When we consider that the obligations of benevolence whichare founded on the precepts and examples of the Author of Christianity,are not cancelled by the follies or crimes of our fellow-creatures;and when we reflect upon the miseries which penury,hunger, cold, unnecessary severity, unwholesome apartments, andguilt, (the usual attendants of prisons,) involve with them, itbecomes us to extend our compassion to that part of mankindwho are the subjects of those miseries. By the aid of humanity,their undue and illegal sufferings may be prevented; the linkswhich should bind the whole family of mankind together, underall circumstances, be preserved unbroken; and such degrees andmodes of punishment may be discovered and suggested, as may,instead of continuing habits of vice, become the means of restoringour fellow-creatures to virtue and happiness. From a convictionof the truth and obligation of these principles, the subscribershave associated themselves under the title of “ThePhiladelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries ofPublic Prisons.”

For effecting these purposes, they have adopted the followingConstitution.

ARTICLE I.

The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, twoVice-Presidents, two Secretaries, a Treasurer, two Counsellors,and an Acting Committee; all of whom shall be chosen at thestated meeting to be held in the first month (January) of eachyear, and shall continue in office until their successors are elected;but in case an election, from any cause, shall not be then held,it shall be the duty of the President to call a special meeting ofthe Society within thirty days, for the purpose of holding suchelection, of which at least three days’ notice shall be given.

ARTICLE II.

The President shall preside in all meetings, and subscribe allpublic acts of the Society. He may call special meetings wheneverhe may deem it expedient; and shall do so when requestedin writing by five members. In his absence, one of the Vice-Presidentsmay act in his place.

ARTICLE III.

The Secretaries shall keep fair records of the proceedings ofthe Society, and shall conduct its correspondence.