Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-29

before The additional cost, beyond the per capita
paid by the State, fell ON the town formerly, but
now the State treasury sustains the whole With
out deciding the question whether the change was
on tho whole, desirable, concerning which there Is
great difference Of opinion, IL Is certain that the
new system should now be fairly tested Il Is also
our present duty 70 see II any legislation is needed
10 improve or economize the new plan. The re-
ports Of the various Boards Of Inspectors will be
laid before you at early day, and viii doubtless
contain valuable suggestions.
The cost Of the new aims houses has been S24l,
1853. The edifices poorly built, badly ventilated
and heated, faulty In their plan Of construction,
not provided with needful supply Of water, and,
unless very considerable outlay is made on them,
viii be in a short time in ruinous condition.
They are no credit to the State. They have no
suitable workshops, and from twenty to thirty
stoves and furnaces are situated in each main build
ing, rendering the danger Of fire very great.
Industry should be rigidly enforced on all who
are able TO perform even the lightest species Of
labor, both for the benefit Of the inmates, and to
reduce the cost Of their support; whether agricul
tural or mechanical industry should mainly be at
tended to, the Legislature will determine. Suffi-
cent workshops should be provided, and separate
buildings for cooking, the fire of which might be
sufficient for laundry purposes; and to heat the
main edifice by steam, might perhaps prove econo-
my. No one can think Of a confagration breaking
out in one of them, filed with six or eight hundred
| persons, many Of whom are aged, sick, lame, or
| blind, without shudder.
The average cost per week to the State under
the old system about forty cents for each per-
| son /; but, for the first seven months under the
new it has been nearly three times that sum.
| The most rigid economy should be insisted on,
enforced by every check and restriction your
wisdom may deem desirable. Every advantage
of the market should be taken in purchasing sup.
plies; and suggest for your consideration wheth-
err advertising for proposals or the appointment
Of purchasing agent for all the State institutions
might not be desirable There is reason to believe
that the average cost per week has been consider
ably enhanced by circumstances natural at first,
and that it can be hereafter materially reduced.
But partial means of information haue been
within my reach during the limited time at my
disposal. have plainly spoken my present con-
victions and it ia but just to add, they may be
modified by future investigations. / renewedly
commend the. whole subject Of the support and
occupation Of the alien paupers to your especial
| attention.
Your judicious but decided action on the import
ant subjects thus briefly stated will necessarily be
felt beyond the limits of Massachusetts It will
affect the legislation of other States, and to some
| extent, probably influence the proceedings Of
Congress ITSELF We wish our army American
lied, our navy mathematical. We wish the restric-
ton as to birth, now applicable to the Office Of
President, extended to members of the Cabinet
and of Congress, to the Judges of the Supreme
Courl, and to all our diplomatic representatives
abroad. We desire vital amendment of the nat
uralzation laws, and an uniform requirement Of
twenty-one years. residence in the United States
before the elective franchise is conferred upon
aliens We wish stringent national laws regarding
immigration, the imposition of an uniform and suf
ficent capitation tax, and the universal deporta
ton of criminals and paupers shipped to our shores
These and other reforms can only be contaminated
through an American President and an American
Congress. Your harmony, judgment, and firm
adherence to principle, must needs have no incon-
siderable influence in Fastening this result.