The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-01-12

Way ue uopeu, TeCoutAtuu w oil cutIuSt-
ed with the administration Of these Insti-
tutions, the duties of economy in expendi-
ture and vigilance in oversight
Many individuals of the classes par
TALLY provided for in the State Asylums,
are inmates of the County 1nfrmaries.-
This fact imparts additional force to the
general considerations which suggest fur
ther legislation for the regulation of these
Institutions. regret that the Commis
sioner appointed under the act Of your
) predecessors to examine the reports re-
quired by it, and prepare a bill for the
better endowment, regulation and manage
ment of Iufrmaries, has as yet qeen una
BILE to fulfil the duty imposed by his ap-
: pointment. 1 trust, however, that the
preparation of a proper bill, and the nec-
; essary legislative action upon it will not
be long delayed.
Another important element, entering
7 into every adequate estimate of social
, condition, is that of Pauperism. In Ohio
r the pauper class is less numerous than in
many other States; but is yet large
E enough to require thoughtful considera
e tion. The number of poor, we'll or i'll
: provided for, either temporarily or per-
5 manently, in Infirmaries, Houses of Ref
: uge, or other Institutions, is estimated at
y 2,SO0; and the number of the same
n class receiving outdoor relief, at 10000,
: making the total number of poor support
6 ed wholly or partially by the public, A.
800. Estimating the population of the
S State to be 100000, the proportion of
G paupers is one in 162. The proportion
: o. the same class in England is one in 2;
e in New York, according to the census
S of 1850, one in so, in Massachusetts
r one in 65. For the prevention of its in
r crease in Ohio, we must rely on the aid
It of Education, upon the influence of Re-
: ligion, and upon equal laws, securing to
o labor its just share of production. There
o is no reason to expect, however, tina,
e the poor will ever cease out of the land
e Hereafter, as heretofore, it will be ths
# duty of States and individuals to oper
: wide the hand to the needy. Let u'
:. hope that our own State, SO honsrably
: distinguished for her Institutions of Be
: nevolence, will never fail in the just per
), formance of it.
J. To ascertain the entire number of tn.
dependent classes, it will be proper to ado
sr to the number of the Insane and other
1T wise naturally in6rm, 6,040, and to th
is number of paupers, l4,800, the average
rs number daily in confinement under charg
or or sentence,for crime, estimated at IL,
ly 400; making the whole number of per
a. sons to be maintained wholly, or in par
~ from public revenues or by private aid
or 32,34o.
er This aggregate includes all the Insane
st the Idiotic, the Deaf and Dumb, tn
ne Blind, the indoor and outdoor panpers
he and the imprisoned. The whole mas
n may become at any time what much tn
o. larger portion is at all times, charg
" upon the State. Is is what may be just
he ly called the Infirm element Of society,"
H. Its proportion to the whole constitute
lg an important indication of the mors
9; and industrial condition of State. Tha
of proportion in Ohio is as one to IS;
al, Massachusetts as one to Al; in Ne
ng York as one TO l6
ia Under the general name of Crime, Q
ar an element of social condition, may t
to comprehended all action, associated {
es, individual, which, violating moral obIigs
ton, infiicts injury on persons or societ.
l What have to submit to you relatin
is to crime in our own State, will, howeve
he be confined to the proportions of offence
he against positive laws to the total popl
ng lation and to their retarding and di
er- turbing influence en- the otherwise healtl
on ful and regular progress of society. TT
De, number of indictments for crime duriu
ic- the past year was about $500: the nuu
re- ber of police arrests for crimes again
of the State not prosecuted by indictme
i'd was about 1900, the number of a:res
ra- for offences against police ordinances 4
in 6S6; making the number of arrests al
me indictments for crimes and offences
es. lower grade, 1l,4S6. The convictio
ch carried into Judgment, upon indiclmel
of were 300. The murders during the ye
1es were 80, and the suicides 65 The pr
M portion of crimes and offences to the po
her ulation was one in 2OS; the proporti
nd of offenders being of course somewh
ob- less. The proportion OF murders was, o
ION to 10000; that of suicides one to 81
es- 923.
lch The infrequency of convictions as col
pared with indictments will doubtless
are tract your attention. 1t indicates o {
ma fectve administration of criminal jnstit
ich to be remedIed not SO much by legislati
ne as by increased vigilance and frmness
of the part of those to whom that admin
icy tration is committed. 1t is worthy yo
for consideration, however, whether, up
he convictions for murder in the first d
t of gree, it may not be expedient to authC
the ize the courts to sentence at discretion
in capital punishment, or to imprisonmo
ar for life. am persuaded that, in ma
nix, instances, murder escapes oil punishmcl
en- or all adequate punishment, through t
sh- reluctance of juries to find verdiets viii