The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-01-09


length Of time consumed in erectin.
one Of cur public buildings, w0ul,
amount 20 an enormous sum. 50 ia
from saving money by the presen
system, the loss i great and inevita
bic. We have recently seen a mag
. uIiceut city, with immense blocks o
buildings, six and seven stories high
attractive and durable, spring out o.
the ashes in six months time; vet we
consume five or six years in eOustruc.
ting an edItiee which ought to be fin
ished in twelve months, OF in two
years at the utmost limit. I do not
believe this TO be, to any considerable
/ extent, perhaps il is not at all. the
fault Of the Trustees; they are ham,
peFed by the law, and it ought to be
so changed or modified as to obviate
the difficulties which experience has
developed.
OHIO PENITESTTARY.
A radical change in the construc-
ton Of the cells of the Ohio Peniten-
tiary is earnestly recommended AS
at present constructed, they are in
five tiers, each cell being 34x7 feet and
feet high. 1t is proposed to build
them in four tiers, the cells to be SIX
81 feet, and feet high. There is now
grated breathing hole, eighteen
inches wide, for each cell, and no aTti-
fetal means Of ventilation whatever.
The air, especially in summer, is sick
ening and poisonous. II is a grateful
relief for sick prisoners, to get out of
their cells-to engage in the hardest
kind of labor. The prison physician
declares that II is impossible to pre-
vent frequent attacks of pulmonary
diseases, so lOEg as convictS are kept
in such a vitiated atmosphere. TO
use the expressive language of the
Rev. Mr.. Byers, former chaplain Of
the prison: "rhe men never come out
of their cells looking or feeling as
well on Monday morning as they do
on other days Of the week" During
the Sabbath, which ought to be day
Of rest, our cOnvicts are laboring for
breath. l am not over sentimental
about this matter, and do not desire
that criminals should sleep on a bed
of roses, or be surrounded with luxu-
ries. But they ought to be humaneIy
treated, and their lives should be
spared, unless forfeited under the SEN
tence Of the law. To be sure, every
thing which kind-hearted overseers
can devise, is done for their well-be-
ing. The law of kindness has been
substituted for that of cruelty and
brute force. An effort has been made
to create a feeling of self-Tespect in
place of utter degradation. Tue pris-
Oners are more trusted than formerly,
and are invited to the privileges Of
moral and religious instruction. The
result has been what might have been
anticipated. The prisoners SO treat
ed, have only in rare instances be-
trayed the confidence repOsed in them.
They destroy less material than for
merly; they do their work better and
more of it; and the prison, instead of
being great expense to the State, as
it was for 20 many years, is a source
of considerable income. Great credit
is due to the Board OF Directors and
the officers in the immediate charge
of the prison.
OF course the changes proposed in
the construction of cells, would neces-
state the erection of a new building,
for which there is ample and conve-
nient room. A new system of sewer
age is also very much needed, and a
new roof to the old building is indis-
pensable.
II it should be thought advisable to
make the improvements suggested,
nearly all the work could be done by
convict labor, though considerable
time would be required. Estimates
of cost, and plans, have already been
prepared under the direction of the
Warden Of the Penitentiary, and are
ready for your inspection.
CRIMINAL LAW.
1t is q matter worthy of your con-
sideratiOn, whether or not the present
criminal law could not with advan-
tage be so changed as to provide that
jurIes should fix the grade of crime
making more grades than We now
have-and that less or no discretion
should be left with the courts rs to the
sentence. For instance, there is un-
der our law but one grade of man
slaughter, though the court is allowed
a discretion in intiicting punishment,
from one to ten years in the peniten-
tiary. 1t is presumed that each indi-
vidual judge would be consistent in
fixing the term of imprisonment in
all similar cases, but different judges
differ widely in this regard. One
court will sentence for one year, and
another for ten, in cases in every es-
sential particular alike. 1t depends
upon the temperament, education and
habits of mind of the judge, 1t has
occurred to me that there might be
greater uniformity in punishment If
the grade of crime could be passed
upon by a jury of twelve men, while
the term of imprisonment, or other
punishment, should be definite and
certain. There may be objections to
the change suggested, but IL is worthy
Of thought.
For full discussion of the subject,
and for many valuable and interest
ing details, you are referred to the an
nual report of the Board OF Directors
now before you.
PARDoNs.
By reference to the Report of Par
dons, herewith transmitted, it will be
observed that only twenty, In all,
were granted by the present EXecu-
tive, from the 9Th of January, TO the
18th Of November, 1872. It is my be-
lief that the good of community re-
quires the punishment for crime 70 be
certain {; that when a
criminal has been fairly tried and con-
victed for an offence against the law,
executive clemency should be only
exceptional, and when the reasons
therefore are palpable and conclusive.
II the object Of punishment were sole
", or chiefly, the reformation oferimi-
nails, many pardons might with pro-
priety he granted. But the primary
and principal consideration is 10 pre-
vent crime by the exemplary punish
menU Of those who have been already
convicted.
INFLUENCE OF REFORM SCHOOLS.
1t is gratifying to know that there
are one hundred less cOnvicts in our
Penitentiary now, than there were a
year ago and the number received
since the opening of the fall terms of
court has been less than twO-thirds of
what it was in the corresponding
months of 1871. There are various
Ways to account for this, but undOubt-
edly one explanation Is found in the
fact that our Reform Schools for boys
and girls, take badly governed and in
corrigible youth away from the haunts
Of vice, generally before the commits
sion OF any serious crimes, to institu-
tions where they are surrounded with
good influences, and educated for
lives of usefulness and virtue. We
have few nobier or more benehcent
charities than our reform schools.
Your attention Is directed to the re-
of the Commissioners
o9 the Reform School for boys, with
reference to the purchase of lands
necessary for the use of that institu-
tiUn.
AND SAILORS ORPHANS
HOME.
The Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
Home at Nenia, is In prosperous con-
ditiOn. The new buildings, not al
ready finished, are in process of con-
and there will soon be am
pie accommodation for all the help
less and homeless children Of our dead
and sailors, with such teach
ing and guidance as judiciOus and low
ing managers can offer, or the State
provide.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The Geological Survey Of the State
has progressed satisfactOriIv duPinO