The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-12-11
Remaining in the Institution
NJ, IE 1870


Nov. Is, 1850 424
Upon the subject of the prison and the ad.
ministraiion of the criminal law, feel i'm
PEELED from sense of duty 10 remark, that
there is almost n constant tbrOng of applca-
lions for pardons. These applications are
not made and signed by friends merely, but
frequently by The judges of the court, jurors,
sheilils, prosecuting attorneys, and Other
county officers. These petitions almost
universally set up MS a reason fol Executive
interference, that it is the first offence; that
the offender is young, and has been the dupe
older and more artful adopts in crime; ihu,
reform, the object Of punishment, has been
effected; that the ends Of public justice have
been subserved-the supremacy of the law
vindlcnted land therefore, the prisoner ought
to be discharged. All this le5ds to the re-
Election whether the law ought not 10 he Sc
amended as to reduce tho minimum length of
time for punishment, giving the courts greater
latitude according TO the circumstances OF
mitigation or aggravation which shall sur
round ench case. Again, as the object OF
punishment is two foId-,he protection of
society aud The reformation Cf the criminl ,lhe
question ariseH whether il would not be bet
Ter accomplished by the graduation of the
length of punishment bv the number Of con.
victions. Would moi the offender. knowing
that the second offence would be more SEE
verely and more certainly punished, be
more likely to be deferred from the commits
sion Of il? The whole matter is submitted
TO the wisdom of the General Assembly.
The great object of punishment which is
the protection Of community from the de-
predations of the vile, may be better nc
complished by preventing the commission 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 purpose, has thus far ex
ceedeJ The most sanguine expectations O.
its benevolent projectors. 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 are driven flom home, to stray
through The ianes and streets of the towns
and cities without protection or Instruction,
compelled 10 beg,or steal, or s:arve, and Who
perhaps had never heard the voice ofpity or
friendship. Here they are cared for and in
strucied by those whose hearts are warmed
with the hope and prospect OF good before
them; they become contenied, happy and
ambitions, and in most instances make fair
promise ofbecoming respectable Citizens
From the condition OF this State, the time
is not FAR distant when necessity and policy,
and nn adherence TO that enlightened course
Of benevolence which has heretofore char {.
acierlzcd our legislation, will require for US
a like institution.
Ohio, from heI peculiar position, must lie
the pathway for nearly al such public i'm,
provements as are intended tor the carrying
business Of the country, and lying between
the lake and the river will always have easy
access to The markets for agricultural pros
ductions at nll points Of the country.
Having the climate Of nearly FIVE degrees
Of latitude from north to south, and soil for
fertility equal to that of any other country,
il can and does grow almost all the produce
tions Of the temperate zone. The produce
tions and sales from either Of The great
branches Of agriculture, grim or stock, in
one year, viii more than twice pay the
whole State debt. The culture Of the earth
is that upon which all other branches Of
business depend, and must, consequently, Sc
the foundation Of all wealth. Whatever,
therefore, adds 10 the stock Of kno Wedge on
this subject, & promotes the general welfare
Of The State should meet suitable encour>
agement from the General Assembly. A
State Agricultural Fair, the first ever had in
this Stale, was held at Cincinnati, in Octo>
ber last. The great VARIETY and improved
quality Of agricultural implements, ns we'll
as tue great varietyof the productions Of The
State, the large number of the finest and
best improved stock OF various kinds, the
horticultural and Pathological Exhibitions,
in 6ne, the whole exhibition on The Fair
ground, was such as spoke high praise 10 tho
industry and intelligence or the farming
population Of our Stale, and snch aIso as 10
compare favorably with any exhibition Of
kind in uny other State.
II is believed thai these exhibitions are (
much benefit as a means of extending
knowledge, x,iling emulation, and promo
ting the general good. Whatever aid, there
fore, tif any more) is necessary 10 sustain
Them creditabIy, should be cbeeriully ex-
tended.
The whole matter is submitted 10 lhe
reconsideration Of the Legislature.
lcannnt leave This sdbjoc, without noii-
ring the Mechanics Institute, and The Ilof-
iculiurai society of Cincinnati. both oi
which held a FaiT al the same line with lie