The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-01-16

to the state as free gift, his elegant and
commodious residence at Edgewood, near
this CITY, and the grounds connected there
with, some fifty acres in extent, to be used
as an industrial school for girls. In view OF
what had already been accomplished in this
direction by an association OF ladies in Mil
waukee, and the reasonable expectations of
the future success of their plans with very
limited aid from the state, it was not
deemed expedient to accept the generous
offer for the specific purpose designated,
but joint resolution was adopted accept.
ing it for that or such other purpose as
might be approved by the donor, and |
have been given to understand that if it
shall be the pleasure Of the state to accept
this property and establish there a school
for dependent children, it will be conveyed
to the state for that purpose.
Believing that such an institution may be
made the means of accomplishing great
good, by rescuing the children for whom it
would be designed from lives of idleness,
pauperism and crime, and from thus be-
coming the progenitors of long lines Of
paupers and criminals, and conceding the
necessity for the erection of additional
buildings at Waukesha, unless that school
can in someway be relieved. I commend
the whole subject to your careful considera-
ton and wise judgment, and shall cheer
fully cooperate with you in carrying for
ward any m easures that may be determined
upon.
STATE PRISON.
The number Of convicts confined in the
state prison September 80, 1873, was 346; the
highest number during the year was 366, and
the average 337, an increase of AZ over the
average for the previous year. The number
received during the year was 213, and the
number discharged, including two deaths
andone escape, was 157. The receipts from
all resources were $76,7A3.l0, and the dis
bursements $65088.65. The estimated ex.
penditures for the year ending September
80, 1879, including the completion of work
in the north cell room, are Sol, 1881 Is. The
current earnings of the prisoners are about
twothirds of the current expenses. but the
accounts of sales of chair and wagons.
You should not in any degree relax a
proper legislative scrutiny into the manage
ment of the prison, because it does not apply
for an appropriation. The recommendations
submitted by The directors and warden,
should receive your early and attentive
consideration.
Reflection, study and personal observa-
ton have led me to believe in the expedi-
ency of most radical change in the law re.
lating to sentences. This is not the place,
even if time would permit, to argue this
question at length. Both the law and judges
are too lenient in dealing with professional
criminals. Many times the sentences pro-
nounced in such cases are but little better
than travesties upon justice, and do not
tend to beget respect for the law on the
part of the offender or any one else. The
opposite extreme is som etimes reached, and
sentences are maze too severe. Many of
these cases come before the governor on
applications for pardon. which it is difficult
to deny, notwithstanding it is well known
that every pardon granted in such eases,
tends to weaken the public confidence in
law and its judicial administration. The
inequality Of sentences is another and most
serious evil, to which attention has been