Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-01-22
PLYMOUTH, THURSDAY JANUARY 22, 1867

ment, as required by law. This neglect
imposed on me the alternative, either to
appoint the directors myself, or to convene
the Legislature for that purpose; at great
expense to the State, and under circum-
stances in which could see no grounds of
assurance that the members could agree
upon a selection. In this emergency, as
sumed the responsibility of making the ne
cessary appointments, and selected as such
directors, Messrs Grafton +. Cookery, of
Vigo, George F. Savitz, of Clark, and S.
F. Owen of Floyd.
The contract with the lessee of the pris-
on expired on the 18th of June, 1856. On
the next day. a'pcrtion of the prisoners,
having become excited under the inflamma-
tory appeals of a newspaper circulated
among them, rose in resistance against the
authorities and fred the hospital. Through
the promptness and efficiency Of the fire
companies of Jeffersonville and those of our
sister city, Louisville, the fire was extin-
guished before it had occasioned much loss
and the mutinous conduct of the prisoners
was promptly checked The propriety Of
rendering to the fire companies some suita-
bic testimonial of their effective and disin-
terested services, is respectfully suggest
ed.
The report Of the directors and officers
of the Prison. exhibits the workings of the
system, under the control of the State, for
the first six months. During this period
it has more than realized our expectations
in economy OF management, liz the deport-
of the of the prisoners, and in order and
cleanliness; in all Of which there is a mani
fest improvement. 1t is proper to say. thai
whatever defects, heretofore, existed in
these respects, were the faults of the law
and not of The contractor
Although it is not anticipated that thc
Prison can be made to any considerable ex
tent source of revenue. it is already appa
rent that even in this respect, with prope
management, its net income will be large
than any amount which the State coulC
possibly realize under Tie contract system
The object OF all prison discipline should
be. not merely to punish the offender fo
his mlsdemeanor. and restrain him from tn
further commission of crime. but, by sui,a
bic reformatory means, by virtuous exam
pie and Christian counsel, 10 prepare hin
for re-entrance into the society of lii
fellows. Should the labor of The prisoners
be productive of an income beyond the ex
pense Of their Imprisonment, portion o
such net proceeds, might. with propriety
be devoted to the support of their families
or distributed among those who. On leaving
the walls of the prison. had by their gooc
conduct, rendered themselves worthy o
such favor.
Under no circumstances should the State
again surrender her control of this ins;itu
ton; nor revive policy which meets Tie
condemnation of the civilized world. AS ia,
as possible, the convicts should be KEEP
within the walls Of tie prison, and debarred
from intercourse with others. The cGec
of tie intermingling of hardened criminals
with those not Yet induc.cl into crime is
highly pernicious, and the practice should
be rigidly discountenanced.
The report of the directors and officers
discloscs the fact that moro than one third
of the present inmates OF the prison would
be proper subjects for the discipline of the
contemplated House of Refuge. l com
mend to your special consideration this
valuable report. which exhibits. fully, tie
details of our system of discipline. No ap-
pointment of Moral Instructor has been
made. This service has been performed by
the Rev. Leroy Wood, the former chaplain
The list of pardons and remissions Of fines
and forfei,ures, is herewith communicated
Negotiations have not been concluded
with the President of Liberia, for the pur-
chase of land for our coored population,
emiyrating to that Republic. A commu-
nication, from President Benson, herewith
submitted, shows his entire concurrence
in the views taken by your State Board,
and. doubtless the necessary Legislation. on
the part Of Liberia, WAS consummatcd in
December last.
The subject of African COLONIZATION is
one of deep interest to our people, and |
earnestly recommend the usual appropria-
tions, to aid this great cause Of humanity,
which promises SO much good to the color
ed man. as well as permanent peace and
harmony In our own commonwealth
The frequent COMMUNICATIONS. and the
amount of business transac ions which ex-
lists between citizens a the u. S. and the
subjects cf foreign governments, have in
duced several of the States to provide by