convict is likely to be attained. Having expressed the opinion cited above of the importance of responsibility, Mr. Dickenson thus proceeds:

"But, besides a system for the general control of our prisons and almshouses, by which they shall all be brought into a common accountability, we need a system -one system-of discipline and administration of the prisons, which would render necessary a certain correspondence in the plans and structures of the buildings."

"While we are showing the importance of a system of administration and discipline in our prisons, it is right to say that the State of Pennsylvania has presented to the world a plan of prison which is capable of producing the best results that philanthropy has ever expected, while administered with the zeal and devotion that true philanthropy suggests."

"It will be noticed that my highest recommendation is bestowed upon a County Prison, that of Pottsville, Schuylkill county, which was constructed and is conducted on the Pennsylvania system of separate confinement. The commendation was not bestowed because its plan was for separate confinement, but because it is evident that the success which attends the labors of the keepers and assistants therein, is mainly due to an excellent plan, which makes its administration easy, and which will admit of all additional minor plans to extend some of its branches into greater usefulness."

"Where there is no attempt to adapt that system to the wants of the prisoner, or adapt the prison to the suggestions of the Pennsylvania system, as exhibited, in the Eastern Penitentiary, there is squalid misery, pro

fitless labor, a terrible waste of time and usually a lamentable deterioration of morals. We are not to suppose that every convict is altogether a rascal when he is sent to prison; but if placed in a cell or chamber with accomplished villians he is in danger of becoming, "not only almost, but altogether like" them. Separated from bad company, and at proper times visited by those whose sympathy and good wishes he could appreciate, he may court the sentiment of piety from his friendly visitors, and, in time, that sentiment may be nurtured into an established principle."

"Wherever this separate system with its necessary discipline is departed from in the construction and administration of a prison, there, just in proportion to the extent of that departure, is the want of propriety and improvement and a reference to the reports of observation upon the the different prisons, will supply instances to illustrate the remark."

"It was not my intention to advocate any system of prison discipline; it would rather be my object to urge the adoption of some system, and the faithful administration thereof when adopted; but with a view such as I have had of the different modes of punishing malefactors, and of attempts to make them better from their punishment, I could not fail to see that the Pennsylvania System as carried out in the Eastern Penitentiary, in Philadelphia, is that which if not perfect in itself, is, most assuredly, that which most readily admits of all improvements tried and approved elsewhere. But, to make any system of prison discipline beneficial, it must

be well administered; it must be carefully, patiently and conscientiously carried out."

Mr. Dickenson looks to the benefit of the system of accountability, and seems to have a hope that every year will add to the benefits by making more and more public the proceedings in the prisons and almshouses, so that while now we content ourselves with ascertaining what are the means, we shall soon be inquiring how those means are used and what is the result. Mr. Dick

enson says:

"It is scarcely possible to visit all the almshouses and prisons, in this State, in one year, and obtain that information so necessary to give a correct idea of what they are now and to judge of the capability of each for improvement. The first inquiry must, of necessity, proceed slowly; certain things must be learned now that need not be repeated, and future inquiry may be limited to the progress and improvement upon what is the existing status."

"I look forward with great confidence to such advances in the system of prison discipline as will make all inquiries turn upon what has been gained."

It will not escape observation that the interrogations relate to a part of what is done. In some prisons so much work is done, reading and writing are taught, and moral instruction is given; it is true that these answers are confined to a few prisons, but they are obtained, and hence we may hope good results from these efforts. But at some future visitation the interrogatory must be "How?-How much? and to what end?" and especially, "What are the results? what direct good to individual

prisoners, and, through them, to society, has been produced ?"

THE IRISH CONVICT SYSTEM,

Its Workings and Capabilities, Compared with the Pennsylvania System.

It

It is a good sign of the times, that in various parts of the world the question of the punishment of the criminal is connected with the improvement of the man. is a part of the fruits of the public exertions of the philanthropist, in the direction of prison management, that we hear earnest discussions of the question, "What shall we do with the convicted felon ?"

We wish that all who interest themselves in this very important inquiry, would at once adopt the theory which this society has presented as the result of careful inquiry and satisfactory experiment, so that the united effort of philanthropists would assist to perfect the execution of a good plan rather than to attempt to form a new theory. But such a concurrence of views and union of action are rather to be desired than expected. Many who come to the investigation of the subject of prison discipline bring with them prejudices (pre-formed judgments) in favor of one or against another system, and without being aware of this pledged state of their own mind, and consequently being ignorant of the fact that they are seeking to sustain one system or to put down another, they bend their faculties to the support

of an old opinion rather than the adoption of one that

is new.

in

There are others, who, seeing how well systems work, consequence of a careful administration, think, and with some considerable correctness, that

"That which is best administered is best,"

and thus, by their influence, they perpetuate an erroneous system in other places, where the administration. is much worse than the plan.

There are others who look with deep interest into the workings of systems of prison management, and have the means of judging justly of the effect of the plan, and of its administration, upon the condition, present and future, of the prisoner, but who nevertheless seem to lack the power of appreciating the effects of circumstances, and who thus fail to see that what under all circumstances is the best in one locality, is easily exceeded in another.

It is difficult to inaugurate an entirely new system of prison discipline in a country where the old means are abundant, and where a total change would lead to considerable cost, and those costs render necessary heavy taxation. While in a country that has little of antiquity to strengthen prejudice and create attachment, it is less difficult to commence a system that will admit. of such extension as shall include all the wants of a prison with the capability effectually to detain, appropriately punish, and thoroughly improve.

There is another class, that seem determined to wait the result of all trials, and to judge of each system only