Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-01-19

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eases, from fixing the term Of con6ne
lment in the Penitentiary, under thre,
years; and this is not unfrequently
made the ground of an application t
the Executive, at the end of one or two
years. 1 would suggest modification
of the laws in this particular, SO as tc
authorize the judges to sentence for {
shorter period.
i Permit me in connection with this
subject, to call your attention to the
very large number of Juveniles now
confined in this Institution. Considers
tons of sound policy, as well as of hu'
manity, create strong doubts in nv
mind as to the propriety of the present
system of furnishing this class of delin'
quents. Offences committed by boys
are usually the result of idleness, i'm.
proper associations, and the absence ol
proper parental care.
They are very different in degree
and moral turpitude, from those of the
deliberate and confirmed criminal.
Punishment, besides securing the
peace and safety of society, is designed
to repress crime and reform the offender.
The last of these subjects is particularly
applicable to the inexperienced and un-
fortunate youth; while many of the old
are entirely beyond the reach of hope,
there is scarcely a youth that may not
be reclaimed.
To bring about this result, however,
classification of offences founded upon
the age of those by whom they are COM
mitted, should be recognized by law;
and an institution organized with facili-
ties for teaching the juvenile offender,
the various pursuits and duties of life,
together with the elementary branches
of common education. Institutions of
this character have been established in
several of our sister States, and in every
instance have produced the most saluta-
ry results.
The Reports of the Trustees and of
the several Superintendents, furnish full
information of the condition and wants
of the Benevolent Institutions.
The repairs and improvements at the
Lunatic Asylum which were authorized
by appropriations, at the last Session of
the General Assembly, are nearly COM
pleted, and promise to add greatly to
the comfort Of the patients, and in the
end, diminish the expenses of the Insti-
tuition.
The great increase of pupils in the
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, re-
quires that additional room should be
provided for them.
A personal examination of that Insti-
tuition has satisfied me, that the time
has arrived for the erection of new
building. with adequate room and suita-
Bile accommodations.
The site of new ediice has been a
subject of frequent discussion. 1t has
been suggested by many that the Insti-
tuition should be removed into the coun-
try, and the present buildings and
grounds, which are now almost in the
heart of the city, eventually sold.
To this proposition the present and
late superintendents, have been strongly
opposed. Their experience in the edu-
cation of the Deaf and Dumb, gives
great weight to their opinions, especial
", as some of them rest on educational
grounds.
would submit to your consideration
the propriety and justice of giving to
the Board of Trustees suitable COM
pensation for their services. The labor
which they are required to perform,
and the responsibility imposed upon
them, are too great to be performed
gratuitously.
There is a class of persons, with
equally strong claims upon our sympa-
thies, who do not seem to be embraced
within the range or beneficial operations
of these Institutions. / allude to the
imbecile and idiotic, of whom there is
said to be large number in the State.
Idiocy and insanity, until lately, were
confounded. SO far at least as any efforts
were made for their amelioration and
relief. The proper distinctions are now
observed, and each class is found
amenable to different modes of treat
ment.
Idiocy is understood to consist in an
impaired condition of the powers of the
mind, and an entire want of the reason
ing faculties. Persons thus afflicted
are not responsible for their acts, and
must necessarily, therefore, become a
public or private charge.
Possessing muscular force, some traces
of memory, and the powers of imitation,
they are capable of being trained to
perform many of the necessary duties of
life.
Our Common Schools, from their
universal diffusion, located as they are
in every neighborhood, and distributing
their healthful influence to every family,
should always be regarded as among
the very first objects of Legislative care.
They have not inaptly, at times, been
styled 'the peoples colleges, and are
certainly the palladium and most eff
fectual defence to our free institutions.
The New Constitution makes it i'm
peratiye on the General Assembly, "to
make such provisions by taxation, or
otherwise, as with the income arising
from the School Trust Fund, will secure
thorough and efficient system of Conn
mon Schools throughout the State"
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