The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-01-22

increasing debt with greatly diminished sec
rity, and IN increased taxation upon our neon
to supply the deficiency in the school fin,
caused by the non payment of interest. Mo
than this: under our Constitution, all losses
the permanent School and University Flu,
which shall have been occasioned by the dcia
cation, mlsmanascment or fraud OF the arcn
or officers controlling and managing the sam
become a permanent debt against the State :
Large losses to both these funds have arcat
occurred, ana the amount is steadily increasing
aor want OF proper attention and proper law
he responsibility for these losses rests wi,
the law-making power of the State. and Il
responsibility for all further losses must re-
there until by the enactment of proner Ia w
that responsibility is placed elsewhere. I rec
ommerd that provision be made recurring tb
prompt closing up of all loans which a C insu
fclentiy secured, Or Oh which the interest IN
not been PAID within Il reasonable time, unles
the borrowers shall entitle themselves to rurthe
time by giving further securietcs, or pavmen
OF the interest due. l also recommend tina
where loans sire now sufficiently secured an
the interest paid, an extension of time be give
to the borrowers, if desired, under proper limi
tatlons; that no new loans be made; and tina
sums OF the principal either of saids funds tha
may be paid, shall either be paid into the Stat,
Treasury and used as other funds, the Stat
paying interest thereon, or invested for Oh,
support OF the proper fund either in the stock
OF the United States or OF this State.
The State University is now in successf,
operation, although much embarrassed from
want of means arising from the non. payment
OF interest due on loans of its permanent fund
The enactment of laws requiring the more
prompt payment of interest, and for the safety
and better investment of the permanent fund
as above suggested, will enable the Trustees
and Faculty TO extend the usefulness of the
institution. am decidedly of opinion that not
only the interest OF the institution, but also OF
the State require. that you should provide a
Military Department of the University, and
should establish Military Professorship there
in. The sad experience of the last few months
has shown us the necessity Of military knowl
edge among our people. BY giving to the young
men who may attend the University, military
instruction and training. we will not only great
ly benefit them, but will also have made provs-
ions Tor what our present experience shows may
at any moment become a necessity to our PEG
The Board of Education at their recent session
directed the Trustees of the University to make
provision for Military Department therein AS
the necessary appropriations therefor, and |
able consideration.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The affairs of the Penitentiary have been
well conducted during the last two years. Its
present faithful and efficient officers, although
laboring under many difficulties. have by their
careful. management, maintained excellent dis
cipiine, preserved in a remarkable degree. the
health OF the convicts, and have so economical
its expenses, that of the sum appropriated at
the last regular session for the general support
OF the Prison, there remains uncxpended an
amount SO large, that, in the opinion of the
Warden, no appropriation will be needed at the
present session. These officers, however, as
we'll as those in charge of the Insane Asylum,
the Asylums for the Deaf and Dumb, and the
Blind, and all others who have been charged
with the duty of procuring for the State either
labor, materials or merchandise of any kind for
ordinary State purposes, have been continually
embarrassed for the want Of money, and have
been compelled to carry on their operations,
md make their purchases at great disadvantage
With warrants on the Treasury. OF course
hey have been compelled to pay higher prices
n warrants than they would have had to pay in
lash. ....
As soon as these warrants are delivered, they
ire presented to the Treasury, and endorsed
unpaid for want of funds, and from that time
lraw eight per cent interest, so that the excess
Vt price and interest are SO much clear loss to
he State that might be saved if our taxes were
promptly paid. Neither States nor individuals
'an manage their affairs in this manner without
erious presest embarrassment and great ulti.
n ste loss, and in my judgment it is clearly
our duty, as guardians of the publiq0elfarc,
o see to it that this state of affairs shall not
Nn <,c h. IA. Al
'enitentisry show the sums which, in their
pinion. should be appropriated by YOU, and the
bjects for which they are needed. Whilst |
IN satisfied that all these objects are legitimate
md tie accomplishment of them would add
much to the safety and completeness of the
'rison. cannot in the present condition Of our
lnances recommend appropriate ons for all The
completion of the third tier of cells, additional
recommendations for the hospital, additional
hop-room, and a new cistern, are perhaps indis-
ensable and should be provided for
The suit pending for some years between the
Warden and the contractors, for the labor of
he conyic:s, has been decided, and in nay iudg-
lent. very unfavorably to the State IN view
f this decision, it will he necessary that con-
iderable additions be made to the present shop
Dom iii the prison yard, unless it be determined
D feed and clothc the conricts at the expense
t the State, and furnish their labor and shop.
Dom for them gratuitously. recommend that
special committee be sent to sexamine what
srther shops may be needed and what steps
an be taken to protect the interests of the
tate in this particular. The present contract
Or convict labor will expire OH the first of June,
S64. In order to have fair competition for the
, letting of that labor at the expiration of the
resent contract. provision therefor should be
lade at the present session, and if possible,
lch provision should be made bv law as will
'event, under a new contract, the heavy losses
lc State has sustained under the present one.
CHARITABLE ISsTITUTIoNs.-
The reports of the proper officers of the deaf and
lmb and blind asylums are herewith submitted
hesc institutions appeal strongly TO our better
ensS and the necessities OF tho for who e benefit
ey are intended, are 80 peculiar and urgent that
cannot withhold my Recommendation that The usu-
appropriations be made for their support The an |
made at the IA regular session Tor the
aw building for the blind at vinton, has been ex-
,nded in the manner req ired BY law The building
now en- 3osed and is not, as understand, liable to
jury by exposure TO the weather, and l submit |
neither Is not advisable, in our present financial
nditon to withhold the appropriation necessary to
mplete it until the next session of the General As
nibly. The failure to make this appropriation will
1t prevent the proper and structien of the pu-
Is, in the meantime, as they can be well provided
in the building now occupied by them. You will
arm by the reports OF the officers OF the Insane Asy
III thaC tnat institution, so long ana SO much need
has been for mont hs in successful operation
ne appropriation made at the last regular session
finishing and furnishing the center and east wing
the building has proved to be more than sufficient
r that purpose, and there is considerable balance
The number of patients in the in
tuition rs nearly quite sufficient to fill all the iin-
led portion Of the building, aud much inconveni-
ce arises from the fact that patients Of both sexes
confined IN the same wing This fact, with the adj
ional one that before the next session large por.
N of the now unfinished portion OF the building will
all probability be needed for the reception of pa
nts. induces me to recommend, as earnestly de-
at an appropriation be now made which, with the
balance of the last appropriation will be
ficient to finish and furnish the west wing. Every
e who has witnessed the misery and degradation,
ID knows the hopclessness Of the cure OF these nm
rtunates when conii.ed in the cells of our county
lis, and has also witnessed their comparat hap
aess and comfort, and knows the prospect for til cir
storatiOn in the Asylum, will insrt that the most
rrlble diseases shall no longer be treated crime,
d that the State shall do her duty by providing
ID caring for these, the most helpless and uafortu
tie OF her people. An abundant and unfailing sup