The Massachusetts Spy

We see by a Dedham paper, that four convicts were sentenced lately in that County, to hard labour in the House of Correction in Worcester. Convicts from other Counties have also been sent there, and the prison contains now about forty prisoners of every description. This is nearly as great a number as can be received there; so that there is reason to apprehend that this County will soon be prevented from occupying it for the purpose for which it was built, viz. a House of Correction. It is high time, therefore, for those who are entrusted with the management of the concerns of the County, to inquire whether it be proper to admit any more convicts into the prison. It is a House built by the County, and for the use of the County and there can be no reason why the Commonwealth should enjoy it to such an extent as to deprive the County of the benefit of it. More especially is it unreasonable that the State should thus use it gratuitously. The expense of this safe and commodious prison has been great to this County; and if it is to be used wholly or principally as a State prison, then let the State assume that expense. It is hardly becoming the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to permit the people of this County to bear alone the burden of an establishment which is now used almost exclusively for State purposes.