The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-01-13

to state, that there has been great improve
ment in its character for cleanliness, orde
and discipline, us well as economy, taking
into consideration the increased price Of fue
and provisions, which enter so largely int
prison expenses.
The greatly enhanced prices, in the new
contracts for the labor of the prisoners, is ar
indication of confidence in its management
and discipline, Under the old contracts from
80 to 80 men were employed in making wag
ons at 3s cents per day; under the new, the
price has been increased to SO cents. Under
the old contract from 80 to 100 men were
employed in manufacturing agricultural i'm
plements at 81 cents per day, under the new
SGT cents per day for the same number Of
men is obtained; under the old contracts 20
men were employed making shoes at S5 cents
per day, under the new from % to 40 men
are let at SO cts. per day, making differ.
ence in favor of the State on these three con-
tracts Of about $4,000 per annum.
A large number of the convicts have been
employed during the past two years, upon
the new buildings, which the increased num-
Der of prisoners demanded, and which were
authorized by your predecessors, and the la
Dor of quite number of them will necessa-
rily be diverted TO tho same purpose for the
coming year. When the necessary build
ings for the accommodation of the prisoners
are completed, it is believed that with proper
economy the labor of the conycts can be
made to pay the entire expenses incident
to the management and control OF this un-
happy and dangerous class of our opuiation.
The confinement Of the Female Convicts
in separate prison, and the employment Of
matron to superintend them, has been the
occasion of great improvement in the conduct
and habits of that unfortunate class. They
are neat in their persons, and assiduous in
their employment, and it is to he hoped,
that under the care and discipline of their
worthy matron, their morals and behavior
will give evidence of a permanent reform. The
Solitary Cells have been completed, and the
prisoners sentenced for life have been remov-
ed into them
A prejudice has existed in the minds of
portion of the community, against employ
ing convicts at labor which would bring them
into competition with our ordinary mechanic
al trades. 1t would be not only a great cx-
pensc to the State, hut great injustice to
that degraded class of men, to shut them up
for period of years without employment
Nor can it be doubted that it is great kind
hess TO these men, who have subjected them
selves to punishment by resorting to crime,
to teach them some trade or occupation by
which they can obtain an honest livelihood
when the term of their sentence has expired.
And it is believed that no public policy is
violated 10y so doing.
We have made but slight progress as yet
toward the great end Of punishment, which
Is the reformation of the criminal An im-
portant means for the attainment Of this end,
is to fit them for employment, by which they
can maintain II useful and honorable position
in society. l therefore concur with the In
spectcrs in the propriety Of the adoption of
measures for the amendment Of the. Consli-
tuition upon that su ject.
Your attention is also especially directed
to the suggestions of the Agent that
strong incentive would be furnished for the
amendment and good behavior Of tho con-
yicts, by authorizing the Agent to diminish
the period Of their sentence day each month,
for every month their conduct is entirely ap-
proved. Quite proportion of the men in
carcerated in the Prison are far from being
hardened in crime, but are rather the dupes
of more wicked and designing men. Such
an inducement would increase their self.re-
spcct, and might be the means Of thor
ough reformation.
One Of the most unpleasant and painful
duties imposed upon the Executive, is to ex-
anime and decide upon applications for par
don. 1t is one of the necessary incidents at
tendant upon the commission and punish
ment of crime, that innocent friends suffer
more than the guilty convict. The public
interests require that punishment, without
when clemency has been Invoked in behalf
of condemned husband or son, or brother,
in most cases, though it may have excited
the deepest sympathy, it has been declined,
because it was deemed improper to interfere
W. tlIa due course of law. In every case in
which have granted pardon, so far as the
acts have come to my knowledge, the con-
duet of the recipients has thus far justified
the exercise Of cemency, and many Of them
has been restored TO a respectable position in
society. l shall transmit TO you, in sepa-
whomI have granted pardon, aud the rcas-
ons therefor,
The Report Of the Trustees of the Mich
igan Asylums will give You minute account
OF the expenditure of tho appropriation made
by the last Legislature, and of the progress
in the construction Of the buildings to accom-
modate the unfortunate class of our pop
uation.
One wing Of the Asylum for tho Deaf Mu-
tes aud the Blind, at Flint, has been compile
ted, and has been occupied since the first Of
May last. A
There are fifty-one mutes and fife on blind,
enjoying the benefits Of the Institutions, and
making rapid progress in acquiring an educa-
tion und II their ardent and accomplished
teachers. Additional appropriations are ask
ed for the completion Of the buildings. 1t is
the dictate Of sound policy as well as hu-
manity, that these great charities should be
made effective for the accomplishment of the
truelv bepoveIent and praisvorthv oLiecta for