Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-01-13

tlbk VIZ ihht tWenty -nVe years tor tne improve
ment Of prison discipline, IL Is not TO be denied
that much more yat remains unaccomplished.
Assuming that the time has not arrived 70 at
tempt radical change Of our prison discipline
the following practical suggestions, consistent
with the present system, are offered for youI
consideration A convict Is now allowed de-
ductien from the period Of bis sentence as a. re.
ward for good behavior; the power TO extend
the period Of the sentence as a punishment toi
bad conduct would eIso, under proper reRula'
lions, exercise wholesome influence In the dis
cipline Of the prison.
CLASSIFICATION.
The importance Of classification among con.
victs is now universally admitted. For eco
nomcal or other reasons the establishment o
the intermediate prison will perhaps be deemed
lnexpedent at this time. II IL believed, howev.
or, that by employing convict labor the addition
al buildings and improvements required for .
satisfactory classification can be erected on the
ground adjoining the old prison, recently pur
chased and now inclosed, at q small expense
compared with the cost Of the new prison. Thi,
plan, it is hoped, will receive your careful con
sideration.
DISCHARGED CoNvIcTs.
II is also recommended that the Bnardof Stat
Charities be empowered to aid discharged con
victs to obtain honest employment. An annua
appropriation of a small sum for this purpose
save large number. who, without such help
would again return to a criminal course OF life
COUNTY JAILs.
The most defective part of our present prisoi
| system is probably our county jails. II is sup
posed about 5000 persons pass through ou
| county jails each year. They are general
| persons charged with crimes and awaiting trial
! But lunalics and petty offenders, in considerab
numbers, are also confined in these places. 9th
young and the old, the innocent and the guilty
/ hardened offenders and beginners in crime, ar
commonly mingled together in the jails, unde
few restraints, without useful occupation
and with abundant leisure, and temptation,
| learn wickeduess. The jails have been fiji
termed nurseries of crime. Plans OF jails, not
expensive, have. been furnished by the Board {
State Charities, which provid for the absolu
separation of the prisoners. 1t Is reccommeI
ded that the law shall require all jails TO be
constructed as TO entirely prevent this prom
cuous and dangerous intercourse.
Your attention is particularly called to th
accommodation Of the Board Of State Char
ties, that the proper authorities Of all the citi,
OF the State should be required to make full r
ports, annually, to the Legislature, through Il
Governor, of the statistics Of vice and CRIME, al
Of the work Of the Police Department IN SUE
cities. Aud also to the suggestion that Pros
cutting Attorneys should not be allowed TO ent
a noile proseq6 in sny case Of an indictment
, crime punishable by imprisonment in the Pc
tentisry or by death, without the written q
/, proval OF the Attorney General first given up,
, written report t0 him of the facts.
The importance Of this is sufficiently shov
by the fact that in 1859 the number OF cases
which noNe prOseqai was entered exceed
fifteen hundred.
REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The Girls Reformatory at White Sulph
Springs contains forty-nine inmates, and it
{ now demonstrated that the number is like
: to increase as rapidly as the welfare of the
. stitution will allow. Whatever doubts IN
\ have been reasonably entertained as to Il
. rec ,ssity for such institution prior to its
tablishment. the report of the Directors al
the facts, will, it is believed, satisfy you Il
the institution is a very important one, a
ought to be literally supported.
3 SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME.
The report Of the Superintendent and Truste
8 Of the Soldiers Orphans Home will enga
your earnest attention. The duty Of providi
Q for the education and support OF the children
the soldiers Of Ohio who fell in the war for q
8 Union was fully recognized by the resoluto
= and acts of your last session. 1t is not doubt
that your action was in accordance with the "
3 Of the people Of the State, and they earnestly
0 sire that the duty of caring for the soldier
= orphans shall be performed in a manner Il
5 will wOrthily express the affection and gratitu
with which these wards Of the State must e'
q be regarded by just and patriotic communil
4 !, therefore, respectfully recommend that I
: legislation deemed necessary by the board a
q officers in charge of the institution be enacted
3 promptly as practicable.
J. TIE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
: The report of the Geological Survey, to
: laid before you, exhibits the encouraging pr
. gress Of that work. The future growth Of Oh
: in wealth and population, will depend large
on the development Of the mining'and manufs
turing resources Of the state. Heretofore, @
y increase in capital and numbers has been chic
Q due to agriculture. Important as that great
. terest will always be in Ohio, the recent Gems
u shows that we may not reasonably anticipate,
future, rapid growth iu population OF veal
n from agriculture alone. Without calling
o question the great and immediate benefit to
crue to agriculture from the geological surv
= it is yet true that the tendency Of its exhibit
u OF our vast mineral wealth is to encourage
employment Of labor and capital in mining a
: manufacturing enterprises. Let the work be c.
o tinued aud sustained by ample appropriation
. . CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
4 1t is necessary that the General Assembly.
:, present session, should adopt the requi itel
: Islation to carry into effect the following requi
: ment Of the Constitution: Section 8, article
of the Constitution provides that "at the gene
election to be held in the year one thousand ell
v hundred and seventy -one, and in each twentie
: year thereafter, the question, Shall there b
Z convention tn revise, alter, or amend the Con
/ tutionT shall be submitted TO the electors Of
J. State, and in case majority of all the elect
10 voting at snch election shall decide in favor
= such a convention, the General Assembly, at
v next session, shall provide by law for the el
Il ten Of delegates and the assembling of ST
10 convention"
,e In conclusion, l feel warnted in congratulate
it you on the favorable judgment of your conf
If tuents upon your action on the important 81
jects which were considered at your la st sesi
aud in expressing confident hope that what
mains IN be done WILL under Providence. be
J. wisely ordered that the true interests of all
e the people of the State will be greatly and p
J. manently advanced. b. HAYES
JANUARY 3, 1871.