Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-01-15

have been able 10 carry this inYestiga-
ton, no NAL practices have been proven
IN the dealings between architect aud
contractor, nor have l seen evidence
that any such profit has been made by
the contractors which would lead to
reasonable suspicion. For their justi-
hcatlon, however, as well as for a more
complete examination than 1 have
been able to make personally. would
recommend searching investigation
by committee fully authorized to
send for persons aud papers.
As soon as the facts referred to above
were known, Mr.. George Bellows, of
this city, was appointed Architect and
Superintendent, in place of Blackburn
removed, and has been occupied in
making careful measurements and esti-
mates of the work done, as compared
with contracts and speoi iications. As
soon as this labor is sufficiently ad-
vanced, his report will be laid before
you. showing the precise condition of
the work and of the various accounts
connected with it. Meanwhile it is ex-
tremely important to the interests of
the Institution that the heating ap-
paratus and plumbing should be
promptly finished, and the little car
pentering and plastering still incom.
plete should progress so far as not to
delay the re-opening of the school, For
this purpose an early partial sppropria-
tion Is necessary, and, in my Judgment,
may be made without risk, as the with
held percentage on the contracts will
cover all margins necessary for the
security of the State.
The change of the plan of the engine
house, authorized by the last Legisls-
ture, by which it was separated from
the main building and placed on the
north side of the alley IN rear Of the
Institution, was the cause of consid-
cradle addition to the estimated ex-
penses of the structure, but the great
advantages OF room, of light and air in
the school building, and Of the health
of the whole establishment, made that
change real economy. In digging for
the foundation of this part of the build
ing, q1icksand and springs greatly
impeded the work and increased its
cost, but two strong flowing wells were
secured with promise to be permanent,
and which supply a superabundance of
good water Tor the use of the whole In
stitution. These will be invaluable,
and much more than repay the extra
cost they have occssioned.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The Reform School continues its
valuable work, and is every year more
clearly seen to be working upon the
only true principle in the treatment of
juvenile offenders. Appended to the
report of the Commissioners will be
found the report of committee, ap-
pointed under authority Of the Assem-
bly,, to select piece of corn land to
add to the Farm. The committee
have selected farm in the Hooking
river bottoms, which, in their judg-
ment, meets the wants Of the School,
and, when added to the high, billy and
thin soiled tract now occupied by the
Institution, will give the variety of
employment and of produce which is
greatly needed. The fruit culture of
the bills has been profitable during the
past year, as the report shows; and the
addition of some corn and hay land will
tend still further to reduce the expense
of the School. When it is remembered
that the whole investment in this In
for land and buildings is not
over one-eighth the cost of some of the
Asylums having no larger number of
inmates, there will be little hesitation
in appropriating the moderate sum
now needed.
The need of similar refcrmatory for
girls becomes more apparent every
year, and the propriety of establishing
one is respectfully urged upon your
attention.
PENITENTIARY.
The administration of the Peniten-
tiary during the year shows an eficien-
,y quite equal, if not superior, to any
that has been witnessed for many years, |
and in one respect-that of economy
The result is a peculiarly gratifying one.
The receipts for the labor of prisoners
have exceeded the expenses of the
prison by the sum of $4,000. This re-
Iult, the directors report, Is not pro-
luced by charging the State with labor
performed for it, or by any charges or
credits for which money has not been
paid or received; but it is a balance of
,ssh receipts over cash expenditures.
It has been secured by q strict atten-
ion to economy N all departments
md a rigid saving of the waste which Is
lpt to become large in so large an in
titution. This fact is most significant
Il Tho ~ M
'iet for clothing, food, bedding and
hospital, which amounts this year to
,5I.37 against an average Of $500 for
hree years before. The Directors are
urther able to say that, although the
expenses have been so materially
every department has
,een as well maintained as in any
ormer year." They very properly
i've the chief credit for this result to
he Warden and his principal assist
.nts, but it could, of course, be brought
bout only by a Jealous cooperation in
he public service Of all concerned,
rom the Directors themselves down.
Tard.
Your candid consideration is invited
o the reasons assigned by the Direc-
ors why a minimum price for convict
abor should not be established By law.
he accounts of the prison demonstrate !
hat since the passage of the existing !
tatute on that subject, there has been {
clear loss to the State of two thous- !
nd dollars per month by reason of the /
of conyicts for whose 8
abor responsible bids had been made '
efore the law took effect. l believe
he reasoning of the report on this sub i
sct to be sound, and recommend the L
epeal Of the statute referred to. The
rue mode of enhancing the price of
abor in the prison is to protect the
.iscipline and management of the in
titution so that the labor itself Will b.
nore valuable and reliable, and leave :
to the zeal of honorable and compe-
ent Directors and officers to procure
be highest market price for it. No
epislation can remove the necessity OF .
aving honest men in charge of so i'm
ortant an institution or OF conhding q
4 their trustWorthiness r
NEW PRISON.
The number of convicts IN the Peni- =,
entiary has averaged one thousand
xelve hundred and ninety-one having Q
cen in it during the year, and one .
nousand and one remaining there at E
be date of the report. 1t is manifest c
rat it will not do to put of any longer d
le task of providing for the increase t
f convicts, which keeps pace with our c
lcrease of population. Such thought Q
, have been able to give the subject s.
as convinced me that the increase of
:. =. ~,,.l,f g., 1,a yv,oIa hr buiId I