McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1885-01-15

/ OF erecting and furnishing addlti0na
buildings, and to aid in the maintenance
Of the home. In my judgment their re
| quest TO q reasonable amount should b
| granted. 1t must be remembered tina
the title to this property remains in tn
state. A visit to this institution will con
vince you OF its utility and worth.
DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE, AND FEEBLl
MINDED CHILDREN.
Organized in April, 1869, this institu
| ton has since that time received for in
struction 211 pupils. For the last bien
NAL term there has been reported at
tendance of al. The health of the stu
dents has been good, and the methods O
instruction the same as heretofore re-
ported. When we consider the availabl,
means and accommodations at his com.
mand, the condition of this institution
under the present management is ad
mirable. instruction In the trades
printing, carpenter work, sewing, fancy
work, and Homework, is still continued
and funds are asked for to place the trades
upon more efficient basis looking to thu
power OF self-support upon the part o.
those receiving instruction. Your at.
tention is called to the deficiency of So.
500 in the appropriation for this institu-
ton for the year ending March 31st,
1885, in the matter of wages of EN-.
ployes. Attention is called to the fire.
quent applications for the admission Of
feeble minded children to this school
a class who are not fit subjects for deaf
mute school. By reference to the census
OF 1880 it is shown that we had at tina,
time 356 persons classed as feeble
minded. 2O9 of whom were under 2(
years of age. The state has undertaken
to care for the insane, the blind. the deaf
and dumb. In view of these facts, to-
gether with the experience of other states
in this work, am prompted to call your
attention to the importance and urgency
OF this claim, and the advisab ility c
making some provisions in Nebraska fol
this helpless class.
INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND.
The total number of pupils received at
the institute for the education of the
blind from the date of its opening in
January, 1876, until the present time
is 60.
The building was intended to accom-
modate fifty persons. and there has been
an attendance of thirty-six pupils during
the biennial term just closed. Of those
who would be admissible under the rules,
and residing in the state, there are but
five known to the superintendent who are
not In the school. The term is reported
as one of general prosperity. The health
of the students has been excellent, and in
the several departments of study, consist
ing of literary. musical, and Industrial,
cOmmendable progress has been made.
This school in its work in the literary de-
partment will compare favorably with
those of like character in other states.
All receive musical instruction and the
work in this department is becoming
more thorough each year. An exhibit
from the industrial department has been
sent to the New Orleans exposition. The
made by the last legis-
lature have been ample in every respect,
and in the item of living expenses there
will be small balance returned to the
treasury. Appropriations are asked for,
governing the matter Of water supply and
to buildings and grounds,
in addition to the general support of the
institute, and should be granted.
STATE PENITENTIARY.
Needed improvements have been made
at the state penitentiary during the past
two years. under the direction of the
warden and board of public lands and
buildings, among which, and worthy of
special mention, are the erection of
ire proof hospital building, a more per-
feet water supply, and a thorough change
in the system of sewerage and drainage,
greatly improving the sanitary condition
Of the prison. Discipline is thoroughly
the government being kindly,
yet at the same time firm. The medical
is excellent, and the state of
health among the prisoners is good.
Under the contract system, the convicts
are furnished steady employment, and
heir wants are well supplied by the
present contractor.
Warden Nobes, in his report of Nov.
30, 1882, gave the number of prisoners
rs 261. Since that time there have been
discharged 131, the number received be-
ing IFS. The total number confined in
The penitentiary Nov. 80, 1884, was 259,
and of that number twenty-three are
under sentence for life. Pertinent to the
subject in hand, and to which will, in
passing, call your attention, are the
questions of the inequality of sentence as
W luC ClluC VI luC
stances under which it was committed,
IS we have so often seen; and that of in
leterminate sentence, the advocates of
which proceed upon the theory that the
purpose of the law being to reform, we
should in all cases, other than those
neriting death or imprisonment for life,
lake into consideration both the antece-
lents of the criminal and his conduct
after sentence. This principle we have
N measure recognized in the enactment
If what is known as the Good-time Act,
and may add, that legislation is rapidly
becoming more liberal in this direction.
PARDoNs, COMPUTATIONS, AND REMIs-
SION OF FINES.
The pardoning power vested in the ex-
ecutive has been exercised by me in but
one instance, that of Jacob Smith, of
Polk county. convicted for the offense of
shooting with intent to kill, and sem
fenced to the state penitentiary for the
term of one year. Entering upon his
sentence February 5, 1884, and a pardon
issued the Goth of September, of the
same year. In this case, the provoca-
ton to crime was great, and while it
does not justify. yet serves to extenuate,
and my action in the premises was based
upon the petitions of a large number of
The citizens of said county, fourteen