Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1860-01-07


S21,5l7 Of which large proportion was
for buildings and other permanent improve
ments which have added largely to the val.
ne Of the farm as property The insttu-
tion has thus far fulfilled the wise and hu.
name design Of the Legislature. Its di-
rect agency in reformation has been quite
as efficient as was ANTICIPATED, while It
would be difficult to measure its utility in
the prevention Of crime.
Under the influence Of Us example ln-
dustrial Schools have been organized in
Cleveland and Cincinnati for that class Of
Migrants and destitute children, social or
phans, who cannot be brought into Com
mon Schools, aud from whose numbers the
ranks of crime are continually recruited
The institdtion at Cleveland Offering not
only some measure Of instruction, but en-
ployment and food, as inducements to ct
tendance, has been, thus far, extremely use
fal, and gives promise of yet greater utlli
ty. Vagrancy, plfering, and more serious
crime, have sensbly diminished under its
influence. That at Cincinnati, more recent
ly begun, is yet to make proof of its efici-
ency for good.
Upon examining the Reports of the var
ious Institutions You will doubtless observe
considerable differences in amount and val
ue Of information, aud modes of treatment.
have heretofore suggested and now re-
new the suggestion, that the several Super
intendents or Presidents Of Boards of Trus.
tees be required to meet at least once year
for consultation on plans Of management
and on modes of making mp Reports. |
do not doubt that such consultations will
promote economy in administration, and
secure much clearer aud better statements
of its theory, history and results
The administration of the Penitentiary
during the last year was eminently success
fnl While the number Of convicts increas-
cd from 693 to S53, exceeding the number
of available cells by 1853, and compelling
the use of the chapel aud hospital as con-
vict quarters, the judicious discipline of the
prison was such that industry, order and
health prevailed within its walls. 1t was
impossible, at once, to find profitable en-
ployment for so numerous body Of prison
ers, and yet, though expenditures necessa-
rily increased with numbers, they we're ex-
ceeded by the earnings of the year. The
two additional buildings directed by the
last General Assembly, are nearly cOmpet-
ed, at cost considerably reduced by the
employment of convict labor in portions Of
the work. When finished they will supply
IS additional cells But the number will
still be far too small, and if prisoners con
time to multiply at the present rate, the
disproporlion, already inconvenient, must
soon become dangerous
Under joint resolution of your prede-
cesSors appointed Commission of three
citizens TO inquire into the expedieRcy of
further enlarging the present prison, or
constructing new one in some part of the
State. Their report, presume, will soon
be submitted to yon, and it will be for you
to determine what action is required by the
public interest.
have thought it my duty to exercise
the power of pardon somewhat more spar
ingly than most of my predecessors No
light reason has been consciously permitted
to induce interference with the verdcts of
jurieS and the sentences of courts. Sill,
the number of cases in which | have felt
bound to interpose, has not been very small
IN some the innocence Of the prisoner has
been made manifest in others mitigating
circumstances have come to light, which if
known would have abated the rigor of the
sentence; and in others clear evidences of
reformation, and exemplary conduct in
prison, with other circumstances, seem to
require my action. A report will be i'm,
mediately laid before you, stating fully each
case of pardon, with the reasons which de.
'cided my Judgment.
[The conclusion may be expected on the ont
side OF next weeks paper