Litchfield enquirer., 1860-05-10

that the institution never gave greater promis of usefulness. The Directors and Superintend ent desire and labor, to insti into the minds c those who are committed to their charge, tn conviction that idleness, Sabbath breaking thef and unrestrained passions, are the sources c misery and that truthfulness, honesty, obedenc to w, and regard for the interests of others, vii secure the confidence and respect of the commu nity, and bring high degree of happiness. Il these efforts they entitled to, and will, trust receive, the cooperation of the Repre sentatlve of the People in carrying out all measures wlse ly calculated to accomplish the benevolent de signs of the orieinators of the institution. Tn, Reform School was not established to proven crime but |" for the instruction, employment ant reformation of juvenile offenders" Whethe these ends can be better attained by allowing thu boys of all shades of character to associate witt each other ill the shop, on the farm, and on tn play ground, as they now do, or whether it is bet ter to have them classified, according to age ane moral character, and separated into families, oc eupyng distinct buildings, where they will b brought into more intimate relations with thos who assume the character of fathers, or heads o families, and be more immediately under thei watch and care, according to system adopted Tn some parts of Europe, are problems not ye satisfactorily solved. Facts abundantly show that, in large association, the more vicious cor rupt the more morally disposed and counterac reformatory measures. But it must be remem bered that association has powerful influence for good we'll for evil especially if the young are brought under the charge of those who sym pathize with them in their exposures and trials. The system of subdivision requires more teach CTS and assistants, and is, consequently the more hfua nn ahn believing that either system may secure reforma. tion where correct moral and religious principles are taught-where rig ght rules of life are enforc ed-and where evil habits are corrected by em poyment and industry.
 THE STATE PRISON.
 The income oftheS State Prison has been$17 .851 05 He expenses ................... l6, lS3 l4 Leaving net profit to the State of ..---
 TT, p',aice. ...;............... l.6b1 9l
 The labor of the convicts has recently been re- let at an advance of about ten per cent. prices for two or three years past.
 The number of prisoners, on the 3lst day of March, was one hundred and seventy-nine. They have had the services of chaplain and physi- clan, and such attention from the warden and other officers as circumstances seemed to demand and justify.
 The repairs and changes authorized by the last General Assembly appear to have been judcious- ly made by the directors, and give good chapel for religious services, four new workshops in one building, well adapted for the purposes for which they are occupied, prison yard of larger dmen- sions, and other desirable improvements for the convenience of the officers and the health of the prisoners.
 THE PARDoNING POWER.
 would here again Teller to the subject of par donj, Tor winch applications Will De pressed up- on your attention. There may De Gases of seu- tence5 of undue severity, and perhaps others Where the pardonlng power may be exercised without inJuIy Lo the Continuity; but they are rare. inuty-Iour convIcLs Ill our Prison have been pardoled during the past three years. Three oi tile nulnDer nave dleu, and notnlng has been heard from twelve others since they lelt the prison. Uf the reMalnlng nineteen, SIX are how, or have been suffering imprisonment LOT recent Grimes. Ihls statement, although not gwen ron official uata, Is Deileeeu to De cor Feet anl, taken m connection With We'll Known facts, leais Us to conclude that d large prupor- tlon of colricts who are released lrun the pen- alles of the law by Legislative cemency, cul- tinue d course of crI.Ilt agulnst the State, and are unworthy of the hlgh boon which has been conferred. They have been convicted only Where proof Was clear and positive as to leave no doubt of guilt and 1t would appear reasonable that the ueneral Assembly should be
 
 paraon, especially when those petitions are sup ported only by e.c ptnte testlmony of negative character, lest they diminish the respect uue to the claims of law, and tali to shield those who are controlled by Its provisions.
 HOSPITALS.
 The number of State benefciaries at the Re treat for the Insane, on the first day of Aprll Was one hundred and nine at the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, thirty y-nine at the ferkils Institution and Massachusetts Asy lum for tine Blind, six. The reports from these institutions, respecting the beneiicares, are fla vJ:;lbe. No further appropriations to sustain them will be required the present year.
 ihe General Hospital society has had during the year. one hundred and ninety eight patients --ont hundred and eleven of whom We're receiv- | cd iron, thirty-three different towns and have been aided by all appropriation of $I,779 2S from the State. The average cost of each pa tent to the State has been S2 Ol per Week, while the expenses to the Hospital have been over S3 co per week. Patients have been suc- ccsslu!ly treated for various diseases much sui fering has been relieved, and good proportion of inmates cured and discharged after having been in the Hospital for period averaging less than eight weeks each Most, if not all of the attandance and valuable services of surgeons and physicians has been gratuitously rendered.
 The Hartford Hospital is not yet open for the reception of patients. The building has been erected and fitted at an expense of $50,OUU- $i1,000 of which were contributed by benevo- lent citiz sns of tarttord-the remaining $lO, ,0OO having been donated by the State. The insti- tntioa will soon be in possession of munii- cent bequ.st from public spirited citizen, (the late Dasld Watkinson,) of $4o,O0O, the income of which Is to be expended for the support of the poor anl sick of Hartford. No provision is made for the admission of indigent patients from other parts of the State. This object can be secured. however, by a judicous appropria- ton from the State, which would be better and more economical way of providing for the poor and homeless who are suffering from pain | and dsease than leaving them to be supported | by the towns. The claims of Christianity and suffering humanity unite to justify such an ap- preparation.
 trust that neither this communication, nor any undue desire to economise the State expens- es, will lead to the curtailment of our public charities. With an increasing population, We have reason to anticipate an increase in the number of those to whom God has denied the ordinary blessings of life, and visited with in- hrnitles aud sorrow. They are entitled to our sympathy and to our benefactions. To withhold these Is to disregard the law of love to grant the'h Is humane and Christian, and will rebound 10 our honor and dignity as State.
 ~ THE MILITIA.
 ne reports of the Adiutant General, and of the quarter Master General, will he submitted to your consideration. The active militia am. braces two thousand five hundred and m,str eight men, rank and file, and the enrnIIod on ay