Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-01-06

ence. That at Cincinnati, more recently be-
gun, is yet to make proof of its efficiency for
good.
Upon examining the Reports of the various
Institutions, you viii doubtless observe consid7
cradle differences in amount and value of inforz
nation, and in modes of treatment. l have
heretofore suggested, and now renew the sug-l
gestien, that the several Superintendent or
Presidents of Boards of Trustees be required
to meet at least once a year for consultations
upon plans of management, and on modes OF
making up reports. | do not doubt that such
consultations will promote economy in admins
i~stration, and secure much clearer and better
statements of its theory, history and results.
The present administration of the Peniten-
tiary, during the last year, was eminently sue
cessful. While the number of c%onyicts in
| creased from 693 to 953, exceeding the num-
Der of available cells by 1873, and compelling
the use of the chapel and hospital as convict
quarters. the judicious discipline of the prison
was such that industry, order and health pre-
vailed in unusual degrees within its walls. 1t
was impossible, at once, to find profitable en-
ployment for so numerous a bedy of prisoners,
and yet, though expenditures necessarily in
creased with numbers, they were exceeded by
the earnings of the year. The two additional
buildings directed by the last General Assemb-
ly, are nearly completed, at a cost eonsidera-
bly, reduced by the employment of convict la
Dor in portions of the work. When finished
they will supply IS additional cells. But the
number will still be far too small and if pris-
oners. continue to multiply at the present rate
the d;sproportion, already inconconvenient,
must soon become dangerous. 1-" at
+ Under a joint Resolution of your predeces-
sors, [ appointed a Commission of three citi-
zens to enquire into the expediency of further
charging the present prison, or constructing Il
new one in some other part of the State. Their
report, I presume, will soon be submitted to
you, and it will be for you to determine what
action is required by the public interest.
Ihave thought Tiny duty to exercise the
power of pardon somewhat more sparing!y
than most of my predecessors. No light rea-
son has been consciously permitted to induce
intefere.-ce with the verdicts of juries and the
sentences of courts. Still, the number of cases
in which | have feltmyself bound to interpose
has not been very small. In some, the inno-
ccnce of the prisoner has been made manifest
in others, mitigating circumstances have come
to light, which, if known, would have absted
the rigor of the sentence and in others clear
evidence of reformation, and exemplary con-
duct in prison, with other circumstances; seem
ed to require my action. A report will be I'M
mediately laid before you, stating fully each
case of pardon, with the reasons which deeid-
ed my Judgment. "a ~ 15ao' aH-14'"f q
The state of the law in respect to the col
lection, ~safc-keeping and disbursement of reve-
nue., will necessarily command our attention.
The first consideration. without doubt, in every
discussion concerning public moneys, is safety.
If safety can be combined with general con
v%enience and advantage, few will question The
wisdom of the combination. Such a combi-
nation, in my Judgment, may be obtained by
providing for the payment Of all dues to the
State, in coin or the 4.72:145 of the specie pay
ing Pa ks of Ohio ;iby authorizing the eelec-
tion Of depositaries BY the~State Treasurer
under suitable guards and restrictions, and by
requiring ample a d un1u fashionable security for
prompt payment OF all deposits except notes
No interest should be taken on deposits except
for the State. 9Alltnse of public moneys by
public officers, and all attempts to secirei ir
any way, private advantage from the deposit
or other disp ,sition of. public funds, slIould be
strictly prohibited under the ~severest penalty
Such Il system will approach as licallr t.
the IisdapeI1d ut Treasury of the Federal Gov
eminent as a dHe regard to the welfare of the
people will admit and much nearer, in my
opinion, than the system recently Adopted
The act Of 1858. by which that system was in
troduced, contains many useful provisions
bat their value is greatly impaired by its vir-
tlal sanction of the receipt of whatever the
several County Treasures may choose to take
in payuedt Of taxes; by the absence of al
provision in relation TO the exchange Of funds
and by its omission to require bonds to the
satisfaction of State officers for the saf--keep
ing and transfer Of m hneys belonging to the
State. In the practical execution Of the act
The County Trtasurers have generally received
for taxes whatever was current in their cOun.
ties, ard in some instances, it is said, checks OIL
individuals on Banks in their vicinity, and
have made such exchanges Of the funds re
ceived for coin on other funds, as the pub.
lie interest seemed to require. That in this
action tIey were governed by consideration
of public convenience and public duty, is not
questiontioned. The action itself, however
( reveals IN UcitCllNC q HlGGttf Cl inc law
When bank notes are received in payment OF
taxes, and retained in he Treasury. the hunks
issuing them, whether foreign or domestic, arc
made the real depositaries Of The public funds
without interest and without security. So,
where checks of private citizens, so long as
their checks are held, are constituted such de-
positaries. The virtual requirement by The
act of the exchange of currency for coin, and
the virtual permission of the exchange Of
currency for other currency, cal hardly fail to
give occasion to dangerous dealing with The
public funds. The act. therefore, seems to me
TO fail Of lis intent. Under it a deposit sys-
TEN OF til most unsafe description may
grow mp, and the use Of public funds for pri-
vate benefit can hardly be prevented. Every
thing most depend on the integrity of the
State and County Treasures.
| see no way of escape from these difficult
ties, except by substituting for this system of
indirect deposits and hazardous exchange, a
thoroughly guarded plan for the direct deposit
of all moneys received, without exchange. with
selected depositaries, from whom ample secu-
rites have been required and taken or by the
adoption, in full, of the Federal system, pro-
viding for the appointment of Sub-Trcasurers,
requiring from them ample bonds, and prohib-
iting the receipt, for public dues, of anything
but coin, or, at most. specie notes of Ohio
banks. Even such notes could not be receiv-
ed without constituting the banks, to the ex-
tent of such receipts, public depositaries with
out security. OF two such alternatives as
these, it can hardly be doubted that, under cx-
isting circumstances, the former will receive
the cnDrOval Of the necD}e. s