It may be inferred from what we have said that the jailer was relax
in his duty. This is not the case, for we have good authority that a
more kind-hearted and benevolent man never filled the office. But
his power was so restricted by those in absolute control, that his
office became a mere turnkey's duty, for which he was paid the
pittance of five hundred dollars a year or thereabouts. Thus he
discharged his duty according to the instructions of the sheriff,
who, it was well known, looked upon the jail as a means of
speculation; and in carrying out his purposes, he would give very
benevolent instructions in words, and at the same time withhold the
means of carrying them out, like the very good man who always
preached but never practised.
Now, how is it? What is the regimen of this jail-prison and how is
it provided? We will say nothing of that arduous duty which the
jailer performs for his small sum; nor the report that the sheriff's
office is worth fourteen thousand dollars a year: these things are
too well established. But the law provides thirty cents a day for
the prisoner's maintenance, which shall be received by the sheriff,
who is to procure one pound of good bread, and one pound of good
beef per day for each man. Now this provision is capable of a very
elastic construction. The poor criminal is given a loaf of bad
bread, costing about three cents, and a pound of meat, the most
unwholesome and sickly in its appearance, costing five cents.
Pages:
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171