Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-13

with his fellow men-scsrcely any with his
keepers; he may have a few books, If able
TO read, but receives no instruction, except
on the Sabbath a little from the chaplain.
From his arrest 10 the close OF his sentence,
the stale against whom he has offended,
and which has laid her heavy hand upon
him, has not extended to him helping
hand, and has scarcely spoken cheering
word. Is II matter of wonder, then, that
lie broods over his hard lot, as he views it,,
feels that the hand of the state is not only
against the crime which he has committed,
but against him that all she cares for him
is to make him grind in her prison house,
and that he comes from his incarceration
worse instead of better man?
The expe rience Of the past century, both
in our stale and in other states-for our
state has done as we'll, and perhaps better,
than many others-teacbes, l think, very
plainly aud forcibly that our system of
prison discipline demands a radical revs-
ion that the Jail should not be place of
impri sonment for debt or minor offences;
that that class of offenders should be sent
to . work ho use to be established in con-
necliO0 Win lDe TeluIul sCuOOl, III hulSu
the school and reform element should have
promine mt place that the Jail should be
owned and controlled by the state, and
should not be used for the detention of
persons ch arged With all classes of crimes
but to one sh ould be assigned those charg-
ed with one class of crimes, and to another
those charged with another class Of crimes,
each having for inmates persons of the
same degree OF criminality, as nearly as
pracli cable; that each should be furnished
with well selected library and some cur
rent literature, and in each should be kept
a school, not of idleness and vice, but of
learning an virtue. Perhaps there should
be provision by which those awaiting trial,
who should request it, could labor in the
work -bouse and receive a portion OF their
earnings.
The prisoners should be divided into
classes according 10 the character which
they manifest while under a course of dis
cipline. A part OF each day should be de-
voted by the keepers in instructing the
pris oners in learning and in virtue, and
he rest 10 labor, not for contractors, but
for the state. In short, the state should put
for th most active and earnest endeavors,
| from the arrest of the accused 10 the end of
the Imprisonment of the convict, TO reclaim
| him from life of crime TO a life of virtue !;
and the ST ate prison should no longer be an
| in sttuiion "for the reformation, as well as
the punishm ent OF all offenders" with the
reformation all left out. 1t may be object
ed that to effect such a change will cost
mo ney. Shall we stop TO balance q few
th ousand patry dollars in determining
VIII ether we will rescue man from crime
and lead him on TO vrtuous life, or bold
him irrevocably in the chains of vice?
earnestly recommend thorough revis-
ion OF our syst EN- of prison discipline in
the direction indicated and commend to
your careful consideration the reports Of
the directors and superintendent Of the
state prison.
| STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
II is pleasure To turn from the prison 10
the consideration Of this Topic. Although
not personally acquainted with its opera
ton and work ing, from all sources l hear
it commended as a reformatory institution.
| The credit OF its success is due TO the wise
and considerable action Of former legisla-
lures, together with the faithful and effici-
ent manage ment Of the officers of the in
stituiion. You need not be urged 10 aid
by all needed legislation in perfecting the
| gr cat work SO auspiciously entered upon.
The reports OF the trus lees and tue super
intendent fully inform us as to the condi-
ton Of The institution, its wants and re-
| quirements. 1 would recommend the
making of all appropriations necessary to
carry out any judicious plans which they
may have suggested. venture TO suggest
VIII ether it would not be wise in all altera-
tious aud engagements 10 have in view the
furn ishing facilities for dividing the in
ma. es into classes so as 10 be able to CLASH
fy them according TO the degree of disci-
pline or correctional treatment required.
LEGISLATION.
1t is doubtless true that we legslale too
much. This naturally results from our
system of enacting laws. Legislators serve
their brief day, and then others fill their
places. On many subjects of legislation
men entertain widely differing views, but
each is con fdent that his own are correct.
Hence the frequent change of this or that
provision of the statute. 1t rarely happens
that the revision of an entire subject Is at.
te mpted, but single provision, here and
there, is changed 10 meet tho varying
views OF different Legislators, viii ch results
in an iuharmonious whole. ..4H
think that legislator should be fully
persuaded of the absolute necessity for a
change of the statute law before he should
vote for lis alteration or amendment; and
then only for such alteration or amend-
ment as will clearly remedy the evil.
Hasty legislation is always dangerous.
The original constitution had a special pro-
vision against il. 1t not only gave the gov
ernor and council the right 10 propose
amendments to laws which had passed the
assembly, but, If the amendments were not
eoncurred in, they had the right to sus-
pend the passage of the bill until the next
session of the legislature. This was a wise
provision, and its spirit ought to guide leg
islalion under our present system.
The sessions are too short TO originate,
mature and perfect legislation touching
large and varied interests. Such legisla-
tion must usually contain many provis-
ions, and be more or less intricate. There
is not time amid the rush of the business
of the session to prepare and nicely adjust
the different provisions necessary TO rem
der such law applicable and just to all the
interests likely to be affected. Usually,
too, the men elected to the legislature are,
as they ought to be, taken from the busy
calllngs of life, who have had no time to
mature any perfected system of legislation,
which would be applicable TO and affect