Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-02-09
FRo1I ANNAPOLIS.
Correspondence Of the Sentinel

" Sentinel, a more satisfactory state
mcnt Of the several propositions then I'M
der the consideration of the several
committees Of the Legislature for the
advancement Of the State of Maryland to
that position and influence among her
sister States, which she is destined at no
very distant day to occupy.
The committee on Education are still
engaged in perfecting plan that will
meet the demands of the people, and en-
able every Child in the State to obtain
such an education as is now only given
to those upon whom kind fortune has be-
slowed her favors. When the committee
perfect their plan and submit it to the CON
sideration of the Legislature, ] will send
you a copy oft, which you can publish
in full for your kind patrons.
The committee appointed some time
ago toyisit the Penitentiary, Asylum
for the Blind, and the House of Refuge,
have discharged their duty, and made a
very interesting report of their visit, es-
pccially that portion relating to the Pen
itcntiary. They represent this institu-
ton in Il very deplorable condition, cap
pealing to every feeling of duty and
humanity for some Immediate relief.
The building is crowded and badly ven
tilated, there being four hundred and
ten prisoners and only two hundred and
fifty-six cells, and many of these so damp
as at present to be totally unfit for any
human being to live in." In view o!
this condition of the building, and to re-
lievo the immediate AMI pressing wants
of the Institution, the committee recon-
mend the appropriation of one hundred
thousand dollars, to be paid in install
ments Of fifty thousand dollars each year
for two years, for the erection of new
building capable of accommodating six
hundred prisoners, and upon the most
improved modern plan.
There was proposition for the State
to dispose of the property now used as
the Penitentiary and purchase some Is
land in the Bay, Or some tract Of land
where the convicts might be employed in
agriculture; but the committee say,
after the fullest deliberation, they are
induced to advise against 1.-THE pur-
chase Of the land, the construction Of the
necessary buildings, and other expenses
would, in their estimation, amount tc
near three hundred thousand dollars" and
as It Is more than probable that such al
expenditure Of money at this time would
not meet the approval of the people o
the STATE, they have advised against thi,
/ purchase, and recommend the building
Of the addition above mentioned.
The committee also visited the institu
ton for the instruction Of the Blind. TC
this institution the State made donation
Of five thousand dollars in 1851, and ap.
propriated four thousand more for th,
instruction Of twenty INDECENT pupils
Eleven were admitted during the yea
upon warrant Of the Governor. tn,
institution is in debt about twelve thou
sand dollars, and the State is asked b,
the Trustees to cancel this debt, and tn,
committee recommend an appropriation
at this time Of six thousand dollars fol
this purpose.
The committee also extended then
visit to the House Of Refuge. Tho
State has no connection with this instilu.
ton; its connection having been severed
by previous Legislature, and the wholc
honor Of the construction Of this noblc
AMI philauthropic Institution belongs tC
Baltimore city in her corporate capacity
and the liberality of her charitable and
benevolent citizens. The object to be
effected by this institution, in the Ian.
guago Of the report of the committee, is
to reclaim the youthful wandercr, to
take the yagrant from the novels Of pow
erty and moral degradation, TO separate
them from vile companionship and the
many temptations to vice by which they
had already commenced to be cusnared,
and to place them under proper instruc-
ton and discipline" The Patrons offer
to receive the hayward youth from every
| portion of the State, provided the State
will manifest an interest therein. They
ask for an appropriation Of fifteen thous-
and dollars year for five years, and the
committee recommend the appropriation
Of ten thousand dollars for the period
desired upon certain conditions.
1t will be seen from the above, that
there is from this committee a recon-
Rendation Of appropriations to more than
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
and each one commends itself to the
Legislature upon every principle Of jus
tice, honor and philanthropby; and yet
this is only small portion of such dc.