Daily National Intelligencer

PENITENTIARIES.

We have seen much discussion in the southern States of the benefits of the Penitentiary system. The cause has ultimately triumphed in Georgia, and she has built a Penitentiary House. The two Carolinas are yet unconvinced, and inactive. The proposition has been tried in the Legislature of both these states; but though the opposition is ceasing, it has yet prevailed. The question will again be agitated, and will finally succeed.

Let it be said, that Virginia, though not first in adopting, is not least in recommending the institution to others. Behind Pennsylvania, New York and perhaps Massachusetts in date, she is probably before them all in the example she now exhibits. Strangers compare her establishment with theirs; they visit it with distrust, and leave it with confidence.

A very memorable instance is now before us. A stranger of distinction, a citizen of one of the Southern States, who had made considerable opposition to the introduction of the system into his native state, was lately among us. He had made the tour of the northern States; and visited all their Penitentiaries. In passing through ours he could not conceal the satisfaction which he experienced. He declared that, for order, cleanliness, and skill, that of Virginia was superior to all others. He enquired with some earnestness about the expence which it devolved upon the State—and was astonished to learn, that instead of an expence, the operations of the institution brought in a revenue from ten to fifteen thousand dollars. He confessed as he left the building, that he was a convert to the system, and his opposition would cease. We expect to see the benefits of this visit manifested in the measures of a neighboring State.

It is true, as a North Carolina paper observes, that Penitentiaries are imperfect—that they may have defects which are susceptible of a remedy. One of proofs of this, is the act of a return of the same criminal for second offence.
Of this a singular example lately occurred, in the case of a young man about 25 years of age, who was convicted of stealing six horses at six successive times within a few weeks after he had been discharged from the Penitentiary. He is now condemned to confinement for life.

The North Carolina writer, by way of amending the system, proposes to make 'the whole term of punishment solitary; that the prisoners never communicate with each other, nor meet at all but at stated times of general worship; that their work be of the kind that can be individually managed; that no idle visitors be admitted to them; spirits absolutely prohibited; no amusements permitted but wholesome reading and exercise; and one half of the surplus of each culprit's earnings set aside as a fund to be given him on his discharge, as the gift of mercy to enable him to fly from the scene of his disgrace.' We shall only add, that in the Penitentiary of Virginia most of these rules are already adopted—with the particular exception of solitary employment. Indeed we very much apprehend, that the period of solitary confinement, which constitutes a part of their punishment, is not strictly adhered to—principally from the expense of erecting cells enough to receive them. It is scarce necessary to remark how many more rooms, and how much more expense would be required by the contemplated scheme of the North Carolina writer.—Compiler.