The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-01-10


law of kindness has been substituted
for that of cruelty and brute force
An effort has been made to create a
sslf respect in place OF the sense OF ut
ter degradation. The prisoners are
more trusted than formerly, and are
invited to the privileges of moral and
religious instruction. The result has
been what might have been anticipa-
ted. The prisoners so treated have
only In rare instances betrayed the
confdsncs reposed in them. They de-
stroy less msterial than formerly;
they do their work and more OF it;
and the prison, instead Of being great
expense to the State, as it was tor so
many years, is 8 source of income.
Great credit Is due to Che Board of
Directors and officers In the immediate
charge of the prison.
Of course the changes proposed in
the construction of the cells would ne
cessitate the erection of 8 new build
ing, for which there is ample and
room. A new system of
is also very much needed,
and q new roof to the old building is
indispensable.
Ifit should be thought advisable to
to make the improvements suggested,
nearly all the work could be done by
convict labor, though considerable time
would be required. Estimates OF costs
and plans have already been prepared
under the direction OF the Warden of
the Penitsntiary, and are ready for
your inspection
CRIMINAL LAW.
1t Is q matter worthy your eonsid-
Grafton, whether or not the present
criminal Law could not with advantage
be 50 changed asto provide thatjuries
should fix grade of crime-making
more grades than we now haye-snd
that less or no discretion should be
LEFT with the courts as to sentence.-
For instance, there is under our law
but one grade Of msnslsughter, though
the court is allowed q discretion in
INJECTING punishment from one to ten
years in the Penitensi3y. 1t is pre-
sumed that each individual Judge
would be consistent in fixing the term
Of imprisonment in all similar cases,
different judges differ widely in this
regard one court will sentence for
one year and another for ten in cases
Ia every essential particular alike. It
depends upon the temperament, edu-
cation, and habits of mind OF the
Judge. It has occurred to me that
here might be greater uniformity in
punishment If the grade of crime
soald be passed upon by jury of
,vslve men, while the term OF impris-
,nment should be definite and GER
ain. There may be objections to the
ihangs suggested, but it is worthy of
bought.
For q full discussion OF this sub
set, and for many valuable and in
details, you are referred to
he annual report Of the Board OF Di-
eotors now before you.
PARDoNs.
BY reiereace to the report OF par
Ions, herewith transmitted, it will be
observed that only twenty, in all,
we're granted by the present Execu-
i've, from tho Sth OF January to the
18th of November, 1872 1t is nv
belief that the good of the community
requires the punishment for crime to
be considered certain; that when q
has been fairly tfied and
for an offense against the
law, executive elemeney should be
only exceptional, and when the res-
son therefor are pslpsble and conclu-
sive. II the object Of punishment
we're solely, or chiefly, the reforma-
tion OF criminals, many pardons
might with propriety be granted. But
the primary and principal considers j..
ton is to prevent crime by the exem-
plsry punishment of those who have
been already convicted.
IHFLUKHCz OF REFORM SCHOOLS.
1t is gratifying to know that there
are 100 less conVicts in our Peniten-
;lary now than there were one year
.go; and the number received since
he opening of the Fall terms Of the
courts has been less than two-thirds
If what it was in the corresponding
months OF 1871. There are various
yays to account for this, but undoubt-
dly one explanation of the fact that
ur reform schools for boys and girls
axe badly governed and incorrigible
outh from away from haunts Of vica
enerally before the commission of
ny serious crimes, to the institutions
here they are surrounded with good
iauences, and educated for lives Of
sefulness and virtue. We have few
obler and more beni6eent charities
ian our reform schools
Your attention 10 directed TO the
of the Commission
70 OF the Reform School for boys,
it'll reference to the purchase OF
nds necessary for the use OF that
Istitution.
AND SAILORS ORPHANS
hOhAs
The Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
lone, at Xsnia, 10 in q prosperous
ondltion. The new buildings, not
ready finished, are In process Of con-
.ruction, and there will soon be ample
for all the helpless
nd homeless children OF our dead
oldiars and sailors, with such teach
,es and guidance as judicious and
wing managers can offer, or the
tate provide.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The geological survey Of the State
- progressed satisfactorily during
le past year. The first volume OF
le final report IL now in the hands
I the printer, aud will be ready for
Istribution at the present session o.
,e General Assembly. Material for
mother volume is now nearly resdy,
nd IL is hoped provision will be made
" Its early publication. To perfecl
be work OF the survey according TO
be original design, and in harmony
ruth what has already been compile
ed, will require one year more, and
! il recommended that the time OF
he geological corps be extended &C
,ordinaly, and that such appropriation
,e made therefor as may be necessa-
y.
Five maps, upon q somewhat exten-
led scale. have been prepared By
'rof. Andrew, representing the Goa
eeioa in the district assigned TO him
he funds heretofore approx r.atsd for
ngraving and printing were not suf-
cient TO warrant the Board OF Con
,ol In ordering - many copies OF
lese maps as there will be volumes
! the edition to be published. If il
hould be considered desirable that
q equal number should be printed,
q additional appropriation will be
equired.
The geological survey Is 8 very
work In an economic point
( view, 10 say nothing Of Its scientific
,tersst- Is has already added largely
o the vs.ue OF real property in the
tate, while ils developments and dis
losures are inviting labor and eapi-
Al from abroad. To make q salts
actory and creditable survey neces-
sriIy consumes considerable time,
nd costs large sums Of money. IL
4. however, believed that our
vorkr are being well aud faithfully