Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-15
STATE IxsrrrUrIoxs.

ioic yOus CoutaAu IW1OfuUo11Ou AMI sug.
gcstions Of much importance. The re-
port OF the Trustees Of the Insane Asv-
um has not yet reached me. For the
> highest success of these important State
institutions, it is important that, through
your several committees intrusted with
their interests, YOU should make your
oversight OF them not simply q brief,
formal visitation, but a thorough aud
careful annual inspection and investiga.
ton, in the early part of the session when
; at least portion of the members of
each committee could give the time nee
essary for this work. Thus YOU would
bring the people into closer relations
with these institutions, remove abuses,
II any had grown up, disarm criticism
AMI inspire that generous confidence on.
which their success 20 largely depends.
THE STATE PRISON.
According to the report of the lnspcc-
tors, the EARNINGS Of the convicts have
betrayed the expenses OF carrying on the
State Prison during the year ending
Nov. 80, 1873. aud yielded to the State a
net profit of 6,544,9s, which has been
added to the working capital of the in-
stitution. The salaries of the Warden
and Inspectors, amounting the past year
TO S4,46o.35, are paid from Inc State
Treasury, in accordance with the sys-
TEN which has always obtained in max
ing up the prison accounts. Deductiny
this amount. and there still remains q
balance OF 81 .0S4 63 in favor of the State.
alter pa, ing all the expenditures OF sup
porting the prison, including salaries of
Warden aud Inspectors, the cost of
transportation OF prisoners from the sew
/ fs IN, ..to lao,
discharged. Should this favorable finan.
cial condition of the institution continue,
the Stale will be relieved of all expen-
ditures on prison account, except so far
as may he necessary 10 keep the build
ings in safe conditit N, and provide for
possible losses by fire. The recent in.
crease OF prison Accommodations BY the
erection of a new wing, supplies al the
demands which will be made in this d.
reciion for years.
The Inspectors report that the value
OF the tools, stock on hand and balance
OF debts due the prison, on the 30th Of
Nov. last, was $l25, 1877 .03. A few days
alter, one of the workshops was unfor-
tunately burned, involving loss of the
the building, valued at about 90 900 and
also of stock and tools valued at eli 900.
This loss reduces the value of the tools,
stock, etc, to about $lOS 900: but II is
thought that the operations of the prison
can be carried on as usual without any
appropriation to supply this part of the
loss. A new fire-proof work k-shop will,
however, be required another summer.
whether the labor Of the prisoners is dis
posed OF TO contractors, or employed
on account OF the State. For the cree
ton OF such building as shall be we'll
adapted to the wants of the prison, the
Inspectors recommend an appropriation
of sl2 900.
With the exception of period, of six
or eight years, the State has always en-
! claycd the labor OF the convicts in mnatI.
iacturing operations on its own account,
on the assumption that such a course
was preferable on grounds OF economy
as well a. discipline. Inasmuch as il is
thought by some that ii would be more
equitable TO the public, and more adj
vantageous 10 the State, to dispose of
the labor of the convicts 10 the contrac.
tors. | would suggest that your com
mlttee on that ins titutio investigate the
subject, and give a hearing to all per-
sons interested in this or any other mat
ter connected with the management of
the prison.
REFORM SCHOOL.
The Trustees of the Reform School
give expression TO a judgment forced up
on them by observation and experience,
and in full harmony with the advice of
officers of similar institutions in other
states, that a large part of the benefits
which might be expected from that
school, are lost in consequence OF so
faulty an arrangement of the interior of
the building as to make it impossible to
properly separate the different grades of
boys. As it is now, there must be an
enforced association Of boys who are
committed for truancy or some petty
Inisdemeanor, which by no means argues
more than want of parental care, with
youth who are to great extent deprav-
ed; as well as an indiscriminate herding
lof all classes of crime. Under such cir.
cumstances any methods of reform must
be largely counterbalanced by bad in.
fiuences. The Trustees ask for an ap.
preparation of $20,O00 TO make the
changes in the building required l.: or
der to overcome the insufferable difficul-
ties suggested, and are thoroughly con-
vinced that unless this can be done the
institution must continue shorn of a
large part OF its power tor good. am
SO profoundly convinced of the correct
ness of this view, that l trust you will
give the recommendations oft the Trustees
that favorable consideration which they
so well deserve.
INSANE HOSPITAL.
The report of the Trustees of the In.
sane Hospital, which has been delayed
Tor thorough examination of the &C.
counts OF the late Treasurer Ofthe in
stitution, will be laid before the Leg.
lsiature as soon as it placed in my hands.
The report OF the Superintendent shows
steady increase of the number of the
patients, and gives evidence of sue
cessfal discharge Of the important duties
resting on him. am informed that a
proposition will be made 10 YOU to
so amend the laws relating to the Hos
pital, as to place the patients more COM
pletely under the protection of the laws.
This suggestion is not made on account
OF any existing necessity in this State,
but in pursuance of a general movement
designed to reach all similar Institutions
in this country.
The report of the Commissioners of q
proposed new Insane Hospital appoint
ed by virtue of a resolve of the last Leg
islature, will be found of such impOr-
. tance as to claim your considerate At
tention. Two members of the COM
mission report in favor of erecting, on
the present Hospital grounds in Augs-
. Ia, new Hospital, to accommodate one
, hundred patients, at an estimated cost
, OF one hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars. One member reports in favor of
+ the erection, on the hospital grounds, Of
+ two or three cottages at first, and sub
/, sequently others rs they may be needed,
, to severaily accommodate about twenty
patients. at an estimated cost OF about five
thousand dollars each. The nresent
Hospital building is over crow ded, and
additional accommodations are already
, required. +tt @&fs
II STATE CHARITIES.
During the past year the State has ex-
J pended about fourteen thousand dollars