The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-01-13


the appropriations asked for 1860, are
1H,67o. The general aggregate Of dis
bIrsements must be increased during the
present year, by the necessary provision
for the Southwestern Asylum. The
srctest economoy will be necessary 10
briug the annual cost Of the four Asyums
within limits satilactory 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, il was 80.
The expenditures during the last year
were 81, SIT Of which large proper
ton was for buildings and other permanent
Improvements which have added largely
TO the value Of the firm as property
This institution has thus far fulfilled the
wise and humane design of the Legis.
lature. lis direct agency in reformation
has been quite as efficient as was anlici-
pated, while it would be dfficult to meas.
ure its utility in the prevention Of crime.
Under the influence of lis example In
dusral Schools have been organized in
Clevcland and Cincinnati for that class Of
yagrants and destitute chidren,-social
orphans, s,-who cannot be brought into
Common Schools, and GIom whose num-
bers the ranks of crime are continually
recruited. The Institution al Cleveland
offering not only some measure Of in
struction, but employment and food as
inducements TO attendance, has been,
thus far, extremely useful, and gives
promise OF yet greater utility. Vagrancy,
piicring, and more serious crime, have
greatly diminished under its influence -
That at Cincinnati, more recently begun,
is ye! TO make proof Of its efficiency for
good
Upon examining the Reports of the
various Institutions, you viii doubtless
observe considerable differences in amount
and value OF information, and IN modes OF
treatment, I have heretofore suggested,
anu now renew ihe suggestion that the
several Superintcndents or Presidents OF
Boards OF Trustees be required to meet
at least once year for consultation upon
plans ut management, and on modes Of
making up Reports. | do not doubt that
such consultations will promote economy
IN administration, and secure much clear
er and better statements OF its theory,
history and results.
The administration of tho Penitenary
during tho last year was emincntly SUCCESS
tul. While the number of convicts increas.
ed from GO3 to S53 exceeding the number
of available cells by 1913 and compelling tho
uso of tho chapel and hospital as convict
quarters, the judiciOus dicipIinu OF tho prison
was such that industry, order and health
prevailed in unusual degrees within its walls
1t was impossible, mt once, to linG profitable
employment for so Numerous body Of
prisoners, and yet, though expenditures
necessarily increased with numbers, they
were exceeded by tho earnings of the year
Tho two additional buildings directed by the
last General Assembly are noarly completed
at a cost considerably reduced bv tho en-.
plOvment Of convict labor in portions of tho
work. Whom finished they will supply
seventy five additional coils. But the NUN.
Der will still be for too small. and, If prison
ers continue to multiply ut The present rate,
tho dispropOriiOn, already inconycnient,
must soon become dangerous.
Under Joint Resolution of your prede.
cossors | appointed a Commission of three
citizens to enquire into the cxpudiency OF
further onlarging tho present prison, or
constructing new one in somo other part
of tho State Their report l presume. will
soon bc submitted 10 you, and it will bo for
you to doterminn what action is required by
tho public interest.
hayo thought it my duty to exercise tho
power OF pardon sornc@hat more spainglv
than most of my predecessors. No lpbt
reason hns bccn consciously permitted to
induce interference with tho vcrdic,s OF
jurics aud the sentences Of courts Still the
number of cases in which hav0 fot myself
hnnpl IA, mi brr la,
Ia somc. tho ianoconcu Of the prisoner has
been mado manifest; in Others mitigating
circumstances have come to light which. Ii
known, would have ubated the rigor of the
| sentence: and in others clear evidence of
reformation and exemplary conduct in pris
on. with othnr circumstances, seemed to re-
quiro ny action. A report will Dc immed.
atc'y laid before you, stating fully each case
of pardon, with the reason which decided
NV judgment
the state of tho law in respect to tho col
lection. safe-keoping and disbursement of
revenue Will necessarily command your
attention. The first consideration, without
doubt, in overy discussion concerning public
moneys, is safety. If safety can be com.
bined with general convenience and advan-
tago. few will question tho wisdom of the
combination, Such combination in nv
judgment, may be obtained by providing for
tho payment of all dues to tho State. in
coin o. tho Eotcs of tho specie paying Banks
Of Ohio; by authorizing tho selection of do
positarics by the State Treasurer, under
suitable guards and restrictions and BY re-
quiring ample and unqucstionablo security
for prompt payment Of all deposits, on do
mand, in specie or specie notes. No inter
est should DO taken on deposits except for
tho State, All uso of public officers, and all
attempts to secure in any way, private ad.
vantage from the deposit OF other disposition
of public funds, should ho strictly prohibited
uudor tho severest penalties.
Such systom will approach rs nearly 10
the independent Treasury of the Federal
Government rs duo regard TO the welfaro
Of the people will admit; and much Ecaror,
in ny Opinion, than tho system recently
adopted. The act ut 1858 by which that
| system WAS introduced contains mauy useful
provisions; hut iholr value is greatly i'm
pared by It's virtual sanction OF The recent
Of whatever tho several County Troasurcrs
may choose to take in payment of taxes; by
! tho absence Of al. provisions in rotation TO
tho exchange Of funds aud by its omission
! TO require bonds to tho satisfaction of State
officers Tor tho safe keeping aud transfer Of
moneys belonging to the State. In tho
/ practica! execution OF tho act tho County
TreNsurcrs have generally received for taxes
Whatever was curront IN ihor counties, and