The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-01-16
THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL.


ness and humanity, and all proper efforts
made to reform the unfortunate convicts
who are confined within its walls.
Many of those whose offences resulted
from intemperance, unrestrained passion OF
evil associations, it is confidently believed
will abandon the error Of their past course
and on leaving the institution, become use.
full members of society. ...s
The exercise of the pardoning power, is
one of the most delicate and perplexing
duties imposed on the executive. Applica-
tions for pardons, during the past year, have
been almost as numerous as the convictions.
and there are very few who are so frendless
Ior abandoned, that they cannot excite some
interest, and procure, if ne ecessary, a very
respectable list OF names to their petitions.
Formerly, the power was unac ccompanied
by any restraint or qualification whatever :
and, it is not improbable, was sometimes
improperly exercised. The appeals of inno-
cent and afflicted families are not easily
resisted.
Under the new Constitution, the Governor
is required to communicate to the General
Assembly "every case of reprieve, commu-
tation or pardon granted, stating the name
and crime of the convict the sentence, its
date, and the date of the communication.
pardon or reprieve, with the reasons there
for"
This provision must necessarily operate as
a very severe restriction upon the exercise
of the power referred to. The appeal must
hereafter be made to the judgment rather
once assigned, will be regarded as precedents
in favor of other applications, and the pen
|alties of the law would thus gradually be
|divested of all moral and practical force.
Certainty, rather than seuGrity of punish
ment, is believed to afford the best security
against the commission of crime. Our laws
are administered with great humanity. Two
iuries-grand and traverse-have each to as
certain the guilt OF the accused, while the
Judge, who has heard the testimony and ar
guments on both sides, is generally required
to concur.
STILL all human tribunals are liable to
err, and it is not impossible that, by the
universally of the law and the strict appli-
cation of general rules, the innocent may
sometimes be improperly involved. twas
in view of these circumstances that the
pardoning power was conferred upon the
Governor, and have not hestated to inter
fere in every case, where, by the disclosure of
facts, unknown at the time of the trial, a
reasonable doubt has been created in rela-
ton to the justice of the sentence.
The courts are restrained in many cases,
from fixing the term of confinement in the
Penitentiary, under three years and this is
not unfrequently made the ground of an ap-
plication to the Executive, at the end of one
or two years would suggest modifica-
tion of the laws in this particular, so as to
authorize the judges to sentence for shorter
period.
Permit me in connection with this sub
ject, to call your attention to the very large
number Of Juveniles now &C nfined in this in
stitution. Considerations of sound policy,
as we'll as of humanity, create strong doubts
in my mind as to the propriety of the pres
ent system of furnishing this class of delin-
quents. Offences committed by boys are
usually the result of idleness improper as
sociations, and the absence Of proper paren-
tai care
They are very different. in degree and NOR
al 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 objects is particularly applicable to
the inexperienced and unfortunate youth
While many of the old are entirely beyond
the reach of hope, there is scarcely youth