The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-01-13

officers and guards, the Tor next ilsca
year; and that provision be made by Law
that there be no further appropriation FOL
the Penitentiary after the end Of the fisca
year expiring September 80, 1873. As
long as the Treasury can be looked 10 fol
aid, the proper stimulus will lie wanting
and positive law seemS necessary 10 pre-.
vent this institution from becoming a
permanent burden on the State,
A system Of checks ought TO be devised
for the Penitentiary, 80 that the account,
OF all receipts and disbursements should
be kept by different officers independent
Of each other; and all money arising
from the hire OF cohvlct labor, and ali
other sources be required 10 be paid 70
the Treasurer Of the institution and nc.
counted for by him. l.-l "
The Directors ask for appropriations
which amount in the aggregate 10 $42,.
600 for this year, and $25, 900 for the next
year. 'isa..- 'lI
On December /, 1874, there were liz
convicts, and on December l, 1876, I57
convicts In coniinement--a much larger
number than at any time before since
the formation Of the State. Crime has
been on the increase, and II il difficult to
ascertain the cause Of il; but whatever
may be the cause, the fact Is too evident
to be ignored. The money drawn from
the Treasury for criminal charges In
1875 amounted to S23,2l4 80, and in 1875,
$40, 79S 05. These figures tell sad story
Of violence and broken laws, and teach
US that no effort should be LEFT untried
TO prevent a still further increase Of
crime by the prompt punishment 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 par.
ticipated In these violent proceedings has
been indicted. The, crimes OF which
these prisoners were guilty were calcu.
lated 10 excite the communities where
they were committed, but this does not
excuse the great wrong done. We live
under u government OF law and order.
Courts are provided for the trial Of Grim.
inals, and no usurpation Of their func.
lions by an irresponsible set Of men
ought TO be tolerated for moment. |
invite your attention 10 this subject that
you may inquire whether any further
legislation is necessary to prevent the
recurrence Of similar wrongs.
While ! have thought il my duty to
name certain points wherein the manage-
ment OF the public Institutions may be
improved, yet they are In the main In a
satisfactory and healthy condition, except
the University, whose success has not
been commensurate with the constant
fostering care Of the State. It has been
tho practice to appoint their governing
boards from different localities in the
State, 20 as 10 have all sections repre-
sented in the management. In the same
spirit, opposing political parties should
also be represented in these boards. As
the party in the majority is always fairly
held responsible for the mode in which
public affairs are conducted, it is proper
lhatsuch party should have Scontrolling
influence; but as all classes and parties
are Interested in and contribute to 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 he
made 10 effect this end.