The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-06
Tne vernon, state Pris8t.
DIRKCToRs REPORT.

Dihhehcho NEfOhh'
The board of directors of the Vermont
state prison, Hon. ]. w. Hartshorn of Lu-
nenburg, Hon. W. r. Shedd of Newbury,
and Hon. g. E. Houghton of Bennington,
made their official biennial visit this week,
for examination and report of the institu-
ton to the governor, They found eighty
five cohvicts In the prison, three being
females, nearly all of whom were busy at
their work in the shops, and doing well
under the influence of good discipline.
From the directors report we are permitted
to condense the following:
The directors found the prison In good
condition on their entrance upon office De-
cember 1, 1872, and they have since care
fully watched its workings. One of their
first acts was to provide suitable place for
religious services on the Sabbath; and
they have fitted up neat and convenient
chapel in the second story of the middle
building within the walls, which answers
well its purpose They also examined the
buildings, and planned certain improve
ments in the female apartments, but finding
upon consultation with the architects, that
an additional appropriation by the legisla-
ture for the expense would be necessary,
they have deferred entering upon them
until they receive further directions from
the Legislature.
The improvement from matchmaking at
forty-two cents day to shoe-making at
seventy cents day, is very manifest in the
influence upon the men and upon the
| finances. They think the institution should
be reformatory as well as punitive, and
that the inmates should be treated with
kindness, and every reasonable encourage
ment and help be offered them for thorough
reform. The officers should sec both that
the convicts are industrious, and that they
are not overworkcd. They deprecate SEN
fences to prison for short terms on minor
offences. Such sentences profit neither the
culprit nor the state. They also object TO
the granting of pardons without thorough
examination of the case and fair notice TO
parties interested, and suitable knowledge
of the views of the court that gave SEN
tence, and of the officers of the prison in
whose charge they are. On the LIST of
April last, the present superintendent, who
has heretofore occupied, with his family,
the prison house, removed to his own resi-
dence a short distance from the prison, and
the directors thereupon employed compe-
tent young man and his wife, the one to
be shop-keeper, and the other a house
keeper for boarding the shop-keepers and
guards in the financial interest of the
state. The change has, in all respects,
worked well.
The report Of the finances presents a
highly favorable aspect, there being now in
the hand of the superintendent an excess
of receipts above all expenses, amounting
to $4,450.75, and due from the contractors
S3,6S1.6 5, being in all SO, 1872. 40. OF this
amount they have ordered $4,000 to be
paid to the state treasurer on or before
September list, fact never before occurr
ing in the history of the prison. The
directors speak of the contractors, Messrs
Mawhinney & Co., of Boston, as prompt
enterprising and honorable business men
who, notwithstanding the depression OF
business and the losses to which they have
been subject by fire in Boston, and the gen
eral stagnation of the market, have stood
squarely to their contract without iiinching
In conclusion, they advert to the marked
improvements in the institution within the
last five years, and they express the hop'
that at the approaching session of the legis
lature, wise and large-hearted men will de
wise and put into execution liberal plans, a
well for the benefit of the prison as fo
| other state institutions.