Litchfield enquirer., 1857-05-14


This subject, always interesting to all classes
OF our citizens, commend 10 your careful CON
sideration.
An act Of the last General Assembly, EXTEND
ing the term of Office Of Judges of Probate, il is
believed, conflicts with the Constitution. This is
an Office of the highest importance 10 the great
mass of our citizens, and one which requires the
exercise of much discretion and a thorough ae-
quaintance with the value Of property, as well as
sound practical experience, in the discharge Of its
duties. This subject may require careful consid-
Grafton during the present session. And 1t may
be deemed expedieht TO extend the term of Office
even beyond the period of two years. E-s-,-
The possibility of meiorating the condition Of
class Of our fellow-beings whose state we have
been accustomed to consider the most hopeless in
society, and whose numbers have hitherto been
presumed 10 be quite inconsderable, has occupied
the attention of an intelligent committee of a re-
cent Legislature. The report of that committee |
beg leave to urge upon your consideration. Ii
there IS mission of government on earth more
sacred Than another, is that Of restoring to the
darkened mind Of the imbecile or idiolic, if pos
sible, some measure Of that light without which
existence is a blank. No pecuniary considera-
tions will deter an enlightened constituency from
any reasonable effort to improve the condition Of
this dependent class. What would constitute
reasonable effort will be determined by the Wis
dom of the General Assembly.
State, which have hitherto been made the recipi-
rn,s of its bounty, will need and are entitled 10
continuance of such aid, and any amount which
your deliberate judgment ay fix upon as appro-
pirate to enable them to accomplish the high and
holy purposes of their institution, will be sane
toned ny humane, enlightened and liberal con-
sttuency.
An impression prevails in the public mind that
the State Reform School has not yet accomplished
the benevolent and teformatory objects for which
it was established. The extent of this complaint,
and the justice upon which it is founded, will be
more easily determined by comparison OF tile
views of Representatives directly from the people,
than from any information which could commu
nicate. satisfactorily to myself, at this time.
As | am informed that it will be applicant
for aid from the State Treasury suggest the pro-
prIety OF thorough investigation of its condition
and mode Of management The propriety Of
bringing together SO large number of boys of
that class, into one institution, may be question
able, hence the necessity of determining at an
early day whether it should be enlarged beyond a
proper adaptation of its various parts to lis most
complete efficiency as now existing.
This School was not established by State mu-
nIficence alone, and good faith towards others,
who contributed to its foundation, as we'll as n
just regard to the interests of the State already
involved. require that it should be justly and fairly
sustained An evident reason why it may never
become entirely self-sustanng, will be found in
the fact, that its inmates are removed from the
school just as their services become OF value. to
more appropriate fields OF labor, in accordance with
the original design of its establishment. And il
is by no means certain that the expenses incurred
in its support, would not be greatly augmented in
other forms, if these children were not thus pro-
vided for.
reported judicial declaration that the negro
race in this country have no rights which white
MEN are bound to respects if received as binding
authority upon us, would place that race in d
condition of out!awry which might demand a
measure of Legislative interference in behalf Of
negroes in our own State, sufficient at least TO Sc
cure them from the condition of outcasts from So
ciety. The dictates of humanity would scarcely
be satisfied with smaller measure ofjustiee, while
the promptings Of philanthropy might suggest
the extension TO them of political franchises nn-
der suitable regulations. Whether the time has
arrived for further action in relation to this unfor-
tunate race, leave 10 be determined by the Gem
eral Assembly.
The detailed reports Of the Treasurer and Comp
trollef will be promptly laid before you. The
balance against the civil list at the close Of the
fiscal year ending the 3lst Of March, 1856, Was
81, 6G4S9. On the 3lst of March 1857, the bal
ance in the Treasury was $I2.46s 80. This bal
ance, however, resulted from the fact that the
Treasurer borrowed $4,000 to meet d deficiency
of S37,53l.70 in the income up to that period
the sum stated to be on hand on the 3lst Of March
last, was the balance of that loan. Tie duty Of
providing for the loan made; as we'll as for the
current expenses Of the Treasury beyond the pro-
visions already existing for that purpose will de-.
volve upon this General Assembly. &
The appropriations of former Legislatures for
purposes consonant with the feelings of patfiotic
and benevolent minds, evince spirit of phiIan-
thropy and devotion to the highest good Of our
race which honors the liberaity of people whose
privilege it is to grant~or withhold. That such
appropriations may have been made from ahtiei-
pated sources of revenue fully realized, while il
should afford not just cause of complaint, will
nevertheless admonish you that careful scrutiny
of every measure which must rest upon the Tfeas-
ury the basis of its efficiency, is imperatively
your duty.
Economy in the administration of our State
Government In all its departments has hitherto
characterized our policy, and II is policy that
should never be departed from. The changes
which have been effected in our Judiciary, ie-
quired by the exigences of our condition, aid
which have been ci,eerfnlly acquiesced in by the
people, have involved an additional expenditure
for its support. The incidental expenses OF that
department, arising in great measure from the
numerous trials of criminal causes have been
greatly increased.
These expenditures, togeh her with the appf0pri-
atoms referred to, have involved the State 10 a
debt of the amount stated above. Various meth.
DDS of providing for this debt occur to my own
mind, but prefer calling your attention TO the
Suggestions of the officers charged with the care
of our finances.
The report of the Commissioner If the School
Fund presents satisfactory account OF the de-
partrHent under his care, and testi6es TO the neg.
rty and .ability which that officer has evihced in
the discharge Of his duties The. income of that
Fund for the year ending on The 3Isi Of March.
1857. has been S4s.sl5.S6. against $f47 ,2l5.O2
during the previous year There lfas been psid
to School Societies the sum Of 81 49, 1893 rs, apainst
Sf29,24s94 for the previous year. The Fund
has been SO managed az to yield ne, income Of
u per cen,um, amounting to the above named
sum Of Sl4s,sl5.s6. The children to whom this