Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-01-19

Trustees of the Benev olent Instituti ions
are herewith laid before You, from which
it will appear that when the high prices of
all articles that enter into their consump-
tion are consi cred, that they are car
ried on with more economy, and at less
cost, than at any former period in their
history. This statement | am advised is
fully sustained by careful examination
and comparison ofthe reports of their ex-
penditures from the time of their first es-
tablishment.
PENITENTIAHIEs
The Northern Prison, located at Michi-
gan Ci'y. is the one with which have had
most to do. 1t has. | believe, been well
and economically managed, for which
much credit is due its Warlcn. Thomas
Wood, Esq. and to its Board of Tlustees
In this connection beg leave to call the
attention of the Leg stature to the remarks
in my former message in reference to the
construction of tha, Prison. and the debt
contracted for the builng of shops in 1862
"At the regular session Of the Legisla-
ture in 1861. the sum Of 10000 dollars
was appropri.ted for the purchase Of ma
terials aud construction of the Northern
Prison. located at Michigan City, for the
year 1861. and like sum for the year
1862. At the extra session in 1861, the
sum of 81, 900 was appropriated for ma.
terial and construction of the Northern
Prison, and for the support of convicts,
and the payment OF the expenses incurred
r. IL
at the same session law vas passed
for the transfer of go convicts from the
Southern Prison. at Jacksonville, to the
Northern Prison, but no provision was
rnsds for their return in case their labor
should not be required. At the same ses-
sion an act was passed providing that all
persons sent to the Penitentiaries from
counties north of the National Road should
be confined in me Northern Prison The
work in the construction Of the Prison was
vigorously pressed in the summer and fall
Of 1861, AMI it was found necessary, by
the Boarl Of Directors, in order to keep
the convict labor employed, to anticipate.
and draw npon the appropriations made
for the construction Of the Prison in 1862;
so that when the work for the year 1861
was closed up. there remained unexpended
OF the fund appropriated for the construc-
tion Of the Prison in 1862, hut about 81
coo dollars. 1t was apparent, then. that
the labor Of the coDvicts could not be en-
ployed in the construction Of the Prison
during the year 1862. for the want of
means with which to purchase the necessa-
ry materials. The labor of the convicts
could not be leased or hired out to con-
tractors for the want of shops in the pris-
on in which they could he employed. To
work the convics out Of prison and alb out
the town, would be so expensive, in the
employment of guards, As TO make their
labor Improbable, besides there was no
authority for duing so, except as connect
ed with the construction Of the Prison
CAS- the matter stood, it was inevitable
that the convict labor should be almost
wholly unemployed throughout the year
1862, and must so continue until the pri,-
or shops were constructed, when the labor
might be hired to contractors, as in other
prisons. If the shops were constructed in
1862, this labor could be made remuner-
alive through the year 1858, but if not
constructed until 1863, this could not hap.
pen until 1864. 1t was evident that tho
State wonld sustain a great loss by the
delay in the construction Of the shops, and
accordingly the Board Of Directors con-
vened in this city in February last. and
mysolf and other State officers were invit-
cd to be present for consultation; and af-
tel full consideration of the subject, it was
believed by oil to be clearly to the interest
of the State that the work of construction
of the shops should be commenced at the
earliest moment. provided the contract
could he let at fair prices, and the con-
tractor. being fully advised Of the condi.
tion Of affairs. should be willing to wait
the action of the Legislature for his pay.
The Board of Directors then proceeded to
advertise for proposals for the work. and
a public letting was had. l directed Mr..
John B. Srunph, OF this city. rcputel to
be an honest and capable builder. to be
present at the letting. and see that the con-
tract was properly made. and in accord.
ance with the plans and specifications be-
fore that time adopted by the State for the
construction oi tue snoPs. Inc cOhttact,
1 have every resson to believe. was fairly
made, upon terms, as | am Informed. fif-
teen per cent. below the original contract
for the same work. and ct least twenty
per cent below what the same work could
now be let for in cash. The shops have
been completed, sud Mr.. Stumph was
again directed to examine aud measure the
work; his report of the letting. quality and
measurement of the work is herewith sub.