Morris tribune., 1881-01-13

! have heretofore expressed my conviction that
action should be taken without delay looking to the
erection of another prison; and now, after per-
sonal examination of existing prison accommoda-
tons and their surroundings, am satisfied that 1t
would be wise for the State to secure new site
embracing sufficient land for gardening, pas
erection of new prison. In view Of the near ter
mnation of the contract with Seymour, Sabin d.
Co., it would be well to consider the expedency of
using convent labor in the erection of prison,
and to that end is requisite that site be
lected in readiness for the work. before new con-
tract shall otherwise dispose Of the labor of con-
victs. Several States have erected new prisons
chiefly by means Of this labor, at greatly reduced
cost. Another and equally urgent reason for
prompt action in this matter is the opportunity
that will be afforded for better classification of
prison inmates, as more efectually to avoid the
grievous wrong of associatj1g youthful cuprits ex
plating their first ofense with lifelong and hard
ened criminals
As pertaining to this general subject / renew my
former recommendation regarding the discretionary
punishment of capital crime While convictions
without doubt readily secured in the absence Of
an inevitable death penalty, since the dread Of that
result deters the prompt action of juries, am per-
suaded that the ultimate ends Of justice are more
easily defeated by mere Imprisonment, in view Of
the chances which cling to life and the growing in
dlences by which criminals practically escape over
that expectation. There has certainly been of late
startling increase of crimes of high grade-no
less than ten deliberate murders having been COM
United III this State within as many months I'm
less increased lenency is balanced by increased GER
tainty of ample punishment the result is clearly del
eterious to all the ends aimed at by protective law.
L am here lmpeileu to express my severe condem-
nation OF practice whichis becoming serious evil
in connection with the State prison. allude to the
we'll meant but harmful conversation addressed to
'onvicts by attorneys legislators and other iniuen-
ta visitors, who encourage the prisoners to expect
shortening of their sentences. So far as such ex-
pectation Is based solely upon good conduct as
provided by law, the effect is Of course wholesome
But from much of this intercourse the prisoners
are fed with the disturbing hope that without ref
erence to their own behavior powerful friends out
side will exert themselves to secure their speedy
release. BY this means their habits unsettled,
and they become impatient of proper discipline and
incapable of salutary reflection, the whole tendency
leading to uumiXed evil With the hope of check
ing in some measure the hasty and thoughtless &C
ton of persons who indscriminatey invoke the
pardon of criminals, ! take this means of giving
notice that from this date the names of all persons
signing petitions or recommendations for pardon
will be duly published, in order to afford an oppor-
unity for those offended against and others ad-
to the pardon sought, to be heard by remon-
france otherwise before action shall be taken in
ne matter
tn "ec,"! destruction by 1re Of the north wing
The st. Peter asylum for the insane, with the at
ending loss Of life, adds to the many and urgent
considerations involved in the proper care of this
class of the unfortunate people committed to the
public charge. BY the transfer of some of the pa
tents to the temporary care of Ramsey county, and
by means of the additional accommodations OBJ
tanned by the immediate fitting and furnishing OF
Der OF houseess sufferers SO far reduced that by
utilizing the space in the central building for their
use, the emergency has been met for the time
without further suffering or other serious
consequences that were apprehended. But Of
course these are but temporary expedients. Per-
manent provisions for these helpless people must be
promptly made. All questions pertaining to i'm
proved methods or convenences in their treatment
must be postponed until immediate protection is
amply afforded them, and accordingly invoke your
earnest attention to the requirements and recon-
mendations of the trustees 1t will be seen by their
report that $50 patients were treated during the
year in ST. Peter asylum alone, with daily average
of about Cid, and that the total under treatment
at both hospitals during the year reaches the large
number of 1927. The rebuilding of the burned
part of the edifice is the first necessity. To
this end the outer main walls are SO little in
jured that they can be made readily available. The
wisdom of so rebuilding as to render the restored
wing substantially proof can hardly be doubted
provided it can be accomplished, as is represented
with little additional cost of money and time. As
soon as the immediate wants of those already in
charge shall be provided for invite you to inquire
into the expediency of adopting what is known as
the college plan" in future provision for the in
sane. This is being tried with satisfactory results
in other States. Up to certain number patients
sembled in large buildings with all the modern
conveniences for comfort, can doubtless be cared
for better and more cheaply than by other modes.
The many requisites to their proper care involve
superior qualifications and valuable services on
the part of their care-takers who just
" command adequate compensation, but there
is always large class of chronic and
totally incurable patients who should not BE-
allowed to occupy the room and costly appliances
thus provided, to the exclusion of those who
can be cured A more thorough classification
seems to be demanded to attain the last results
and it would seem that the incurable patients, who
are usually mild and tractable might be taught to Ia
borupon farms, and there be made equally comfort
able by cheaper class of keepers and less expen-
SlVe COntrivanceS JUS
tice to the trustees, who serve the State without
compensation, it should be distinctly stated that
blame whatever can be attached to them for the
seeming neglect to insure the buildings burned.
They have repeatedly reported in favor of insuring
the buildings, and have urged upon the legislature
the necessity of making an appropriation for that
respecting the insurance of the public buildings be-
longing to the State, which has at sundry
times before been considered, is brought
well to settle it finally. and thus definitely fix
the response bity upon the principal. rather than
the agents. in matters of so great moment l see
why the State should not insure its prop
erty. in the same manner as cautious business
men. The recent loss al the st. Peter YUM will
amount to larger sum than would be required to
keep up reasonable amount of insurance all
public buildings for the next fifty years. Without
hesitation I recommend that such appropriation be
made bennially will be sufficient to cover the in
surance on all public buildings. Before leaving
this subject, deem it an act of simple justice to
make public Acknowledgement of the courage and
zeal displayed by the officers of the hospital and
citizens of St. Peter in their efforts to rescue the
unfortunate inmates and save the property of the
institution from destruction.
Your attention is directed to the ample report OF
the directors and officers of the institution for the
deaf. dumb and the blind. which shows that during
the two years 40 pupils have been connected with
the deaf mute department and 30 with the blind de-
partment, making total of LIS inmates cared for
by tie institution since the date of the last annual
report. The care and judgment heretofore exer
ciSed in the conduct of this institution continue
mark its management.
Under act of the last legislature the trustees OF
thorized to provide accommodations for
the reception and care Of such feeble
minded and idiotic children as the medi-
tents at the two hospitals for the insane Such
commission, consisting of Drs. g. Weston Wood,
w. H. Leonard and c. H. Boardman, after having
made the required examinations, selected twenty
two patients from the insane asylums at St. Peter
and Rochester, proper subjects for trail ing under
the law. The trustees having provided accommo.
dations in the way of buildings this number was
transferred to the custody of the trustees, and
the oath of July last the school for their training
and instruction opened under the efficient
superintendent. Prof. b. b. Knight 1t il
estimated that there are as many in number
of insane persons. After having witnessed the
improvement which these unfortunate
children have made in the short time that the
school has been in operation, / am clearly of the
opinion that it is almost crime to send these chill
dren to the asylum for the insane, where there is
hope whatever for the least improvement in their
condition, and where they must certainly remsn for
life an expense to the State. 1t has been clearly
demonstrated in other States that large portion OF
these children if taken into schools into early youth
can, by training and instruction, become self-sup-
porting. The trustees recommend that this school
De permanently established for the training and in
struction of feeb!e-minded and idiotic children,
which recommendation most cordially endorse.
The expenses for the year 1879 were. 1929 "a
fort n1,, . nf,