Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-12-14

ed from sense of duty to remark, that there
is almost constant throng of applications for
pardons, These applications are not made
and signed by friends merely, but frequently
by Judges of the court, Jurors, sherifs, prose
cutting attorneys, and other county officers
These petitions almost universally set up as a
reason for the executive interference that il is
the first offence; that the offender is young,
and has been the dupe of older and more art
full adopts in crime; that reform the object of
punishment, has been effected; that the ends
of public Justice have been subscrved-the su-
premacy of the law vindcated-and therefore,
] the prisoner ought to be discharged. All this
leads to the reflection whether the law ought
not TO be so amended as to reduce the minium
length of time for punshment,giving the courts
greater latitude according to the circumstanc
es of mitigation or agrivation which shall sur
round each case. Again, as the object fpun-
ishment is two-fold-the protection of society
and the reformation of the criminal-the ques-
ton arises whethether it would not be better,
accomplished by the graduation of the length
of punishment by the number of convictions
Would not the offender, knowing that the sec
ond offence would be more severely and more
certainly punished, be more likely to be deter
red from the commission of it9 The whole
matter is submitted to the wisdom of the gen
eral Assembly
The great object of punishment, which is
the protection of community from the depre-
dations of the vie,may be better accomplished
by preventing the commission of evil than by
enacting laws for Furnishing the offender after
the crime is committed The State reform
school of Massachusetts,, established for that
purpose, has thus far exceeded the most san
guine expectations of its benevolent projectors.
| The buildings can accommodate three hun
dred, and are now full of bright youth who,
perhaps, from penury and want had violated
the law-who perhaps are driven from home,
to stray through the lanes and streets OF the
towns and cities without protection or instruc-
ton, compelled to beg, or steal, or starve, and
who perhaps have never heard the voice OF
pity or friendship. Here they are cared for
and instructed by those whose hearts are
warmed with the hope and prospect OF the
good before them they become contented and
happy, ambitious, and in most instances make
fair promise of respectable citizens. From
the condition of this State, the time is not dis
f tant when necessity and policy, and an adher-
ence to that enlightened course of beneyolence
which has heretofore characterized our legis-
, lation, will require for US a like institution.
, Ohio from her peculiar position, must be
the pathway for nearly all such public improve
, ments as are intended for the carrying bust
f ness of the country and lying between the
lake aud river will always have easy access
to the markets for agricultural productions al
all points of the country.
bo c1ia,aka Of nanrlv f1yo daurpes n
latitude from north to SOUTH and soil for fer
tility equal to that of any other country, it car
and does grow almost all the productions o
the temperate zone The productions ant
sales from either of the great branches of ag
: riculture, grain or stock, in one year, vii
more than twice pay the whole State debt
The culture of the earth is that upon which al
other branches depend, and must consequent
? ly, be the foundation of all wealth. WhateV
a er, therefore, adds to the stock of knowledge
on this subject promotes the general welfare
of the State and should meet suitable encour
j agement from the General Assembly. A
r State Agricultural Fair, the first ever had ii
this State, was held at Cincinnati, in Octobe
c last. The great variety and improved quaht!
a of agricultural implements, as well as the grea
variety of the productions of the State, tn
: large number Of the finest and best improves
stock of various kinks, the Horticultural ant
K Pathological Exhibitions, in fine, the Whole ex
$ hibition on the Fair ground, was such as spok
# high praise to the industry and intelligence q
J. the farming population of our State, and sue
e also as to compare favorably with any exhibi
]. ton of the kind in any other State.
e 1t is believed that these exhibitions are c
/ much benefit as a means of extending know
> edge. exciting emulation, and promoting tn
it general good Whatever aid, therefore, (ifaH
more) is necessary to sustain them creditabl,
@ soould be cheeEfully extended
N The whole matter is submitted to the COZ
,e sderation of the Legislature.
e cannot leave this subject without nosicin
,t the Mechanics Institute. and the Horticultur
~ Society," of Cincinnati, both of which held
70 Fair at the same time with the State, and
ut the great variety and perfection Oft article
fe exhibited by each, in its line, did honor to the
m members and their city, and credit to Il
,u State.
% The work upon the new State House hi
E. been pressed forward with zeal commend
,e BILE to all having that matter in charge. III
,e building has now so far progressed rs to sho
10 that it will not only be substantial benet
"a but also an ornament to the State. The i
Al convenience for the want of room about tt
ar State buildings, the necessity of renting of
ID ces in the city, and the increased exposure
Ie danger of the State property by fire, annual
ID add more pressing reasons for urging forwal
at the completion of this work as fast as it can
done with safety to the building itself
We The convention for revising the constitute
a will probably complete its labors SO as to su
SIS nit the result to the approval of the people b
re fore another annual election. II the new Co
ID stitution shall be excepted by the people, it
u presumed that many alterations will be wan
ut ed in our general laws, in order to accomm
ty date their action to the provisions of that
le strument 1t would therefore seem to be IL
ce dictate of wisdom that not many chang
" should be made in those laws regulating tt
r. civil policy of the State.
h. At the time of your last adjournment the III
e. lion had at its head a man chosen by the pc