South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-01-19

will allow The full extent OF such appro.
priations. bu, means ought 20 be granted
as Tar as practicable to equip the work.
shops, and thus make the labor OF the
conyicts valuable. The Pcniteutiary
ought to be thrown on it's own resources
as soon as possible. aml be made self
supporting. To this end, in order 20
give the officers time to mako contracts
amt necessary preliminary arrangements
l recommend that the requests Of the
Directors for appropriation to support
convicts, and to pay officers and guards
for this year be granted, that an appro-
priation he male to support convicts,
but none for the payment Of officers and
guards, for the next fiscal year: and
that provision be made by law that there
be no further appropriation for tho Pen
ltentiary after the end Of the nscal year
expiring September so. 1873. As lorg
as the Treasury can be looked to for
aid, the proper stimulus will be wanting.
and positive law seems necessary to
prevent this institution from becoming
q permanent burden on the State
| A system ofchecks ought to be devils.
Ell for the Penitcntiary, so that the &C.
counts Of all receipts and disbursements
should be kept by different officers in.
dependent of each other: and all money
arising from the hire Of convict labor.
and all other sources be required to be
paid to the Ireasurcr,of the institution
and accounted for by him.
The Directors ask for appropriations
which amount in the aggregate to $42,.
600 for this year. and $25, 900 for the
next year.
On December /. 1874, there were LIP
convicts, and on December /, 1875, 157
convicts in confinement; q much larger
number than at any time before since
the formation Of tue State. Crime has
been OH the increase. and it is difficult
TO ascertain the cause OF it, but whatev-
or may be the cause, the fact is too cvi.
dent TO be ignored. The money drawn
! from the Treasury for criminal charges
in 1875. amounted to S23.2l4.32, and in
1876, S46,798.95. These figures tell a
sad story Of violence and broken laws.
and teach us that no effort should be left
untried, TO prevent still further in.
crease In crime, by the prompt punish.
meEt Of guilt. During the last year,
seven prisoners charged with crime were
taken from the custody of officers, and
put TO death, and am not aware that
any person who participated in these
violent proceedings has been indicted.
The crimes Of which these prisoners
were z 'ilty. were calculated TO excite
the communities where they are commit.
ted, but this does not excuse the great
wrong done. We live under a govern.
nent of law and order courts are pro-
vided tor the trial of criminals. and no
usurpation OF their functions by an ir.
responsible set of men ought to be toll.
Grated for moment. ! invite your at.
tention to this subject that you may in.
! quire whether any further legislation is
necessary 20 prevent the recurrence of
similar wrongs.
While have thought it my duty to
name certain pc hts wherein the man.
agement OF the public institutions may
he improved, yet they lin The main
in satisfactory and healthy condition,
except the University, whose success
! lIas not been commensurate with the
/ constant fostering care of the State IL
has been the practice to appoint their
! governing boards from different locali-
! ties in the State so rs to have all sec
lions represented in the management.
IN the same spirit, opposing political
| parties should also be represented in
these boards. As the party in the ma
! jority is always fairly held responsible
| for the mode in which public affairs are
conducted it is proper that such party
should have q controlling influence. but
/ as all classes and parties are interc sted
In, and contribute 10 the support of
these institutions, it seems but just that
the minority should also be represented
to limited extent; and recommend
/ that provision by law be male TO effect
! this end.
TIE NEW STATE HOUSE.
| In the act removing the scat Of gov.
eminent from Charleston to Wheeling.
/ 1T was declared that certain responsible
citizens of Wheeling had agreed to fur.
nish without cost, accommodations for
/ the departments of government. The
city OF Wheeling took upon itself the
responsibility incurred by these citizens
and erected the beautiful, councillors
and conveniently arranged building in
/ which you are now assembled. The
I building itself is stronger proof OF the
D n.
ton assumed by the citizens of "a heel.
ing has been discharged, than any Ian.
| guage | can employ. 1t was construct.
ed under the immediate supervision Of n
committee Of the city council and of
citizens; to the skill, good judgment.
and good taste Of this committee. are
the city and State largely indebted for
building so complete in all of its m.
p0intmenis. As 1 we'll know the very
liberal disposition manifested by tho
/ Wheeling authorities in providing n
/ Capitol suitable for all purposes of tho
State. ! cannot withhold the recommcn.
dation, that by suitable resolutions. Won
recognize their libcrality. On the sixth
inst, ihe city council OF Wheeling ten.
dered this building to me as the officer
charged by law to furnish room for the
legislative. executive and judicial dc.
/ Partments, TO bo used by the State. free
n r.