Morris tribune., 1885-12-02

interests of the convict and without preju-
dice to public justice, if wholesome condi-
tons could be imposed. But to make the
provisions of the chapter quoted practically
effective, an adequate remedy should be pro-
Vided in case the conditions upon which
pardon is granted are violated. 10 that END
| recommend an enactment to the effect that
in case convict condttlOnallY pardoned
shall fail to observe the conditions imposed,
he shall be deemed to have escaped from the
prison and become subject to arrest and re-
turn to confinement, under the operation OF
his original sentence The decisions of courts
upon this subject assert the authority of the
executive to enforce this penalty in the abb
sence of statute, but doubtless an effort to
do so would be contested Doubts may
therefore be settled in advance by leglsIa-
tive enactment upon the subject The exist
ence of such statute would have restrain
ing influence upon the person affected. by the
information thus conveyed that he could not
ignore the conditions upon which he received
and accepted his pardon.
REFORM SCHOOL.
This model institution maintains its record
for efficiency in the important work for
which it was established. Unlike some OF
the reformatories for youths existing else
where, its name is significant and expressive
of it's work. Without walls or guards to re-
strain the youth in it's charge, The manage
ment succeeds by the moral influence ii
commands, in exercising the needed control
their reform. Since its establishment in
1868 it has graduated" over five hundred
boys and girls, most of whom have become
or give promise of becoming useful mem
bers of the community, instead or recruits
for the criminal classes, which would prob
ably have been their fate under theinhuences
of their early life. The results accomplished
by this institution commend its management
to public confidence and should command
for it's work such recognition and support as
its continued efficiency requires The re-
port of the managers shows 129 Inmates
at the end of the Last fiscal year The ex-
pense for maintenance for the twenty months
ending July 81. 1884, was S47 100. 80, OF
which sum 500, 72S. 70 has been reimbursed
by the counties contributing to its popuia-
ton. Appropriations are asked Tor currens
expenses for 1885 and 1886 Of $50, 900 per
year, and for insurance and repairs $4,000.
The report also recommends an apprOprIa-
ton of $25, 600 for a new building for
female department. l doubt if the probable
revenues of the state Will authorize this ex-
penditure within the next two years; but,
aside from that consideration, the question
of the expectancy OF a permanent female
department in connection with the present
institution deserves deliberate examination.
The few females that are likely to become
inmates of the school in the near future may
be properly cared for under existing arrange
ments but before steps are taken for per
manent refOrmatOry for girls, believe we
may avail ourselves prohtably OF the expe-
rience and Judgment OF communities that
have dealt with the question more fully.
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The treatment and control of the paupef
and criminal classes give rise to questions
among the most important with which the
public has to deal; and the excessive rate Of
the increase OF these evils, as com pared with
the growth OF population throughout the
country. has become a subjeCC OF grave con-
Germ Statistics show that the increase of
pauperism and crime in the United States
has been 100 per cent greater than its
increase in population within the last quarter
of century. Measures that may prove
effective to check this growing evil have
long been the subject of earnest inquisition
among philanthropists and legislators. Con-
sideratiOns of economy and public security,
as we'll as those of humanity and morality,
suggest the adoption of whatever means
may promise to lessen these great evils that
prey upon society. AS it is 4 law Of nature
that every species shall produce its kind. so
in every community IL is observed
that the ranks OF the pauper and crimina.
classes are largely recruited from their
neglected and abused progeny. The envi-
ronment of ldIeness. ignorance and vice in
which the children of such parents are reared,
must, in the natural order OF things, give
direction and character to their future course
OF life. AS matter of economy. mere
question of public expense is it not the wiser
from their apparently inevitable fate, rather
than to provide expensive alnshouses ana
refOrmatories to be maintained al great cost
for their care while young, and prisons foE
their restraint when they come to mans
estate? An intelligent and effective method
to deal with this question would be the esJab-
lshment of a state public school, in which
the young children of dependent parents Q;
criminals, and the orphaned waits of society
may be gathered and reared under influences
lIr,r, hot o1I,N
better elements of their natures. and make
of them good citizens TO contribute te
the benefits rather than the bur
deus of society. This is by nc
means an experiment Such institutions
have existed for years past in some of the
states, and their work shows most crafty
ing results Detailed information can be
furnished by our state board OF charities and
regarding the organization. the
work and the results accomplished in school
of this character as established elsewhere
l commend the subject to your thoughtful
If there should be hesita-
ton to act upon 1t by reason of the expense
of establishing another public institution !
repeat that, in my Judgment, it is recon-
mended by considerations of public ecOno-
my, though the proposition also appeals te
you upon the vastly broader basis OF lu-
manity and the general public good The
cost of maintaining and educating thes.
children in such an Institution until they
arrive at an age WQe0 UneN cOuiU De aD-
prenticed or indentured to their advantage,
would be less than the present average cost
Of their maintenance in the poor houses or
through the usual methods of distribution
ii poor aid in many Of the counties OF the
state. requirement such as now applies
20 a class of the inmates of the reform.
school, which provides for the maintenance
~ each county of the children they respect
vely send to the institution. could properly
,e made a feature of its organization.
BOARD OF CORRECTIONS AND CHARITIES.
Chapter 127 of the General Laws, 1888,
provides for the appointment by the gov
rnor of six persons, not more than three of
whom shall be from the same political party,
Who shall constitute. with the governor.
tate board of corrections and charities The
lutes of such board, as defined by the ac-,
re to ''investigate the whole system of pub
ic charities and correctional institutions o.
he state examine into the condition and
thereof, especially of prisons,
ais intirmaries, pubic hospitals and
sylums," and to examine and ''criticiso all
'ans for new jails and intirnaries" before
heir adoption by county authorities. The
oard is also empowered, upon the order
f the governor, to ''investIgate the man.
cement of any penal. retormatorE
II charitable institution of the state
though the act creating the board provides
or the employment of 4 secretary at an
nnual salary OF $1,000, and the necessary
,nrSopa1 ayr,apSac of a1>,borc in ths