Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-01-12

tax as is described in the act is sothorized or
levied 10 Hamilton county. Some legisla-
tion, therefore, will doubtless be- anecessay
to provide for its suppert.
Thus four Lunatic Asy lums are now open
in the STATE. capable Of receiving a few
more than twelve hundred inmates. Large
as this provision is, it is yet sadly certain
that il Is not large CROUCH. No, less ,han
a thousand insane, needing the benefits OF
such institutions. must still remain either
wholly neglected or inadequatsly provided
for. ..
cannot recommend, however, additional
public provision. Judicious legislation reg
ulating county infrmaries, and authorizing
private asyluLs, would In my Judgment, az
ford all needed relief, and perhaps diminish
the large expenditures now born by The
State. sob
The number Of inmates in each Of the
three Lunatic Asy lums heretofore organized
was less at the close of the last than at the
close OF the preceding year. Sufficient re-
asons for the eiminution are assigned in the
several reports. The fact, however, is much
TO be regretted, though com pensated in part
1 BY increared success in treatment. Il may
be safely said, think, that these Asylums
were never in better condition than now.
The total expenses OF the three Asylums
during the past year, were S93,427, and the
appropriations asked Tor 1860 are STII $40.
The general aggregate Of disbursements
must be increased during the present year,
by the necessary provision for the South
Western Asylumn. The strictest economy
will be necessary to bring the annual cost
of the four Asylums within limits satisfac-
tory to the people. ..
The number of boys remaining on the
/, State Reform Farm at the close of 1859,
was l02. At the close of 1858, It was 80.
The expenditures during the last year we're
S2l,5l7; of which large proportion was
for buildings and other permanent improve.
ments which have added largely to the value
: OF the farm as properly. This institution
r has thus far fulfilled the wise and hum ne
: design of the legislature. Its drec, agency
in reformation has been quite as efficient as
!, was anticipated, while it would be difficult
to measure its utility in the prevention o.
n crime.
5 Under the influence of its example Ia
9 dustral Schools have been organized ,i1
! Cleveland and Cincinnati for that class oI
vagran,s and destitute children,--soca
orphans,-who cannot be brought into the
Common Schools, and from whose mum Der.
I the ranks of crime are continually recruited
The Institution at Cleveland offering no,
= only some easu re of instruction, bu
+, employment and lood as inducements to ut
tendance, has been, thus far, extremely
= useful, and gives promise Of yet creator
utility. Vagrancy, pifering, and more seri
Gus crime, have sensibly diminished under
]. its influence. That at Cincinnati, more
h recently begun, is yet to m Ike proof of it.
G efficiency for good. ......
d Upon examining the Reports of the va.
II rious Institutions you will doubtless observe
n considerable differences in amount anc
d value OF Information, and in modes of treat
o mcnt. have heretofore suggested, ano
t now renew the suggestion, that the scYera
J. Superin.endents or Presidents of Boards o
= Trustees be required to meet at least once
: ayear for consultation upon plans o. manage.
meut. und on modes of making up Reports
W. NV huCH CONSULTATIONS VIII
/, promote economy in administration, and Sc
cure much clearer and better statements OF
{ its theory, history and results.
| The administration of the penitentiary
. during the last year, was eminently sue.
> cesslul. While the number Of convets
], increased from 693 to 853. exceeding the
! number of available cells by 1863, and com.
D pelling the use of the chapel and hospita
. as convict quarters, the judicious discipline
OF the prison was such that industry order
and health prevailed in unusual degrees
! within its walls. 1t was impossible, OF once
{ to find profitable employment for 50 numer-
ous body OF prisoners, and yet, though
expenditures necessarily increased with
numbers, they are exceeded by the earn
ings of the year. The two additional build
( ings directed by the last General Assembly,
: are nearly completed. at cost considerably
reduced by the employment of convict labor
/ in portions of the work. When finished
} there will 10 additional cells. But the num.
ber will still be far too small, and, IL prison.
ers continue to multiply at the present rate,
tho dspropor,ion, already inconveni lent,
must soon become dangerous.
Under Joint Resolution Of your prede
cessors, | appointed a Commission of three
citizens to enquire into the expediency Of
further enlarging the present prison, or con-
structing new one in soma other part of
the Stute. This report, presume, will
soon be submitted ro you, and 1t will be for
you to determine what action is required by
the public interest.
have thought 1t my duty to exercise the
power of porden somewhat more sparingly
than most of my predecessors. No ligh,
reason has been consciously permitted to
induce Interference with the verdiots OF
juries and the sentences OF courts. Still,
the number OF cases Ia which | have felt
myself 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. II known, would have abatcd
the rigor of the sentence; and in Others
clear evidence Of reformation, and exemp pla-
ry conduct in prison. with other circum.
stances, seemed to require my action. A