Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-10-13

the sentence had nearly expired One
prisoner at the house of correction, hav-
ing thirteen days to serve, was pardoned
that he might be present at the death bed
of his wife. One child at the reform
school was pardoned, but the parents in
few days applied to have him returned
In two cases fines have been RENTED
granted. In one case the prisoner failed
to comply with the conditions Of his par
don and was remanded under the law of
1880.
THE PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND REFORM
SCHOOL
are in the hands OF experienced and able
men and are equal to the best, in equip
ment and management. The three insti-
tutions have capacity for accommodate
ing 426 persons while the number of in
mates in each, on the first day of August,
was as follows state prison, SO; house
of correction, 81; reform school 81; to-
tai, 234.
On the 9th day Of May 1888, Mr.. Rice,
Supt. Of the prison, whose administrative
ability had been of such service in enlarg-
ing and rebuilding the prison and who
had brought order and system out of con-
fusion and dishonesty, resigned his office,
and upon the recommendation of the di-
rectors, Mr.. E. W. Cakes, who was his
assistant, was appointed to fill his place
He hoe lu of
the prison without any diminution in the
comfort or welfare of the inmates, and
has introduced some much needed chang
es. Both he and Mr.. Eayres, Supt. at
the house of correction, are faithful,
honest, economical and capable men. At
the reform school, Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks
continue the same kind and paternal gov
eminent that has distinguished them for
so many years, while the trustees have
performed the numerous and somewhat
complicated duties devolving upon them
with great thoroughness and humanity.
In my judgment, one board of three
persons should be appointed by the gov
ernor to have charge of all the institu-
tions. and Il uniform system of book
keeping should be adopted at the begin
ming of the next fiscal year. The govern
or should have the power Of granting con-
ditional pardons to inmates of the reform
school; prisoners should work out their
fines and costs at the state prison rs they
do at the house of correction; contracts
for labor should not be made without adj
vertising for proposals.
SAVINGS BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES.
The reports Of Mr.. Dubois, the able
| Inspector of finance for 1S90-Sl-S2, gave
repeated warning as to the inadequacy Of
| his power under the law to protect de-
| positors in these institutions from the re-
suits of mismanagement and dishonesty.
Deeply impressed with his pointed state
ments, joined him in most earnest efforts
to secure needed legislation. To the leg
islature Of 1882 l said, with reference to
| his reports, s'his cautious but decided
words in regard to certain banks tbat he
does not name, if not needed; may lead
to disaster and distress. l especially
recommend to your notice his remarks as
to trust companies, and in regard to
large loans to- and deposits from, sim
gle person."
In the failure of the St. Adams trust
company the predicted disaster and dis
tress were fully realized. Aside from the
alleged criminality of its officers, its weak
ness was due to the precise fault in re-
gard to which Mr.. Dubois so often asked
additional legislation, viz: large loans to
one person, and that person an officer of
the bank. / therefore informed the states
attorney of Franklin county that assist
ance would be furnished him to ascertain,
in this instance, whether the law had
been violated, and, if so, to bring the
guilty parties to punishment, and an at
torney was assigned to this duty whose
ability and honesty were guaranty that
nothing would be left undone on the part
of the prosecution to accomplish this end.
l commend his report to your consider
alton with the firm belief that all needful
legislation will now be enacted and with
occasioned by the failure of one institu-
ton will not lead to such radical meas
ures as to destroy the usefulness of others
THE sUPREME COURT.
The announcement that Judge Redfield
. would retire from the bench at the close
Of his present term, though not unexpect
ed, occasions general regret. The cause
of justice suffers when so eminent judge
withdraws from her councils, and in thu
deliberations of that court whose decis
ions continue to hold SO high q place il
the Jurisprudence of the country, the los
of Judge Redfeld's experience and fin
legal instinct will be most deeply felt
Since the last session the great railroad
,. suits have been ended and l am informe,
. that the general business of the court
> has declined. Hence, as my successor i
+ Il member of the bar and may feel som
delicacy in the matter, shall venture t
express what believe is, in the mar
the opinion of many members of the ba
and of numerous other well informe
pCISOHS, W recommending lHdG lIIc nun
~ Der of judges be reduced to six; that the
~ salaries be increased four hundred do
- lars each; that they be paid their actui
expenses for railroad and stage far
~ while on official duty; and that they /
~ prohibited from acting rs referees, aud
. tors or special masters.
~ The eminent ex-Chief Judge Polar
~ said, on the floor of the house, in 1877
;. that six judges were all that were needle
~ and that whenever vacancy occurre
Nv he should favor Il reduction in the nur
" Der. This is the highest authority al
gu may well carry conviction to the mind
III every one not having Il personal know
" edge of the matter.
iO' FINANCES AND TAXATION.
The current state expenses for the la
y two years were S649, 494, or over $40, O
lis less than for the term ending in 1882.
~ The treasurer's report shows a deficie
'"O cy of $50, III which amount was berro
vi ed from the Huntington fund. For ma
years previous to 1888 large balanc
were in the hands of the treasurer a
iec were the direct incentive to cXtrava@an
~ and loose practices in admiuiStratir