There were ugly rumours afloat which called for immediate investigation.
The sickening tragedy brought to light by the inquiry elicited a unanimous outburst of indignation from the whole country.
The doctrines of the deterrent system had required, it seems, that a certain miserable lad should turn the handle of a stiff crank 10,000 times a day.
Being unwilling, or much more probably unable, to perform the task, it was necessary, in vindication of the deterrent system, to starve him into submission.
As this was found to increase both the unwillingness and the inability of the poor boy, it then became inevitable (as the deterrent system was on the verge of a breakdown) to strap him tight to his cell wall for hours together in the attitude of crucifixion, and when this failed to supply the requisite will or muscle—nay, rather to occasion deadly faintings—then drenching with cold water, as an immediate restorative, and a further inducement to exertion, were superadded.
The devices of the deterrent system were not even then exhausted, but the unhappy boy’s powers of endurance were, and, therefore, he rendered further measures unnecessary by hanging himself.
Other stories illustrative of the method of unkindness nearly quite as revolting as this were raked up in the course of the inquiry, and not a few reminiscences of minor atrocities.
The history of this case is most powerfully and graphically given in Mr. Charles Reade’s novel of “It’s Never Too Late to Mend.”
The governor was very properly dismissed.
As a rule felons will submit to these hateful punishments, but the exceptions are numerous.