Abuses by Committing Magistrates.—In 1820, and also in 1822, the illegal and corrupt exercise of power by the Magistrates, which was most oppressive on the poor and helpless, became again a subject of inquiry, and a committee was appointed to confer with the Governor of the State on the subject, and a memorial was soon afterwards presented to the Legislature soliciting its interference to remedy the evil.

Discharged Prisoners.—In November of the same year a committee was raised to consider of and report on the project of establishing an asylum for such discharged convicts as might be unable to obtain employment, but it appearing that there were serious difficulties in the way of carrying it out at that time, it was abandoned.

Juvenile Offenders and “House of Refuge.”—At a meeting of the Society, held January 28, 1823, a committee was instructed to “inquire into the condition of juvenile offenders, and what relief is needed in their case.” This being a matter of deep interest, and requiring much consideration, from its inherent difficulties, the inquiries which were prosecuted from time to time, as opportunities presented, did not reach any definite result till January 21st, 1826.

At this time the committee reported warmly in favor of an institution for their reception, but expressed doubts whether the Society had the needful means to establish it, or the legal powers that would be required for its management. It was resolved to call a meeting of citizens on the first day of February ensuing, before which the subject should be fully opened. An address was agreed upon to be submitted to the meeting, in which a brief history was given of the melioration of the penal laws and institutions of the State, and of the encouraging result, and a confidence was expressed in a still further improvement on the completion of the two Penitentiaries—the eastern and western. “But,” it was added, “as our true policy, as well as our manifest duty, consists not less in preventing crime, and checking the tendency to it, than in punishing and reclaiming the overt offender, the restraint and reformation of children and youth exposed to criminal habits, becomes an imperative obligation.” They, therefore, earnestly commended the new project to the meeting of citizens to be assembled under their call. These views were cordially responded to by the meeting, and action being promptly taken, resulted in the erection of a “House of Refuge for juvenile delinquents,” which was opened for inmates on the 1st of December, 1828, and the benefit the Institution has conferred on the community, and on the class for whose

reception it was intended, are generally felt and acknowledged. And it is believed that many individuals, who are now reputable members of the community, would have been at this time deeply steeped in criminality, and degraded outcasts of society, if it had not been for the protecting care and moral training of such an institution, extended to them in their youthful days, when first tempted to turn aside from the paths of virtue and rectitude.

Proposed Improvements.—In July, 1827, in anticipation of the approaching completion of the Eastern Penitentiary, the Society appointed a committee to prepare a memorial to the Legislature, setting forth the importance of carrying into full effect the principle of separation, &c. And in July, 1829, another memorial was forwarded, embracing the two following suggestions:—

1. That criminal courts be so organized, as that the prisons may be speedily delivered of all persons held to answer for offences, &c.

2. That provision be made for the complete separation of all persons committed for trial, or as vagrants, as well as those under sentence.

Publications Respecting the Separate System.—About this time much interest was manifested in relation to the character of the discipline to be established in the new Penitentiary, and it was found that conflicting views were entertained by persons prominent for their philanthropy, and their promotion of the valuable reforms of the day. Several of these advocated separation without labor as being most prompt and effectual in promoting the reformation of the criminal, and as admitting of a shorter term of sentence. It may be mentioned, however, as an interesting and important fact, that our Society never sanctioned these views. Its whole history,

almost from its origin, contains abundant evidence that a union of separation with labor, if not held to be a sine qua non, was at least deemed to be of the highest importance. With a view to preventing this division of sentiment on a collateral point, from in any way prejudicing the main principle of the entire separation of the prisoners, which was contemplated in the erection of the Penitentiary, a large edition of a pamphlet, (by our fellow member, George Washington Smith,) clearly vindicating what was known as the “Pennsylvania System,” showing its humane and reformatory tendencies, was published and circulated.