Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-05-15

period Of time, several have actually been
improved bodily and mentally. Here
then, is another subject for wise and hu-
name Legislation, to which would also
call your attention.
Some less degrading place of confne-
ment is required for youthful offenders
against the law; than the prison. one,
which shall be made a school for the
correction of evil habits and propensi-
ties-the result of ignorance or parental
neglect, instead Of a place to conceal with
out destroying the germs of vice. No
matter how perfect the prison discipline
may be, the kind of punishment hardens
the heart in crime instead of supprcssing
the growth of evil passions and inclina-
tons. To the minds of youth the peni-
Tertiary becomes the grave of reputation,
and bar to any return to the paths of
virtue. The subject has already been
before the Legislature, and is worthy of
being again considered.
In communicating with the Legislature
at its last session, l called the attention
of the Assembly to the laws for the in>
Fiction of capital punishment, the repeal
of which then recommended. | now
return to the subject, strengthened in the
conviction which l then entertained, that
the death penalty should be abolished.
AS an example, ] believe it may be safes
ly affirmed. that it has proved worse than
useless; and if so, one of the main sup
ports Of these laws is taken away.
can readily conceive of a state of so~
ciety, where on some principles of self.
defence, the infection Of such a penalty
might be justified. But where there are
not only laws to reach every case of crime
but prisons also for the guilty, the inflic-
ton Of the death penalty ceases to be ne
cessary, and is, therefore, unjust.
The great error in regard to this mat:
ter consists in the idea that punishment is
the object and end of the law. Such a
doctrine would excuse us, if not justify
return to "cruel and unusual punish
ments;" and make the State an instru-
ment of the very passions which it assumes
to suppress or extinguish.
repea, the suggestion which submitted
a year ago, that some legislation is requir-
ed for the Limitation of the hours Of labor.
The temptation to require greater amount
of labor from persons employed in factories
especially, is involuntary increased often in
proportion TO the demand for the product of
labor. Hence the hours of labor are lengi h.
ened out in some cases to fifteen in day,
leaving little or no time for mental culture.
The law in relation 10 the employment
Of children under fourteen in factories, lis
hitting the hours Of labor TO ten, should be
So amended as to reduce the number of hours
to eight Instead of ten, making il as at pre-
sent misdemeanor 10 violate the provisions
for their benefit.
The atlealion of the public mind has been
recently directed 10 the importance of exci<
ting greater interest in agriculture. No
doubt it has been too mach neglected here
tofore, and anything which can reasonably
be done towards promoting this valuable
branch of industry, would prove of great
benefit 10 the country. There is unqueStion>
ably large amount of undeveloped wealth
beneath our soil, of higher value in ma
.ional point Of view, than hatwhich is more
eagerly sought for in other ways On fur>
Their enquiry into the merits of this grea,
it should be encouraged by contributions
from the State Treasury.
l submit again the proposition to exempt
the homestead from execution. THIS is
question of the deepest interest, and one
which believe calls for favorable deci-
sion on the part of the Leg stature. When
the property Of individual stockholders is
exeno ped from being taken for the debts Of
corporation, ii can scarcely be presump-
tuous to demand projection for the home of
the cilizen. Having heretofore said all
which deemed necessary to bring this sub
ject fairly before the General Assembly,
leave it for your consideration on the ground
Of its intrinsic merits.
have recently received from M. Alexan-
DIRE Vattemare, the agent Of the State on
International Exchanges, the animal report
of his agency, which has been laid before
YOU. Accompanying the report is list of
additional valuable books transmitted to
this State,-the receipt Of which has been
duly acknowledged. The appointment Of a
Library Committee is required TO perfect
and continue the system of exchanges, the
plan of which has received the appreciation
Of the Legislature.
The duty assigned TO msat the May ses-
sion. 1850, Of procuring block of free stone
for the National Monument, has been duly
executed, and the "Gift of Connecticut"
forwarded to Washington.
A difference Of opinion upon the question
Of jurisdiction over the territories of this
country, involving the allcdged right to ex-
ercise powers over the same not expressly
given by the Constitution, has on several
occasions, marking important events in our
history. seriously menaced the stability Of
the Union. We have just passed through
such another crisis as that of 1890, and
though something like tranquility has been
restoled the danger to our institutions is
not wholly removed. No form of govern
ment founded originally in the common con-
sent of The several parties TO the compact,
can for any great length of time survive
such assaults; The thing is impossible.
The future peace of the country will de-
pend upon the manner in which the Com
leo Monc Thae