Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-01-07

which may be desired with viev. to
legislation can be boat obtained trpln the
reports themselves.
also refrain from malgug many, re-
commendations Believing that, too fire..
quent changes OF the. laws apd'toO much
Legislation are serious evils, ! respectful
ly suggest. that, nppn' many subjects it
may be well to- defer legislation until
theppoplb baSe, acted upon the question
of calliug a, Constitutional Convention.
II SUCH Convention shall be called, IL
is not improbable that the General Az,
sembly will be clothed with powors ca.
seutially different from those conferred
by tho present Fundamental law in re.
spect TO The Judiciary, Railroads, Intem.
peronce, End many Other important sub.
,ects, and that the Legislature itself. will
be 80 constituted as to secure 10 mincri-
ties fairer representation than they now
enjoy.
FINANCES.
The balance in the State Treasury on
the 18th OF November, 1869, was $685.
ooo.l4; the receipts during the year were
81 ,399, ,932.53 making the total amount
OF available funds in the Treasury during
the year s4,sS7, ,9a2.67.
The disbursements during the year
have been $4,07I ,a54.57 leaving a bal
ance in the Treasury November Is, 1870,
of s766, 6,o3s.l0.
The estimates of the Auditor of State
for the current year are as follows
Estimated receipts from all sources,
including balances, $3.50, ,2o5.lo; esti.
mated Disbursements for all purposes,
IS, 1853, ,976.ol leaving an estimated bal
ance in the Treasury Novcmberl5, 1871,
of oe,229.o9.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The public funded debt of the State
on the 18th of November, 1869, after de-
ducting the amount invested in loans not
yet due, was $9,s55, ,03s.2L During tho
last year there has been redeemed of the
various loans and invested in lsane not
yet due, the sum OF 1928, $50. SO, leaving
the total debt due November 18th, 1870,
$9,732, 2,oz7.9l.
The Fund Commissioners were pre-
pared to pay off larger amount of the
debt than has been actually discharged
during the year, but none of the bonds
OF the State were due, aud some of the
holders demanded ten or twelve per
cent. premium, and others refused to sur.
render their bonds at any price.
FIXED sALARlEa
IL would promote an economical adj.
ministration Of the law of all officers.
State, County and Municipal, including
the members Of the Legislature were
paid fixed salaries
Under existing laws. n part of the
public officers are paid by fees, and
part by fixed annual salaries or by a per
diem allowance The result is great in
equality and injustice. Many of those
who are paid by fees receive compensa-
ton ont OF all proportion to the services
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 C0nrt of the
state. The salaries paid to the judges
ought to be increased the amount paid
to many other public officers ought 10
DO reduced. To do justice, system of
fixed snlaries, without fees or perquisi,ies,
should be adopted. The peop pie of Ohio
Will, withom question, sustain an in-
crease in the salaries OF Judges and of
other officers who are now inadeouately
paid. But it can probably best be done
rs n part OF u system which would pre-
vent the payment to public officers of
enormous sums by means of tees and
perqnlsltes. 10 remove all ground of
complaint, on account Of injustice to
present incumbents, the new system
should apply only to those elected after
its adoption.
THE PENlTESTIARY.
Under prudent and efficient manage
ment the earnings of the Penitenriary
continue TO exceed it's expenses, and,
at the same time, gratifying pro-
gress has been made III improving the
condition and treatment of the prisoners.
The hateful and degrading uniform of
past years is disappearing increased
means OF education, secular aud religions,
are afforded, and the officers oi tire insti-
tuition exhibit an earnest desire to en-
ploy every fundamentally authorized by
existing laws, 10 restore its inmates TO
society, improved in habits, capacity and
character.
WhlIe much has been done in our
State during the last twenty-five years
Tor the improvement of prison discipline,
II il not TO 6e denied that much more
yet remains unaccomplished.
Assuming that the time has not ar
rived 10 attempt q radical change of our
prison discipline, the following practical
suggestions, consistent with the present
system, are oflesed tor your consideration:
A convict is now allowed n deduction,
from the period Of his sent ence as re-
ward ior good behavior the power to
cxtend the period OF the sentence as a
punishment for bad conduct would also
under proper regulations, exercise a
Wholesome influence in the discipline OF
the prison.
CLASSIFICATION.
The importance Oi classification smong con-
ytcis il now universally admitted For eco.
nomical OF otlser reasOns the establishment OF
an intermediate prison will perhaps bo deemed
ineSpsdtent at this time. II Is believed how-
ever, That Ivy employing convict labor the ad-
diional buildings and improvements requirsd
for satisfactory classification, can be erected
| on the ground adjoining the old prison, re.