Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-04

embarrass yourfuture action, by any liabili
ties, even of contingent character; and
therefore the expenditure has been kept
within the means provided. The Superin-
tendent considers it practicable to enclose
the building during the current year; but
for that purpose he will require an appro--
priation of about two hundred thousand
dollars. do not see how the necessity is
to be obviated. The expenditure is a large
one, but we are probably better able to meet
it now than we would have been to erect
such building, even at the reduced cost,
two or three years ago. lOnly trust that in
seeking to reduce it,syou will not contract
the capacity of the building, nor unneces-
sarly extend the time of its completion.
The first, L think, would be unwise; the
last, l know cannot safely be, DONE. The
sttbject is commended to your careful con-
sideration.
You also made an appropriation last
winter, of twenty-five thousand dollars for
the purchase of site, and the erection of
an Asylum for the Idiotic. OF course it
was not designed or expected that both OBJ
jects would be accomplished with this
limited amount. The Trustees were arl-
thorized to locate the building upon the
State ground known as the "stone quarry
lot;" but careful examination satisfied
them this location was every way inju-
dicious, and, irmany important particulars,
impracticabe. They therefore selected and
purchased site short distance south of
the State ground. The location is eligible,
convenient, and every way adapted to the
| wants of the Institution. 1t has been pur-
! chased on fair and reasonable terms. |
was consulted by the Trustees, and un-
hestatingly concurred in their action. In
their report they present the matter to you
| in detail. They are managing closely and
economically; and trust you may find it
consistent with your duty to your constitu-
ents 10 grant. them such appropriation as
will enable them to Progress with the work.
Few of our sister States present more
noble monuments sofenlightened legislative
and public bencvolence than the State of
Ohio. They should be cherished and eX-
tended, for they constitute a material ele-
ment 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 our people, if
in providing for the care and education Of
the afflicted and unfortunate, we avoid use
less or 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. Itwas considered
an experiment, but it promises to prove q
success. In few, years more the increase
of its products viii not only reduce the
necessary appropriations, but admit of its
extension. | 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 Oh the Farm for this purpose,
and that the portion now occupied with
corn and grass could bemore advantageous
| ly and proftably put to other uses. They
have the labor, but not the field of opera
tions. do not find any data upon which
to form a Judgment as to theamount of land
desirable, or the present cost of it. The
high values of real estate render the present
an unpropitious time to purchase; and our
increasing burthens counsel to all proper
economy IL appropriations. But If the
present will not admit of this enlargement,
it should be regarded as an early necessity,
and'measures be adopted to accomplisfit.
work in the reformation of youth; that it
is well and economically managed, and
merits encouragement.
OHIO PEN1TENTIARY. 5.
| The report of the Directors and Warden
|
! The Prison has been generally well man
| aged, and presents more favorable financial
results than had anticipated; the expen-
ditures being Sl7,6S4 81 in excess of the re-
ceipts. The Warden gives the causes that
have produced this result in thediminutlon
OF the quantity and quality of labor, with
out corresponding reduction of expenses;
| the existence of contracts at low figures,
and the large advance in the prices of sup
plies. While it is desirable that receipts
| should at least equal expenditures, the
| financial is not the ostuseful characteristic
of the Institution. 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. 1t lis a mistake that
kind and humane treatment robs the prison
of any of its terrors to evil dOers What
ever softens the severity of punishment, ap-
peals to the Judgment and invokes the
| gratitude Of those who are not wholly de-
praved. Whatever avoids cruelty aud deg
radiation, has a tendency to revive hope,
| and kindIe ambition. among the erring and
unfortunate. These lead to repentance, and,
in many instances, to restoration to useful
ness again. gNiaa 49,
The records of the Prison continue to
show decrease in the violations of its
rules, aud "a consequent improvement in
the conduct of its inmates. This Is due in
part to the provision for reduction of time
of service for good behavior, and in part to
the fact that this is made one of the eondi-
tions of pardon; yet | am satisfied that 1t
can be even more promoted by system of
liberal and reformatory treatment that is
rather in aid OF, than inconsistent with
firmness and good government. In view of
this am inclined to believe that still more
favorable results would be attained, if these
prisoners 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 ofspend-
ing it in cells where, though. they have
light and permission of books, they cannot
experience the comfort or derive the ad-
vantages they would under other circum-
stances. If 1t would only incur additional
labor and expense,I would nOtregard that
as good objection. 1t may be that in the |
present construction of the Prison, 1t is i'm
practicable tointroduce such an improve
ment. If so, it is worthy OF consideration
whether that difficulty should not at an
early day, be ,obyiated. commend it, to
your consideration. The more reflection
that is given to it, the stronger will become
the conviction that there Is great good to be
accomplished by IL; not only in the re-
formation of men, but in the disciplineand
government of the institution.
The Warden desires me to enforce his
suggestion In relation to the act providing
for the receiptof United States prisoners.
1t Is construed as embracing only those
convicted by the civil courts, while a class
of prisoners is now being presented under
sentence from military tribunals. The dis
tinction strikes me as being merely techni-