Answer—The subjoined general remarks, will serve
as a reply to this query.

Fifth—Can you suggest any means by which the
compulsory labour of convicts, can be made to cover
the expense of supporting and guarding them? or
any, by which the labour of the convicts of this prison,
can be made more productive than at present?

Answer—I beg to make the same reference, as a
reply to this query.

Sixth—Can you suggest any means by which the
expense may be diminished, and how? Can the guard
be dispensed with? Can the rations be lessened with
propriety, or made cheaper?

Answer—If the prison was rightly constructed, no
military guard would be wanted; but, I apprehend
the expenses of the prison in this city cannot be
diminished, unless the plan and construction of it
should be completely altered. Not being acquainted
with the quality and amount of the rations at present
served to the convicts, it is impossible for me to say
how far they may, with propriety, be lessened, or
made cheaper.

Seventh—Please to state briefly your views of the
most effectual system for the protection of society
against crimes; and therein note such alterations, if
any, as you would suggest, in the present system of
management?

Answer—My views as to the most effectual means
for protecting society against crimes, will appear in
the subsequent remarks.

GENERAL REMARKS.

Many reasons might be offered, why the success of
the Penitentiary System in this state has not been
equal to the expectations of its early patrons, and of
the public at large.

1st. The inspectors have generally been changed
with every change of our political rulers; hence, men
inadequate to the task, were frequently appointed to