Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-01-09

he would be hired Upon going out he
met man upon the street whs asked him
If he was stranger. and answered that be
Was and from Canada and seeking employ
ment- The man aecosting him, who II
seems was al officer, informed the stranger
that il Was necessary 10 register upon
coming there. and took him 10 an office
where another man, who il appears Was =
justice OF the peace. MAS sitting al deck.
After remaining there a short time nc " as
taken out and conducted 70 the depot By
the officer and taken directly TO Ionla
under arrest. ArriyiDg at the House Of
Correction the Warden examined his
papers and found be had been committed
for Year as 4 vsgrapt. he protested fis
innocence and The Warden Immediately
wrote the fsets as given by the man 20 Gov.
Jerome who pArdoned him, and, under
stand, took some action against the officer
and Justice of the Peace who had thus con
spired 10 send this man 10 prison for the
purpose OF getting the fees
How iar this abuse can extend can only
be imagined | therefore recommend that
law be passed prohibiting any per
son from being sentenced 10 this institu-
tion by a justice of the peace, and that no
prisoner be sent there for less term than
elk months. This institution should not
be be used as SOLDERING off" place for
men who occasionally get intoxicated
Such men should be kept in the county
jails where the offeuse is committed /
am informed that officers frequently make
long journeys with single prisoner where
there are several to be taken, simply To in
crease their their travelling fees Accord
ing 10 the State Treasurer's report there
was paid for transportation of conyicts 10
that institution during the past year the
sum of S26 $50 13, while the cost of carry
ing convicts for the State Prison at Jack
son for the same period was $4 S05. SO.
Convicts received at this institution are
clothed in prisoners garb and when dis
charged are furnished new clothing If that
worn by them when taken In is not
suitable for them to appear as comfortably
dressed men. This item makes upa large
account. There are two classes which
should not be sent to that prison. First
those who are picked up when intoxicated,
before mentioned, and, second, worthless
tramps who have no pride or home and
are willing to go there for the winter. The
prison il now filled To OVERLOOKING, with
little work for its inmates, there being
more than 200 confined within lis walls In
excess of its accomm Odations, and at the
rate it is being filled, if that class of people
are to be imprisoned as convicts, the State
of Michigan cannot build prisons fast
enough 10 hold those who are convict d,
especially if the present stringent times
should continue TO exist / sincerely hope
this matter will be thoroughly investi-
gated during the session of this Legisla-
ture, and the earlier it is done the better
for the public good.
THE CONTRACT LABOR SYSTEM, ETC.
l recommend the abolition OF the con-
tract labor system and that a law be passed
prohibiting the importation of criminals
from other States or Territories to be in
carcarated within the walls of any prison
in the State. It concentrates criminals in
Michig an and competes with the honest
labor of the State. Michigan is not SO poor
as to need aid of that kind.
| have asked the different Boards con-
nected with the several State institutions
to make their wants simply what is abso-
lutely necessary for carrying them through
the next two years, and while under the
present financial pressure not dollar
should be expended not absolutely neces-
sary. | am sure that you will see that
none of the State institutions suffer for
lack of means TO carry them along.
/ recommend that as great a reduction
in taxes be made as possible That no
money be collected for the purchase alta
large premium Of State bonds not yet ma
turing, or for any other purpose not abso-
lutely essential. but that the greatest pos
sible economy be prscticed in every de-
partment of the State
Aud now, gentlemen, let US hope that
you will commence at once 10 push along
the work of legislation, making the session
as short as possible.
| hope and trust that the greatest har-
mony may prevail in all your deliberations
and that All our actions may be guided by
the Divine Hand.
RUSSELL A. ALGER.
Executive Office, Lansing. Jan 3, 1885.
- n-r1 ~ cFeHl ~<r