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Life of Thomas Eddy

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tion, the establishment of a state prison presents the best opportunity, by the magnitude and liberality of its plan, for the formation of a well-digested schemeof internal management and economy, and the full execution of the only just and beneficent system yet devised for the punishment and correction of crimi-nals. The New York state prison will furnish amodel for others, which the increase of population and growth of luxury may render necessary in the distant parts of this extensive country.** Similar prisons are now established in New Jersey, Virginia, Massa-chusetts, Carolina, New Hampshire, Vermont, District of Columbia, &;c. EDITOR. And, what-ever may be the future condition of mankind, this institution will reflect lasting honour on the state; become a durable monument of the wisdom, justice, and humanity of its legislators, more glorious than the most splendid achievements of conquerors or kings; and be remembered when the magnificent structures of folly and pride, with their founders, are alike exterminated and forgotten. This extract concentrates much that has been said by seer or sage on this subject since that date. He goes on to demonstrate what can be done by care and sagacity in the great work of reform and econo-my, and shows that the labours of the convicts almost supported themselves, and that the State was only charged five thousand dollars, and the salaries of the officers and keepers of the prison. Dissensions soon arose, not among the superin-tendents of the prison, but amongst the rulers of the state. The council of appointment changed the whole board, and brought into office those who were wholly ignorant of the least of their duties. The funds they were entrusted with were badly spent, and all the land-marks of economy and system swept away. There were two years of returning reason, in Mr. Eddy's opinion, when Mr. William Torry acted as agent. This good man attempted to bring back the laws and customs of the establishment to