St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-08

that the governor may ''grant pardon upon
such conditions and with such restrictions
and under suck limitations rs he may think
proper" Cases are sometimes presented
wherein an exercise of executive clemency
would seem to be recommended by the best
interests of the convict, and without pre-
judice to public justice, if wholesome condi-
lions 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 a
pardon are granted are violated. To that
end | recommend an enactment to the effect
that in case a convict conditionally pardoned
shall fail to observe the conditions imposed,
he shall be deemed to have escaped from the
prison and be subject to arrest and return
to confinement, under the operations OF his
original sentence. The decisions OF courts
upon this subject assert the authority of the
executive to enforce this penalty in the alb
sence OF statute, but doubtless an effort to do
so would be contested. Doubts may there
fore be settled by a legislative enactment
upon the subject. The existence of such a
statute would have restraing influence upon
the person affected, by the information thus
conveyed that he could not ignore the con-
ditions upon which he received and ac-
cepte his pardon.
REFORM SCHOOL.
This model institution maintains its effic-
iency in the important work for which it was
established. Unlike some of the reformatories
for youth existing elsewhere, its name is
significant and expressive of its work. With
out walls or guards to restrain the youth in
its charge, the management succeeds, by the
,ic ri N
the needed control over them, and with rare
exceptions effects their reform. Since its
establishment in 1858 it has ''graduated"
over 500 boys and girls, most OF whom have
become or give promise of becoming useful
members Of community, instead OF recruits
Tor the criminal classes, which would prob
ably have been their fate under the influences
of their early life. The results accomplished
by this in stitution commend its management
to public confidence, and should command
for its work such recognition and support as
its continued efficiency requires. The report
of the managers shows 1919 inmates at the
end If the last fiscal year. The expense for
maintenance for the twenty months ending
July 81, 1884, was $47, 700.95; of which sum
S33, 72S.73 has been reimbursed by the couD-
ties contributing to its population.
Appropriations are asked for current eX-
penses for 1885 and 1886 of $4,000 per
year, aud for insurance and repairs ST, 000
The report also recommends an appropria-
ton of $50, 900 for a new building tor Il fe-
male department | 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 eXpediency of a permanent female de-
partInert in connection with the present in
sttuLon deserves deliberate examination.
The few females that are likely to become in
mates of the school in the near future may
be properly cared for under existing arrange
ments, but before steps are taken for perma-
uent reformatory for girls, l believe we may
avail ourselves profitable of the experience
and judgment of communities that have dealt
with this question more fully.
STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The treatment and control of the pauper
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 compared with
the growth of population throughout the
country, has become subject OF grave con-
Germ. Statistics show that the increase of
pauperism aud crime in the United States
has been one hundred per cent. greater than
its increase in population within the last
quarter of a century. Measures that may
prove effective to check this growing evil
have'long been the subject of earnest in
QUESTION among philantnropists and legisla-
tors. Considerations OF economy and public
security, as well 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 law
of nature that every species shall reproduce
its kind, so in every community it is
observed that the ranks of the paupeT
and criminal classes are largely re-
cruited from their neglected and absurd
progeny. The environment of idleness, ig-
norance and vice In which the children of
such parents are reared, must in the natural
order of things, give direction aud character
TO their future course of life. A. matter OF
economy, a mere question of public expense,
is It not the wiser policy to rescue, if posi-
BILE these youths from their apparently inc
vitable fate, rather than TO provide expensive
almshouses and reformatorics to be main-
tanned at great cost for their care while
young, and prisons for their restraint when
they come to mans estate. An intelligent
and effective method TO deal with this ques-
ton would be the establishment OF state
public school, in which the young children OF
dependent parents, OF criminals and the
orphaned waits of society may be gathered
and reared under influences and surround
ings that will develop the better elements Of
their natures, and make of them good cit
liens TO contribute to the benefits rather than
the burdens of society. This is by no means
an experiment. Such institutions have ex-
listed for years past in some of the states, and
their work shows most gratifying results.
Detailed information can De furnished by
our state board OF charities and corrections,
regarding the organization, the work and the
results accom- plished in schools Of this char
acter as established elsewhere. ! command
the subject TO your thoughtful consideration.
IL there should be hesitation 10 act upon 1t by
reason Of the expense of establishing another
public institution, repeat, that in my judg-
ment, It is recommended by considerations
ef public economy, though the proposition
also appeals To you upon the vastly broader
basis OF humanity and the general public
good. The cost of maintaining and educat-
ing these children In such an institution un-
til they arrive at an age when
they could be apprenticed or indentured
to their advantage, would be less than the
present average cost OF their maintenance in
the poor houses, through the usual methods
OF distribution OF poor aid, in many Of the
counties Of the state. A requirement such
as now applies to a class Of the inmates Of the
reform school, which provides for the main
tenance Of each county for the children they
respectively send TO the institution, could
properly be made a feature Of its organiza-
ton.
BOARD oP CORRECTIONS AND CHARITIES
Chapter l27 Of the General Laws 1883, pro-
vides for the appointment by the governor OF
six persons, not more than three Of whom
shall be from the same political party, whr
shall constitute with tue governor a state
board Of corrections and charities. The