Witnesses kn Prison.
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We recently called attention to the odious
Witness system practiced in our city, and pro
missed more on the same subject soon, We have
since learned that it not uafrequeahy happens,
that ritnesses are detained here for months,
while the offender, against whom they are held to
appear, 10 at large bail, which he may forfeit ii
he choose, and thus escape the penalty and igno-
riny which are the legitimate reward of crime,
while the innocent suffer their fullest force. 1t
mus, not be forgotten that these persons are de-
tanned here os,ensibly for the public good, and the
pablo interests often require that they should be
thus detained, when they would go, otherwise as-
pear TO aid the just prosecution of offenders. Blu,
a. the same time Il should be borne in mind that
shese persons have rights, which they have not
forfeited by CHANGING to witaess assy, or to see
certain goods in the possession of those who have
stolen them. Ii the public veal require that the,
DO detained, public justice demaais that they
should not be treated like convicts or criminals,
aud the fact that they arc treated, shows wan-
carelcssness the part of ,ae conservators OF
law. order, ana morality, which cannot be teo
strongly censured.


inost o. these persons are In needy and often
destis1se circumstances, and if they could be made
comfortable and be employed daring the time of


their arrest SO that tbs profits of their laboS should
scorus to themselves families, the claims of the
law would be. 10 some extent, harmoni.ed with the
dictates OF justice and humanity. They have q
rsgst to such treatment, and The public has righ,
to demand thar their imprisonment, instead of be-
ing made the occasion of corruption and dssrada.
lion 10 them, should be turned to the bes, accoun.
70 preserve them from the necessity disposition
20 .ubnsis 70 these. If in seeking te punish one
villain We prepare three or four moro TO follsw hi,
footsteps, how are the ends Of justice answered
and the interests OF sociesy projected We ne
peat thar it Is high sims the public looked to this
stats Of shisgs.


r Whew-sw.. our Indian Summer 5 ended.