho convicts without
tlioir knowledge of the fact, ono overseer could
discharge the duty which lias heretofore required
four, and do it moro efficiently. There is grout
terror in the idea of an invisible sermiuizer of our
actions, when certain uud sudden punishment is tli
reward of transgression.
But, perhaps, Hie greatest obstacle is the fact,
that tite Institution hus been in debt almost from
the time of its creation, and the result hus been
(and especially is this true of the last few years)
that she bus hud to pay for her credit, wlmt would
j be a fair compensation lor her labor, in tho munu
, facturc of tlio article purchased. In fact she bin
been comp'etely at the mercy of those, to whom
she applied for credit, nnd compelled to submit to
any terms dictated, or go without subsistence nnd
materials. It needs no argument tu convince eve
ry rational mind, that any business conducted under
such circumstances must be u losing business, Thr
plan of selling uii credit, has also burnt H great dri
back upon her resources, the melancholy evidence
of which consist* in a batch of worthies* pa
per. amounting to over thirty thousand dollar*.
The Committee are of opinion, that the pursuit
of many ot Hie branches of Mechanics in the In
stitution, has been n mistaken policy. Most of the
convicts sent, are ignorant ol any (rude, and of
course have to go through n kind of apprenticeship.
To put them upon any brunch difiiculHo learn, nnd
requiring materials which arc costly,| is n losing
business to llio Institution. The Cnnnnilteo are
j ol opinion that ali those branches, using costly ma
| tcrials, and icqniriiig skilful and faithful mechanics,
| ought to lie abandoned. Tlio Committee, believe,
itiai another circumstance, which has prevented
our Penitentiary from vicing with similar Institu.
tions in her mechanical labors, has been the limited
period lor which most of her convicts have been
j sentenced. By the time they learn a trade, and
become useful to thu Institution, tlu ir sentence ex-
, pircs, and they go out. This makes it little hotter
than a shop ol apprentices,all the lime wasting ma-
tonal, and putting up rough jobs. By referring to
tho reports of the Prisons of the most of the Nor.
them and Middle States, we (yid the term of sen-
li longer, than in Georgia for similar
i offences. 'I wetity years with them is a very com
mon sentence, ami many are there sentenced for
I life, lor ofience* which in Georgia, would not sub
ject them to more Hun four or five years. The
j Committee also think there is a disproportion in tite
terms of sentence for some of the offences known
; to our code, and have submitted a resolution,diroc-
| ting the Judiciary Committee, to report a bill re-
I medial of that evil.
| It may be expected of the Committee, that they
i will roco-nmcud some definite plan of operations to
be pursued in the Institution for tlie future. Tiie
impracticAhility of this however, most bo apparent
to every reflecting mind. The little time allowed
to the Committee to investigate the subject, in the
: midst ol their duties in attending on the daily pro
ceedings of the Legislature, may enable them to
discover defects in tho plan heretofore pursued,
I and create doubts a* to tho expediency of others
suggested. Mure than this, it cuunut do.—Ex
perience alone can tost the policy of any change
iiicli may be made ; nnd those immediately
Among the many evidences that distinguish
the civilized from the sa>ngo state, the mode of
punishing crime is perhaps not the least prominent.
With the one. it is the source of grutulaiion and of
joy; with the oilier the melancholy testimony of
the frailty of man. Tho mind untaught by the
lights of civilization, and unsanclified by tiic Gos
pel of truth delights in nothing so much us the shed
ding of blood—prizes no skill so highly ns that
which separates soul uml body with most torture to
its victim. While man restored to himself, by the
truths of scienco and the ministration of the Word,
regards punishment us a melancholy but necessary
evil, inflicted upon society by the depravity of hu
man naturo, nnd seeks to ascertain that mode, which
while it answer* best tho end of its adoption, is
most likely to bring back the offender to a place
in society. To this end the Committee are of opin
ion, that tlio Penitentiary system, properly regula
ted, is the best which experience has been able to
devise- The Committee will here remark that he
who expects by any system of punishment, to re
form all who may full within its influence, is asking
moro than human institutions will ever he able lo
accomplish. Mun in his best estate, is hut o per-
orsc being; and when nurtured in crime, and har
dened in villany, becomes a monster rarely reform-
d short of a power omnipotent. If, however, by
tlio system we have adopted, less sanguinary in its
haracter, but more certain in its execution than
tho ono which we left, wo kIiiiII he able to restore
to society ono of every hundred uf tho unfortunate
victims of crime, is it not beiltr than tlmt so ma
ny should be hurried from thu stage of life so little
prepared for such a change.
But there are those who regard this ns a question
simply of dollars and cents—-to such the commit
tee would submit u few observations. The Peni
tentiary has been in operation about twenty six
ears, and has cost the State, on an average, twelve
housutid dollars annually. Without now discus
sing the question whether this may not be remedied
by a thorough change in tho operations of tho insti
tution, let us see what wo shall gain in a pecuniary
)int, by its abolition. No one, we presume, will
advocutc the propriety of abandoning all punish
ment for crime; if, therefore, we abolish Peniten-
mry imprisonment, we only bring tho common
jail* of the different counties, tlio more into requisi-
ion. The Committee regret that they have not
the means of ascertaining, with something like cer
tainty, the incrcused expense to the different coun
ties, which will necessarily ensue upon tlie aban
donment of this s)*'.cm. From tlio best estimate
they have been able to make, they suppose it will
not fall mucii short of ono hundred and fifty dol
lar* aumiully to each county, making within u frac
tion of fourteen thousand dollars to the State. Nor
is this tlie only item ol additional expense which
must follow tlmt result. Every one at all acqualn- I tence is m
ted with thctiiul of offences, requiring a full pan-
d of jurors, will have an idea of tho cost to the
ountry in time and money, of every such trial.—
When tlie criminal upon conviction is sent to the
Penitentiary for a term of years, there is at least a
spite for that length of lime from uny further ex-
pense for trying him, us well ns from his depreda-
ions upon tho honest inhabitants of the country.—
Whereas by any -other mode of punishment, which,
however sanguinary in its character, (short of tak-
_ life) must necessarily he temporary in its dura
tion; you leave tho felon not likely to he improved
in his morals, and subject lo he tried ut the next
term of the court, which may sit within the circuit
of his lawless operations. A sain, under anyother
system than that, which like the present, makes the
xpenso of the convicts, the common debt of the
country, you cannot make an equitable distribution
of the burden among the people. There must he a
venue fur tho trial of offences, and the constitution
hus provided, uud w idely so, that it shall ho in the
county where the ci lino is committed. Experience
has shown thut those men, who have studied in the charge of the Institution, can best make the experi-
acliool of vice ore generally too shrewd to practice i me nt. A suggeaiior. was made to the Committee,
NO 13.
labor of our convicts, we relieve tlmt large and re-
'pectable class of our citizens, the mechanical pro
fession, from competition with Penitentiary labor,
and that contact with degruded mechanic* which, to
some extent must occur, so long us wo continue
annually to turn them out to earn their bread by
lie trade w hicli serves as tho budge of their dis
grace.
The Committee arc satisfied that the manufacture
wool huts, may he carried on profitably with
portion of the convicts.
They learn from an intelligent source, thM any
quantity of wool muy ho purchased in tho West, ut
from 20 to 25 coins, and transported here at4 cents
per pound. ]t is a trade easily learned, and
tho cost of tho^. necessary tools, is a more trifle.
By making a good article, uud putting it in nmiket
at u fuir advance upon materials lor tho lubor he.
stowed, would warrant a ready conversion into
cush ; and the lightness of the article, would war
rant transportation to uny point where the market
might invite.—Tlio Committee are also, of opinion,
thut u tun-yard muy he advantageously connected
will) the Institution. Thc&o uro the speculations
of ilie Committee, founded upon such data as was
within their control, the truth of which must at lust
depend upon the experiment.
Tho Committee considered the propriety of di
recting tlio labor of the convicts to woiks without
Hie Penitentiary ; uud also, ol converting tho pun
ishment from hard lubor, to solitary confinement
without labor. They u*e satisfied that neither cun
bo done, without such violation of law, us to enti
tle the prisoner to his liberty. They are sentenc-
ed to M hurd labor in the Penitentiary of this State,*’
and cannot ho compelled under thut sentence to la
bor elsewhere-
It is lawful to make any change in tlio sentence
of u convict, which lessens tlie rig »r of his sen-
tenco; but nut otherwise. It miglit possibly les
sen that rigor by ptitiing them to lubor elsewhere
limn in tho Pcuitcntiury ; hut at the same lime, it
might increase tlio hazard to their live*, by increas.
ing the facility for escape. Again—if wo once de
cide that they can ho legally taken from tlio Prison,
Ibr ono purpose, may they nut ho taken for
any purpose ? Who is to decide which is less, and
which more rigorous tliun the sentence authorises?
But is it leas rigorou*, lo confine them solitary with
out labor, than to keep them nt hard labor ? The
Committee think not, Purudoxicu! us it may seem
the lubor of the convict is u portion ofliis piiviicge,
under his sentence, of which he i nnnol he legally
deprived. Fliu Commiitt e uro ol opinion that a
portion of tlio convicts may he employed profitably
on works discount clod with tho Penitentiary, and
and liavo reported a hill to so change tho sentence
in iuturc, as to utitiiorizo the Governor to diiect
such change of labor.
i lie Committee examined into the financial con
dition of tho Institution, uml find it largely Indebted
to different individuals, with small iiicuns lo meet i s
indebtedness. Many of those debts have been
standing lor years, nml the creditor* are curncstly
entreating that some provision he mndo for their
payment. The Committee are sutMied tlmt tlio
Institution can do nothing of itsell towurd their pay •
ment.
their schemes in tiie immediate vicinity of their
homes; hut pounce down upon somo unsuspecting
neighborhood, where suspicion wiil not ho likely to
rest upon them—thus, on apprehension, imposing
the whole cost of their conviction nnd punishment
upon a county in no way interested in, or respon
sible for them. In ibis way u lew counties of the
Stale may be driven loone of two nltermitivcs, ei
ther to bankrupt tiieir treasuries in tho trial of of-
that a factory, for the fabrication of bagging from
j cotton, would he very profitable, and might be ex.
1 tended so fur ns to employ most cf the convicts in
, its attention. The Committee took some pains to
; ascertain what would he the cost to put such a fan.
1 lory in operation, propelled by a 40 horse power
i engine ; and came to the conclusion, that exclu
sive of tho lubor of the convicts, it will cost within
. a fraction of $12,000. The Committee are satis-
By exhibits furnished (he Committee by the of
ficers in elm i go of the lust Minion, it appear?, that
there is now due to individuals thirty .five thousand
dollars Due to tile Institution in prper, consider
ed collectable, three thousand dollars. Of finish,
ed work on hand,nt nmtked prices $14.000. Slock
on hand (deducting $1,100 d ;strnyed by the fire)
$17,000. It will he rendibi perceived l»v tin#
showing, that the Legislature'must make provision
for the payment of the debts, or they will gn unpaid.
The Committee have conclu le I to ask (or the ap
propriation of thirty-two thoiwutid dollars lo pay
the debts, that being tlio amount of Hie indebtedness,
deducting tho three thousand dollars in good pa-
perdue to the Institution; and which they think
should go to Iho payment of debts. It may he ask-
ed bv somo, why the finished work on hand may
not also he set apurt to pay debts. In the first
place, the Committc are satisfied that tho most of
the articles are such ns cannot tie readily converted
into money, and if foicedupon tho mnrkct, must he
soldnl great sacrifice. Ami again, if wo take
from the Institution, ali her assets, we Icavo her
without the meant of subsistence. It must ho re-
collected, that the Into fire destroyed all the simps
and tools. The next year will ho occupied chiefly
in re-building tlio Institution, and will manufacture
comparatively little for sale, Thu Committee ore
decidedly of opinion, that the appropriation for this
purpose ought to he granted by the Legislature.—
The State is bound by every principle of moral
honesty to pay tho debts of the Penitentiary con
tracted in good faith. The State lias acquiesced
in the course heretofore pursued by the Institution
in contracting debts, ha* mnde the necessity for
much of its indebtedness, by leaving it without tlie
moans of subsistence, lias assumed the guardianship
of the Institution by passing one of the moitexirn-
rdinary acts, perhaps upon record, allowing it to
sue, hut prohibiting it from being sued, evidently
implying thereby*that she, thu State, would do
voluntarily, what the Penitentiary would he com-
pcl/ed to do, if left to its chances in a court of law.
Thu Committee are also of opinion, thut our true
interest requiric* us to pay those debt*. The Com-
mitteo have already stated, that the embarrassed
condition of the Institution, has been one of the chief
difficulties in the wny of its property. If the Log.
Llaturu now refuse to pay, that embarrassment
will be increased. Let no member console hi in so'f
with tho idea that tin abandonment of the system
will relieve us of this embarrassment- Thu system
is not to hu shaken off in un instant. Some of the
convicts are in for life, many for u long tetm of
years,tlio Penitentiary must operate till these sen-
tences be cxpcutcd, whatever be the code in force.
Wo have 817,000 of stock, of hut little value in its
present shape, and which cannot he worked up.
without the purchase of other materials logo with
Again, if the Legislature adopt the report of
tlie Committee, so far as it recommends the con
tinuance of Hie system, it is all important. Hint tho
debts should he pai l, ami tho Institution relieved
from ull embarrassment-—We propose to moke on
experiment by a change of operations in thu Insti
tution, let us not make that experiment with tied
hands !
t'onces, nnd feeding offenders, or to suffer viulutors : fled, from culeulutions which they made, nnd from
nf the law to pursue with impunity thiir unholy nvo.
cations. Tho cnimnitteu, for tlie.su and many oth*
er reasons which might lie urged, uro iiio.I deci
dedly oppo-cJ tu thu abandonment uf the Peni
tentiary System.
The next question which occupied the attention
of tho Committee, was the expediency or inexpedi.
ency of removing tho Penitentiary from its present
location. Upon enquiry they ascertain that to re
move the convicts and erect a prison on a new site
with the necessary shops and fixtures, will occupy
two yenu time; nt an expense for subsistence and
pay of officers nnd guard, of over 17,000 dol
lars Annually. In connection with this, when we
lake into account tiie cost of transportation, and the
loss upon materials now on hand, together w ith the
delay in many of Iho branches uf mechanics, for Iho
want of sca-oned timber nt tho new prison, wo may
safely coocludo that the whole cost of removal
wiil not full short of fifty thousand dollars.
conversations with intelligent gentlemen, acquaint-
I ed with the business, that such u direction of the
1 tabor of the convicts would result in handsome pro
fits to the State, But there is, to the minds of the
Committee, one almost insuperable argument
against it, its constant liability to destruction by
fire. The grout quantity ofcombustible materiul
always nt hand, the facilities offered tho convicts
in their access to all parts of the building, would
offer daily opportunities to such us malice might
prompt, to communicate a match.—In this, how.
ever, the Commiilec may be mistaken,'nnd if so,
ire of opinion that the enterpri’/n is worth the
hazard of an experiment. If successful, several
very desirable objects will Iiqvo boon accomplished.
In the first place, the Stole will, w hile making pro
fit from her convict labor, be annually consuming
large quantities of her great staple, and taking n
decided step tow ards asserting her independence
■f foreign markets. Again, by thus directing thu
In view of the rebuilding of tlie prison, the Com.
inittec ask an appropriation of eighteen thousand
dollars, (or the purchase of materials and subsis
tence for the next two years, The Committee are
satisfied that this appropriation is not as much as
the interest of tlio institution requires ; hut us they
nre under the nec-ssiiy of asking so much for the
payment of its debts, they concluded to nsk fur no
more for the purposes of rebuilding tlie prison nnd
furnishing subsistence, than is absolutely ncccssa-
r y-
The Committee, bv their sub.Committees, have
examined tho bonks of the institution, together with
its police, and the cause of the lute fire. Tney
find the books of the institution kept in accordance
with tho requirements of the law, aud nro satisfied
that tho hooks and abstracts furnished the Coin,
miltce appointed to examine into the police of the
institution, nnd the cause of the lulu fire, report,
that us far ns they have been ennhled to ascertain,
i the officers and gunrd have been prompt and vigi
Uni, agreeable lo th- general regulations. They
-re satisfied that the burning ttu brought -bout by
a -loir match in '.ha harneaa -hop, a-t by the con-
viols. They find upon -lamination into the cor
poral punishment in the Institution, that in ordinary
canes, the convicts linve not been more severely
punished than is usual in such cases. They examin
ed th-convicta suspected uf the burning and find
that they had been severely punished, hut not more
■o than their character in the institution, connected
with this uffonco authorized. All of which is most
respectfully submitted.
It EPOItT OF TIIE MINORITY COM Jilt TEE ON
TIIE PENITENTIARY.
The minority of tho Committee on tho Peniten
tiary, beg leuvo to eulimii the following
REPORT
After having devoted much time and labor in tlio
examination ol tho affairs ofthis Institution, tho mi
nority of your Committee have felt desirous tu con
cur with the majority in their opinions and recom.
inendaiions, nnd extremely regret that their sense
nf public duly, as well as their view, of the perma
nent policy and true interests of the Slate compel
them, in part, to dissent.
The great objects of all criminal law are the pun
ishment nnd reformation of offenders. The Peni-
lenil' nlury system ha, been adopted to accomplish
these ends ut tho loast possible expense to tho pub
lic, It is doubtless hud Its origin also in the most
extended benevolence and in thoae kindly aympn.
thie, of our nature which prompt to tho abrogation
of ull lltoso cruel and sanguinary punishments that
have marked the usceiidoucy of despotic end arbi
trary power in every age of tlio world. Having
become the settled policy of this and other Slates,
it ought nut he disturbed except fur grave and seri
ous considerations.
li is not to he disguised however, tlmt theexper.
imont in Georgia hus thus fer proved a partial fail,
uro. The institution has not lincl the predicted sal
utary effect opt n the morals of the people, cither in
the prevonliun of crime, or the reformation of tho
unfortunate criminals. The decrease of the num
ber uf rite convicts, appearing from tho last report
of the Principal Keeper, lias been mainly caused by
the number uf deaths that occurred during tiie pro.
vailing sickness nf tho past season and not by the
Cliiniinilioii of crime, or iho lessened number of
convictions in the State.
In tlio pecuniary point of view, the operations of
the system have been even less satisfactory. In
deed. it has been us an eating canter upon the body
politic, tlmt has well nigh reached tho heart of tho-
Treasury itself.
The institution was established in the year 1816,.
and with scarce a solitary exception, from that time
tu this, its appeal has coine annually In tho Gener
al Assembly for aid. The average yearly deficit,
is stated iti tho report of the Principal Keeper, at
about 812.500. making during the 27 yeas ol its
continuance, the enormous sum of three hundred
thirty-seven thousand and fee hundred dollars!
Even now, it comes before the Legislature, with an
indebtedness of nearly thirty five thousand dollars /'
in claims which must he paid in order to sustain tho
honor nnd integrity of the Slate.
Nor is this all. The last report declares the Ion.
res in tho Inst three years and nino nnnihs, tu be
only 87,821 SO. This, in the opinion of your mi
nority, is wholly delusive. By comparing tho
items in that report with those in former years,
your committee Imvo observed a vory largo increase
in the material, stock and manufactured articles,
on hand. They arc reported nt 844,452. Theso
if tlio experience of former yours bo taken ns a cri
terion, must ho s, Id nt a honvy sacrifice—perhaps
ut half their estimated value—and to tlmt extent
must tlie actual losses ubovo mentioned ho increas
ed.
The losses of 1840 ulonc, nro estimate nt 817,-
200 55! ludeen tho whole history of the concern
has been one of accidents aud mismanagement.
Twice hits It been partially consumed by fire—ul-
ways has it been in debt—always craving for mo
ney. It has by turns been under the control ol ev
ery party—nnd enjoyed every degree of capacity
in ilie mun who Imve managed its nfluirs, and yet.
the re-,ill has been uniformly thu same, to w it: re-
pouted disaster and increased indebtedness—and
after the expenditure of nearly half a million ol dol
lars, the Suite has at this time left only a mass of
unsaleable articles, tho cells aud mouldering walls,
tl,rough which, in thu expressive language of tho
Principal Keeper, "a convict teith a shoe-knife could
cut his way in half an hour."
The minority of your committee, have there
fore heni rcluctanllv driven In thu conclusion, that
thusc glaring defects must cither he inherent to Iho
system, or incident to the location. The experi
ence of other States nnd tho convictions ol reason,
alike forbid the former conclusion. A plan which,
bus worked so well elsewhere, and which in tlie
hands of others. Ims been a source of acluul reven
ue, cannot he inherently defective. While there
fore, wo a >ree w ith the majority of your committee,,
in tho propriety uf continuing the system in the ab
stract, we beg leave lo dissent nnd differ from theta
in that part of their report, which declures it ‘-in
expedient to remove the establishment from its
present location at this time.”
Tho minnriiyof your committee, nro clearly of'
the opinion that the rcmovul is now required as u,
matter <>f sound and permanent policy on tho purl
of the State. The expenditure of,even fifty thous
and dollurx for this purpose in four years, would ho
nothing compared with this heavy, never ceasing
drain upon the Treasury. Your minority fully
cm,cur with thu Governor, in his recommendations
relativo lo u change of labor. They believe it
wo dd ho wise and prudent, especially as connected
with tlie suggestions of thu late Executive and Prin
cipal Keeper, on the subject of removal. After
much experience and reduction, those gentlemen
have deliberately expressed the conviction, thut the
present is tlio worst location that (could huve been
selected.
The present too, is the proper juncture for such
removal. Tlio loss of the wotk shops and tools by
tho recent fire, will necessarily call fur a heavy ex-
ic-ndituro tu rebuild and refit the establishment for
lusiuess. Eight thousand dollars is now asked fur
this purpose. Tlie dilapidated condition of tho
walls, reminds us that they too, will soon have to ho
built, while there is no propor material conveni
ent, with which tu accomplish the work. The
bricks already made, might serve a temporary pur
pose, hut u true economy should teach us tu seek
fur something moro substantial and enduring. If
then, the Penitentiary is to be removed at all, now
is the time to accomplish tho work, with the great
est facility and nt least expenso.
Your minority ore clearly ofthe opinion, that tho
present location is not oidy unsuitable, but that it is
the principal obstacle in the way of the Institution’s
success. It is cut off from an easy and ready ac
cess to market, and tho surrounding country is nut
sufficiently densely populated to consume the man
ufactured uitides. Hence their heavy increaso,
aud the corresponding losses. To this may be ad
ded the great difficulty and cost of procuring mate
rials, the high prices of provisions and police ser
vice.
The majority of your committee, seem to ho of
the opinion, that the removal of the present con
victs, would be illegal, inasmuch "as they kavel/cen
sentenced generally lo confinement in the Penitentia
ry of the Elate, at Milledgcville."
Your minority believe this objection to be more
technical than sound—but if it he correct, it could
easily be obviated by obtaining tho consent of the
convict to the removal, und by providing by law, •
remedy in the change of the sentenco to he passed
under future convictions.
Tlio mojority further consider tho removal os
precluded by serious difficulties and the henvy ex
pense ; not sn in the opinion of your minority.
The change, like all others of a great and important
character, must be cautiously and judiciuusly made.
It cun be done gradually, to as not tu luao even the