Kenosha tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1855, 1855-01-18
KENOSHA, WIS, THURSDAY JANUARY Is, 1856

uTy can DC appTOpTiatCu. NIT ConflCt IA
Dor has contributed much toward the cree
ton of the building, still there is yet, over
and above all former appropriations made
for that object, large sum due tocontract-
ors-besde considerable balances for the
maintenance and management of the prison;
which it will be your duty TO examine into
and provide for Provision was made at the
last session of the legislature for rewarding
conyicts for over-work. While this princi-
pie may be just and worthy in its tendencies,
regard the practice ofpaying the convicts
themselves any portion OF such earnings I'M
til after their discharge, as liable to work
evils by being improperly used, as they not
unfrequentlv are, and in a manner affecting
the prison discio'ine, and the security of
prisoners II such earnings can be confined
10 the support of the families of the convicts,
where they have them, during their impris-
onment, and in cases where they have no
families the money be retained until dis
charge of the convict, the main objections to
the practice ofrewardiEg them for their la
Dor is, in my mind, overcome.
The question whether convict labor can
be prohiably employed, without working
serious injury to such of our citizens as are
engaged in the mechanical or manufactur-
ing pursuits, has often been seriously dis
cussed, and it is still doubtful what may be
the duty of the State in the premises. Now
that comparatively little. labor will for some
years to come, be required of the convicts,
in the erection of prison buildings, and en-
tertaining grave doubts. both to the policy
and propriety Of the State engaging in man
ufacturing articles for sale, by convict la
Dor, ! submit TO your consideration, the pro-
pretv of authorzng the'letting to the high
est bidder, for term OF years, such of said
labor, TO be used within the prison enclo-
sure, as cannot be proiitab'y employed by
the State, in the erection of buildings-rc-
curing the contractor TO furnish his own
tools and shops for such labor; thus throw
ing the whole matter open to competition,
and relieving the State ofgreat responsible
itv and perplexiS connected with the same.
In nay first message to the Legislature,
urged upon their attention, the propriety OF
adoptingthe preliminary measures to secure
the erection of an Insututon.for the benefit
orthc insane. Anact was passed at that SEES
sion, authorizing the Gov. TO appoint three
commissioners IL a superintendent, who were
clothed by law with power to purchase suit
able grounds and to erect the necessary
buildings. In April last the appointments
contemplated by that act were made, since
which time, appropriate grounds for that
purpose near the village of Madison have
been purchased and conveyed to the State,
and contracts entered mto for the erection
ofbuildings, upon the fs.,5st modern and APP
proved plans. The main building and two
wings are, by the terms of the contract, to
be in readiness for the reception ofpa,ients
by the first day Of January 1856. The APP
preparation for this object being small com
pared with the magnitude of the work, was
evidently intended simply to secure the com
mcncemcnt of The undertaking. AS to the
proprictv of prosecuting with energy. such
an undertaking SO praiseworthy and just in
its character, need not here urge upon
you, further than to say, that more aid is
indispensable, and will, trust, be found at
yonr hands. For Information ofdetais, con-
corning the transactions of the Commission
ers and Superintendent, and the condition
and wants of the Institution, I refer you to
the reports of the officers in charge.
The prosperous condition of TIE institu-
tons established for the education of the
blind and deaf and dumb, as is more fully
shown by tie reportsof the respective Boards
of Trustees, is well worthy Of notice Indi-
cations of correct and judicious management
BY those in charge OF them are apparent
The provision heretofore made by the Leg
islature for the establishment of these char
liable institutions, must be regarded as hav-
ing been bestowed upon objects worthy and
humane in their character, and as meeting
only the demands Of simple justice to the
unfortunate of those classes. And while
hold it to be our duty to make ample pro-
vision for those objects, and in no event to
fail to provide annually for their free sup
port, cannot in view Of the liberal proyis-
ion before made for them, and the INSULT
cient provision made for other institutions
similar in their character, consistently urge
at this time your making appropriations for
| the purpose of materially charging their
buildings during the present year to any
more than the completion of such portions
as are already commenced In support Of
this, refer to the reports which exhibtthe
number of pupils in each, as being less than
equal to the accommodations prcyi-
ded, and from the best information |
have been able to obtain, will be ample for
the present year. The propriety of provi
ding by law, however,a AT the present session
for the ultimate extension and completion
Of the buildings according to the plans "a
dopted, in my Judgment is unquestionable;
and TO that end, such provision at the pres
cnt session as viii accomplish that object,
within the necessary space of time, l am
cheerfully disposed to favor. Means for the
erection of shops, necessary for the use OF
the Deaf and Dumb, and the support of
each Of these institutions during the present
year, are clearly objects claiming immedi-
ate provision. to the extent of which Ircfer
! TO the respective reports.
The Geological survey of'the State has
been prosecuted the past year with great
energy, and most encouraging results. The
able report of Prof Per:ival, our State Ge-
ologist, will doubtless elicit attention, both
at home and abroad, and I trust will re-
ceive at your hands an early examination;
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