Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-04

site short distance south of the State
ground. The location is eligible, convent
emit, and every way adapted 90 the wants
of The Institution. It has been purchased
on fair and reasonable terms. was con-
suited by the Trustees, and unhesitatingly
concufred In their action. In their report
they present the matter to you in detail
They are managing closely and economic
ally; and I trust you may find it consistent
with your duty TO your constituents to
grant them such appropriations as VIII on
able them to progress with the work. 3 =
Few of our sister States present more
noble monuments of enlightened legisla-
tion and public benevolence than the State
of Ohio. They should be cherished and
extended, for they constitute q material ell
ement of our greatness. No portion of our
public burthens have been so cheerfully
borne as those imposed by the erection and
maintenance of these institutions; and no
complaint will come up from cur people, if
IN providing for the care and education OF
the afflicted and unfortunate, Weayoid use
less or wicked extravsgance.
Since writing the foregoing, / have re-
ceived the report of the Commissioners of
the Reform School and Farm, which I
have perused with much interest. This
Institution is yet in its infancy. 1t was
considered an experiment, but it promises
to prove success In few years more
the increase of its products viii not only
reduce the necessary appropriations, but
admit Of its extension. noticethat 8 large
portion of farm products consumed are
purchased, when they really ought to be
produced It strikes me this is not good
economy. The Commissioners state there
is not enough tillable land on the Farm for
tn purpose, and that the portion now oc-
cupied with corn and grass could be more
sdvsntageously and proftsbly quito other
uses. They have the labor, but not the
field Of operations. do not find any data
upon which to form a judgment SIS to the
amount of land desirable OF the present
cost of it. The high values Of real estate
rsnder the present an unpropitious time to
purchase; and our increasing burthens
counsel to all proper economy in appropri-
ations. But if the present will not admit
of this enlargement, it should be regarded
as an early necessity, and measures be
adopted to accomplish it. am satisfied
the School is performing good work in
the reformation of youth; that it is well
and economically managed and merits en-
couragement.
OHIO PENITENTIARY.
The report of the Directors and Warden
Of this Institution will be found appended.
The Prison has been generally we'll man
aged, and presents more favorable fnan-
cial results than had anticipated; the
expenditures being $156s4, q in excess of
the receipts. The Warden gives the caus-
es that have produced this result, in the di-
minution of the quantity and quality Of
labor, without corresponding reduction of
expenses; the existence OF contracts at low
figures, and the large advance in the prices
of supplies. While it IS desirable that re-
csipts should at least equal expenditures,
the financial is not the most useful chsrae-
teristic of the Institution. The reforma-
ton of the criminal isss important an ele-
ment to the State as his punishment; and
severity of discipline or of labor are not
essential to either of these objects. 1t is a
mistake that kind and humane treatment
robs the prison of any of its terrOrs to evil
doers. Whatever softens the severity. of
punishment, appeals to the judgment and
invokes the gratitude Of those who are
not wholly depraved. WhsteVer avoids
cruelty aud degradation, has tendency to
revive hope, and kindle ambition, among
the erring and unfortunate. These lead
to repentance, and, in many instances, to
restoration to usefulness again.
The records of the Prison continue to
show decrease in the violations of its
rules, and consequent improvement in
the conduct of its inmates. This is due
in part to the provisions for reduction of
time of service for good behavior, and in
part TO the fact that this is made one Of
the conditions Of pardon; yet am satis-
fled that it can be even more promoted by
q system of liberal and rsformstOry treat
ment that is rather in aid of, than incnn-
sistent with frmness and good govern
ment. In view of this am inclined to
believe that still more favorable results
wonld be attained, if these prisons could
have access during two or three hours of
the twenty-four to books, papers and
periodicals, in apartments with sufficient
light and ventilation to enable them to
read with comfort instead of spending it
in cells where, though they have light and
permission of books, they cannot expert
ence the comfort or derive the advantages
they would under oyher circumstances.
If it would only incur additional labor and
expense, would not regard that as a
good objection. 1t msy be that in tho pres
ent construction of the Prison, it is imprac-
ticable to introduce such an improvement
If so, it is worthy of consideration whether
that diffculty should not, at an early day,
bs obviated. l commend it 70 your con-
sideration. The more reflection that is
given to it, the stronger will become the
conviction that there is great good to be
accomplished by it; not only in the refor-
nation of mon, but in the discipline and
government Of the institution.
The Warden desires me to enforce his
suggestion in relation to the act providing
for the receipt of United States prisoners.
It is construed as embracing only those
convicted by the civil courts, while class
of prisoners is now being presented under
sentence from military tribunals. The
distinction strikes me ss being merely tech
nical; but to avoid any doubt or miscon-
struction on the part of the officers, it
would be well to amend the law so as to
meet the objection.
PARDoNs.
1 present the ststemen: required by
law, sho wing the number of pardons
granted during the fiscal year. They num-
Der forty-four; ofwhich twenty-six were
granted by my predecessor between the
18th of November and the lst of January,
and eighteen by myself during the remain
der of the year. Dnring that time 1 have
examined fifty cases, of which seventeen
have been refused, and fifteen continued
for further evidence and examination.
About forty cases are on hand, not COM
pleted, under ths provisions of the
Statute.
In the performance Of this branch of
my public duties, l am unplessantly i'm
pressed with the conviction that the ex-
istenee of the psrdoning power in the Ex-
ecutive too frequently enters into the con-
of courts and juries in the con-
vietion and sentence of offenders. Wheth.
er this is really the case, or the frequent
of cOI1rts and irlrors ara