THE CONVICT COMMISSION.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 79, 7 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE CONVICT COMMISSION.

(From London Punch.') Pending the examination of witnesses before the commission to inquire into the convict system, some very interesting and touching revelations continue to be made of the state of feeling on the part of the convict population. Mr Punch subjoins a few extracts.: — Air Toby Cribbercrack begs to say he has no objection to the proposal to revive transportation, but he hopes that not only will vested rights be respected, but that the discoveries of sanatory science will be regarded in the selection of the new convict asylum. Has himself a good constitution, he is happy to say, having never denied himself any comfort when out of a prison, and havingbeen never denied any when in. He has no bigotted dislike to travel, but he thinks that comfortable steara-packers ought to be used before the tardy and objectionable sailing vessel. He had heard a good deal of Madeira, and thinks that a convict asylum there would be agreeable, and he has also heard good accounts of some of the West India Islands. Should certaiuly deeline to go to the Falkland Islands or any other place where the English newspapers were not regularly received. Would suggest that the Governor of the asylum and the officers should be chosen from amon"- the convicts, who should elect them, and that the salaries should be handsome, as that would hold out a stimulus to wholesome ambition. He does not know why Margate should not be made a town of detention, for though the society there is low, the sea-bathing is good, and so is the beer. Mr James Barcrow — Is opposed to any alteration of the existing system, which works very well, and would work better if people read more, and knew that there must be an average of what are called crimes every year. Has not given his attention, since he has been in prism, to the transportation , system or indeed to anything else except the admirable commissariat system, of which he c?n speak in the highest terms. He has never had his chocolate cold, and lias only once had reason to notice that brown sugar was substituted for white. As for transportation, provided the same comforts were provided in a colony as at home, and m.'dical evidence as to the salubrity of the situation were carefully collected, be should be unwilling to oppose himself to the feelings of a country thathad certainly treated him very Well whenever it had the opportunity. Agreed with the preceding witness in saying that the mode of transit should be by a steamer, and thought -that a band of music might be provided for the voyage, and also a library and quoits. He had a couscientous objection to theatrical amusements, but in the form of charades did not think they would be injurious to the morals of tb.e in\o untary emigrant. Mrs Rosemary Lain — Was opposed to transportation. Whrn one lias made friends and funned a clique, ifc is disagreeable t> bo., cast into a new Sjherc. Her own ideas was that instead of incarcerating persons who hid the misfortune to be convicted, l hey shoi'ld be sentenced to reside in certain districts in London, to be selected by themselves, placed upon parole — she believed it was called — not to leave those quarters, and that an out-doer allowauce, sufficient to make them resist temptation, should be paid to them cither at the vestryroom of the church, or some bank, or in any way not calculated to hurt the feelings. The police should be withdrawn from such districts, but the convicts should be expeated to pledge their honor not to cause disturbances. Clergymen, to be approved, of course, by the convicts, might be permitted to visit them at reasonable hours, but not to bring tracts, and circulating libraries and music halls should also be opened for the unfortunate residents. She would also /orbid the newspapers from publishing any accounts of. the convict localities, as such reports tended to excite prejudice, and set class against class. Mr Issachar Flash man — Saw no objection to transportation, provided that no new-fangled system of restrictions and persecutions were attempted, and that the plan was adhered to which gave the clever man the advantages to which intellectual distinction had aright. He thought that wherever the asylum or refuge might be, it should have a kind of collegiate auxiliary, so that at the expense of the nation a convict might learn whatever he might desire in Order to fit him to move in good society as soon as his sentence should be out. A dancing school, a singing academy, and popular lectures ought certainly to be included in the convict course of training. Had heard that Jersey and the other Channel islands were agreeable, and they would enable the convict to acquire a knowledge of French, without which it is difficult to be generally acceptable. Mr John Stockdodder — Is opposed to punishment of every kind, primary, secondary, or tertiary. If all those who have money, arising either from their happening to have a taste for work, or from other sources, did their duty, and without ostentation shared their illgotten gains with those whose tastes were of another kind, there would be no crime, for there would be no temptation. It was the wicked and diabolical principle of the recognition of property that caused all those difficulties, and he urged upon the Commission to recommend an abandonment of the idea worthy only of the dark ages. Any man who could enjoy anything was entitled to anything he could enjoy. Till the truth were recognised, there could be no happiness. The witness added a severe charge rtgainsf ''- fV!iG;v-p:. sonar.

who had knocked him down and taken away." a hoard of tobacco, and hoped that he would be flogged and ordered to make restitution. Miss' Lucy Lockifc — Transportation was not a pretty word, but so long as ypu were in a state of beatitude, the computation W unequal numbers was unphilosophical. Had no objection to travel, it improved the mind and gave you something to talk about. But certainly thought that any young lad going out to the colonies ought to have a separate cabin and a pianoforte, and that there ought to be milliners on board who should look after the toilettes of the emigrants. A marriage portion ought to be given to any young | lady who might succeed in captivating the heart of the captain or of any of the crew, and certainly ladies ought not to be insulted by being placed under the charge of any but the Queen's officers. There ought to be concerts on board, but if any of the low convicts took the liberty of singing their vulgar songs, they should be flogged or thrown overboard. She did not wish to enter into the matrimonial question, hut certainly thought that a sentence of any kind ought to operate as a divorce. She would like to be sent to California, or any pjacg where she is likely to pick up a ricniTusband. If the commission had n 'thing else to say, perhaps they would oblige her by saying it.