Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-12-11

Clerk Dr. Samuel Merriwether, Physician, and
the Rev Fernandez G. Holiday, OF the Melho-
dis, Episcopal Church, Chaplain; all Of whom :
tered upon the discharge of their duties according
10 law. Herewith, | lay before You the repor,
of Dr. Samuel Wort, visteF OF the Prison, for the
presea, year. lie gives toll account OF the
state Of the Prison, and makes many valuable
suggestions in favor of remodclIing the whole
system.
During the pas, SUMNER while in the Southern part Of
the Slate made poin, spend shoE1 time
ming Prison. It's discipline AM ts ap'on TO the pupo-
SEES for which established WhHe caa tFeely
press NV management of the Superin
tenda nis. under my observation, and III
favor of the provisions law OF last winters far
they went, have hesitation in saying that the Prison
ITSELF and the entire policy OF Its discipline, "a established
~ To-, ,,, SO t,a sa,, abandoned for the character of
the State The country been full OF for
years. snana and want OF proper attention
the part the Superinendents but 1t needs only nasty
Of the entire c"ncern TO satisfy the most dull
observer that man. or set OF men, the pest 'ha
can be cound, able TO succeed iii the manage
men. Of present Prison. such institution ought
be collucted. The Prison itself entirely too small and
the buildings ii-designed and worse constTucted-
When additional buildings contemplated by the Act of
last session, SHALL be compleed me space " Inc ais
will nearly lcd up that 1t will be impossible to
poy convcts in the limits Of the Psoa, with advan-
Superintendent, the STATE Indeed, sIita-
Die workshops, requisite light and air. and proper
ventilated the health of TIE prisoners, cannot
be obtained thou, proc greng an additional LOT Of golnl
which be e%fTaEagaAt
The Of the Pententiay the OHIO river, in
tho immediate vicinity of fourIshrg commercial city,
furnishes every facility for the profitable employment OF tho
convicts; and removal distance from Jacksonville
desired The ineligibiy Of the present Site
however, Is very obvious. The Prison s situated within
Incorporated limits of the Town, with dwellings, OF the
citizens H. The practice has been for many years.
and apprehend II cannot be entirely changed unni more
is obtained employ part OF tae coAFcis al TABOR
Prison, and has been the cause OF much just
complaint the part of the citizens OF JehersonEo tha
daily compelled witness convicted elons mn
ling with the population Situated where the
Prison its must. and Los frequently bring
of tho institution in conflict with the police OF
J ersonvie.
Iii submitted your consideration. whether ii would
be expedent aud proper 10 SO far change the present
situation OF the Pfsoh, as to establish 1t without the limits
of the Of JeersonViie. Ii is believed that suitable
site, containing requisite space, be procured for
reasonable short distance from the Town. which
will secure all the benefits OF the present Iocaoh without
of its disadvantages 1t is said that good stone OF the
proper kind be procured and delivered Jeersonile
at low rate part OF the prisoners might be employed
dressing and preparing this stone for the erection OF
Pententiarr. To etec, this object il wculd only be
necessary to change the existing contract with the Speh
tendents, far permit them to discharge tbs amount
they have already agreed pay the Stae annually for tho
labor of tho conycls in tho preparation Of materials and
cells would be finished, the materials Of the old Prison
could be applied to the erection of a and shops for the
new Prison. With very itrlo additional aid from tho
State, all the glanx defects of the present might be
avoided and the Improvements in prison discipline which
the experience and humanity of the have produced fer
the retormaon connected with the punishment OF convct
could then, and until hen be applied tho Peniten-
tiary system OK Indiana.
Whom In lianapolis was established os the
State Government lands granted by Congress for that
Durp
The purpose of Luaac Asylum Nothing has been done
heretofore by tho Legislature TO out the object OF this
reservation, although example of several neighborng
all legislation respecting insane, they have only
been regarded Incapable Of sel:government No pro-
vision has been made for the establishment Of an nsu-
ton, whore they may be placed aud submiea 10 proper
medical treatment The question is left for your decision,
whether and by what the object of the above
walton shall be effected.
The situation deaf and dumb in this State calls
for some iegis,aye interference BY the last census
il ny
and books remind that provision has been
made for their instruction. In this mate Indiana is be-
hind the times. The comprehe of modern
of education embraces of instruction adapted
the capacities Of this unfortunate class, by which they
eally enabled acquire knowledge md communicate
their deas The Constitution makes it tho duty of the
General Assembly provide by general system
OF Education, wherein tuition sha be equally open 70 all
fall compliance with TINS fundamental Tuo OF our State
Governments cannot be until Institution is pro-
TO whom II cannot be impaired by the ordinary means OF
instruction.
As connected with the popotuaton of free principles
aud the stability Of Governments: s4lec, is of
vital Importance general diffusion of knowledge,
from tlelementary principles. the highest grades of learn
ing Our State Constitution has ,ro5ed il upon the Cen
oraI Assembly provide by law for general system
education, ascending regular graduation from Township
Schools State University, wherein tuition shall be
It's and equally open to ALP Although there has been
much sation but little has been made i'll the
perfection of such system. Ii may be that principal
of failure be found in the
nance mas been placed IN tevislng particular systems
which, of themselves expected produce
result without reference the peculiar state of soce
~, or the means which car % commanded TO
those systems. Its amos, impossible
condition. of the funds appropriated for
lit OF common SCHOOLS Are these funds IN situation 10 be
applied appropriated? What be relied
and is this the entire sufficient
liable purpose, is il necessary mako additions
funds, already designed aid in compliance with
QUESTIONS the constitution. Until arc
clearly ascertaned, every system Of
necessarily prove inesient This consideration
points the proprcty Of appointing suitable
examine and general condition
FpOlf y,Ts
BE fully advised of the particular legislation necessary
accomplish the design of that admirable
Hutton. to which your attention has been invited
The fines and forfeiture5 in criminal
fund, for the establishment county Seminar
les. How II is manged applied, s under the present
avs unknown the legislature Ii respectfully suggest
tad plan should be adopted, which
and mode of managing this Ini the respective counties
NAV be annually reported TO the Genera! Assembly.