Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-01-11
dividual contracts,'are not only unnecessary

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importance of erecting without delay, a
Peniten,iary adequate to the necessities Of
society. This institution should be at once
located funds should be provided for the
construction Of necessary buildings, and
superintendent should be appointed to take
charge of the work. The system for its
government should be carefully matured.
The legitimate intention Of the law in the
restraint of personal liberty, is the re-
formation of the offender, and the SAL
utary warning which his fate may afford to
others.
To meet this object Of the law is the great
utility of ponitentry system under judi
cious and salutary regulations. Punish
ments should never be more severe than
is necessary for the correction of the offen-
ces TO which they are applied, and it is
therefore important that different modes OF
trya'me mt should be adopted for different
grades of offences. The minor offender
should be separate from those of higher
degree of guilt, for an indiscriminatc inter-
course between the prisoners, will not fail
to reduce the whole in moral principle TO
the same standard with the mos; abandoned.
Solitary confinement must be adopted with
all who are convicted of offences Of grave
and heinous character every effort should
be cxcrted to elevate the morals and prin-
ciples of the convict; the ignorant amongst
the younger class should be taught the ru-
diments of common education, and all
classes should be required to adopt some
useful trade. BY these means the philan-
thropic intentions OF the law, may possibly
be carried into effect, and crime be in n
measure disarmed fits numerous allies, in
the UNIFORMED offenders who are annually
discharged from our State prisons.
Complaints are frequently made of the
difficulties attending the execution of Grim
inal process, from the indispostion of min
isterial officers to discharge those duties
with the uncertain and limited compensa.
ton which is now provided by law. The
duties Of those officers in criminal cases
are Of the most arduous character, and
would respectfully suggest such amend
ment of the law, as will secure them fair
and adequate compensation for the services
rendered.
Among the many objects entitled to your
consideration, |! submit the importance OF
ordering at as early a day as practicable, a
geological survey of the state. There can
be no doubt that Michigan abounds in min
erals of the richest quality, and it can only
be through the means of geology that this
source Of our wealth can be fully developed.
AS yet the situations in which are to be
found our metallic ores, beds Of coal, gyp-
sum, granite, limestone, and other valuable
minerals, are in great measure conceal
ed. A geological survey will bring them
to light. 1t will also afford the agricultur.
lists knowledge Of their soils and assist
them in correcting those which possess an
undue proportion of mineral clements unfa.
vorable to agriculture il will enable us to
supply our own market with important arti.
cles of commerce and trade, and will in the
end furnish us resources which must con-
stitute an important part of the permanen:
wealth of the state. The unexpected and
valuable results which have been obtained
by other states from their recent geological
surveys, when considered, will. feel con-
fident, secure to the subject that attention
which its Importance demands.
The third section of the fourth article of
the Constitution, makes it the duty OF the
Legislature to provide for an enumeration
OF the inhabitants Of the State during the
present year; and it further provides that
after such enumeration, the Legislature
shall apportion anew the Representatives
and Senators among the several counties
and districts, according to the number OF
their white population. The necessary
measures for this enumeration should be
provided at your present session. so as to
enable the proper officers to make their re.
turns at an early day previous to an adjourn.
ed session, which must be held for the pur-
pose of making the apportionment of repre-
sentation according to the provisions of the
constitution.
The experience of each additional day
urges the importance Of a removal of tn,
northwestern Indians to some quarter
where they will be no longer molestcd by
the encroachments of the whites. The DO.
Icy of the federal government has hereto
fore been, to locate them in district OF
country south Of the Missouri, set apart foi
their uses, and secured to them upon the
faith Of the nation. The utmost exertions
ofthe Indian department have not however
been able to induce the tribes of our own
region, to consent to an accept.
ance of this location. This unwilingness
on their part to cmigrate to southern eli
mate, seems to be the only obstacle to
negotiation, by which Michigan might be
relieved from their occupancy of valuable
portion of her soil, and negotiation like.
wise which in its results would cffectuallv
protectthe rights of the Indians themselves,
and preserve from extinction the compare.
lively small remnant of people, which the
hand of degeneracy has yet spared.
1t is ascer!ained, however, that the entire
removal of the tribes within our own limits,
and in all probability those of Ouisconsin
might be easily secured were they permit.
ted to cmigrate to country of more nor.
thern latitude than the one heretofore de-
signated by the government as their future
abode. With the object of their emigration
in view, the district of country north of the
Falls of ST. Anthony has attracted the at.
tention Of the Indians, and it is believed thai
if the U. States would permit this change
in their destination, no obstacle would re-
main to Obtaining their speedy removal.
That northern region possesses many re-
over the south TO the Indi-
an of our latitude. The climate is more
to his habits and approaches in
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