, 1842-12-03

Iowa. The bill, however, did not he.
come law, for the want of the action
of the Senate. Satisfied that Congress-
has no power to alter the BOUNDARY of
any State without the assent of sueb
State, the only effect, if any, such a dec
l%aration could have, would be TO inAu.
ence the judicial tribunals before which
the question of boundary might come.
Surely, Congress cannot desire, in this
indirect mode, TO forestall the Judgment
Of its own courts. ia
Let the considerations, however, which
controlled the House of Representatives.
be what they may, the State owes it TO
herself TO demonstrate against any at
tempt, on the part of Congress, to de-
prive Ler, ii. any manher, CT any portion .
Of her territory. .
The attention of the General Assem-
bly, is especially invited TO the provis-
ions OF the ''act TO provide for the insti-
tuition and support Of a State Universe
~, and for the government Of colleges
and academies" ard to the %propriety Of
such notifications Of the act as will
bring the institution, in It's government,
more within tie power and control of
the State-its patron and founder. 1t
certainly never could have been the de-
sign Of The Legislature TO place the gov
ernmcnt and control of this institution,
which has received a public endowment
of one hundred thousand dollars, in the
hands of men wholly irresponsible 10
the State. Yet such are the provisions
Of the law, that the curators, who are
chosen by, and are responsible to, the
General Assembly, lave no voice in the
appointment Of single Pre- lessor, their
powers being exhausted in he appoint
ment Of q President Of The University.
The appointment of Professor is claim
ed and exercised by the Trustees Of Co.
lumbia College, private institution, in
~corporated long anterior to tie establish
mcnt Of the University-a body Of men
responsible 10 10 power-indced, a self
perpetaating body-they having a right
10 choose their own successors. How
ever intelligent and competent sucha
body of men may be, yet it is i%nconsis-
tent with the nature of a State institution
that ii should ever be committed 10 hands
over whom tie State has 10 control, and
in whose selection it has 10 voice.
The expediency of the organization
and government OF colleges and acade-
mics, separate and distinct from the gov
ernment ofthe University, is exceeding
y questionable, and it is believed that
portion Of the law may with proprietv
be repealed. When this is done, and
the ctrators are empowered TO employ
the necessary professors, confer the usu-
al honers, and prescribe the course of
study. the university will become, what
ii was designed 10 be, a State ~ins,itu-
ton.
The future management of the peni-
Tertiary will be an important subject for
your deliberations. The term of the
present lesSoes will expire on the fl
teenth Of February next, and it is i'm
por!ant that a system for its government
should be matured by that time. 1t is
scarcely to be presumed that the Gener-
al Assembly viii again place this %institu-
ton under the management of private
individuals, without rcser,ing 10 the
State an efficient control over those hav-
ing it in charge; and such control can
not be efficient, unless it embraces the
power of removal for a disregard of du-
X or a violation of the law.
Whatever system NAV be adopted, l
would respectfully urge the propriety of
combining the convicts to labor within the
walls of the prison. \ contrary policy
is at war with the nature and design of
the ~pcnitentiary system.
The present mode of employing the
convicts in the various mechanical
branches, is highly injurious TO a most
useful and meritorious class Of citizens.
1t is believed that Il very large proper
ton Of the prisoners can be more p~roiita-
bly, employed in the manufacture of some
of the staple products ofthe State, there
by aifording a market for the farmer,
without prejudice 10 the mechanical in
~terests Of any portion of the State.
"A strong inducement to an economical
administrator Of the affairs of the peni-
Tertiary, would be found in making the
compensation of the keeper payable, 10
a certain extent, out of the nett proceeds
Of the institution.
1t will be necessary to make provis-
ion for the erection of an additional num-
Der of cells, as the present number is far
exceeded by the number of convicts.-
| would suggest the prcpriety of SO con-
.structing them as TO admit but one con-
Wet, the association of the prisoners be-
ing deleterious to their morals, and pre-
judicial to their management.
Within the last four years, the conviets
have increased, from A, TO one hundred
and fifty, and they are still rapidly IN
creasinr IL tie fnturn nnlicy CT tia