The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-01-24

-Nttt uiileS VI ilN'sl ipI
10 months past, .---.-- S932 9N
We are very saguine in the belief that,
by a careful, prudent aud economical nan.
agement of the affairs # the Institution
the ensuing year il will be made to sup
por. itself Such a result would be very
gratifying TO me, and also to the tax-pay-
ers of this State; and it would he more
gratifying If, at the close OF the year,
could be able TO report that have strong
faith In the reformation Of the convicts dis
charged.
But these truths forcibly iml rcss them
selves upon my mind, that our Prisons are
only schools OF vice; that three-tourths OF
the convicts that leave them are more har-
dened and vilalnous than when they came
came to thee sad corcIusions from a care
tul observation during the past five years
that have been connected with this Prison,
Of the conduct of convicts after being dis
charged, and from the report of other pris
ons, conducted on cur ~ stem. Evil COM
munications corrupt good morals, Is an
old and fruitful adage, and with our congre-
gate systems of prisons 1t Is impossible 10y
any ordinary means to prevent communlca-
tion between cOnvlcts
The young man who may be sent here
for one year for his first offence. works be-
I'D the villain WHO has made cline his
business for years, and as misery loves
company, they sympathlze and support
each other; both wear the disgracetul
stripes; both march, one behind the ether,
in the humiating lock-step; both eat at
the same table lock up III cells ajoining
each other, and perhaps both leave the pris
on together; and If the young man formed
good resolutions when he entered. they are
all forgotten; and beirg disgaced no mon
cy. no friends, no labor to be obtained, (tor
the world turns cold shoulder upon the
convict he seeks at once the company Of
those that were IN prison with him, and
again planges into crime.
We have nearly three hundred more
than We had five years ago Why are all
our prisons So full What has caused
this alarming increase of convicts in our
penitcntiaries Some say it is on account
of the short sentences, sentences the Judges
make, others on account Of the long scnten.
ces others on account of the hard times.
Some give one reason, and some another.
But one of the greatest reasons | believe
to he in the system OF imprisonment. This
Prison will III two years be full to its ut
most capacity and | should recommend
that when further appropriations are made
for Prison buildings, that they be made to
build a prison upon the separate system
BY your permission and request, | atten.
dcd convention Of persons interested in
Prison discipline and reform, at philadel
phia, in September last, and visited tho
Prisons Of PENNSYLVANIA and New jersey
conducted upon this plar, and am well sat
isied that the system Is the correct one
They do not have as much sickness as We
d.. or much insanity, nor as much insecu
rity, no escapes, no opportunity for rebel
lion and instruction, 40 occasion by whicl
} the angry passions Of convicts are excited
I and wardcns and other officers, as well al
couyicts, are killed communications By
; which the good resolutions Of conyic;s ar
: thwarted 10 bowling Of contractors abou
) convict labor everything moves of quie
} and harmonious The State Of New York
, one OF the FIST that adopted the congregat
, system is about erecting a new Prison. an'
b the Inspectors have strongly recommende'
tie adoption Of The SCI a-ate system.
. Early in the spring We advertised to le
: the labor Of from - to 30 convicts, 70 b
: employed at various branches Of busines,
but received DO proposals that were consii
cred for the interest Of the State to accept
and we contnGed to advertise again an
again, with Ike result. until fall, when W
slcceod d in letting from - to - convict
to Nessrs. Spracue, Wirhing'on, Cody
Hopkins, at - cents per day, for FIVE year
contract to commence January 1t, ls6(
Heretofore there has been cOusiderabl
competition for convict labor, bot for th
past year or two there seems TO bo but III
tie desire for embarki' 2 iu any new entel
prise connected with Prison labor arising
probably, from the very severe fnanci;
panic that Frustrated our country in l>j,
which embarrassed State Prison contractor
more than those that were engaged IN mani
: featuring by free labor. as they were o'
- liged to furnish stock, materials and fort
men, to keep the convic's at work, whici
together with the labor Of the convlcts, mu
4 be paid flr without any return from Il
sales Of their wares and manufactures
le Most Of the contractors have been ver
re promp, in payment Of their monthly a
:. .,un.. ard / have M doub- hu, -or the o,
j. ,uin- year they Will continue TO meet the
ID liabilities to to the S5a,e as they becoH
: due the amount doe from contractors
= Sl2.6Sl %
n- Ia many years, in fact ever since the i
= stitution Ia. been in operation, there h
been much difficulty in obtaining supp
De Of good water for the use Of the Priso
IN Large amounts Of money have been expe