Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-10-18

the first class shall be vacated at the
expiration Of the fourth year from
such Classification; of the second class,
at the expiration Of the eighth year;
and of the third class, at the expira-
ton Of the twelfth year; so that one
third may be chosen every fourth
year thereafter.
"This is merely submitted as one
plan of amendment, to accomplish the
contemplated change in the Consti-s
tuition Of the United States. Any
other plan more perfect, and in
conformity with the whole structure
of the Government, viii be equally
acceptable. 1t is expected that the
amendments will be put in the most
perfect form possible that can be de-
vised by the exercise Of your better
judgment"
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
By joint resolution of the Gen
eral Assembly, adopted March Sd,
1854, The Governor was authorized to
appoint a suitable person as superin-
tendent of weights and measures.-
In compliance with this resolution,
Mr.. John Herrigus has been appoint
ed superintendent to take charge of
the weights and measures, as furnished
by the Federal Government, under a
resolution passed June l4th, 1886.
Since the appointment Of the superin-
tendent the weights and measures
have been received, and are now IN
der his control, and by him have been
deposited in one of the rooms of the
Capitol, set apart for that purpose by
the commissioners. The weights and
measures we're all received in good or
der, and are now subject to the inspec-
ton of both branches of the Legisla-
ture. The resolution authorizing the
appointment of superintendent of
weights and measures made no provis-
ions for any compensation for the
time and labor necessary for taking
the proper care Of the weights and
measures, which are now in his pos
session. 1t cannot be expected that
the superintendent will lose his time
and labor without some pay. The
resolution also authorized the Govern
or to have made, under the direction
of the superintendent, a set of stan
dard weights and measures for each
county In the State. This portion Of
the resolution, so far, has not been
carried out by the Governor, believ.
ing, as he did, that the cost would be
much greater to procure set Of stan
dard weights and measures for each
county in the State, than the Legis-
Ilature was aware of at the time the
resolution was passed. The cost of 6
'1set Of standard weights and measures
such as would be suitable for the re.
spective counties, from the most re-
liable sources of information, will
!, not be much less than two hundred
dollars per set, which will make the
aggregate cost near sixteen thousand
dollars. Notwithstanding the aggre-
gate cost may seem to be high, / am
still of the opinion that sound policy
land the best interest of the State re-
quires law to be passed making the
standard of weights and measures uni
). form throughout the State, and that
each county in the State ought to be
furnished with a set of standard
weights and measures for that pur-
pose; and unless the Legislature repeal
the resolution, the Governor will, at
an early day, proceed, as authorized,
to have each county furnished with a
set of standard weights and measures,
as authorized by law.
PENITENTTARY.
Upon this subject, nay general views
have undergone no change since the
sitting Of the last Legislature, and !
would most respectfully call your at
tention to the suggestions and recon-
mendations then made in my message
to that body:
"This institution has, so far, failed
in all the leading objects of its crea-
ton. The confinement of persons
within the prison-house OF prison walls
of penitentiary, with the view of
reforming them in their moral charac-
ter, has been proven by all experience
to be a great error, and it is not now
contended for as a reforming institu-
ton by any one who has become at
all familiar with the subject. There
is not one in every thousand convicts
whose moral condition is improved by
such Imprisonment, but, on the con-
trary, most of them, if not all, are
made worse than they were before,
and become more confirmed in crime.