Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-01-14

guard against IN improper use Of this high
preregative power, whilst under them the
rights Of the convict are also fully protec-
ted.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
Many States Of the Union have establish
ed these institutions. They are regarded
as tokens Of an advancing civilization, and
have proved . success. From 70 to SO per
cent Of the juvenile offenders who have en-
tered them have been reformed and given
back to society useful and honorable men,
bers. They are placed in an institution
where the requisite means are employed to
transform their moral constitution, where
they are compelled to listen to the appeals
OF virtue and right action, in stead incarcer-
alton in the Penitentiary, where they are
subjected to the malign influence Of the
vicious and the depraved l learn that the
records of our Penitentiary exhibit the re-
markable fact that fifty juvenile convicts
between the ages of IA and q, have been
| imprisoned within walls during the last
three years, and that So Of our convicts
have, from the beginning, been of this de-
scription. The legitimate place for this class
Of offenders if in reform school. In the
civil and domestic relations Of life, the law,
out Of tender regard for their inexperience
and supposed want Of mature judgment,
affords them immunities and privileges not
extended to the adult citizen. Why should
not this distinction be made in our criminal
Jurisprudence 1t can be demonstrated that
the prosecution and maintanace in prison
OF these fifty juvenile offenders has cost the
State, in oil probability, more than their
moral discipline would have done in any
institution of description named.
The Rev. E. Corkhill, of Keokuk, has ad-
dressed me long communication, filled
with valuable statistics and information on
this subject, which should have been
pleased TO have publishe and laid before you
had possessed the power under the law to
have done SO. 1t is, however, at your SER
vice. In the name, Of . common humanity,
tue necessity and propriety OF establishing
State Reform School is urged upon your
consideration.
INsANE HOSPITAL.
The condition OF this institution will be
found in the reports OF the Commissioner
and Superintendent, and little need or can
be added to the suggestions there made.
Should it take SlOO, OOO more to complete
this structure, it will cost less than its pro-
totype at Northampton, Massachusetts, !;
while those acquainted with both buildings
will be constrained, perhaps, to admit that
ours is $4,000, the better of the two.
1t is difficult for those not acquainted with
structures of this description, to conceive
why their costs should be so high figure; a
visit, however, to this institution would re-
veal to them this mystery. When COM
pleted, it will occupy the first rank of all
similar institutions in the world, and be q
beautiful as we'll as shining illustration of
tue philanthropy and enterprise of the peo-
pie OF Iowa. | am inclined to think the rev.
enue resources of the State as estimated
for the next two years [although the Audi
tor in his estimates proposes to reduce the
taxes will justify Incorporation sufficient
to complete this building, which is so much
needed to satisfy the appeals Of humanity
as they come up from different parts Of the
States.
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
This institution is located at Iowa City, oc-
cupies rented building sufficiently large and
commodious to answer, in the MAN, its pres
ent purposes, is in a fourishing condition
| and under the charge of Prof. Ijams, a compe-
tent and successful instructor of mutes, who
is building up an institution creditable alike
10 himself and the State. The time is not
distant when the State must locate this insti-
tuition permanently and erect suitable build
ings to effectuate its aims of usefulness
This, in my opinion, should be done at the
Capital of the State, where, in the end, it will
be more accessible and under the more imme-
diate supervision of the Legislature and State
authorities. l bespeak careful reading of
the annual report of the Board of Trustees,
xphs nh oaHc oY,1o
AGRIcULTURAL COLLEGE.
very brief statement of what has been
done under an act passed at your last session.
providing for the establishment of State
Agricultural College and Farm, may Justly
be expected. The Board of Trustees at their
session in June last, located this institution
and Model Farm in Story coupty upon 649 9
acres OF land in township SO, range "A west
being central as we'll as an eligible site for
an institution and farm of the description in
dictated in the law. Liberal donations were
made by the counties of Story and Boone for
the support of the same. The Board estab.
lished the professorships and prescribed the
studies best calculated to educate agricultural
and mechanical labor, all of which will be
more fully set forth in the report Of the Ex-
ecutive Committee or Board of Trustees
Connected with this institution is an Agricul-
tutH' 0uicou uuuci Tie Charge duu cODLTOl
Gen. VIM. Duane Wilson, its Secretary, whose
unremitling attention to his duties, and great
energy, has rendered it of very great service
| already to the State, as his valuable and in
teresting report demonstrates, and to which
your attention, aud especially that Of the
| farmers OF the State, is most respectfully at
| tracted.
BANKS AND BANKING.
The acts incorporating State Bank and
| authorizing free banks in this State, were sew
orally accepted and ratified by the people at
an election held for that purpose. The State
Bank was organized on the 18th of October,
1858. There are now II branches established
| at the following points Muscatine, Dubuque.
keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Davenport, Iowa
| City, Des Moines, Oskaloosa, Lyons City,
Washington, Burlington and Fort Madison,
with an aggregate capital of $500 $50, paid in
| specie, aud circulation of $500, S36. There
are other important statistical facts bearing
upon the condition of these branches. contain
Ell In consolidated statement published by
the President. Chester Weed. Esq, for the In
formation Of the public, on the 9Th of last
| month, which makes it, perhaps, unnecessary
to embrace them in this communication
There are applications pending for tour more
| branches, and the probability is that the
| number will be increased to twenty in all in
the course of this year. which will be able, it
! is thought, to supply the wants of the legiti-
mate business of the State for some years. If
these branches have not accomplished all that
the public expect Of them, it is gratifying, at
least, to know that they have done cautious
and safe business; commanding the confidence
Of the people. whilst they have in no small
degree subserved the interest of the commu-
nifty at large in relieving the reasonable wants
| of its business men.