The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-01-13

prison discipline, it is not to be de
MED that much more yet remains
to be accomplished.
Assuming that the time bias not
arrived to attempt a radical change
of our prison discipline, the follow
ing practical SUGGESTIONS, consist
ent with the present system, are
offered for your consideration /: A
convict Is now allowed a deduction
from the period of his sentence as u
reward for good behavior; the pow
or 10 extend the period Of the sent
ence as a punishment for bad con
duct would also, under proper regu-
lations, exercise a wholesome infu-
ence in the discipline of the pris-
on.
The Importance Of classification
among conviets is now universally
admitted. For economical or 9th
er aso the establishment of an
intermediate prison will perhaps be
inexpedient at this time. II is be-
lleved, however, that by employing
convict labor the additional build
ings and improvements required for
a satisfactory classification, can DO
erected on the ground adjoining the
old PRISON, recently purchased and
Low enclosed, st a small expense
compared with the cost of q new
prison. This plan, it is hoped, will
receive your most careful consider
alton.
1t is also recommended that the
Board of State Charities be empow-
ercd to aid discharged %convicts TO
obtain honest employment. An an
nual appropriation of a small sum
for this purpose, and IN the course
of a few years, would probably save
a large number, who, without such
help, would again return 10 o Trim
inal course of life.
County Jais.
The most defective part of our
present prison system Is probably
our County Jails. Il 10 supposed
about S,00e persons pass through
our County Jails each year. They
are generally persons charged with
crimes and awaiting trial. But lu-
narics and petty offenders, IN cons
siderable numbers are also confined
in these places. The young and the
old, the innocent and the guilty,
hardened offenders and beginners IN
crime, are commonly mingled toge-
Their in the ialls under few res
traiEts, without useful occupation,
and with abundant leisure, and
temptation, to learn wickedness.-I
jails have been ftiy termed Nurse
Of crime. Plans OF jRlls, not
too expensive, have Seen furnished
by the Board of State Charities
which provide for the absolute sep
aration Of the prisoners. 1t Is re-
commended that the law shall re-
quire all jails TO be so constructed
as to entirely prevent this promls-
cuous and dangerous i~ntersonrso.
Statistics Of Vice and Crime.
Your attention Is particularly
TO the recommendation of the
Board of State Charities, that the
proper authorities of all of the CT
ties of the State should be required
to mako full reports annually, TO
the Legislature, through the Cow
srnor, of the statistics Of vice and
and of the work Of the police
in such cities. And al |
so TO the suggestion that prescott
ing attorneys should not be allowed
to entsr q aoHe prosequi in an case
Of an indictment for q crime pun
ishable by Imprisonment in the Pc
nitentiary, or by death, without the
approval OF the Attorney
General first, given upon the writ
ten report TO him of the facts.
The importance of this Is suffci-
shown by the fact that in SO
the Number of cases in which a
noHe pr0ssqa was entered exceed
fifteen hundred.
Reform School for Girls.
The Girls Reformatory, at White
Sulphur Springs, contains forty
nine inmates, and it 10 now demon
strated that the number is likely 10
increase as rapidly as the welfare OF
the institution will allow. WHAT
ever doubts may have been reason
ably entertained as the necessity
for such an institution, prior TO its
establishment. tho report Of the d.
and Superintendent, and q
thorough investigation OF the facts, |
will, 1t is believed, satisfy Jon that
The institution is u very important
one, and ought to be literally sup
Soldiers Orphans Home.
The report oftbe Superintendent
and Trustees OF the Soldiers 0rph-
ans Home will engage your earnest i
attention. The duty Of providing
for the education and support of the
children of the soldiers of Ohio who
fell in the war for the Union, WAS
fully recognized by the resolutions
and acts of your last session. IL Is
not doubted that your action was IN
accordance with the will of the peo-
pie of the State, and they earnest
" desire that the duty of caring for
tho soldiers orphans shall be per-
formed In a manner that will wor-
thIly express the affection and gra-
tltude with which these wards of
the State must ever be regarded by /.
a just and patriotic community. J.,
therefore, respectfully recommend
that the legislation deemed necess !
airy by the Board and Officers in
charge of the institution be enacted
as promptly as practicable.
Geological Surrey.
The report OF tho Geological Sur
vey, to be laid before you, exhibits
the encouraging progress of that
work. The future growth of Ohio,
in wealth and popnlntioh will de.