The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-01-13

VINO are 80 irlendleas and abandoned, ,iliAi
they cannot excite some interest, and
procure, If necessary, very respectable
list Of names TO their petitions.
Formerly the power was unaccompa-
MED BY any restraint or qualification what
ever; and il is not improbable, was some
times improperly exercised The appeals
Of innocent and afflicted families are moi
easily resisted.
Under ibe new Constitution, the Gov
ernor Is required 10 communicate 10 the
General Assembly "every case Of re-
prieve, commulasion or pardon granted,
stating the npme and crime Of The coz
yici, the sentcrce, It's date, and the date
of the communication, pardon or reprieye,
with his reasons therefor. y
This provision must necessarily oper.
sie as a very severe restriction upon the
exercise Of the power referred to. The
appeal must hereafter be made 70 the
Judgment rather than 10 the sympathies
Of our nature. Reasons once assigned
will be regarded as precedents in favor
of other applications, and The penalties Of
the law would thus gradually be dives,ed
Of all moral and practical force.
Certainty, rather than seperity Of pun
ishment, is believed to afford the best se-
feuriiy against the commission Of crime.
Our laws are administered with great hu.
mainly. Twojnries--grand and traverse
have each to ascertain the guilt Of the
accused, while the Judge, who has heard
the testimony and argumenis on both
sides, is generally required 10 concur.
Sill. allhnman tribunals are liable 10
err, and i, s not impossible that by the
universally Of the law, and lhe. strict ap>
plication Of general rules, thes innocent
may sometimes be improperly involved
II was in visw Of these circumstances
that the purdoning power was conferred
upon the Governor, and have not hesi-
tated 10 interfere in every case, where,
by the disclosure Of facts unknownSt the
limo oetiIe lriaI, reasonable doubt has
been created in relation 10 the justice Of
the senleuce.
The courts are restrained in many ca
ses, from 6xing the term OF confinement
in the penilentiary under ihr. . years; and
this is not unfrequenily made the ground
of an application TO the Executive, a, the
end of one or TWO years. would sug-
gcst modification Of the laws in this
particular, so ss to authorize the Judges
to sentence for shorter period.
Permit me, in connection with this sub.
ject, TO call your attention 10 tho very
large number Of Juveniles now confined
in this institution. Considerations Of
sound policy as well as of humanity, cfe-
ME strong doubts in my mind as TO the
proprieiy ofthe present system OF pun>
ishing this class Of delinqnents. Offen>
ces committed by boys are usually the
result Of idleness, improper associations,
and the absence Of proper parental care.
They are very different in degree and
moral turpI.udc from those Of ihs delib-
crate and common criminal.
PuhiShments, besides securing the
peace aud safety Of society, is designed
to repress crime and reform the offender
The last ofthsse subjects is particularly
applicable 10 the inexperienced and un-
fortunate youth. While many Of the old
are entirely beyond the reach Of hopo,
there is scarcely youth that cannot be
reclaimed.
To bring about this result, however, a
classification Of offences, founded upon
the age of those by whom tliey are com.
mil,ed, should be recognized by law, and
an institution organized, with facilities fol
teaching the Juvenile offender the variou.
pursuits and duties Of life, together With
the elementary branches Of a common
education. Institutions Of tLis character
have been established in several of oul
sister States, and in every instance have
produced The most soluiarg results. ~
The reports of the Trustees and Of the
several Snperintenients, furnish full m.
formation Of The condition and wsnts O.
the benevolent institutions.
The repairs and Improvements at The
Lunaic Asylum, which were authorized
by appropriations at the last session o
the General Assembly, are nearly com
1 pleted, and promise to add greatly TO The
comfort of the patients, and, in the end
diminish the expenses Of the institution
| The great increase of pupils IN the In.
slitu,ion for the Deaf and Dumb, b,rcqiifet
that additional room should be provided
for them.
r A personal examination Of iIia, institu.
lion, has satisfied me-, that the time has
arrived fofthe erection of new building
with adequate rooms and suitable accom-
moda,ions.
| The site Of new ediGce has been the
subjec, Of frequent discussion. II hat
been suggested by many that the ins,tu
| ton should be removed into the country
and the present buildings and grounds
which are now almost in the heart OF the
city, eventually sold.
| Tothis proposition the present and late
supermtendents have been strongly oppo
sed. Their experience in the education
of the Deaf and Dumb. b.gives great weigh
to their opinions, especially as some res
on edpcaiional grounds.
| would submit 10 your considera.io,
r ~ ~