USA > New Jersey > The history of New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time : including a brief historical account of the first discoveries and settlement of the country, Vol. II > Part 20
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On the 16th of November, 1822, the Legislature passed an act providing for the appointment annually, by joint meeting, of a suitable person as librarian of the two Houses; by an act approved April roth, 1846, it was enacted that the librarian be elected triennially by the Senate and General Assembly in joint meeting.
On the 2d day of March, 1832, the Legislature passed a reso- lution authorizing the State Librarian to deposit in the library in the Supreme Court room, for the use of said court, one of the copies of the Pamphlet Laws of New Jersey, and of the Law Reports belonging to the State; and also such copies of the laws and law reports of other States as may have been, or shall here- after be received, and which may not be needed for the use of the State.
This Law Library was not connected with the State Library when first started, but was private property, and belonged to the members of the Law Library Association. The members of the Association, the Chancellor, and Judges of the several courts were entitled to the use of the library. But no book was to be taken from the State House without the consent of the librarian, and a written memorandum left with him of the book and person borrowing it, nor then to be kept out more than one day. Offi- cers of the State government, and members of the Legislature
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when in session, were allowed access to the library upon appli- cation to the librarian. No other persons were allowed the use of the books. Members of the Bar of New Jersey could be ad- mitted as members of the Association by paying to the treasurer, if attorneys, five dollars, and five dollars more when admitted as counsellors. If attorneys and counsellors, ten dollars was charged as the initiation fee. Members were required to pay in addition one dollar per annum, at or before the July term, the funds to be applied to the increase of the library. Stacy G. Potts was Treasurer and Librarian.
The Law Library was kept in the Supreme Court room, and in 1837 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the State Libra- rian to fit up a room adjoining the library with appropriate fixtures for the reception of books and papers belonging to the State Library. Thus the State and Law Library were consoli- dated.
On the 13th of March, 1872, the Legislature passed an act making an annual appropriation to the library of five thousand dollars for three years.
In 1875, pursuant to enactment, two hundred and forty-eight volumes were taken out for the Soldiers' Home.
By act of March 15th, 1876, twenty-five hundred dollars was appropriated for finishing and refurnishing the library room.
During the year 1876 valuable additions have been made to the Law Library, two hundred and ninety-two volumes having been added by purchase.
The library contains twenty-one thousand two hundred and ninety-one volumes, seven hundred and fifty-two having been added by purchase and otherwise during the year.
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
1797-1876.
State Institutions : State Prison-Prison Library established- State Arsenal-Residence for the Governor-State Lunatic Asylum-Northern Lunatic Asylum-Total cost of State Prison-Total cost of Lunatic Asylum.
PREVIOUS to the year 1798 there was no place expressly appropriated for the confinement of offenders against the State. Those who were under sentence were disposed of in the same manner as those who were awaiting their trial. Hence, the convicted were confined in the same jail with those who were only accused, and oftentimes these places were very inse- cure. Each county used its jail as a place of confinement, both before and after sentence, for all . persons arrested as viola- tors against the laws and peace of the State, as well as those who had been convicted of crime.
In order to separate those awaiting trial from such as had already received sentence, the Legislature determined upon building one common jail, to receive convicts from all parts of the State, and this they denominated the "State Prison," or "Penitentiary House."
On the Ist of March, 1797, an act was passed for erecting a State Prison, and Jonathan Doane was appointed agent for building the same, for the purpose of confining and employing persons convicted under the law for the punishment of crimes, as is set forth in the first section of said act. He was to contract for and purchase a lot of land of Peter Hunt, situated at Lam- berton, in the County of Burlington, being the easternmost lot of the said Hunt, containing about six acres and one-half acre, at any price not exceeding forty-five pounds per acre. He was as soon as may be, to cause suitable buildings to be erected ; the house for the keeper to be forty-eight feet by forty-two feet, two stories high ; the wings on each side to be sufficient to accom- modate such number of prisoners as will probably be confined
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therein (not exceeding forty), with arches over the rooms in- tended for confinement, and two cells in a separate building for solitary confinement, and a yard of three hundred feet by two hundred and fifty feet, to be inclosed with a stone wall not less than twelve feet above ground.
For this object five thousand pounds was appropriated ; and on the Ioth of November, 1798, a further sum of two thousand eight hundred and twenty pounds eleven shillings and one pence was appropriated ; and on the 22d of February, 1798, a further sum of two thousand and thirty-one pounds nine shillings and two pence was appropriated.
Jonathan Doane was the builder. This prison consisted of a. main building about eighty feet front- by two hundred feet deep, built of gray sandstone, and with its wall, covered about three acres of ground. The wall was built of the same material as the main building, and starting from either corner on the north and south of the main building, completely surrounded it. This wall was about twenty feet high, mounted with a wooden roller the entire length, in which were driven sharp iron spikes for the prevention of the escape of prisoners by scaling the walls.
In the centre of the eastern wall, and on the top, immediately opposite the main building, was erected the guard-house, so arranged as to overlook the entire premises. In this house a man was constantly kept, whose duty it was to act as sentry, and throughout the whole day to travel this wall from north to south, to prevent the escape of the inmates.
Previous to 1834 solitary confinement was unknown in the New Jersey Penitentiary. All the prisoners there confined worked together in a large frame workshop. They ate their meals together, and even at night, when they retired to rest, they were placed three and four in a cell. Under these circum- stances it was necessary that a guard should be stationed in a position where he could overlook all their actions. And in order to be ready for any sudden emergency he kept constantly at hand, in his little building on the wall, a formidable display of firearms heavily charged with the means of destruction. The object of this was to be amply provided with the means of defence in case of a preconcerted revolt of those confined within.
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One Sunday afternoon a revolt occurred, which, but for the vigilance of the sentinel, might have proved a serious affair. But the prisoners were foiled in their attempt by the vigilance of the sentry. They had arranged that one of their number should scale the wall, seize the arms, overpower the guard, and gain possession of the sentry box, those below to keep up an incessant volley of stones and missiles, to prevent the guard from making his appearance to stay their proceedings. Not- withstanding their well-concocted plans, the guard, regardless of his own safety, placed a musket close by the wall and fired upon the convict at the very moment he was reaching up to take hold of the top of the wall, in order to gain possession of . the sentry box. His shot took effect, killing the prisoner instantly, and wounding another very badly in the leg. This timely action saved the lives of many, for had they been able to · carry out their plans, they intended to unlock the doors and liberate all confined in the institution, and it is probable that a great number of persons would have been killed or wounded. This revolt happened in 1832, after the enlargement of the old prison. In 1820 it was enlarged by building the south wing to it.
A short time before this attempt to escape was made, they set fire to the long row of frame buildings used as workshops, burn- ing them to the ground, -expecting, no doubt, in this way to gain their liberty. But, as soon as the fire was discovered, the prisoners were securely confined in their rooms.
The number of convicts increasing with the rapid growth of the State, it was determined that something must be done for the comfort as well as security of the prisoners. Hence they determined to build a new prison, and abolish the old one.
The following inscription is on the front of the old one:
LABOUR, SILENCE, PENITENCE. THE PENITENTIARY HOUSE, ERECTED BY LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY RICHARD HOWELL, GOVERNOR. IN THE XXII YEAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, MDCCXCVII. That those who are Feared for their Crimes, May learn to fear the laws and be useful. HIC LABOUR, HOC OPIS.
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HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY.
The plan of solitary confinement having been adopted in some of the States, and found to answer a good purpose, it was determined to adopt it in our own. In his message to the Legislature, January 7th, 1830, Governor Peter D. Vroom called attention to the necessity of providing better accommodations for the prisoners, building a new prison, and establishing different rules for its government, and he again in his message of October 28th, of the same year, called attention to the same subject, and also in his subsequent messages of October 27th, 1831, and October 25th, 1832 ; and on the 11th of January, 1833, Samuel L. Southard, in his message to the Legislature, reiterated the same thing, and proposed, as soon as the new prison should be completed, that the old one be fitted up for an arsenal. A joint committee was appointed on that part of the Governor's message relating to the erection of a new prison, and they were empowered by resolution passed November Ist, 1832, during the interval of the sessions to take such course to procure drafts and plans, with estimates of the cost of the same, and to collect such other information on the subject as they might deem expedient.
On the 13th of February, 1832, an act was passed authorizing the erection of a penitentiary capable of holding one hundred and fifty prisoners, on the principle of separate confinement, with hard labor, on the lands belonging to the State, contiguous to where the present prison stood, the yard to be so constructed that one hundred and fifty cells may be added. Joseph Kaign, Charles Parker, and William R. Allen were appointed commis- sioners for its erection ; the penitentiary to be constructed on the plan of the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of the State of Pennsylvania. The sum of thirty thousand dollars was appropriated, and the commissioners were authorized to employ the convicts upon such work in its construction as they were able to perform.
November Ist, 1833, an additional sum of ten thousand dol- lars was appropriated ; and on the 27th of February, 1834, an additional sum of fifty thousand dollars was appropriated. No- vember 11, 1834, ten thousand dollars additional was appro- priated ; and on the 3d of March, 1835, fifty thousand dollars. March 9th, 1836, eighteen thousand dollars more was appro-
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priated; and the same day an act was passed for the removal of the convicts from the old to the new prison.
. November 13th, 1837, four thousand dollars was appropriated · for the completion of the unfinished cells, and twenty dollars for the purchase of moral books and tracts for the use of convicts. On the 15th of March, 1837, two thousand dollars was appro- priated for pointing the walls, paving and leveling the ground, and other work about the prison; which having been found in- adequate for the completion of said work, on the 27th of Febru- ary, 1838, an additional appropriation of three thousand dollars was made for that purpose. And on the 28th of February, 1839, an additional sum of two thousand six hundred and fifty-seven dollars and eleven cents was appropriated for the purpose of settling up all bills presented and remaining unpaid, and pre- sented for settlement by the commissioner for improvements and repairs on and about the penitentiary. The same act abolished the office of commissioner of said building.
On the 16th of November, 1838, an act was passed constituting the old prison a jail for the confinement of all prisoners of the County of Mercer, and to continue so to occupy it until their jail, then in course of erection, should be completed, or · until otherwise ordered by the Legislature of the State, the County of Mercer to put it in proper repair at their own cost and expense.
The building was commenced in 1832, and completed in 1836, at an entire cost of one hundred and seventy-nine thousand six hundred and fifty-seven dollars and eleven cents, including grading and putting the grounds in proper condition.
It is built of red sandstone from the Ewing quarries. Its architecture is Egyptian, with four Egyptian columns upon the front of the main building. It fronts on the east, facing a handsome park interspersed with evergreens, affording a delight- ful shade to the building, as well as imparting life to the gloomy walls of the prison.
The prison consists of a main building, where the family of the keeper resides, and in which the offices of his assistants and the inspectors are located, and to it several wings have been added from time to time as required.
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On the 4th of March, 1847, Joshua Wright, John S. McCully, John Acken, Emley Olden, and James Skirm were appointed commissioners for the purpose of erecting an additional wing to the present State Prison building, for the better security of the prisoners, as well as additional security against fire, and to fur- nish suitable apartments for cooking, washing, baking, and store- rooms, and such other purposes as the said commissioners in their judgment shall deem necessary, and for this purpose the commissioners were authorized to draw from the keeper of the prison the surplus earnings of the prisoners that might be in his hands, provided the same was not needed for ordinary expenses of the institution; and in case such surplus earnings should be insufficient to pay the expense of erecting such building, the commissioners were authorized to draw on the State Treasurer for a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars.
March 25th, 1852, the sum of five thousand dollars was appro- priated for the purpose of heating the south wing of the prison with steam.
William B. Vanderveer, Keeper, and John L. Taylor, Physi- cian, were appointed commissioners to erect an additional wing to be used as hospitals, one for males and the other for females, according to the plans furnished by J. C. Hoxie, Architect. The amount appropriated was fifteen thousand dollars.
March 22d, 1860, an act was passed making an appropriation of seventeen thousand dollars to enlarge the State Prison by con- structing an additional wing, with additional cells, in accord- ance with the plans and specifications submitted by the joint Committee on State Prison Accounts of the previous year ; and Silas H. Kitchell, William V. Ward, William P. McMichael, Jonathan Pickel, and Joseph Cunningham, State Prison In- spectors, were appointed commissioners to superintend the erection of said wing ; and on the 16th of February, 1861, the additional sum of two thousand two hundred and forty-three dollars and one cent was appropriated for the completion of said wing.
April 16th, 1868, the sum of six thousand dollars was appro- priated for the purpose of building an additional wing, to provide room for female convicts, and the inspectors were appointed commissioners to superintend the work.
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An act was approved April 2d, 1869, authorizing the Governor to appoint three commissioners, whose duty it should be to enclose all or so much thereof as may be deemed necessary of the lot of ground belonging to the State, lying between the south wall of the State Prison and the north wall of the State Arsenal, by a substantial stone wall, and to remove such portions of the south wall of the prison as may be in the way of other improve- ments. They were also authorized to erect an additional wing to the State Prison, containing such accommodations as the Governor and commissioners aforesaid shall think necessary; and if in the judgment of the commissioners, or a majority of them, the Governor concurring therein, they should deem it advantageous to the State to purchase ground and buildings, or either, elsewhere, or to erect any buildings on said ground so purchased, they were authorized to contract therefor. These commissioners were authorized to build additional workshops for the employment of the prisoners in such productive industry, as upon consultation with the Board of Supervisors of the State Prison, the Keeper, and Inspectors, may be deemed best for the future welfare of the institution, and by an additional story to such workshops, or in connection with a common dining hall, to provide a suitable room in which to collect the prisoners for Divine worship and for other purposes. The keeper was em- powered to aid the commissioners as far as was in his power, in · order to lessen the expense of said buildings to the State by de- tailing suitable convicts to labor in the erection and completion of said buildings, under the care of trustworthy officers and the direction of the commissioners. The sum of fifty thousand dol- lars was appropriated for this addition. The contracts, plans, specifications, and locations of the several buildings were first to be approved by the Governor.
April ist, 1869, the further sum of nine thousand seven hun- dred and thirty-four dollars was appropriated for the purpose of completing the wing for female convicts.
April 4th, 1871, the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of completing the new or east wing; and on the 4th of April, 1872, an additional sum of twenty-eight thousand seven hundred dollars was appropriated.
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March 3d, 1874, twelve thousand dollars was appropriated for erecting works for manufacturing gas to supply the prison.
March 8th, 1877, the Governor was authorized to appoint three commissioners to provide for the enlargement of the prison. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars was appropriated to enable the commissioners to finish and complete at least one wing, and in purchasing and enclosing a tract of land for a burial ground for convicts, at a cost not exceeding one thousand dol- lars, out of the above appropriation.
The entire cost for erection of buildings and for land purchased up to the present time is five hundred and five thousand three hundred and thirty-four dollars and twelve cents.
March 26th, 1869, the Legislature passed an act for the gov- ernment and regulation of the State Prison, authorizing the Gov- ernor, Chancellor, Chief-Justice, and Attorney-General of the State, within one month after the passage of the act, and as often thereafter as the offices hereby created should become vacant, at a meeting to be called by the Governor, choose and appoint by concurrence of a majority of them, a competent and suitable person to be Supervisor of the State Prison, to be commissioned by the Governor, and to hold the office for three years, and until his successor was appointed. He is required to give bond to the State in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, with two sufficient securities, conditioned that he will well and faithfully discharge all the duties imposed upon him by law, and will well and faithfully use, account for, and pay over according to law, all the moneys of the State at any time received by him ..
The Supervisor, together with the Comptroller and Treasurer of the State, were constituted a Board of Supervisors of the State Prison ; the powers and duties of the Supervisor as a member of the Board, are independent of his powers and duties as Super- visor.
The Keeper is nominated and appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and holds the position for five years. His salary is three thousand five hundred dollars per annum.
The Inspectors are appointed annually by the Legislature in joint meeting. The Board of Inspectors are five in number, and
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in case of vacancy in the Board from any cause, the Governor, or person administering the government, is authorized to fill such vacancy.
The Board of Supervisors are empowered to make rules and regulations for the general government and regulation of the the prison, and matters relating thereto; they also have power to make general regulations to govern the Supervisor in the pur- chase of materials and supplies, and articles necessary for the prison, the employing and hiring out of the labor of the prisoners, and the sale of articles manufactured or prepared therein.
The Inspectors have the appointment of the Physician and Clerk of the institution, but they may be removed by the Super- visors upon good cause shown.
The Inspectors are to see that the duties of the Keeper and the several officers and attendants of the prison are duly per- formed. The Keeper is to have the custody of prisoners, visit the cells and apartments in the prison at least twice a week, and once in each week make a close and critical examination of each cell, to ascertain whether any prisoner is attempting to escape, furnish each prisoner with a copy of the Bible, and such other books as he, with the approbation of the acting inspectors, may deem useful in producing the moral reformation of the convicts ; provide working tools and implements for the prisoners ; cause accounts to be kept ; inspect all letters received or sent by the the prisoners, and perform such other duties as is required of him by law.
The original arrangement of the prison was such as to admit at any time, when the necessity of the case demanded it, of suf- ficient additional wings to make as many as five in all.
The buildings are surrounded by stone walls twenty feet high and three feet thick, which enclose an area of more than four acres of ground. Upon these walls are six stone towers or abutments twenty-eight feet high ; four of them are upon the eastern front of the building, and two upon either corner in the rear. The prison is warmed by tubes of hot water passing through the cells. In the coldest weather the cells can be thus warmed to a temperature of sixty-five degrees. They are ventilated by apertures in the exterior walls and also by a flue from each cell to the top of the roof.
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The air is pure, the outlet pipes perfectly ventilating the build- ing. These pipes are cleaned by water, about fifteen thousand gallons being daily used for that purpose.
The convicts are employed principally in making shoes, chairs, and weaving, though almost all branches of handicraft are carried on there. The provisions and clothing of the prisoners are in all respects suitable to their wants, and their general health is good.
The testimony of every succeeding year is accumulating in favor of the system of punishment there carried out. The prisoner condemned to solitary confinement at hard labor has leisure to reflect upon the folly and wickedness which has consigned him to the walls of a dungeon, and to resolve upon a new course of action after his release. He is withdrawn from the contamina- tion of guilty associations, and can hardly fail to deplore the errors by which he has been reduced to so pitiable a condition. Both as a means of punishment and reformation to criminals, the present system is believed to be admirably adapted to fulfill the wishes of its friends and advocates.
There is now attached to the prison a library of about twenty- five hundred volumes of good, substantial reading matter for the use of the convicts. The books are well selected, and the prisoners avail themselves of the privilege of reading them with great alacrity. Their minds are thus engaged and exercised, and they are prevented from falling into that besotted and stupid condition which sometimes results from solitary confinement.
The number of prisoners in the institution on the Ist of No- vember, 1875, was 684; received during the year, 558; dis- charged, 413; leaving, October 31st, 1876, 829 still in confine- ment.
The expenses of the prison during the year 1876, including $16, SS4. 15 for improvements and repairs, was $122,963.90, and the receipts from the labor of convicts was $30,919.67.
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