The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1882-03-03

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progress which this fact exhibits will be
subject of general congratulation among ou
citizens
THE STATE HOUSE OF CORRECTION AND REFORM
nAlAToRY AT IONA.
The nurnxBr of inmates in this institution
ON the first of the present month, had in
creased to GOO The contracts for theil
labor cover but one-half this number, OF
800, leaving 800 unemployed, save those
necessary to do the domestic work of the
prison For the latter purpose sixty art
sufficient What can be done to employ the
240 idle prisoners9 One hundred of them are
now constantly locked in their cells, and the
remainder are kept at unremunerative and
substantially unnecessary work. Thus
it il evident that the number of
prisoners has increased out of proportion
| to the preparation for their proper employ
ment. This is not for lack of opportunities
to contract for their labor. The managers
report applications for labor, at fair prices,
for manufacturing purposes, to be carried
on within the prison walls
The shops now constructed are occupied
by the present contractors, and employment
cannot be increased until more room is pro-
vided.
The managers have submitted plans for
additional shops to cost some ten thousand
dollars for material, the prisoners to do the
labor of construction. They also estimate
that the prison receipts can thereby be in
creased from 30 to 40 dollars per day with
out additional current expense, and the men
relieved at the same time from constant
confinement. think the needed appropri-
alton should be made to carry out the plan
of the managers
desire to call your attention to another
embarrassment in the management of this
prison. The law now permits courts to
sentence females to this institution while
there are no provisions for their care or en-
ployment. The latter should be provided
or the former prohibited. / recommend the
adoption of the latter course and suggest
that Section IL, Act No. ITO Laws of 1879,
and Section 3 Act No. 159, Laws of 1881,
relative to disorderly persons, be 30 amended
as to take from the courts the power to send
females to this prison.
STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
The number of inmates in this institution
has increased steadily until enlarged accom-
modations are a necessity. A portion of one
of the old central buildings is in dangerous
condition. The material was poor and the
construction very defective. An inspection
lately made by competent builders at my
request satisfies me that attention should be
given the matter at once
The members of the Board of Control
having charge of this school have heretofore
been paid for their services out of special
appropriations This has been suspended
by the modification of the law during the
last session.
l recommend that consideration be given
to these subjects and such action be taken as
the, exigencies require.
MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
The location of this institution at Lansing
was only settled by the legislature in the
last hours of its regular session. The delay
In selecting permanent site had prevented
the management from adopting a definite
plan on which to base an intelligent request
for an appropriation.
No appropriation has been made for per-
manent improvements since the original act
establishing the school. The funds hereto
fore provided have been exhausted and i'm
provements are needed to accommodate the
increased demand for admission. Your at
tention is respectfully called to the subject
EASTERN MICHIGAN ASYLUM.
The completion of the additional wings TO
the asylum at Pontiac will render it's capacity
equal TO the asylum at Kalamazoo, and will
necesstate a corresponding increase in the
medical staff The present appropriation is
insufficient for this purpose, and an addi-
tional sum is necessity to duly equip the
asylum. recommend an appropriation for
salaries for officers for this asylum equal to
that made for Kalamazoo.
MICHIGAN REFORM SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The Board of Control of the Reform
School for Girls calls my attention to the
want of facilities for surg cal treatment of
its inmates, and respectfully ask that Section
of Act 1873. Session Laws of 1881. be SO
amended as to include this school, Loom
mend the request to your consideration. 4
CONTINGENT DAMAGES TO STATE INSTITUTIONS
At present there is no insurance against
losses by fires occurring in any of the State
institutions, nor is there any provision
therefor The embarTassments growing
out of the destruction of similar property in
other States during the past year cause a
natural feeling of insecurity here. especially
among the managers of our asylums. a.s5
At a recent meeting of the joint boards of
the asylums, the following action was taken:
; .'Resolued, That the Board of Trustees of the
Eastern Michigan Asylum. and Of the Michigan
Asylum for the insane, now in joint session, re;
spectfully renew their request 10 the Governor Of
the State, 70 recommend 10 the legislature at Its
approaching extra sesiDn, that sum of not less
than one hundred thousand dollars bc provision
ally appropriated TO commence the immediate re.
building Of the asylums for the insane in the event
of their Injury or destruction by fire" '-li
Were either asylum to be destroyed most
serious inconvenience would be felt. and the
longer the delay in repairing or rebuilding
the more embarrassing would be the diff
Guilty. Nothing could be done until the leg
islature convened. This would be attended
by loss of time, and should an extra session
be necessary. by large expense. -
Would it not be wise to place within the
control of some State authority fund suffi-
cient for making repairs or rebuilding to a
limited extent any of the State buildings
which may be injured or destroyed when the
Legislature is not in session. r5i
have called your attention to these wants
of the State institutions feeling forcibly inn
pressed with their importance and urgency,
from knowledge acquired by personal in
spection. rf} 7'
NV attention has been called to difficulty
that embarrasses the commission charged
with fish culture, growing out of a want of
legal authority to purchase, hold and control
real estate, Needed improvements are de-
layed in consequence of this defect The
difficulties encountered will be presented by
the Fish Commission in memorial at the
proper time. commend il for your consid
Grafton.
| ExEoUrIvE OFFtoE,
LANSING, Feb. %, 1882.
li DAVID II. JEROME
i l.. Ala ..n.AI. &c SaoAIa.I ~, a.x<I.