The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-01-17

AL, JANUARI Ii l6l
"pay as you 60" leads to economy in
public as well as in private affairs, while
the power to contract debts opens the
door to wastefulness, extravaganza and
corruption.
In the early history Of the State, when
capital was scarce and expensive, public
works were required for transporting
the products of the State to market,pub
lie debts were probably unavoidable
But the time, I believe, has come when
not only the State, but all of its suhor-
dinate divisions, ought to be forbidden
to incur debt. The same rule on this
subject ought to be applied to local au-
thorities winch the Constitution applies
to the State Legislature. Experience
has proved that the power toScontract
debt is as liable to abuse by local boards
as it is by the General Assembly. If it
is important to the people that the State
should be free from debt, it is also inn
portant that It's municipal divisions
should not have power to Cypress them
with the burden Of local Indebtedness. {.
1t would promote an economical ad-
of the laws if all officers,
State, County, and Municipal, including
the members of the Legislature, were
paid fixed salaries.
Under existing laws, part of the
public officers are paid by fees, and a
part by fixed annual salaries or by per
diem allowance. The result is great ine-
quality and injustice. Many of those
who are paid by fees receive compen-
sation out of all proportion to the servi-
ces rendered. Others are paid salaries
wholly inadequate., For example, many
county officers, and some city officers,
receive greater compensation than the
Judges of the Supreme Court Of the
State. The salaries paid to the Judges
ought to be increased; the amount paid
to many other public officers ought to
be reduced. To do justice a system of
fixed salaries, without fees or perquisites,
should be adopted. The people of Ohio
will, without question, sustain an increase
of the salaries of Judges and of other
officers who are now inadequately paid.
But it can probably best be done as a
part Of q system which would prevent
the payment to public officers Of enor-
nous sums by means of fees and per-
quisites. To remove all ground of com
plant, on account of injustice to present
Incumbents, the new system should ap-
ply only to those elected after its aiop-
tion.
In addition to considerations already
in favor of revisions Of the
rates of taxation which local officers and
boards are authorized to levy, another
reason is not to be omitted.
BY the recent reyaluation of real estate
the total basis Of taxation for the State
at large will probably be increased all
most forty per cent and IN many Of the
cities the increase will be nearly one
per cent. This renders it i'm
peraavely necessary to revise the pres
ent rates, SO as to prevent the collection
and expenditure of sums much greater
than the public good demands.
Under prudent and efficient manage
ment the earnings of the Penitentiary
continue to exceed its expenses, and, at
the same time, gratifying progress has
been made in improving the condition
and treatment of the prisoners. The
hateful and degrading uniform of past
years is disappearing increased means of
secular and religious, are Of
forded and the officers Of the institution
exhibit an earnest des,re to employ every
authorized by existing
laws to restore its inmates to society i'm
proved in habits, capaciy and character.
While much has been done in our
State during the last twenty five years
for the improvement ofiprisoa discipline,
It is mot to be denied that much moro
yet remains unaccomplished.
Assuming that the time has not .arriv-
ed to attempt radical change of our
prison discipline, the following practical
consistent with the present
system, are offered for your considera-
ton: A convict is now allowed deduc-.
ion from the period Of his sentence as
! reward for good behavior; the power
10 extend the period ofthe sentence as a
punishment for bad conduct, would also,
under proper regulations, exercise a
wholesome influence in tue discipline of
the prison. aiess 9s
The importance of classification among
,onyicts is now universally admitted,
For economical or other reasons the es-
adjustment Of an intermediate prison
will perhaps be deemed inexpedient at
.his time It's believed, however, that
BY employing convict labor the addi.
,ional buildings and Improvements re
luired for satisfactory ciassifca-
ism can be erected on the ground adj
dining the old prison, recently purchas-
ID and now enclosed, at a small expense
with the cost of a new prison,
rhis plan, it is hoped. will receive your
"a. eful consideration. 49,
Its also recommended that the Board
IF State Charities be empowered to aid
convicts to obtain honest
An annual appropriation.
,f small sum for this purpose, in the
course Of few years, would probably
save a large number, who, without such
help, would again return to q criminal
course of life.
The most defective part Of our pres,
ent criminal system is probably our.
county jails. II is supposed abou. S..
BOO persous pass through our county
ails each year. They are persons gen
erally charged With crimes and awaiting
trial But lunatics and petty offenders,
IN considerable numbers, are also con-
fined in these places, The young and
the old, theinnocent aud the guilty, har-
dened offenders aud beginners in crime,
are commonly mingled together in the
iails, under few restraints, without use,
ful occupation, and with abundant leis
,ro ond tamntation to learn wlcledness