The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-01-18

great good to be accomplished by it; ne
onl y in the rcformationsef uen, but ia th
discipline and government sf the iastitu
ton. .s#
l. The Warden desires me to enforce hi
suggestion in relation to the act proviain;
for the receipt of United States prisoners
1t is construed as embracing skly thos
convicted by the civil courts, while
class Of prisoners is new being presented
under sentence from military tribunals
The distinction strikes me as being mere
ly technieal; bat to avoid any doubt o.
misconstructisn on the part of the officers
it would be well to amend the law Sc as t.
meet the objection.
PARDoNs.
| [ present the statement required By
law, shewing the nun Der of pardons gran
ted during the fiscal year. The nun ben
torty-four; of which twenty six, were graz
ted by my predecessor between the 10Th
of November and lst Of January, and
ighteen by myself during the remainder
Of the year. During that time | have s1-
amined fifty cases, OF which seventeen have
been refused, and fifteen osntlnaed for
further evidence and examination. About
ferty cases are en- hand, net completed,
under the provisions of the statats
In the performance Of this branch of
my public duties, l am unpieasantly i'm
pressed with the ceavictisn that the sxis-
tenee of the pardoning Pswer in the Ex-
ecutlve tee frequently enters into the con-
sideration of courts aud juries in the con-
VIZ ,fa Il N L l,
er this Is really the case, or the frequent
recemm endatloAs of courts ana jurors are
yielded to pressing opportunities and local
influences. | an net able to aetermins.-
In many cases these papers are got i'm
meiiatsly apon the conviction; aHd they
naturally create tAs impression in the
mind Of the Governor, that ths parties are
act satisfied with their own judgment in
the case, if, indeed. they have net com
ding punishment to be inms diatery fol-
lowed by an importantly for pardon.-
There are cases where the conviction is
merely technical; and others in which
there are mitigating circumstances that
render the minimum sen.eace Of the law
too great jer the otfense. These facts
may we'll be preseated, and injustice this
shosld be dene. Beyond these manifest
obligations Of duty, whatever increases
the facilities of pardon, or the pressure
fer granting it, obviously impeacaes the
Justice of conviction; and, what il more
material, impairs the csrtsinty Of punish
ment, so necessary to the prevention OF
crime. 3149ts4t
The pardoning power has a two-fela
object; the one to afford remedy for any
injustice that, from the nature of tas testi-
meny, or other circumstances, may have
been committed la the cenvictisn; the
other to encourage repentance, and pre-.
mote reformation. 1t has been termed
san attribute of mercy" but it must be
considered that mercy alsRe to the har-
dened, the deprared, and the unrepeatant
criminal, must ever be extended at the
expense Of the community that is entitled
to protection against him. The offender
must be brought to realize that detection
and conviction certainly follow crime; and
that traAsgression against human, as
against Divine law, must be ateBsd by
repentance. If aisregarding these censid-
erations, pardoa becemes easy, or yield
ing to opportunities, certainty of punish
ment is Impaired, aad the inducemsnt to
atonement destroyed. The line, aa nit,
is difficult Sne; and, thersfors, it is that
the duty assumes grave aad respehsible
character. The wisest man may err in it
he can only strive te perform it honestly
and Justly. ao4
PUBLIC PRINTING.
The Supervisor of Public Printing re-
signed his position on the first of Decem-
bel, aud w. Il. Foster, of Columbus, was
appoistsd to the vacancy. If this office
is regarded by the Legislature as of any
value er Importance, the compensation
must be materially increased before it can
DE permanently and aavantaseouely filed.
As one of its qualifications, it requires a
practical printer. Such an one, ceMpe-
tent to discharge It's duties, can new earn
double the salary in his occupation, /
regard the position as a very important
one under the present system of contract
printing. An officer of cempstency and
integrity can save the State large amount
OF money annually; but he must be able
to give the matter his catire time and at
tentisa during the larger portion Of the
year. No such man can afferd to de that
at the present salary. The ocsupatier
must have some other means Of living; fol
on this he would soea bsceme impover.
ished. Tnts coupling of public trust,
With other enploy ments is net good econ
omy. A position SO important as this
should protierin aucemeHts to rlen Of char
acter aud integrity to devote their time
and talents to the full performance of it
duties, and to stand with perfect inde
pendenco between contractors and tn,
public treasury.
Mr.. Foster has all the merits and quail
iicatioLs of good oficer, but he canno
atfor to abandon other employments. ant
give to this his entire time and attention
HE will be diligent and faithful to TIL
utmest Of his ability, and will devote t.
it such portion OF his time as ether avo
cations, actually essential to hssapport
will admit. trust you will give thi
subject early consideration. asgrshs
FINANCIAL AGENT IN NEW YORK.
A coafict of opinion having arisen be
tween the ComDaiss oners Of the Sinkin,
| <.--.1e eyei ~