Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-01-19

tersgned by the Treasurer, largely exceed the
amount of their capital stock as reported and
they have only paid tax on that capital stock.
The State Treasurer should either be restricted
in countersignng bills or notes to the amount of
reported capital, or the banks should be taxed to
the full amount of stocks deposited. Brokers
pay comparatively no tax for the privileges they
enjoy. A revision of the present laws with re-
gard 10 the license of brokers is therefore recon-
mended. A law should be passed subjecting for
eign corporations to taxation. The present laws
relative to defalcations and other mal.practices
of county treasurers do not seem to be sufficient
ly plain, simple and efficient.
"The State prison has not yet become self-sus-
tanning machine, nor can be, until all the necessa-
ry buildings constructed Ibeeve all its affairs
are well conducted, and everything done with an
eye to the most rigid economy, and the best inter-
ests of the State
!" Capital punishment has been abolished in this
State and solitary confinement substituted in its
place Although the propriety of the change is '
doubted, yet desire to see the principle and the
law fully carried out and fairly tested. The pres
ent structures will not admit of it, There are no
cells for purposes of solitary confinement Most
of those under such sentence are employed in the
same manner as other convcts This is done by
direction of the Inspectors, and from the purest
and most philanthropc motives. TO immune them
in the narrow cells provided for all the conyicts
without outdoor exercise, would tend to destroy
both mind and body. The impairing of the men,
tai faculties is strong objection urged by many to
solitary confinement in any form. But, on the 9TH
er hand, the murderer should not be placed in the
ordinary labors of the prison side by side with those
guilty of petty offences. The Inspectors, fully a.
ware of this, and of its most pernicOus consequent
ces, have recommended the construction ofproper
and commodous cells, with q view to execute the
law according to its obvious design, and concur in
their recommendation.
Many boys Of tender age have been sent to
prison. 1t is no fit nursery for them. milder
and less infamous punishment should be provided
A house OF correction, conducted as some of them
arc i'll other States, would be more suitable, and
It's moral influences far more salutary. If an eff
fort were made to reform them, many, with prop
or care and culture might be restored to q virtu-
Gus life, and made honest, Industrious and worthy
citizens
In conformity with the requirements of the con-
stitution, there accompanies this message q state
ment of the number and names of the convicts
! pardoned during the past year, and the reason
therefor. There were thirty eight applications, of
which eight were granted. | have adopted the
rule to consult in every case the Judge before
whom the convict was tried and the Attorney
who prosecuted him. This generally leads to q
full and fair investigation of the facts and prevents
the deception sometimes practced, and the MUS
tce done by eXparte statements. In exercising
the power, have been as liberal as in my opinion,
the interests and welfare of the public would per-
nit"
The number of convicts Nov 80, 1852, was
200, being an increase Of 33 over the number on
the 3Oth Nov. 1851. The receipts from prison
resources during the past fiscal year have been
Sl5,ll0 35, the total expenditures including the
expense of building so new cells and appurte-
nances, and rebuilding the shops destroyed by
fire in the month of September last, were Ss24,-
239 "a.
The sales of public lands for the year 1852
amounted to $9O,O55 So The amount of pri-
mary school lands sold up to the end ofthe last
fiscal year was l6l 1913 60 acres leaving unsold
about $4,000 acres The University lands are
unproductive. A reduction ofthe price of these
lands may be urged. 1t may be judcious to have
the Commissioner Of the State Land office in
quire into and ascertain the condition of tho
swamp lands and report to the next Legislature
some plan relative to the grant, and the accom-
plislimcnt Of its object.
The Superintendent Of Public Instruction
ton deems the laws now in force nearly, or
quite sufficient to carry into effect the provs-
ions of the constitution relative to primary
schools.
The Normal school has been placed under the
charge Of an able and competent superintendent
i The building for the school having been finished,
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies and
Teachers Institute established on the 9Th day of
October last. Two hundred and fifty teachers en-
rolled their names as members of the Institute
which was held for three subsequent weeks More
than one hundred lectures, familiar or written,
were delivered before the Institute on subjects con-
nected with the teachers vocation. The plan
pursued was unanimously approved by the teach
ers. 1t has been decided by the Board of Edu-
cation, that the school shall be opened in April
next, for those who may wish to prepare themselves
to take charge of the primary and union schools,
and thorough English and scientific course for all
pupils.
THE funds of the school are not sufficient to &C.
compsh the ends designed. All are deeply inter-
ested in its progress and rapid advancement. tits
the surest, the cheapest and the best way in which
the general intelligence of the people can be in
g creased If the intention of the Legislature which
projected it, be faithfully carried into effect it will
be fine school for the education of teachers and
afford to some extent, that instruction TO our hus-
bandmen, which should be provided for them by
the State.
1.-THE University labors under financial difficulties
from which it should be relieved. IL has received
r new impetus, and the prospect is bright and en-
couraging. This is not the time for the State to
hesitate or falter, when the institution has been re-
invgorated, and every assurance OF success is CIV
en-"