Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-01-11

80 generally COED as to need but, slight
amendment Changes in laws should nev-
er bo made except for weighty reasons.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
In addition to the facts already present
cd and iDferable from the foregoing state
ments in regard to the finances Of these in.
stitutions, [ think it useful to make somo
general observations upon them. In the
first place, being Of the fixed and clear
opinion, that it is the serious duty OF all OF
us, in the State and nation, at this time, to
come promptly and severely down nom
war to peace and from war prices and ex-
penditures to the simplest and planest
economy, compatible with peace and with
the heavy burdens Of war debt, which
peace must always bear. Retroochment, too
often a pretext Of demagogues, has become
with us (if we would protect our intrests,
or maintain our honor), an imperative,
overwhelming necessity. Notwithstand,
ing this truth, however, my Judgment and
feeling unite in the conclusion, that the last
places in which we ought to cconomlze In
this strictness and severity are In these
asylums and schools for the unfortunate OF
our kind and country. We must, on no ac-
count, starve or stint the insane, the ldlotic,
the blind, the deaf and dumb, or the impov.
erished, manned, invalid soldier, who has
spent his substance, shed his blood, or
wasted his health, to save us all from ruin.
Upon the other hand, again, the very prin-
ciple aud spirit of this advice demands that
our benevolent purposes and appropriations
should actually reach their objects, and
ought not to be taken advantage OF and
misapplied to other uses, or to the unjust
emolument of their agents; and IN the ex-
act proportion that the State, amid these
present circumstances of her finances, shall
be bountiful to the heneficiaries of these
funds, ought it sternly to exact OF its Off
GERS the more strictly faithful economy and
integrity in due application OF them. do
not know that there is in these reports
any evidence of particular looseness OF
action, or of accounting, by these officers.
But the occasion is such-the hlghness OF
our prices, the scale OF our expenditures.
the irregularities arising from these condi.
tions and from the needless public opinion
in regard to them-all admonish US of the
wisdom, nay. the necessity of our making
this happy change from war to peace an
opportunity of promptly and brayely re-
turning to consonant ideas and habits. L
think the Legislature ought to investigate
and scrutinize, by committees, or other
wise, every account of every officer in all
the departments of the government, and to
devise and initiate a new system OF eco.
nomicai, though efficient administration OF
its taxes and finances, which should in
clule no trace in form, no stain in spirit OF
those bad morals which the war has al
ready spread so widely among our officers
and people.
With these simple and general PROPOSE
tiuns, applicable to all other departments,
as well as to our Institutions of benevo-
leuce, | proceed again to more specific and
detailed statements and Recommendations,
Here follows detailed statement Of the
various Institutions, with recommendation
for suitable legislation.
OHIO PENITENTtARY.
The report Of the Directors and Warden
Of the Ohio Penitrnary seems to be satisfac
tory. In addition TO the suggestions oil im
proyements, and of amendments to the law
therein contained (Which seems to me prop
err L beg leave to add others.
The law now grants citizenship upon q
certificate of good conduct in the prison
merely. | doubt the wisdom of this en-
reimbursement. Good conduct in their posi-
ton is most desirable, and rewards, even to
cOnyicts, is a better system Of government
than punishments But may not too high
a price be paid for that sort of good conduct
As the law now stands, the most cool and
cruel, the most crafty and dirreclaimable thief
burglar, counterfeiter, perjurer and murder
er, becomes a citizen by simply observing
such little, but necessary, rules OF prison
discipline as not throwing bread crumbs
speaking, laughing, &c. These are forbear
ances which men Of those kinds of tempera
ment can the most readily practice. AnC
for that alone, alter most infamous crimes
and without the least proof of repentance O.
reformation, they are made full citizens
While houest-minded and impulsive ma
lures, whose crimes, perhaps, arose from
angry passions alone, and who had no stalI
upon their their truth or honor, are foreve
debarred from testifying in courts, or vo
| ting at elections, simply because of the art
iulness and paytuness Of their natures.
The Governor recommends the appoint
ment of Inspectors whose duty it will be t.
inspect and censure the prison and priso
discipline. The introduction of new ma
chimes for washing ironing, cooking, &c.
and Legislation to give security to manulaI
turers who have secured Pentitentiary labor
by requiring successful competing bidde
to purchase the machinery, &C., Of such man
uiacturer.
Ca the subject of Pardons he says;
apprehend there must be in the cou
munity very erroneous if not crudest idea
of the rights and duties of the Governor
the matter of this prerogative. Certain
there is a very slight sense Of the due II
sponsibiity in regard to the true interes
Of the State felt by majority of the signe
to the petitions. 1t is useless, however,
complain OF this. As long as human natu
remains unchanged, people will too readi
sign petitions which can subject themselve
/ personally and directly, to no loss or inco
yenicnce.
RAILROADS.
, The railroad interests of Ohio have t
1 come of immsnse value to the stockholdeI
/, the people and the State. The great chang
, wich this new spstem of commercial int
: course has brought about are in many |
spects obvious enough. In others, thou
i equally great, they are not SO apparel
:. Some well digested system OF laws suital
y to them is quite indispensable. But it
, onite necessary for legislator, frami
q laws for their taxation, regulation and pr
3 ishment, to consider all these complicat
! - ,,,n.a aort;anely onA mid