Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-10-11

In VI L YIN. 4ss l. iNA1A
, enabled him to detect, at glance, an i'm
proper provision, sent to the House during
, the one session of his administration fou
veto messages-all upon acts of incorpora
ton The people OF Illinois found it neces
sary in 1870 to forbid, by constitutional pro
vision. all ordinary classes of special leeisla
tion, and to declare that "where genera
law can be made applicable, no special law
shall be enacted" New York and Pennsyl
vania have since followed this example,
Every man who has conscientious regard
for pure and safe legislation would regret tC
see us take any step backward IN this matter
and there is still room for progress in the
right direction.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
The good management and general success
of this institution are SO well known to the peo
pie of the State, that no special mention il
needed. The land (about 100 acres) is of ex
celent quality, but was not in good condi
tion when purchased. Much has been done
and is being done, to improve 1t, the boys
doing all the labor under the direction of the
farmer. l think, however. still more of the
boys labor might be employed in improving
and bringing it to high state of cultivation.
The labor yields but little (about fifteen cents
per day. on the work of seating chairs. and
it would be economy for the State to make
the farm model of cultivation and production
No industry will exert so good an influence
upon the wards of the State morally, mentally
and physically as farm labor. None will stand
them in 80 good stead in after life.
The Superintendent has frequently asked
that machinery be introduced to carry on some
complete manufacture. This would be much
better for the boys, as it would teach them
fa1, Ia
| for the State. But o mistake in this direction
would prove expensive, and before anv action
| is taken the matter should be thoroughly in
vestigated by sagacious business men. ac-
| Quainted with various industries, who will
| gather the experience of similar institutions
in other States. and present facts and figures,
on which the State can act understandingly.
More room for the boy department is asked
for. An appropriation was made two years
ago for new barn, and also to afford the ad-
ditional room required for the boys by rais-
ing the roof of the old clubhouse. But. 1
understand. that after building the barn, the
| amount remaining was not sufficient for the
contemplated changes, and was used for enlarg-
ing the house occupied by the girls Additional
room for the boys would certainly be desira-
BILE if the number is to continue as large as at
present. Whenever made, it would be true
| economy to do the work in substantial
manner. with due reference to safety from
fire, and TO have plans submitted. with bids for
the material and construction complete, be-
fore making the appropriation.
The Superintendent reports that the cost
for the past year Sl1729 per capita, which
figures compare favorably with those Of simi-
liar institutions in other States.
STATE PRISON.
The reports of the Directors and other
officers will show you in detail the affairs Of
this institution.
The officers seem to have discharged their
duties faithfully. The Directors ask for an hd-
dition to the main building; and it is true there
is not sufficient cell room tor the prisoners now
now new wing WAS built three years since,
which was designed to be large enough to
give all the room that would be required for
many years to come.
The number of prisoners has increased
raj idly in the last four years.-in 1874 it
was S5 in 1876. III, and in 1878, 176. We
are no worse off than other States in this re-
spect, as the prison statistics of the country
show that the number of convicts in the
higher prisons has nearly doubled in the last
six years. We may then, with some reason
hope that the time is an exceptional one.
and look with a revival of business for de-
crease of crime The Directors in 1872 and
sentencing convicts for miIor offences and
short terms to the Prison, and their view is
obviously correct
The Work House hasl seventy-eight cells
for males. and might keep some more IN less
secure quarters-about one hundred In all
This will relieve the Prison somewhat. and if
there is no increase in crime, perhaps suth-
Gently.
The prison grounds embrace about three
acres Of land, and Il large part OF this Is
covered by the buildings. From their loca-
tion and arrangement with reference to each
other, any plan for an addition needs to be
very carefully matured, and with the greatest
possible foresight as to the probable future
policy and requirements of the State with
reference to the Prison.
In this connection, and at the risk of being
charged with trenching upon ground outside
my proper limits, l must refer to the perni-
cious and growing custom of filling many
State offices, and especially those having
charge OF these State institutions from
among the members of the General Assem-
bly,. Such choice is wisely forbidden by the
constitutions OF some States. The evils
which result from this course here during the
session can be readily understood and ap
preciated without mention, and l will refer
only to those lesser ones affecting the insti-
tuition themselves and the expense of sup
porting them. They are great business en-
terprises. costing the State large sum year
", and should be conducted in business
way. We need in their management the
best judgment. technical knowledge and ex
perience that the whole State affords. and to
fill these offices in any other way is an ex-
pensive mistake. They are, however. too
often distributed rs personal or political re-
wards. We sometimes change all the oih-
GERS at the same time. Every new set of
officers wish to mark their term of office by
some departure from the course of their pre-
decessors,
wiser system would secure greater eco
nomy, better dicipline, and u more perma-
nent and continuing policy in our admins
tration of these institutions.
WORK HOUSE.
The site selected by the Commissioners
contains eight acres and is in every way
adapted to the purpose.
The act of 1876 required that persons con-
victed of certain offences after September !,
1878, should be sentenced to the Work House.
The cells are not dry enough for use. and are
not likely to he until the first of December |
next.
The courts are in session in several coun- |
ties, and | would recommend an Immediate |
may be imposed as can be carried out.
l would also recommend that careful ex-
animation of the laws be made, to see what,
If any, changes are necessary to adapt them |
to the new workhouse system.
A small appropriation will be required for |
furnishing the Work House The general |
aims and purposes of the workhouse system |
are deserving of all commendation and l
believe this our first trial of it. if well manag
tb..
mutton of crime and save expense to the |
State.
THE PARDoNING POWER.
The Constitution vests this entirely with
the Governor. Under the old theory of the
divine right of kings, crime was offence
against the King alone-the Sovereign gn-and
he alone. of course, could pardon 1t WAS an
act of personal grace and forgiveness. and an
essential prerogativ0 Of kingly power.
From this source it has come to us but in
my view the changed conditions necessarily
change the whole theory of 1t. Under our
form OF government tho people are sovereign.
The crime is committed against them, and u
pardon can only properly be granted. as an
act of justice on their part, to the criminal,
and with all the safeguards which surround
judicial proceedings 1t is u reversal of the
judgment of the Cou rts, and should never be
granted to deftdt the intention of the law,
but to give 1t effect AS where new evidence
comes to light. which if produced Mt the trial
would have changed tho verdict or sentence
or where the law, by reason of its generality
or imperfections, reaches cases which would
have been excepted if foreseen.
The free exercise OF this power encourages
crime by robbing punishment of its terror.
The certainty that Just measure of punish
ment will follow conviction is necessary to
inspire transgressors with wholesome re-
spect for law.
Most of the States now modify. and regu-
late the parduning power of the Governor in
some way assocn.ting others with him i'll its
exercise. requiring public notice of such ap-
pications. the opinion of the Court that
sentenced the criminal, and other provisions