Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-21

Tho improvement from matchmaking at
iOrty-two cents n day tn shoe-naking at
seventy cents day, is very manifest in
the influence upon tho men aud upon the
finances. They think the institution should
be refornlaIory as well AS punitive, and
that the inmates should he treated with
kindness, aud every reasonable cncour-
| agemont and help he offered for thorough
reform. Tho officers should see both that
the convicts are industrious aud that they
are not overworked. They doprocate sou-
fences to prison for short terms on minor
offences. Such sentences profit Mother tho
culprit nor the State. They also object to
the granting of pardons without thorough
examination of tho ease and fair notice TO
parties concerned, and suitable knowledge
Of the views of the court that gave sentence,
and of the officers of the prison in whose
charge they are.
The report of the finances presents u
highly favorable aspect, there being now
in the hands OF the superintendent an cx-
cess of receipts above all expenses. amount
ing to Si,f5O75, aud duo from tho contract
ors S3,Gsl.Gj. being in all IS, 1872 10. or this
amount they have ordered sG,OOO 10 be
paid TO the State treasurer on ur before
Sept lSt, fact never before occurring ia
the history Of the prison.
The chaplain in his report says, in sub
stance, that n preaching service for the
mon on the sabbath with the usual forms
Of worship, and biblical exercise for the
women has been regularly maintained.
He has visited the inmates in their cells
and in their shop, aud privately cinvers-
ed with each Individual. In this work he
has been chcercd by the universally re-
spoctful il not Interested attcntivcncss to
religious services and by their generally
good behavior.
The neat aud convenient CHAPEL nrcparod
by the dircctrrs ard superintendent, in
which worship may be- attended, without
the sight Of narrow cells aud other 1t istract.
ing associations, l. proving great benefit.
Small hymn aud tune books have been
provided Tor all attendants and a large
number of the men now slug very a-cepta-
bly, in the religious services. The main
tenancc, also, Ola Sabbath School, hy the
superintendent and keeper and other OH.
>
ings, for the study Of international lessons.
has had an excellent effect. Almost one
hundred volumes of interesting auh use
tul books have been added to the library.
In conclusion he presents the following
impressions:
!. Tue importance Of right hone in
huences aud the early training of the
young cannot be over-eslmatrd. Not in
dividu Is alone, but the whole stale has am
interest in this matter. Tho idle, uncon-
lrollcd child becomes the indolent, viciun,
man. The Jail aud the prison are the lc.
climate recepaclcS al the victims of bad
homes and street vagrancy. From such
quarters come most OF the inmate, of this
institution.
=. The repre,s ON OF dram-drinking.
and the unlawful sale OF Intoxicating lia-
uorS, j. of the highest importance To the
moral and material wcll-bcing of the State.
More than three-lilihs OF the inmates here
are conlcSsedly addicted to strong drinks,
aud large m jority Of them attribute
their crime and imprisonment directly 10
the banciul influence of liquor.
3. Humane encouragement to impri,on-
cd aud discharged cunyicts, in their on
beavers to reform, Is an imperative duty
as well of the State as individuals. To
treat men as brutes, or worthless outcasts
because the iron door has once closed up-
on them, is alike poor philanthropy and
bad policy.