The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-15

result.
The Board Of Control in their rep.rt ask
that the sum of $4,000 be appropriated TOT
each of the years 1875 aud 1876 Tor cuIre"'
expenses and $500 for each year for library,
periodicals and papers also Sl0,0oo Tor ,ne
erection OF third family house. oince Tue
report OF the Board was prepared me OF the
boilers has given out, and n new one aus ueeh
ordered. Ah appropriation OF Sl.oOo wiil DC
required for this pnrpose. Atnoush ~ Is
.onite certain that the receipts for the boys
labor will he less than they were In 1919, am
of the opinion that $4,000 per anpum VIII
he sufficient for current expenses, ana De-
lieve the board now think that tins sum may
prove sufficient. The appropriation for library
etc. il none too large. Each family house
that has been erected has lad lifting up
effect upon the school. Ii il to be regretted
that this plan had not been adopted in the
beginning before so large an amount was M
vested in the main buildings. 1t may be that
some plan could be devised to convert por-
ton of the main building INTO family house.
If this can be done, it should be- Ii not, L
hope you may be able to grant the approprla-
ton asked for by the board.
The report of tho board and officers Is a
model in completeness OF detail, and well
worthy your careful attention.
STATE PRISON.
The wear lust closed has been. in many re-
CARDS an eventfu one tc this institution.
The panic Of 1873 affected 1t as seriously, per-
haps, a. il did any of the general Industries
of the State. Two of the contracts expired
in the midst OF the panic one OF which was
not renewed, and the other was renewed up
on the basis OF 80 instead of 1875 men. Every
effort has been made by the authorities to
lind some employment for the daily increas-
ing population of the prison, but, with the
exception of n small number placed upon a
.coope-aCe contract, without success. The
mi 80 aNp n Spnt.
1871, was 627; Sept 80. 70, $50; Sept. 30,
773, 655 and Sept. 80, IA, 1903; while the
= number at work on contracts in 1871, was
i6G; in ~ 440 IN '73, 401 i; and in IA 445 ;
being fifteen less in IA, with 753 convicts, than
in III. with only G27 convcts Yet with this
-discouraging condition OF its productive labor
the net earnings of tho prison for 1874 were
$40, 255 II. Had the same ratio OF pris
been at work on contract as in the three pre-
vious years, the earnings wonld have been at
least S10, 900 more. The convicts not on con-
tract, have been kept employed 30 far as was
possible, in improving the prison yard and
State lot. The average price per day or con-
vict labor for 1871, was 56i cents; in ~. 81
.cents rs 5SI cents: ana in IA 64a cents.
The experience or the past Sin years Is, to my
mind, abundant proof that well conducted
prison can and should always pay its current
expenses and aid in the support of those who
are dependent upon conylcts, that are now
often supported by the public. In this con-
nection, would it not be wise to authorize the
prison authorities to establish one or two in
'dustries in the prison, to be conducted by the
Board of Inspectors authorizing them to buy
material and dispose of the product, for the
purpose of keeping the convicts en-
ployed when no contracts can be let!
would like to see the experiment tested in a
small way at first and under proper linta-
tons. II successful (and can zee no reason
why it should not be), 1t would increase the
earnings of the prison in times of depression
and tend to keep up the price OF convict
labor. One thing is certain, prisoners must
work, not alone for the sake OF the earning,
but for health, for discipline. for life. The
mana cement of the prison IN all its aspects
has bcSn satisfactory. The completion OF a
portion Of the improyem ents now In progress
has been OF great assistance in maintaining
discipline, and in the economies OF the
prison.
The increase in the number OF prisoners
gives the management much trouble and
anxiety There are 100 more convicts than
there are cells. and no suitable accommoda-
tons can he provided for them.
Some better provision should be made for
the Insane convicts. The present building,
though comparatively new, Is entirely unfit
for the purpose.
1t is the universal testimony Of prison Off
cial and probably the unanimous opinion of
all those who have ever given any thought to
the subject that the allowance of good time
to convicts, who, by their conduct merit it,
has accomplished more real reform in the
convict, more reform in prison management,
and has done more TO make prisoners obedi-
ent and manageable, than all the whips and
punlshmeuts ever devised. The increase
of the allowance of tins good time to long
term convicts il earnestly urged by the agent
in his report. There must be, however, a
limit to its operations. Where it should be
.
consideration III the interest OF community,
both inside aud outside the prison walls. The
reports Of the Board of Inspectors, agent,
and other officers are interesting and sugges-
tive containing much information on prison
life and prison management.
There is no executive duty that so i'm
presses me with its responsibility as the exer-
else of the pardonng power, az there Is none
so constant in it's demands and so annoying
in its perslstency. The effect of pardons
upon community and upon convicts cannot be
rightly estimated. Each case has founda-
ton OF its own, and, taken by itself, would
perchance not be objected to BY any one but
when We see in the public press that convict
has been pardoned or read in the Governor
message that ten or twenty convicts have
been pardoned during the year. we are apt to
moralize over the effect of pardons and to
critic;se che exercise of the power at all.
Many pardons in one sense can hardly be
sailed pardons. For instance. one man was
pardoned by me two days before
his time expired, as a reward for his OK
posure Of a conspiracy to escape. Several
have been pardoned while upon dying beds.
have always pardoned every one that the
Prison Physician informed me was past re
covery. Two have been pardoned upon the
statement OF the Prosecuting Attorney who
conducted the case and the Judge who SEN
fenced them, that circumstances had come To
their knowledge which convinced them of
the entire innocence of the men. Desiring tc
know something of the effect of pardons upon
the prisoner that might be guide for the
future and perhaps be Of service to the pub
lie, addressed inquiries to parties cognzant
of the facts, asking history OF the mar
since his pardon. The replies received &C
company the report of the pardons granted
STATE HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
The Commissioners appointed under act
No 10 of the laws of 1878 to select site and
prepare plans for the State House of Correc-
ton have decided upon its location at Ionia
The site, comprising fifty acres OF ground
with water supply and right of way for sew
erage, was donated by the residents of tina
city. The Commissioners have adopted
theory of construction, go far as expense il
concerned, that is entirely new i'm prisol
architecture. unless the Detroit House o
Correction can be an exception. namely, /,
omit altogether massive stone masonry an,
heavy iron work, believing that the interna
discipline and government should be of sucl
character az to prevent escapes. The wall
and all the buildings are intended to be o
hxip and If .lafn sttlaat u1atl nj Oh