The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-09
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE STATE
PRISON

We have heretofore called attention to
the fact that the directors Of the state
prison, in their biennial report, recommend
a change in the laws governing that institu-
ton, so that the appointment, control and
removal of the superintendent and subordi-
nate Office msy be committed to them.
There is now no power by which the super
intendent may be removed except through
the cumberous aud expensive mode of i'm
parchment As we have said, when con-
sidcring the general subject of removals
from office, this remedy would involve the
summonipg OF a special session of the gen.
eral assembly-as 1t is utterly impossible
that a cause for impeachment or removal
should happen in season to be taken cog
nizsnce Of a. regular session. 4 superin-
tendent is elected, the general assembly adj
journ5 before lie enters upon bis term of
office, and does not convene again until
less than two months prior to the time
when his oflico expires by its own limlia-
ton.
This shows the necessity for some legis-
lation providing for the removal Of the
superintendent. of the state prison in ca es
of necessity. But the same necessity exists
relative to other state officers. If the
necessity exists of providing FOR the re-
moval of the superintendent, it is equally
necessary that provision should be made
for the removal of the dlrectors-and, VIC
must confess, we can see no greater rca-
son for intrusting the appointment and re-
moval of the superintendent to the direct
ors than that Of the directors to the super
intondent. II would be absurd to give such
power over the directors to the tuperin
tendent, and we think that it would bt
equally 20 to place the power OF removing
the superintendent in the hands of the di
reotors.
The government and management of tht
prison is vested in the superintendent. Hi
makes all the rules and regulations for tn,
management of the prison, and for the gov
eminent and security of tie prisoners, ha
the care and custody of the building, fur
niture, tools, etc, and causes all reocssar,
provisions ard materials; makes sale Of al
articles manufactured IN the prison re
ceives and expends all moneys appropri
ated by the state, or received tor the sal
of articles produced therein and appoint
and removes, at bis own pleasure, sue
keepers, servants and guards, as may b
necessary for the proper management Q
the prison and the safe keeping OF the prii
oners. For the proper discharge of thos
several duties, he IA responsible to tn
state, ard to the state alone. He is entirt
ly ndepend, MT CT the directors, and the
have not even supervisory control eve
him. Why tea should they have tn
power t. remove him?
The directors simply have the power G
auditors over tie accounts OF the superb
tendfnt, and with the further power Of d
rectiDg what particular business sha
be carried on In the prison They NJ
given general supervision of ali bus
"ress concerns" of the prison and il
made their duty TO visit IL semi-annuall,
examine the books and the 'managemer
"of the BUSINESS" with power 10 dire,
apy alteration in the business make an il
yentory of the properly, and "examin
"adiust and l'qudste' the superintendent
accounts. They can let out, for ter
of years, the labor of all or part of Il
convicts, "provided III 1t no cot act OF lie
" ting such labor shall be Permitted tn il
s. erfere With or control ,he proper ma
agement and discipline of the convicts
1t will be seen that the intention OF u