Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-01-11

more for warming and ventilating apparatus
and plumbing and furnishing. In other words
the Commissioners seem To have reasoned them
selves into belief that the Legislature having
appropriated 800 900 for the Northern Asylum,
they are authorized to duplicate the Pontiac
building regardless OF cost.
Such logic would fail to satisfy a business
firm, and call your attention 10 II that prop
er understanding OF the intention of the Legis-
lature may be arrived at
INSANE CRIMINALS.
/ think that In the vicinity of one of our
asylums for the insane, but separated from 1t,
there should be erected an asylum for insane
criminals. Or these there are two classes first,
those who having been convicted Of crime be-
come insane while undergoing punishment;
and second, those who seek acqulta or have
been legally acquitted OF crime on the ground
OF insanity.
Ofthe first class quite number are confined In
the State Prison at jackson. But neither there or
at Ionia is there any suitable provision for them
IL is of course improper that they should be fore
ed to labor with the others, even allowed TO be
at liberty among them, and nothing remains
but confinement In an institution which has
only punishment for its object, and where facili-
ties for the proper care OF insane persons are
wanting.
II may be that very many OF the second class
those who seek acquittal or have been legally
acquitted of crime on the ground of insanity
do not need medical treatment, but some
method should be devised to prevent men
slayers from being let loose on society. Ex-
perts, apparently so-caled from their possess
ing less knowledge than the average citizen,
are ready to testify in the interest of the party
that brings them into court, and hypothetical
questions and conflicting decisions and prece-
dents render all intelligent decision Of the ques-
ton of sanity difficult If not impossible.
If in cases of homicide the plea of insanity
was barred nv statute. unless when made he
fore the examining Justice, who should in that
case commit the offender TO the Criminal Asy-
lum to await trial, an opportunity would be
afforded its officers of observing the conduct Of
the accused, and forming an intelligent opinion
as to his mental condition. The acquittal by a
jury on the ground of insanity should be ac-
cepted as prin.d fdcie evidence of incapacity,
and the respondent at once assigned TO the
Criminal Asylum. The safety of the public de-
mands this, for In the case OF those who have
| committed homicide there is danger Of re-
| turn of the homicidal tendency. The question
| of the release of insane criminals might be
| safety committed TO board consisting Of the
Governor, Attorney General, and the Superin-
| tendents Of all the State Asylums for the In
| sane / earnestly recommend that q special
| Asylum be provided for insane criminals.
EDUCATION.
The common schools Of the State are support
| ed wholly by the public. The taxation of a
citizen for the education Of the children of
others find its justification In the fact that I'M
| der our republican form Of government GER
| tain amount Of education is necessary for an
| intelligent exercise OF the elective franchise
TEXT BOOKS.
or the excrescences that have been forced on
| our educational system, one of the most annoy
ing Is the variety and multiplicity of ever-chang-
| ing text books. While an enforcement OF the
| present law against too frequent change may
| do something towards establishing a sort of
| statu quo in the present confusion, might not
| a more radical measure in the interest OF uni
| forrhity and economy be adopted. am aware
of the difficulties in the way, and of the power
| full influence of the publishing trade, which
would be exerted to defeat or render imperative
| such a law. II in your wisdom you can devise
any means TO remedy existing evils, II shall have
! my hearty approval.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
The State Normal School seems TO be prosper
Gus as regards numbers and the excellence of
| its corps of teachers. In so far as IL makes
prominent its peculiar work of teaching how
| TO teach" 1t is valuable institution.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The Agricultural College is so near the Capt.
toll that you will, no doubt, visit 1t, and learn
its needs. can most heartily endorse its pres
| ent management.
| THE UNIVERSITY.
The last year has been one of great prosperity
l 10 the Clulc University. OUutT WISE
| tration IL has grown in strength and usefulness
With rapidity perhaps unequalled in the his
| tory Of similar institutions It's work and its
scholars are mentioned with honor wherever
| sound learning Is respected. Its elevating and
| stimulating influence has been felt through the
| intellectual life of the state, and especially
| through our whole educational system
The new fire-proof library building is APP
preaching completion, and the authorities Of
the University deem it very desirable that a
| large addition be made to their collection of
| books. They Justly say that University can
| not successfully do its work without a good
| library. They think that a considerable sum
should be expended soon IN the purchase of
books, and | commend their request TO your
| favorable consideration. Other needs of the
| University the Regents will make known TO you
| during the session
STATE LIBRARY.
The report Of the State Librarian for the
| years 1881 and 1882 in an intelligent statement
of the present condition and needs of the Libra.
| ry, and the appropriation of $1,000 asked for
| each OF the years 1888 and 1884, is recommended.
MILITARY.
Our position as border state, as well as the
painful experience Of the civil war, indicate
that the military spirit should be fostered
among us. A large standing army would be
dangerous TO the liberties of the people and re-
pugnant to our free institutions, but the con-
stitution of the United States recognizes the
fact that a ''well regulated military is ''neces-
sary TO the security of free state" Our state
militia ia composed largely Of our worthicst
| and most energetic young men-men in whom
we may safely conhde in case Of war, and with
whom the best of us may be proud to associate
in time of peace desire that our militia NAV
be kept in the highest state of efficiency, and
to this end, ask that their wants receive due
consideration at your hands.
l have visited and inspected the Military
Academy at Orchard Lake, incorporated in
1877 under the laws Of this state. / found
there one hundred and twelve cadets whose
ages range from twelve to twenty, and repre-
senting twelve states and territories In addi-
tion to the studies pursued in our best high
schools and academies, they are taught military
science and tactics by an officer Of the regular
army, who is detailed by the President Of the
United States for that purpose. The War De-
partment furnishes liberal supply of arms
and ammunition.
This school fills place heretofore unoccu-
pied in the educational system of our state, and,
In order that its field of usefulness NAV be
widened and perpetuated, recommend that
such substantial aid may be extended to II as
you may deem wise.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
To amend the constitution Of the state IL is
necessary that the proposed amendment be
submitted to popular vote for adoption or re-
lection Such amendment cannot be so sub
mitted unless IL is agreed to by two-thirds of
the members elected to each house. In accept
ing the nomination for Governor / said: az
cannot see how, In republican government
like ours, there should be any hesitation in
submitting questions which concern the inter-
ests of the state and the well-being of its in
habitants to a popular vote" /, certainly, for
one, am willing to submit any and all questions
which concern the voters Of this state TO them
selves for their determination and abide by the
result"
still think that personal liberty" and the