The Portland daily press., 1868-01-03

than hall the appropriation of last winter
and materials have been collected for the IA
boratory, for which it is the opinion of som,
that new appropriation of $4,000 shonld b
granted. / cannot speak with entire conf
dence in the matter, but as it now appears
should advise expending no more than IN,
balance Of the last appropriation upon a Ia
ooratory for the present, having this so locat
ca and constructed that when the wants O
the institution require or is means allow
more complete laboratory, this building car
without much loss be appropriated to some
other use We must be warned by the errors
WhicS have well nigh ruined similar institu.
lions IN otner states. Ours should not be al
lowed to impoverish itself at the outset bv
disproportionate investment in buildings and
thereby weaken its interior and vital organ
lzation until it has power to ill them
90 much, too, will the success Of the College
depend upon its relations with the men who
are placed in immediate charge of it, that IL
would appear to me lest to have the import
ant permanent buildings planned according
to their judgment, and erected under their
| supervision. Until then, its teachers are on
the spot and its general course and plan Of
| operation is determined, prudence and eau
ton should be the policy Of the College. NV
views "a to the demand for such an institu-
tloh IN our State, and the broad and brilliant
career OF usefulness that will open before it,
are not changed. Nor Is there any fear that
WDen II IS once set in judcious operation, it
VIII iail OF strong friends among our liberal
citizens, or OF the cordial support of the State.
The visit OF the Go. ernor and Council to
| the Perkins Institute for the Blind, in Bos-
ton, and the American Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb, at Har. ford, excited our deepest
interest. 1t was most CRAFTY ing to observe
the faithful care and instruction that was
given to those unfortunate children. The
eXemplllication of interlectual discipline at
Hartford was most remarkable / take
great pleasure in commending those institu-
tions to your continued favor. Application
has been received in behalf of persons desir-
ing to avail themselves of a different system
OF deal mute instruction-the articulating
method-which is thought to be better for
those who are particially deaf, taught in a
school recently opened in Massachusetts,, and
would recommend that the provision which
now applies to our pupils in the American
Asylum be extended to this school,
REFoRMAToRY INSTITUTIONS.
The Reform School has entered upon A
course OF unusual prosperity. Hon. e. W.
Woodbury. was elected Superintendent early
in the year, aud the results OF his judgment
and energy are already apparent in the thor
ough bracing. up OF every department OF the
institution. A balance against the school at
the beginning of the wear of nearly $500 has
been exchanged for balance in its favor of
some $1,000, and in other more important re-
speets the Institution is coming into cond-
ton to relieve the doubts and anxeties which
have so long made it seem burden, rather
than benefit to the State. We cannot EXPECT
this school TO be self-supporting; but the ap-
preparation asked this year is moderate.
A resolve of the last Legislature provided
for report on the subject of an institution
similar to the Reform School for the benefit of
girls, to be called in order to az old suggestions
damaging to the sensitive character OF woman.
the Industrial School for girls. The examina-
tion of this subject was assigned to Hon. Geo.
B. Barrows, whose familiarity with the history
and operation of similar institutions eminent
~ fits him for the service. His report is still
expected, but l understand that he recon-
mends the establishment Of such an institution,
and that the suggestion is warmly seconded by
some of our citizens. 1t is amentably true,
that there is a demand for such a school, and
it is happily true also that the protection or
rescue of womanhood from the influences of
evil, is work most beneficial to society, as
well as becoming to men. l should say with
out hesitation that the reclamation or guardi-
anship of girls from wrong ways is of more inn
portance than that of boys. The reasons OF this
will be apparent TO every observant OF reflect
ing mind. If we do not have an institution
for this purpose we certainly should have u
society association. We may not be able now
to enter upon this undertaking, but it is to be
hoped that some of our public spirited and
generous cities-Bangor for instance-may Of
fer to interest itself in this good work.
INSANE HOSPITAL.
The report of the insane Hospital presents
the usual features. The current expenses have
been met by the income from patients and from
the farm. The constantly increasing demand
for accommodations makes the call for the ex-
tension of the main building still more urgent
than before. 1t is also proposed to secure a lot
of land adjacent to the Hospital farm, which
may be found desirable. In connection with
the subject of these enlargements of the iDsti-
tuition cannot but revert to my suggestions Of
last year in regard to the great Improvements
in the management of the insane, which have
engaged the interest of eminent philanthro-
psts, and whose results, as seen in the system
at Gheel in Belgium, aud Clermont in France,
should command the attention of those who
have the guardianship ofthese unfortunate suf-
erers The report of the Committee of Investi-
cation may be of service ia its sn2ge stons on
the subject generally. 1 have had earnest ap-
plications to recommend that some provision
be made for the care and education OF idiotc
| and feeble minded youth. This might be done
by providing for them in some institution out
of the State.
STATE PRISON.
The State Prison has been conducted upon
| the same policy which has for several years
been looked upon with commentator. 1t APP
| pears, however, that its earnings for the past
| year have not equalled its expenses by some
| directly ON account of the crowded state Of
| the prison, and will more particularly appear
in the report of the Warden and Inspectors.
/ am still of the opinion that the affairs OF the
| prison are honestly and judiconsly managed.
have had occasion to suggest that the disci-
| pline in The several grades of officers be more
| systematic and harmonious. 1t is important
| for an institution where the authority must be
absolute, that the officers render mutual sup
| port and while due subordination is insisted
| an auth0ritv ShO1l1 he rasnpctp1 frnIn hiUbar
| to lower, as well as from lower to higher. 1t
| is creditable, however, to the management of
the prison, that in the confusion of tearing
down and rebuilding, no more serious disturb
| ance has occurred The deficit above referred
to, together with the sum needed to complete
| the extension, will amount to some $50, 900,
| which must be regarded as an indispensable
| provision for the necessities of the prison.
The number of pardons during the past year
| has not been so great as formerly, chiefly be-
| cause it has been thought that papdons should
| be based upon either new evidence since con-
1 viction, mitigating circumstances unknown to
the court, indisputable proof of thorough
reformation, or some peculiar hardship in the
| case which the law could not take into account.
| The dignity of law should not be Knocked,
| and the sentence of the court should not be
| lightly set aside. The presumption is that sem
| tence shall be executed, and applicants for
| pardon should bear in mind that the burden of
! proof is npon them to show why it should be
| granted and not upon the Executive to show
why it should not. The right of petition must
| not he denied, but pardons seem too often to
be demanded as if the Governor and Council
were defrauding convicts of their rights, or in
flicting upon them some grievous wrong, by
| declining to interrupt the due course OF law.
| In this connection am constrained to refer
| again to the unsatisfactory relations of the
| law and the practice in the matter of capital
| punishment. Nothing can be more plain than
| that the law contemplates the death penalty
| as the extreme of punishment 1t declares
| even the method, and requires the Judge to
pronounce the awful sentence, but leaves a
weak place in providing for its execution by
which Governor. if so disposed, can shirk q
| painful duty. 1t begins a tragedy and'ends q
/ farce. L am not pared to say whether pub
| lie sentiment demands change in the law,
| but deem it proper to inform you that 1 shall
consider it my duty to dispose OF cases under
sentence of death which come before me for
action, and shall either see that the law is
duly executed, or shall interpose the Execu-
| tive prerogative of committing the sentence to
| Imprisonment for liie.
| THE LIQUOR LAWS.
The greater part of the report of the Attor-
ney General is devoted to comments upon the
] operation of the Liquor Laws, with recon-
mendations for important notifications in
them. This is subject of grave consequence,
and will demand your calm and careful con-
sideration.
| EXTENSION OF THE CAPITOL.
| Agreeably to an order Of the Legislature
| plans and specifications have been invited for
| the improvement of the capitol. Those have
The elaborate plans Submitted by G., j.. F.
BRYANT, Esq, and l.. II. Rogers, ESQ, who
have remodeled the State Houses Of New
| Hampshire and Massachusetts, suggest a very
! convenient and beautiful Encouragement Of
our interior, and extend to some changes fol