368 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Feb. 13,

tilated apartments, the systematic manner of living, and the
exceedingly clean condition of the whole Institution, will
account in a great degree for this remarkable state of health.

The receipts from the labor of the inmates are used, and
and go far towards defraying expenses for repairs and other
incidental expenses.

The Institution is now ntirely free from debt, yet the
Managers have not been able, for want of means, to grade and
beautify the grounds about the buildings, which would add
much to their appearance, and doubtless would be inspiring
to the inmates. Your Committee, therefore, in recommend-
ing the usual annual appropriation of $15,000, would fur-
ther recommend that it be appropriated in such a manner as
to give the Managers of the Institution power to use a por-
tion of this amount in beautifying the grounds aforesaid.

THE MARYLAND PENITENTIARY.

In the further performance of the duty assigned them, your
Committee visited the Maryland Penitentiary, where they
were cordially received by the Warden, Mr. Thomas S. Wil-
kinson, and conducted through the departments of the prison.

The apparent healthful condition of the convicts, and their
cleanly appearance, indicated that everything consistent with
the necessary restriction of prison discipline had been done
for them, which experience and human foresight could sug-
gest, to maintain a desirable sanitary condition.

The prisoners seemed to apply themselves to their tasks
with great, energy, which gave the place more the appear-
ance of a thriving manufactory than that of a prison, where
labor is inflicted as part of the penalty for the violation of
law.

Those engaged in labor, work with a vim, and exhibit
cheerfulness in their countenances, while those unemployed
look sorrowful and dejected. It is gratifying to state that
the affairs of the prison have been well conducted. Every-
thing evinces the most faithful and effective management on
the part of those entrusted, with the charge of the Institu-
tion.

At the date of the Committee's visit, there were 623 con-
victs in the prison, viz: 217 white males, 5 white females ;
363 black males, and 38 black females, variously employed
as set forth in the Annual Report.

After having visited the several departments, your Com-
mittee returned to the office, where they examined the books
and accounts of the Clerk, and found them correct, and kept
in a most satisfactory manner. Your Committee would
make special mention of Mr. R. V. Page, as worthy of our
commendation, not only for the clerkly condition in which
he has kept the account books, but also the record books of