Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-08-12

i it DOtlN OI lilt uiIt tlOlS Oh tilc ' ct
m ont State Prison, Hon. J. w. Hartshorn
of Lun 4nburgh, Hon. W. X. Shedd of New
bury, and Hon. G. E. Ioughton of Ben
nington, made their official biennial visit
last week, for examination and report of
the institution to the Governor. They
found eighty-fve convicts in the prison.
three being females. nearly all of whom
were busy at their work in the shops, and
doing we'll under the influence of good
discipline.
The directors found the prison in good
condition on their entrance upon office.
December /. 1872, and they have since
carefully watched It's working. One of
their first acts was to provide a suitable
place for religious services on the Sabbath :;
and they have fitted upa neat and conven-
lent chapel in the second story of the mid
die building within the walls. which an
swers well its purposes. They also examin-
ed the buildings, and planned certain i'm
prOvements in the female apartments. but
finding. upon consultation with the archi-
tec,s. that an additional appropriation by
the legislature for the expense would be
necessary, they have deferred entering
upon them until they receive further direc-
tons from the legislature.
fortv-two cents day to shoe making ut
seventy cents n day. is very manifest in
the influence upon the men and upon the
finances. They think the institution
should be reformatory rs well punitive,
and that the inmates should be treated
with Kindness, and every reasonable en-
thorough reform. The officers should see
81, Il
that they are not OverwoTked. They de-
precate sentences to prison for short terms
on minor otfenSeS. Such sentences profit
neither the culprit nor the state. They
also object to the granting of pardons with
out thorough examination of the case and
fair notice to parties interested, and suit
able 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 a
highly favorable aspect, there being now
in the hands of the superintendent an ex-
cess OF. receipts above all expenses, amount
inc to S4,450.75, and due from the con-
tractors S3,6Sl.65, being in all IS, 132, 40.
Ofthis amount they have ordered $4,000
to be paid to the state treasurer on or be-
fore Sept. 1st, n fact never before occur
ring in the history of the prison.
The chaplain in his report says. in sub
stance, that Il preaching service for the
men on the Sabbath with the usual forms
of worship, and biblical exercise for the
women, has been regularly maintained
He has visited the inmates at their cells
and in the shops, and privately conversed
with each individual. In this work he has
been cheered by the universally respectful
if not interested effectiveness to religion:
services and by their generally good be-
havior.
The neat and convenient chapel prepar
ed by the directors and superintendent, in
which worship may be attended, without
the sight of narrow cells and other distract
ing associations, is provinga great benefit
Small hymn and tune books have beer
provided for all attendants, and Il large
number of the men now sing very accept
| ably in the religious services. The main
tenance, also, of Sabbath school. by the
superintendent and keeper and other Off
GERS and teachers, held on Sabbath morn
| ings, for the study of international lessons
has had an excellent effect. Almost one
hundred volumes of interesting and use
full books have been added to the library
In conclusion he presents the following
impressions:
l. The Importance ofright home infiu
ences and the early training of the yonne
cannot be over-estimated. Not individual:
| alone, but the whole state has an interes
in this matter. The idle, uncontrolled chile
becomes the indolent, vicious man. The
Jail and the prison are legitimate recepta
cles of the victims of bad homes and stree
vagrancy. From such quarters come
most of the inmates of this institution.
2. The repression of dram-drinking
and the unlawful sale of intoxicating Ii
quors, is of the highest Importance to the
moral and material ell-being of the state
More than three-ffths of the inmates here
are confessedly addicted to strong drinks
and a large majority of them attribute
their crime and Imprisonment directly te
the baneful influence of liquor.
3. Humane encouragement to imprison
ed and discharged convicts in their en-
deavors to reform, is an imperative duty
as well of the state rs individuals. TX
treat men as brutes, or worthless outcasts
because the iron door has once closed upor
them. is alike poor philanthropy and bat
policy.
President Grant has declined to deliye