Litchfield enquirer., 1848-05-11

press my entire conviction of the skill
ful and humane treatment of its unhap-
py inmates.
submit the claims Of this unhappy
class of our fellow beings-a class much
more numerous than is generally suppo-
sed-to the consideration of the General
Assembly.
From the report of the Warden Of the
Connecticut State Prison., which will be
submitted to you. you will be enabled to
judge of the present conditions aof that
Institution.
have every reason TO believe that the
Salulary discipline of the prison has been
fully maintained, while due alten ION has
been paid 10 the hca III, comfort, and, as far
as practicable, to the religious and moral
instruction of the cohvic's.
The whole rumber Of prisoners in con-
firement on the 3lst of March las, was one
hundred and City The humber commits
ted during The year ending the SISt Of
March is fortyt~o. There were twenty
! four discharged by The expiration of their
sentences, one hy order of the General As
$, mhly, and five have died during the year.
The il cnme If the prison for the past
year is $l3 35l So, The expenditures
Were ST ,S43 "a, leaving balance gained
10 the Institution of ST. sos "a. seas
The balan e, it wi lbe perceived. is con-
Siderahly less than in former Yeas This
is attributable. in pa,t 10 the diminisle>
number of conviclS, being about sixty less
| than the average number, for manv years
previous to lS44 /, also arises in pant
| from the increased price Of ralions, being,
as It is stalled, abou, fifty per cent more than
| in many previous yea $.
! 1t would be gratifying To know that the
decreaS, ng number of commitments to the
Z pnneClicul State Prison, afforded sure
indication Of The diminulion Of crime
among US. But it has been inlmated tn II
there is disposition manifested on the
part of some of The Counties to retain in
the County goals as many as they can ac>
commoda,e. And that in some insl aneeS,
offenders are sentenced 10 Imprisonment in
the County prison for offences which should
be punished ny confinement in the State
Prison, and that in this way expenses of
the State are increased, and the income of
the Safe prison diminished.
There are in THIS prison three insane
persons kept in close confinement. OF
course, no measures are, or can be adopted
for the restoration OF their reason. would
respectfully suggest to the Legislature
whether there be not IN Improperly in
combining lunatics IN a State prison, and
whether they should not be removed to
some place where their comfort and health
can be better provided for.
1t appears by the report of Quarter Mas
ter General, that the expenses of the de-
partment for the past year Amount 10 WI
665 O8. or this sum $G62 IL was paid for
additional tents and marques, rendered
necessary by the law of the last Session OF
the General Assembly. 1t also appears
that there have been returned to the State
Arsenal, during the year, 5 field pieces, lO7
rifles and al lS mnAketS. The suggestions
of the Quarter Master General, respecting
the condition of these arms, aud the exre>
dieney of cleaning, repairing and rendering
them fit for serv ,ce, will require your allen>
ton.
The report of the Adjuant General will
also he la ut before you. 1t appears that the
number of the militia, embraced in the uni
formed companies, which are organized un
der the law of the last session, and who have
done military duty in conformity TO it's p,o'
visions is 1865 The whole number re>
ported TO the Adjulant General is $500
The suggestions he has made in regard to
the details and operations OF the law, are
We II deserving your. consideration. And
avail myself of this occasion 10 express the
obligations l am under to that officer, fol
; his ass ,du ~ aud perScve ence in car'yins
, into effect the provisions Of the late act.
The act of the ia>l session, as you wei
know, is not only an inn WALTON upon tn
lorm,r system, hat provides for an entii.
new organization Of the militia Of In,
State.
A reiers NE 10 the various editions O
our Statutes will show how frequently this
subject has engaged the attention Of the
General Assembly, from the earl est period
Of our history TO the preSen, time And
when it is considered that to the militia IL
chic fly entrusted the public defence-tba
the citizen sOldie y of free state consli ute
its best reliance against invasion from
without. and popular commotion (roIn with
in, il will be readily conceded, that tie at
lenllon thus bestowed has mol been either
ancalled loI " misapplied.
The great object Of all our legislation on
| lIllS DeSH W J'O'INe all vi
ganizalun as To give efficiency and force q
the militia, and at the same time 10 relieve
this respectable class Of our fellow citizens
from unnecessary burlhenS and expense.
This lwOfold object il was the design Oi
the late law to Accomplishment il is be-
Iieved that 1t will no; disa ppoint the expec>
taliol of us frances Lam h'ppy in Le-
ing able 10 inform youtha, The law has,
thus far, gone into operation in a manner
which argues favorabiy Ia It's success.
Ii is true that the number Of The militia
who actually perform military duty will be-
greatly diminished, bul ii is believed that
he deficiency in numbers will lie much
more than compensated by the superior dis
cipline and etfIc eLcy of those whu are calls
ed into service under the act-whiie those
who do not choose 10 petfoIm The service
are relieved of the burihen by the payment
Of very moderate Communication.
1t was not to he expected that a law,
creating so maay and such radical cha ne es
in our syslem, should have been pei CT.
There are doubtless delecis, disclosed by The