Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-01-16

practices have been proven in the
dealings between architect and CON
tractors, nor have ] seen eyi-
idence that any such profit has
been made by the contractors which
would lead to reasonable suspicion.
For their justification, however, as
well as for more complete exam
ination than ! have been able TO
make personally, / would recon-
mend searching investigation by a
comfBittee fully authorized to send
for persons and papers.
Assoon as the facts referred to
above were known, Mr.. George
Bellows, Of this city, was appointed
ArcIiltect and Superintendent, in
placs Of Blackburn removed, and
has been occupied in making care
ful measurements and estimates Of
the work done AS compared with
contacts and specifications. As
soon as this labor is sufficiently ad-
var ced, MS report will be laid be-
fore you, showing the precise con
dition of the work and of the vari-
Gus accounts connected with it
Meanwhile it is extremely important
to tile interests of tie Institution
that the heating apparatus and
plumbing should be promptly fin
ished, and the little carpentering
and MASTERING still incomplete sho'd
progress so far as not to delay the
re-opening of the school. For this
purpose an early partial appropria-
ton Is necessary, and, in my judg-
ment, may be made without risk, as
the Withheld percentage on the con
tracts will cover all margins neces-
sary for the security of the State.
Tie change of the plan Of the
engiRe house, authorized by the last
Legislature, by which it was sepa-
rated from the main building aud |
placed on the north side Of the alley |
in rear Of the Institution, was the
cause of a considerable addition to
5he estimated expenses Of the struc-
.ure, but the great advantages of
'oom oflight and air in the school
and of the health Of the
whole establishment, made that
,hange real economy. In digging
or the foundation of this part of
he building, a quicksand and
springs greatly impeded the work
md increas' d its cost, but two strong
lowing wells were secured with
promise to be permanent, and which
will supply a superabundance Of
rood water for the whole Institu-
ion. These will be invaluable, and !
much more than repay the extra
,osttfcy have oecasioned,
REFORM SCHOOL.
The Reform School continues its
,aluabIe work, and is every year
more clearly seen to be working
lpon the only true principle in the
rcatment of juvenile Offenders
Appended to the report of the Com
nissioners will be found the report
,f a committee, appointed under
ofthe Assembly, to select
| piece Of corn land to add to the
Farm. The committee have select
ID a farm in the Hooking river bot
oms, which, in their judgment,
meets the wants ofthe School, and,
When added to the high, hilly and
hin -soiled tract now occupied by
he Institution, will give the variety
If employment and Of produce
which is greatly needed. The fruit
ulture of the hills has been profit
BILE during the past year, as the re
'ort shows; and the addition Of
ONE corn and hay land will tend
till further to reduce the expense
f the School. When it is remem-
,ered that the whole investment in
his institution for land and build
lgs is not over one-eighth the cost
f some of the Asylums having no
,rger number Of inmates, there
ill be little hesitation in appropri-
ting the moderate sum nowneeded
The need of a similar reformato-
Y for girls becomes more apparent
very year, and the propricty of es- t
lblishing one is respectfully urged {
pom your attention. |
PENITENTIARY. t
The administration of the Pcni- t
,ntiary during the year shows an {
fllciency quite equal, if not supe- l
or, to any that has been witnessed c
,r many years, and in one respect {
that of economy-the result is a t
gratifying one. The re- {
eipts for the labor Of prisoners '
ave exceeded the expenses Of the a
rison by the sum of $4,000. This a
9sult, the directors report, is not t
reduced by charging the State with t
.bor performed for it, or by any +
larges or credits for which money T
us not been paid or received; but t
is a balance Of cash receipts over Il
lsh expenditures. 1t has been Sc h
lred by strict attention to econ b
my in all departments and rigid S
wing of the waste which is apt to g
acome large in so large an institu- Il
on. This fact is most significant il
shown in the average cost per f
onvict for clothing, food, bedding d
I'd hospital, which amounts this i:
ear to S51.37 against an average b
$500 for three years before. t,
he Directors are further able to l
" that, although the expenses e