OF THE

Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of

Public Prisons.

When we consider that the obligations of benevolence which are founded on the precepts and examples of the Author of Christianity, are not canceled by the follies or crimes of our fellow creatures; and when we reflect upon the miseries which penury, hunger, cold, unnecessary severity, unwholesome apartments, and guilt (the usual attendants of prisons) involve with them, it becomes us to extend our compassion to that part of mankind who are the subjects of those miseries. By the aid of humanity, their undue and illegal sufferings may be prevented; the links which should bind the whole. family of mankind together, under all circumstances, be preserved unbroken; and such degrees and modes of punishment may be dis covered and suggested, as may, instead of continuing habits of vice, become the means of restoring our fellow creatures to virtue and happiness. From a conviction of the truth and obligations of these principles, the subscribers have associated themselves under the title of "THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE "MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS."

For effecting these purposes, they have adopted the following CONSTITUTION:

ARTICLE I.

The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, two VicePresidents, two Secretaries, a Treasurer, two Counsellors, and an Acting Committee; all of whom shall be chosen at the Stated Meeting to be held in the First Month (January) of each year, and shall continue in office until their successors are elected; but in case an election, from any cause, shall not be then held, it shall be the duty of the President to call a Special Meeting of the Society within thirty days, for the purpose of holding such election, of which at least three days notice shall be given.

ARTICLE II.

The President shall preside in all meetings, and subscribe all public acts of the Society. He may call special meetings whenever he may deem it expedient; and shall do so when requested in writing by five members. In his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents may act in his place.

ARTICLE III.

The Secretaries shall keep fair records of the proceedings of the Society, and shall conduct its correspondence.

FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC

PRISONS," INSTITUTED 1787.

JANUARY, 1873.

PHILADELPHIA:

J. B. CHANDLER, PRINTER, 306 & 308 CHESTNUT STREET.

ROOMS OF THE

PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY

FOR

Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.

At a Stated Meeting of the Acting Committee of "THE PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY FOR ALLEVIATING THE MISERIES OF PUBLIC PRISONS," held on the evening of the Twelfth Month (December) 17th, 1872, the Editorial Board (appointed to take charge of the Journal and papers, and the Annual Report), consisting of JOSEPH R. CHANDLER, JAMES J. BARCLAY, A. JACKSON OURT, M. D., CHARLES ELLIS, and REV. E. R. BEADLE, D. D., presented the draft of the Annual Report, which being read by the Chairman, was approved by the Committee, and directed to be laid before the ensuing meeting of the Society.

At a special meeting of the Society, held Twelfth Month 19th, 1872, the Report was presented by the Chairman of the Editorial Board, considered and approved, and referred to the Committee who prepared it, to have one thousand copies printed, with authority to make such alterations and additions as they may think proper. The Report to be signed by the President and Secretary.

JOHN J. LYTLE,

Secretary.