The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-18

and from the admonitions afforded here and the
greater terror inspired abroad, commitments have
Deen sensibly diminished. Within the last year
the number of prisoners was reduced from 290, al
us commencement, to 256 at its close. The Di-
rectors express the opinion, that crimes of an
arocious character are less frequent than once
the case; and that the majority of the convicts
appear TO be inferior in intelligence and informa-
ion TO the average OF any class of our citizens"
most instructive result is also produced by the
curious and critical investigations of the Chaplain,
lh'o ine Characters and lives of these miserable
nep. vi 256 convicts, whom his inquiries re-
sPecteo, he ascertained that l56 were led by in
temperance to the commission of the offences for
winch they suffer; that 1872 of the first mentioned
hunoer mad lived in the habitual neglect and vio-
ia'ion Vi the sabbath 81 were permitted to grow
up from infancy, without auy regular employment
90 mad been ruants to their pare nts while in their
ui,horiy OF could not write, and many were
wholly unable to read The intimate connection
ana association of Ignorance with vice, of disso-
'eueSs with outrages upon the laws, are here dis
tlncty traced, and furnish an impressive lesson
upon the Importance Of knowledge and temperance
10 individual welfare and social order which should
give thrilling excitement TO the advancement of
these objects, in the heart of every virtuous and
patriotic citizen and magistrate
Inc business operations of the prison. during the
year past, have been conducted with success. The
III.
OF the preceding years. had been found to be large
against the institution, in the exhibit of this year,
Is diminished to the inconsderable sum of g477 Al
-ahd against this. even, it should be understood
tnere are numerous considerations of credit par
uculary mentioned in the Reports, which if they
ndu peeh taSen into the account, would materially
ano most iavorably have affected the result In
700, the excess of expenditure was more than
SiZ,OOo; In 1929 it was between and 5000 ; and
In 1851, 1t approached to 1000 There can be but
iittie doubt that, henceorth, the earnings of the
prison will meet the ordinary expenses of its gov
eminent and support, and leave something. annu-
ally, for repairs and such additional accommoda-
LIONS as utility or convenience nav require. The
reports, which will be submitted to YOU, contain
suggestions OF the need of alterations in the hos
ppitai, and OF building for the residence of the
arden. The latter seems to be necessary to
compliance, by this officer with the reauistions of
outy' under the existing law; and recommend,
Una. authority should be given by the Legislature,
Tor the proposed improvements.
Ihe'Progress towards the establishment of anoth-
er institution of public benevoence, in Hospital
or the insane, under the authority of a Resolve Of
'he Legislature of the 10th of March, $780, has been
as great as the peculiar character of the last
an, tne magnitude OF the work would permit. The
e1tertor structure of spacious edfce for the &C.
commodation of superintendent and Of One bun.
urea ano twenty lunatics, has been completed. and
the hnlshlng Of the interior is in such forwardness
90 VIII secure the preparation of the building for
occupation, In the course of the next summer
rom the economy and good management which
nave oeen observed by the Commissioners, in the
contracts Tor the work, it is confidently believed
that the expense of erecting the hospital. in the
manner required by the Resolve, will not exceed
tis appropriation. The plan of the Commission
eIs however, embraces small additional RANGE of
s.rohg iooges, somewhat detached from the princi-
Db,iuhg' ior the restraint of those persons who
Grr
ousy disposed, as to endanger their safe keeninp
Ut 10 oistutb the tranquility of the quiet and con
salescent patients and for this most indispensable
engagement 10 the good order and successful man.
agemeht OF the institution, as well as for enclosing
.ne grounds, necessary furniture for the building
Au the support OF the establishment, provision re.
mains TO be made by the government Estimates
lot these objects have been requested Of the Com
nllss'oGers: Tor the purpose of being laid before
you IL will also devolve upon the Legislature. at
the present session, to authorize the removal of
suoh subjects of relief, as are now confined in the
Ishs and Houses of Correction, in the different
counties, whenever the hospital shall be prepared
ior their reception; and likewise to determine in
mhat manner and on what terms, others of the
same class OF unhappy beings differently situated
may De admitted to the care and support of this
pubic charity. 1t was made, by the Resolve, the
outy OF the Commissioners to prepare and report
to the Executive, a system of discipline and GOV
eminent for the institution but as this system re-
CURES the sanction of the Legislature for its adop-
ton the Report is transmitted by me- for your con-
slderation and disposal
In connection with this subject, | have to COM
muncatesan extract from the Will of the late Ma
thaniel Maccarty, Esq., of Worcester, which has
peen ouiy proved, bequeathing, among other public
oenefactions, the sum of $500 if the government
VIII accept thereof, in trust, that it shall be ex-
pended IN ornamenting, by the construction of
walks, and IN planting with trees and shrubbery the
public grounds. purchased and appropriated for the
use ana accommodation of the hospital, ." to the
emo, I'm the language of the testator,) L" that the
SAID grounds may be made, not only an object of
tasteful regard to the citizens of the town and to
visitors, but of refreshment and gratifying interest
10 the conv1lescent patients and inmates of the
establishment" An expression of your acceptance
OF this Legacy, and your authority to the applca-
ton OF the money, according to the intention of
the testator, are requisite to give effect to the be-
quest.
The interesting design of obtaining an accurate
Map OF the State from actual surveys and admeas.
urement upon trigonometrical principles is ina
course OF olgent prosecution. That you NAV be full
y apprised OF the character the work and of the
progress which has been made towards ito accom-
piishment, during the past season, COPIES both of
the general and monthly Reports which have been
required from the Surveyor, are herewith submit.
ted The incipient steps of the process are made
exceedingly minute and difficult by the necessity
OF perfect mathe NAUTICAL certainty in these to a,
correct ultimate result but the plan, when thus
completed, Will be OF ines Unable value, and of
abiding use. Full confidence is entertained in the
aoilly ana hdehty OF the Engineer engaged in the
active service of making the surveys vet TO has
ten the attainment of the object it may be found
advisable to direct the employment of additional
assistants, another year.
By recent communication from the leaned
Professor whose attention has been directed to the
Geological Survey of the Commonwealth, am an
prsed that the purpose of his Commission is nearly
executed. The necessary examinations of conn,ry
nave been mostly made, and the First Part of an
elaborate Scientific Report comprising 'eThe Eco.
nomcal Geology Of the State, or an account of on
Rocks, Soil, and Minerals, that may De applied to
useful purposes, and thus become sources of ne
cuniary Pront, accompanied with Map, define
atlng by distinctive numbers and colorings the va.
rious minerals and rock formations which preyail
has been transmitted to me. The plan of the Pro.
lessor proposes, that the Report should consist n,
Jour parts the second part to exhibit the Tone.
graphical Geology an account of the most in,
teresting features of our scenery-the third mart
the scientlhc Geology, or an account of our rock,
IN their relation to scence-and the fourth mart n
contain Catalogues Of the native Mner,lpgcaI
Botanical and geological Productions of the State
Under the authority of Resolve Of the ID of Feb
ruary last, and with the advice of the Execntiv
Council, arrangements have been made To urocnr
me immediate publication of the frat part of III
report with photographic colored Impressions {
me map and the delivery of 600 copies, for the us
oi tne government. These, trust, will be obtail
ed In season to meet your notice. and order for AZ
trioutlon, during the session. The best iustifc
tioh will thus be furnished for engaging ia the,
Investigations, and the highest evidence ofFersd
the practical value of those discoveries and mob
contributions to science, which this immense ma
OF curious and interesting information will preser
Inc direction OF the Legislature, in Resolve
VIC io.n OF March last, to cause concise Manu-