The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-01-11
TERMS---S2 PER ANNUM


ding could have been erected, at the price,
of labor and materials in 1862, for one huud.
red and fifty-two thousand dollars. Under
these circumstances, invited the members
Of the committees on Benevolent Institu
tions 60 fteet h'e at the Cabitol for the pur
pose of consultation. After a full inter.
change Of opinions, the conclusion was unan
imously arrived at, that, in view of the con,
dtion Of the present structure We should
progress With the new building, at least ia
the extent Of the foundation, Upon the plan
submitted. To accommodate the number Of
pupils fixed by the law, it will not be practi.
cable to reduce the size Of the building;
while the present foundation can readily lie
accommodated to any changes that may he
deemed advisable or economical in the 81
peTstructure
Accordingly I directed the progress of the
work, under the most careful and econonii-
cal system of contracts and superintendence
consistent with good and permanent results.
The report of the Superintendent is herewith
presented. He has been attentive and faith.
full to his trust, ahd has proven himself pru.
dent and competent. Keeping within the
limits of your appropriation, he has accom-
pllshed all that was practicable during the
season. 1t would have been good economy,
had the means permitted, to have made
larger purchases of lumber this season, and
to have let the contracts for bricks; but
was unwilling to embarrass your future ac-
ton, by any liabilities, even Of contingent
| character; and therefore the expenditure
has been kept within the means provided
The superintendent considers it practicable
to enclose the building during the present
year; but for that purpose he will require
an appropriation of about two hundred
thousand dollars ] do not see how the ne
ccessity is to be obviated. The expenditure
Is large one but we arc probably better
able to meet it now than We would have beef
to erect such building, even at the reduc-
ed cost, two Or three years ago. | only trust
| that in seeking to reduce it, you will not con-
tract the capacity of the building, nor un-
necessarily extent the time of its completion.
The first, think, would be unwise the last
| know cannot safely be done. The subject
is commended to your careful consideration.
You also made an appropriation last win
ter OF twenty five thou>a dollars for the
! purchase Of site, and the erection of an
asylum for the 1diotic Of course it was not
designed or expected that both objects would
be accomplished with this limited amount
lhe Trustees were authorized to locate the
building upon the State ground known as
the ''stone quarry lott" but careful exam,
nation satisfied them this location was ey
cry way injudicious, and, in many important
particulars. impracticable. They therefore
selected and purchased site short dis
tance south of the State ground The Ioca-
tlon is eligible, convenient, and every way
adapted to the wants of the Institution. 1t
has been purchased on fair and reasonable
terms. | was consulted by the Trustees and
unhesitatingly concurred in their action. -
In their report they present the matter 10
yon in detail They are managing closely
add economically; and / trust you may find
iteonsistsnt with your duty to your constiI-
uents to grant them such appropriation as
will enable them to progress with the work
Few OF our sister States present more no.
hle monuments Of enlightened legislation
and public benevolence than the State of
Ohio. They should be cherished and ex-
tended, for they constitute material ele-
ment of our greatness. No portion Of our
.public busthens have been so chee,fuly
borne as those imposed by the erection and
maintenance of these Institutions; and no
complaint will come up from our people, if
IN providing for the care and education Of
the afflicted and unfortunate, we avoid use
less and wicked extravaganza.
Since writing the foregoing, / have re.
ceived the report of the Commissioners of
the reform School and Farm, which | have
perused with much interest. This institu-
tion 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 will not only reduce the ne
H9ssay appropriations, but admit of it's cx-
tension. notice that large portion of
farm products consumed are purchased,
when they really ought to be produced 1t
strikes me this is not good economy. The
Commissioners state there is not enough
tillable land on the Farm for this purpose,
and that the portion now occupied with corn
and grass could be more adyantageously and
proftaby put to other uses They have
the labor, but not the field of operations
l do not find any data upon which to form
ajudgment as to the amount Of land desir-
able, or the present cost of it. The high
values of roal estate render the present an
unpropitious time to purchase; and our in
creaslng burthens counsel to all proper coon
omy in appropriations. But if the present
will not admit Of his enlargement, it should.
be regarded as an early necessity, and meas
ures be adopted to accomplish it, am
satisfied the School is performing a good
work In the reformation of youth; that it is
well and economically managed, and merits
encouragement.
...... OHIO pENITENT1ARy.
The report of the Directors and Warden
OF this institution will be found appended. |
The Prison has been generally well managed
and presents more favorable financial results
than had anticipated; the expenditures be-
ing ST., ,6S4 Fl in excess Of the reccirts.-
The Warden gives the causes that have pro- !
duced this result, in the diminution of the
quantity aud quality of labor without cor.
responding reduction of expenses; the exis-
tence OF, contracts at low figures, and the |
large advance in the prices OF supplies.
while it is desirable that receipts should at
least equal expenditures, the financial is not
the most useful Characteristic of the Jnstitu- |
ton The reformation of the criminal is as
important an element to the State as his
punishment; and severity Of discipline or
of labor are not essential to either of these
objects. Iti a mistake that kind and hu-
name treatment robs the prison of any OF
its terrors to evil doers. Whatever softens
the severity Of punishment, appeals to the
judgement and invokcs the gratitude of those
who are not wholly depraved. Whatever
avoids cruelty and degradation has tenden.
cy to revive hope, and kindle ambition.
among the erring and unfortunate. These
lead to repentance, and, in many instances,
to restoration to usefulne again.
The records of the prison continue to
show decrease in the violations of it's rules.
and consequent Improvement in the con.
luct Of its inmates. This is due ia part to
he provision for the reduction of time of
.ervice for good behavior, and in part to the
act that thisis made one of the conditions
If pardon; yet ! am satisfied that it can be
wen more promoted by system Of liberal