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

employed.
The appropriation need not be foe the whole
amount estimated by the Board. "a neither
the whole number of cells nor all the shops
require TO be completed at once. After the wall
and main buildings, with one block OF cells
are built, the remainder could be constructed
ar they are needed, and by convict labor.
1 am of the opinion that an appropriation
of SIS, 900 for each Of the years 1873 and 1876
would so far construct the prison AZ 10 make
it tenantable for two hundred convicts, and
recommend such appropriation.
SLATE INSTITUTIONS.
The annually recurring reports OF our char
liable institutions, with their statements OF
expenditures and wants. OF the constantly iu-
creasing demands upon thom, while they
bring Us in closer and closer connection with
the unfortunate and diseased side OF human
ity, are apt at the same time to excite our
criticisms upon the system, especially 80 AZ
regards the seemingly large public expendi-
ture necessary to conduct them. Tie aggre-
gate OF current expenses for the year sur
prises us. We are told at each succeeding
session of the Legislature that this or that
institution is full to overlooking, and that
additions must be made. or the construction
Of new one must be begun, and thus are led
to inquire il expenditures in these directions
are never TO cease. These are the reflections
that challenge my attention on every personal
examination, and when the yearly budgets are
presented.
A deeper insight, however. into the system
and its practical results show that the State
manages them better than any other power
that they are really saving TO the public in
stead of wasteful expenditure, and above
all, that they are an absolute necessity.
The number OF unfortunates in the State,
deaf, dumb, blind, insane. and idiotIc, is
nearly, il not quite three thousand.
They must be cared for, either by friends
or by the public. Proper care by friends,
whether rich or poor, Ia impracticable; such
care therefore, devolves upon the State.
The trainers OF the Constitution recog 1ized
this duty by declaring in that instrument
" that institutions for the deaf, dumb, blind,
and insane shall always be fostered and sup
ported.
The annual saving TO the State by the with
drawal of an insane person from the consutn-
ing, and adding him to the producing classes,
cannot be fully estimated. but there is no
doubt that the money value to the State. of
the patients restored to health by the Asylum
at Kalamazoo, aggregates more than the en-
tire cost or construction and maintenance OF
that institution.
The economy of hospitals for the insane, in
another direction, is shown by the percentage
of cures of those placed under immediate
treatment. The ratio restored TO health and
reason that are treated within two months of
the attack is 20 per cent; OF those treated
Wlttln uN5 mOnLub, ~ per Cobt.i
twelve months, 80 per cent, and OF those not
treated within two years only II per cent.
The education of the deaf, dumb aud blind
is also pecuniary gain to the community, al
80 far as it enables them to support them
selves.
The education and care of criminal neg
lected and dependent children is an invest
ment that yields larger profit than perhaps
any other made by the State.
oil OH lrf nj Z
tenths of these classes, il left to drift alone,
will become in some way permanent depend
ents upon tho commonwealth, is ample proof
of the correctness OF this statement
The annual cost to the State for the eup-
port Of q convict. and the lose to the public
of the value OF his labor. make reformatory
prisons real economy. II we cure criminals
we cave money.
Our treatment of pauperisn in the county
poor-houses. as rule, Is OF the most ex-
pensive nature, in TO far as results arc cen
cerned. They increase instead OF curing 1t.
| The recommen iations of the State Board OF
| Charitable Institutions on this subject are in
| the line Of practical craftsmanship, and de-
| serve careful consideration.
The proportion of insane persons, convcss
| in prison, and confirmed paupers, is one OF
each class to every thousand persons. II we
grow in population, these also grew, 30 that
we shall always have these poor with ~
Poor for 1873 show that the poor-houses and
iails had in that year 5l2 insane, 1870 idiotic,
81 blind and 16 mute persons as inmates.
The total cost OF maintaining the present
oh irritable and penal institutions of the State
is less than sixteen cents per capita for each
inhabitant.
The inevitable conclusion from the con.
sid Grafton of this subject, putting aside the
requirements of the Constitution, the demands
of II common humanity, the teachings of q
higher civilization, aud tho obligation OF duty,
rlust be that we should foster aud support
these institutions as measures OF public
economy.
NEW CAPITOL.
The work upon the new Capitol has pro-
gressed rapidly aud to the entire satisfaction
OF the Board Of Commissioners. The ex
penditures from the beginning OF the work &C
the close OF the fiscal year have been 1878,
SIG 81, and the balance in the treasury to the
credit of the building fund WAS Si31, 653 1G
The Commissioners in their report, suggest
several changes in the material and construc
ton for your consideration. The change
asked for in the roof is, in my opinion, abso
lutelv necessary. The Investigations made by
the Commissioners relative to the durability OF
iron "a a suitable material for the roof OF 6
building of this character show conclusively
it's unfitness, and recommend such action 10y
you as will enable them to substitute tin oil
change will cost not to exceed ten Thousand
dollars, and recommend an appropriation OF
that amount.
In the original plans and specifications nc
reference was made to heating and ventila
ton az this work will require to DO begun
before another meeting OF the Legislature. al
appropriation will be necessary for 1T. The
| Commissioners have not yet decided upon The
| exact plan to be adopted. but they estimate
that it Will cost from eixty-five to sevcnt!
thousand dollars. The appropriation wher
made can be divided, one-half in the tax o
| 1875, and the balance in 1876.
The suggestions Of the board relative to tint
| change in main entrance are commended e
your consideration, and your decision desired
thereon.
| RAILROADS.
The report of the Commissioner of Rail
roads for the year ending Dec. 81, 1878, i
before YOU. At that date Michigan had 3,
miles of railroads, Of which 1888 miles wer
| main track The cost of construction AM
equipment is GIL ,532,400, represented by
CAPITAL stock of $50, S3l 1872, and bonded anC
floating debt of $90. 414,8H. The net earn
ings for 1873 wero SOC per cent. on the tota
cost. The earnings of eighteen companie
were 1858, 264 less than their operating ex
penses and interest account. This Is Ger
tainly very unsatisfactory showing, ant
cannot fail to elicit inquiry az to the cause
With unequaled facilities for constructing AM
running roads cheaply, with no restrictions II
our statutes as to rates of freight. and com
paratively none "a to passenger rates, IN
reasons for this condition of affairs must b.
| entlrelv inside the business itself.