Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-01-16
ADDRESS OF
GOVERNOR BOUTWELL,,
TO THE TWO BRANCHES OF THE LEG.
STATURE, JAN. Is, 1852.
Gentlemen Of the Senate
@ and Of the House Of Representatives,:

he events OF the past year have not dimin-
ished oar confidence in republican institutions,
but we have been called 10 lament the reaction
in Europe by which liberal sentiments have been
temporarily overthrown, We are not, however,
permitted 10 believe that the despotic plans of
Russia and Austria will succeed, but that on the
contrary, encouraged by the example aud inspir-
ed by the sympathy ofthe United States,t the peo-
PIE of Europe will yet establish and maintain con-
stitutionai governments.
Oar own government had its foundation in gen.
eral intelligence and has been preserved by an
universal system of education.
The las! returns show that the people Of this
State raised by taxation the sum of nIne hundred
and fifteen Thousand dollars for the support of
schools, being an increase of filty-one thousand
dollars over the appropriations of the proceeding
year.
The Report of the Secretary of the Board of
Education represents the common school system
in flourishing condition. There is DO reason to
doubt the correctness Of this conclusion. The
Normal Schools and Teachers Institutes are ed
ucaling and preparing for labor and usefulness
large number of young men and women.<
We have 40 Institution under the patronage of
the State which more fully accomplishes the pur-
poses of its foundation than the Normal School
l concur with the Secretary of the Board of
Education Ia the opinion that the benefits of the
Teachers Institutes should be enjoyed by the cit
les, as they have been heretofore almost exclu-
sively by the rural districts ofthe Commonwealth.
Should you approve the recommendation an ad-
dtional appropriation will be necessary feel
II my duty, however, to say that. as there is no
probability that the school fund, from its present
source, can ever exceed million and a half of
dollars, and all appropriations for educational
purposes are charged to this fund, there should
no pOuaI pc0 ar loaet in Tho ordi
pendituIes Of the government. The school fund
now amounts to nine hundred and fifty-five thou
sand dollars.
Agreeably to a statute of 1851 there are now
ten vacancies in the Board of Overseers of Har-
ward College. As these vacancies have existed
since the first Wednesday of this month your at
tention is solicited in that important subject
may be allowed to add that there is pnblic ex-
pectaton that the new Board will be composed
of men most distinguished orprobily, learning
and devotion TO the cause OF education.
The reports of the Trustees and Superntend-
ent of the State Reform School will soon be laid
before you. In this institution the kindness of
of home is beautifully blended with the instruc-
ton of the school and the discipline of the prison.
The results are such as to present no occasion
for complaint but numerous reasons for thankful
ness and hope. The buildings were erected for
the accommodation of three hundred boys, but
there were In August three hundred and forty-two
inmates, and many have been rejected. The
success which has attended this effort naturally
suggests the importance Of enlarging the present
accommodations for boys, and establishing new
institution Cor girls. Should you make an appro-
nriatin9 for the FIRST of thaso nhiaeta eA~bi,lo
In mind that within two years a debt of two hun
dred thousand dollars has been authorized for the
enlargement ofthe State Prison and the erection
of Lunatic Hospital. | think it wise to defray
from the current revenue ofthe State portion of
the expense ofinstiutions even of charity and hui
mainly.
The enlargement of the State Prison, contempla-
ted by statute of 1850, is nearly completed. am
informed by the Commissioners, that the expendi-
ture will be about equal the appropriation for that
object, namely, hundred eight thousand dol
lars. In consequence OF this enlargement, it is ne
cessary to increase the extent Of the prison grounds
As one side OF the new octagona building is within
few feet Of the line, the prisoners an exposed 10
the observation of persons upon the outside. This
exposure is highly pernicous TO the discipline Of the
prison, II does not eudanger the safety of the con-
victs. The inspectors in 1850 and 1851, recon-
mended the purchase of parcel of land, and the
latter year the subject was submitted TO the Execu-
tive council. Although the council were advised
that, under an act of 1917, the Executive had power
TO make the contemplated purchase, yet upon full
consideration, it thong proper to refer the SUBJ
ject to the Legislature.
conditional purchase has, however, been made
BY this contract, the State has right to complete
the bargain any time previous to the 4th of March
next, by the payment OF thlrtyone thousand dollars.
If the contract is not contaminated, the State is
bound pay four months interest on the alorenaned
The land is necessary TO the prison. The
price is believed to be reasonable. The purchase
confirms controYerted claim to certain flats, and
the ownership will prevent the erection Of combust-
BILE structures dangerous in Of FIRE, The build
ings within the prison yard consider that the
completion Of the contract is highly important 10 the
Commonwealth.
II he number of convicts in prison is rapidly in
creasing, and there is melancholy prospect that
the cells will all be occupied within three years.
The reports Of the inspectors and officers of the
| State Prison will exhibit its condition in September
last.
The commissioners of alien passengers and State
paupers, have made exten led report, which will
! be laid before you 1t will present saving of more
than twenty thousand dollars, in the pauper expenses
of the year 1851. This reduction, however, is tenn
| porary, unless sustained by the energy and labor
which have produced it. The commissioners re.
commend an entire change in the pauper system
This change is 10 be accomplished by the erection of
several district amshouses, at which all (oI eign
| State paupers shall be maintained.
They have made careful examination Of the New
York system, and speak approvngIy of its results
The report contains much valuable information upon
this point. 1t is 10 doubt true, that, by bringing
these unfortunate people, in considerable numbers,
under the control of one head, their labor may be
made much more productive than it is at present.
The laws OF New York permit the Communication
of bonds given for the maintenance Of alien passen.
gers in all cases whatsoever or course the commu-
tation money is much increased when the alien is
aged insane, sick or imbecile, the amount being de-
termined by the probable expense of maintenance
The proceeds constitute fund for the support Of
paupers. This course is not permitted by our laws.
The consequence is, that emigrant vessels discharge
at New York, the commutation money is paid into
their treasury, the business benefits that city, while
many of those needing support, find their way to our
territory, and engross charity.
fTha evils nffnrainn M ian, tn,n nnnr,nf ,,d