The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-16

| OOAAA
missioner of Railroads and Telegraphs,
which is now rapidly approaching
completion, will show a healthy and
| improved condition of the railroad cor
perations doing business in the State,
both in their financial strength and in
the safety of persons and property in
trusted to their charge. During the
year ending June 80 on all the rail-
roads in Ohio there were killed 1877,
against 296 in 1877 injured 263, against
4S4 in 1877.
The various companies cancelled of
their outstanding bonds this year $3,-
O42, 2,Ols.4O, against ST. ,O64 ,25s. A in 1877.
This is matter of congratulation. for
it shows prudence and good manage
ment of these very important elements
of wealth of the State.
OHIO PENITENTIARY.
The annual report of the Board of
Directors of the Penitentiary is wor-
thy your careful consideration. It will
appear from this report that the excess
of expenditures over the earnings for
the first five months during which the
former administration had control
amounted to $21 ,493.24. That for the
next seven months under the present
management, instead of any excess
over the receipts, profit was realized
of So, ,934.54, by which the sum con-
tracted and lost during the first five
months was reduced to ST., $3.50. The
total cost for the five months for cur
rent expenses, say for clothing, pro-
visions, tobacco, &C., was $51 ,365.66
for the remaining seven months the
current expenses for the same articles
was $39. .6O7. .4O-the first five months
averaging $1O,27s.l3 per month, and
under the present management, the
seven months, per month, $685.
20. From the foregoing statement it
is easy to infer the successful financial
management of the Institution.
The sanitary condition of the prison
is excellent, aud the conduct of the
prisoners as shown by the record of
discipline much improved, there be-
ing subjected to punishment during
the month of November, 1878, 100, as
against 3o5 during the same month
in 1877. The entire number now in
carcerated is 1858.
STATE REFoRMAToRY.
A new State prison, eligibly located,
with a view to accessibility from diff
ferent sections of the State and the
employment of its industries, construc-
ted in conformity to more modern
ideas of prison buildings, and organic
ed with reference to the introduction
of thoroughly reformatory discipline,
is an urgent demand in connection
with our penal and reformatory sys-
tenn.
Such a prison would relieve our pres
ent over-crowded Penitentiary, which
is matter of grave Importance; would
afford better care, avoid unnecessary
degradation, secure employment and
provide for the protection of society by
seeking the reformation of such as.
through the inexperience of youth,
ignorance, want of occupation. sud-
den passion or overpowering tempta-
| ton, have become criminal, and have
been convicted of a "first offense"
against the laws of the State. Such q
prison is indispensable to reform in
the administration Of criminal law,
and would contribute greatly toward
securing an improved discipline in the
other penal and reformatory institu-
tions of the State.
DISTRICT wORK-HOUSES.
District Warehouses, under the
control of the State, for the punish
ment of persons convicted of minor Of
fenses, and so located as to be accessi-
ble to and meet the demands of the
several towns and villages as well as
the large cities of the State, presents
subject worthy of the most careful
consideration.
That property is exposed, life en-
dangered, homes made unsafe, and
very general sense of insecurity ex-
perienced throughout the State, owing
to the presence of marauding bands of
idle vagrants, vicious, and often ma
licious persons, is a fact from which
nearly every community in the State
has suffered more or less, and from
which every community seeks relief.
Against these classes of persons no ad-
equate system of relief has been devils
ed, except in our largest cities. A
Work-house system for the State
would involve, it is true, considerable
expense; but in view of the constant
ly increasing burden imposed upon
the people for "jail fees" for boarding
these classes in enforced idleness of
the county Jail, and considering the
aggregate sum of innumerable petty
thefts. and the property taken by vio-
lence or maliciously destroyed by ar
son or otherwise, there can be no
doubt that such system of Work
houses would prove an actual economy
to the State, even if no other publ C
interest were subserved.
| BOARD OF STATE CHARITIES.
Among the most important subjects
of legislation are the benevolent, penal
and reformatOry institutions of the
State, and in view of this fact the
Board of State Charities has been cre-
| aCeO, 10 InVeStiSaIe I'LL maIIeEs per
tanning to these institutions, and are
required to report annually to the Leg
islature in writing a full account of
their proceedings, which will appear
in due time. To the fact and recon-
mendations thus obtained the Legis-
ture is largely indebted for the neces-
sary information in regard to these in
stitutions; but, in addition. it would
seem very desirable that an oppor-
tunity should be afforded for oral con-
ference with the Board of State Chari-
tiles in order that q more complete
presentation of these subjects could be
obtained than is possible by. printed
report. I would, therefore, recon-