The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-12-18
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
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Upon the subject Of the prison, and the
administration of the criminal law, ! feel
impelled, from sense Of duty, to remark
that there is almost constant throng Of
applicants for pardon. These applica-
tions are not made and signed by friends
merely, but frequently by the Judges Of
the Courts, Jurors, Sheriffs, Prosecuting
Attorneys, and other county officers
These petitions almost universally set up
a reason for Executive interference, that it
is the first offence, that the offender is
young, and has been the dupe of older
and more artful adopts in crime--that re-
form, the object Of punishment, has been
effected; that the ends of public justice
have been subserved, the supremacy Of
the law yindicated, and therefore the pris-
oner ought to be discharged. All this
leads to the reflection whether the law
ought not to be SO amended as to reduce
the minimum length of time tor punish,
ment, giving the courts greater latitude
according TO- the circumstances Of mitiga-
ton or aggravation which shall surround
each case. Again, as the object Of pun
ishment is twofold, the protection of-socie-
ty and the reformation Of the criminal, the
question arises, whether it would not be
better accomplished by graduation of
the length Of punishment by the number
of convictions. Would not the offender,
knowing that the second offence would be
more severely and more certainly pun
ished, be more likely to be deferred from
the commission of itl The whole matter
is submitted to the wisdom OF the General
Assembly. .g
The great object of punishment, which
is the protection Of community from the
depredations of the vile, may be better
accomplished by preventing the commits
sion Of the evil, than by enacting laws for
furnishing the offender after the crime is
committed. The State Reform School Of
Massachusetts,, established. for that pur-
pose, has thus far exceeded the most SAN
guine expectations of its benevolent pro-
jectors. The buildings can accommodate
three hundred, and are now full Of bright
youth, who, perhaps from penury and
want, had violated the law; who, perhaps,
were driven from home, to stray through
the lanes and streets of the towns and Cit
les without protection or instruction, COM
PEELED to beg or steal, or starve; and who,
perhaps, had never heard the voice ofpity
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,
happy, and ambitious; and, in most in
stances, make fair promise Of becoming
respectable citizens. sla
From the condition of this State, the
time is not distant when necessity and
policy, and an adherence to that enlight-
ened course of benevolence which has
heretofore characterized our legislation,
will require for us like institution. ss
Ohio, from her peculiar position, must
be the pathway for nearly all of such pub
lie improvements as are intended for the
carrying business ofthe country, and lying
between the Lake and the River. will al.
ways have easy access to the markets for
agricultural productions at all points ofthe
country.
Having the climate of nearly five de-
grees Of latitude from north 10 south,
and soil for fertility equal to that Of any
other country, il can and does grow almost
all Of the productions of the temperate
zone. The productions and sales from
either Of the great branches of Agricul.
ture-grain or stock--in one year will
more than twice pay the whole State debt,
The culture of the earthis that upon which
all other branches of business depend,
and must, consequently, be the foundation
Of all wealth. Whatever, therefore, adds
to the stock Of knowledge on this subject,
promotes the general welfare Of the State,
and should meet suitable encouragement
from the General Assembly. a 4
A State Agricultural Fair, the first ever
held in this State, was held in October
last. The great variety and improved
quality Of agricultural implements, as well
as the great variety of the productions Of
the State--the large number Of the finest
and best improved stock, ofvarious kinds
the Horticultural and Pathological ex-
hibitions-in fine, the whole exhibition on
the Fair grounds was such as spoke high
praise to the industry and intelligence Of
the farming population Of our State, and
such, also, as to compare fayorably with
any exhibition Of the kind in any other
State. IL i 1919 ,Agega 81 1s .Sssss q IS
It's believed that these exhibitions are
Of much benefit as means Of extending
knowledge, exciting emulation, and pro-
noting the general good. Whatever aid,
therefore, (if any more is necessary to
sustain them creditably, should be cheer
fully extended. a~ slfi5 alasa s8
The whole matter is submitted to the
consideration Of the Legislature. l
! cannot leave this subject without no.
ticing the Mechanics Institute and the
Horticultural Society of Cincinnati; both
Of which held Fair at the same time with