The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-01-13

n trial, sreasonable doubt has been created ~
relation to the justice Of the sentence.
The Courts are restrained in many cases,
from fixing the term Of confinement in the
peni,eutiary under three years, and this is not
unfrequen,ly made the ground Of an spplica-
tion 20 the Executive Al the end Of one or two
wears. would suggest modification Of the |
laws in this particular, so as to authorize the
Judges to sentence for shorter period.
Permit me in connection with this subject
20 call your attention to the very large num-
ber Of Juveniles now confined in this institU-
tion Con ,iderstions Of sound policy, as well
as Of humanity, create strong doubts in my
mind as to the propriety Of the present sys-
TEN OF punishing this clsssof delinquene.
Offenses committed by boys are usually the
result of idleness, improper associations, and
the absence OF proeer parenta! 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 10 particularly applicable to the
inexperienced and unfortunate youth; while
many Of the old are entirely beyond the reach
Of hope. thore ia scarcely youth that may
mol be reclaimed.
To bring about this result however, cas-
si6catiou OF ofien.es founded upon the aye
OF those by whom they are committed, should
be recognized by law; and an io-ti,ution ne-
sanized with fscilities for teaching th" juve-
nile offender the various pursuits and duties
OF LIE, together wth the elementary branches
OF n common education. Institutions ni this
character have been established in sew, raj u
our sister States, aud in every instance have
produced the most sauiary results.
The reports of the trustees aud Of the sev.
eral superinte ndents, furnish Tull Information
of the condition and wants of the beneyolen,
institutions.
The repairs and Improvements at the Lana
tic Asylum which were autho,izedby appro
priatons al the last session Of the Genera
Assembly are nearly completed, and PROMISE
TO add greatly TO the comfort oi the patients
and in the end, diminish tine expenses of til,
Institution.
The great increase ofpupils in the institn
ton for the deaf and dumb, requires that ad
ditional room should be pro, ided for them
A personal examination Of that institution
has sstissed me, th,t the time has arrived 70
the erection Of new building, with adeqnat
room and suitable Accommodations.
The site Of new edifce has been a sui
ject of frequent discussion. II has been sup
gested by many that the institution should b
removed into the country, and the presen
h,,; I'D .,, H.
in the hesrt Of the city, eventually sold.
To this proposition, the present and lat
superintendents, have been strongly opposed
Their experience in the education of dea
and dumb, gives great weight to their opir
ions, especially as some ofthem rest on edu
cationsl grounds.
would submit to your consideration tl,
propriety and justice Of giving to the board c
trustees a suitable compensation for thei
services. The labor which they are equire
to perform, and the responsibility impose
upon them, are too great to be perlormc
gratuitously.
There is a class OF persons, with equal
strong claims upon our sympnihies who d
not sprih 70 be embraced within the range q
beneficial operations of these institutions
allude to the imbecile and idiotic, Of who,
there is said to be u large number in tn
State.
ldiocv and insanity, until lately, were COZ
founded; 40 far, at least, as any Efforts wei
made for their ameloratun and relief IN
proper distinctions are now observed, an
each class is found amrnable to dlHrrcl
modes Of treatment.
Idiocy Is understood to consis, in an in
paired condition OF the powers ol the m:n
and an entire want OF the reasoning iacutie
Per ons afflicted are not responsible for thr
acts, and must necessarily, there ore, b.
come public ora private charge
Possessing muscular forcs, some tya,as
memory, and The powers Of im't,t"n, the
are capable OF being trained to per orm man
OF the necessary duties Of life.
Our Common Schools, from their univcrs
diffusion, located AZ they are in every neisl
borhood, and distributing their hraitltul il
fence TO every family. should always VI r.
garded as the very first objects of Iegislatiy
care. They have not inaplly, u: times, bee
styled "the peopc's colleges" "and are cer,ainl
the palladium and most efiectual defense {
our tree institutions.
The new constitution makes IL imperative o
the General Assembly, "to make such prov
sions by taxation, or otherwise, us with th
income arising from the School Trust Funt
will secure thorough und efficient system @
Common Schools throughout the State"
In accordance with this requirement Of III
constitution, the last General Assembly
with almost entire unanimity. passed a Ia,
re-constructing our educational sy, TEN, ele
vating It's standard, extending its usefulness
and impsrting to itagreater degree of eth
cheney.
II is claimed by the friends Of the system
thus created, that the new TEXTURES engralte,
upon 1t. are decided improvements. in pc, fec
accordance with the educational progress q
the sge, and the educational demands Of ou
rapidly Increasing population.
In Republic like ours, founded al Il is or
the virtue and intelligence OF the people {.
large. the thorough aud efficient education q
those who are soon to assume the duties an,
responsibilities Of government in all i,s de
Partments. ID essentiaI to the healthfu exis
Rfu