Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-01-23

some necessary grading 10 be done upon
and around the grounds, and something
also should be done in the way OF orna.
mentation, by planting trees, construct
ing walks and otherwise. The man.
ayers have no fands with which to do
this work or means OF securing them,
except by voluntary beneiactions, end
all that can be secured in this way are
needed to meet current expenses. ]
therefore recommend All appropriation
TO tho managers to enable them to
make these necessary improvements.
DEPENDENT CHILDREN
cannot forbear in this connection
calling attention to tho unsatisfactory
provision made by the state for the care
of dependent children who are simply
poor and without homes. The author
tiles are by law wisely prohibited from
sending them TO tho poor-houss
and with equal reason ought to be pro
hibited from sending them to the indus
trial schools. They ought not to be
brought into association or contact with
paupers or with children who are in
corrigible or have begun criminal prac-
tees. Their true places are in tho thou
sands of homes where they arc needed
and would be welcome, where they
could confer as well as receive benefits.
Institution life OF best is but poor sub
etitute for home, and in tho case Of
these children should be only q halting
place and distributing station. The
more | reflect upon this subject the
more positive become my convictions,
that the next public enterprise to be
undertaken in Wisconsin should be o
school for dependent children, separate
and distinct from the industrial school.
STATE PRISON.
The number Of convcts confined in
the state prison, September 80, 1879,
was 800 --thirty-seven less than were
there the year previous. The average
number in confinement was 328-nine
less than the average for the preceding
year. There woro only 1870 commit
ments during the year, as against 2l3
for the year ending September 30, 1873.
IL does no. follow however, that there
ms pocn u decrease IN crime, as uuue,
he change in tho Inv relating to larcc
ny, many are now sentenced to county
iails who were formerly sent to State
prieon. am very reluctant to accom-
mend n return 10 tho law rs 1t wss prl'
or TO the revision Of the statutes
aud yet il must be concod
cd that incarceration in tho
average jail is not conducive TO refor
nation Of character. However unloI.
tunato II may be for this class of offend.
ors, IL certainly IL credilablo to the state,
that our criminal population is not nl
morous enough TO justify the erectiono Of
an intermediate priuon. A Temporary
and tentative solution OF the problem
may possibly be found in utilizing the
north wing Of the prison at Waupun AZ
M intermediate prison, under some ap
propriate namo other than State Piss
on. This would obviate the necessity
Of ere ing new and expensive buildings
andss idinn an extra corps OF supenn-
sendelA, and officers and M oasurabiy
remove the odium attaching to sell.
tence to State Prison. /
or the 1870 conviels committed to the
only twenty had Heretofore been III
prison and but seventeen were without
tho rudiments OF Nh education. Tho
total cost to feed, warm, clQlhe, guard,
instruct and discharge the prisoners WAS
$40, 270.0S, or 81 SO each per week. The
items OF disbursements were,
for salaries and wages $40. $3.50, and
for subsistence. $li367.02. Tho total
receipts from oil sources were SAC, 6l9e3,
h al l,,p mia ~
cash balance mt tho close Of the year
was 81 | ,O00.dl, Tho expenses for the
current fiscal year arc estimated nj
42,S25.00, of which tho prisoners
earnings are not expected to pay TO ex-
coed threelourths. 1t seems almost
impossible to correct tho false impress
ion, that because the prison authorities
do not ask for appropriations tho pits
on has become solfsupporting. Tho
time il apparently not lar distant when
Tho accumulated capital will be ex-
hausted, and moderate appropriations
no required TO meet deficiencies; andin
Justice to all concerned this fact should
not DO forgotten. 1t has been the aim
Of The directors and warden, first of oil,
TO place tho prison upon tho highest
ground Ms n reiormatory, and this, from
considerations OF wise economy rs well
Ns utility. The great cost Of crime is
not in prison expenses, but in tho eN.
pendtures looking to the protection ol
lifo and property, and tho arrest, de.
,ention and conviction of criminals.
The directors renew their recon-.
mendations of last year in regard To
the good time law and extra provision
in extreme cases for discharged prison.
ors, and commend these recommends
tons to your favorable consideration.
also renew the recommendation CON.
tanned in my previous message in re.
gard to the substitution Of indetermln.
ato for fixed sentences.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The trustees of the WISCONSIN Sol.
' ~. A n 4 4 =.