Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-01-11

be made. These are questions worthy of
the careful consideration of the Legislature.
| THE STATE PRISON.
| In the forthcoming report of the Warden
and Inspectors of the State Prison, you will
find q detailed statement of the affairs of
that Institution. The number of prisoners
Nov. 80, 1882, was l47, falling off of
81 since the corresponding date Of 1881.
| There is a marked increase in the number
Of life sentences. In 1870, the number was
| 10 or 6per cent. of the whole number Of
| conyicts, in 1876, it was Is or ten per cent,
now the number is 80 or % per cent. The
net cost to the State for the two past Years
shove earnings has been about 800 per
annum to each convict. The manufacture
OF shoes being losing business has been
abandoned, and that Of carriages increased.
The discipline is excellent, the work in the
various shops and the sales Of the products
very satisfactory. The introduction
steam power would add greatly
capacity of the workshops and wo/
end be an economical investmeS
power and for heating purpose&
| balance of the Indebtedness
prior to 1880, amounting to S3008
interest that has accrued since june
still unpaid. Ii was temporarily pro.
for by the Treasurer of State on recomInl
dation of the Executive and should with all
other bills of Indebtedness be paid with the
least possible delay. | recommend that
such provision be made
INSANE HOSPITAL.
There is no public Institution which has
higher claims on public and private
sympathy and action than tie Hospital for
the Insane. The dreaded malady, INSANITY,
visits alike the palace and the cottage, and
all classes are equally interested that wise
provisions be made for the speedy restora-
ton If possible, and for the safety and COM
fort of this class of unfortunates. Thls
idea has been fully recognized by the
authorities Of every State in the Union, and
generous appropriations have heretofore
been made when necessary. Let rs simply
do our whole duty.
Insanity appears to be on the increase
among our people and unfortunately the
dread of the hospital keeps away many
durable cases until u chronic condition and
other complications render the case more
uncertain. The increasing number Of our
insane calls for more accommodation. so that
no applicant should be refused admIttance,
and better classification of patients NAV be
made ; on this largely depend the chances
TOR conyaescence. IL has been too fire.
quently recommended to send the incurabe
and demented patients to our poor houses in
order to avoid expense. Would ii not be
more consonant with humanity to provide
Tor them better accommodation than such
houses usually afford ? The Governor of
Michigan has well SAID, 1.-THE poor house is
no place for the treatment and care of the
insane as a class. a resort tn tho moor -houSe
is a retrograde movement unh.romine m.
State"
The usual custom of sending insane
criminals from the Stat. Prison m rb.Hosnita1
for the Insane, giving them the same accom-
modations and rooms with other natients
has caused lust criticism. and .hot,ld h..
abolished Dis,inct and sui,ahle anar.-
mens should be furnished for these unfortn-
mates. trust that the Legislature will fuo
some remedy for this cans. of comn!a,n,
A vacancy in the office of Suprr,ntentent
of the hospital exists hy the r,.signation of
DIR. Ii. VI. Harlow. who has faithfully
served the institution for over a quarter of u
century. Il is certainly d.sirabi. ., .ac,,r..
the services Of the most efficient and abls
Superintendent. which c,n only M. dom, ~,
an adequate salary. would recommend
that more liberal salary b, uald fin should
be NECESSARY, that such anpronriation n.
made as may be necessary tn comnl,,a Ana
furnish the present unfinished huii1in, And
that such othsr appropr.,ton he mad. A. th.
public necessity reuuIres. for The. v.If,r. NJ
our insane
REFORM school.
would respectfully suggest 10 rho nrro-
brrs of tbi, Ir,i.l.,nr. H., ,.,,,r,',,,,T,.
consider the reports OF the rr,I,ir,, ,f III
Reform School for IN, nasr ruo y.,rs ,I.o
the several reports of tb. C,,r,,,;.: :,,,,ar. H.,
pointed by the Governor and CounciI ~ -.
yestigate the grave CHARGES ma5e ,g,in.,
the management Of that tn,titu,Inn Thnse
reports give valuable statistical information
and suggestions. which would seem IN h..
sufficient to a full knovledye of fb,. b,.t,ry
and the financial intellectual and moral ,,,,,-
dition. of tn. school rb. fac, ,h,t IT.
has been much severe cr,tic;.r, ub;cb b.s
provoked both public and private d,.rn..,nr
in regard to Il, managanan, calI. f,r
thorough investigation On your narr 10 as
certain If MANY Of tho str,o,,. c,',so. lr
complain, do not have thsir nr,,,,r - ,ha
want of proper leoisIa,,on Tt. larL ~
suitable arrangement for nronrr cIass,fca.
F.4
considered Hardened criminal, shnrlJ nn,
be associated with ,our, hnys ,,h', ,,r,,'s 'sa,,
to the school for fist offence, and who are
perhaps more "slnned against than s,nr,,4,"
and who, under pYoper influences rni,,h, b.
come useful members of society
Npu sIKiAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
Inc eighth annual report OF the Managers
Of the Industrial School for Girls al Halo
well, vii! soon be placed before YOU. This
institution Is one Of the most important OF
our State IS under the direction of board
OF managers composed of able earnest men
ana women thoroughly alive to the mpor-
lance of Their work and deeply interested IN
the success OF the school. During the eight
years 1t has been in operation, l4S glrls have
been admitted to the institution. OF this
number, 81 are now in good homes provid