Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-15

viding for an application of it.
solicit your attention to the report Of
your devoted and painstaking superiu-
tendent of education. The opinions. con
illusions and recommendations of one So
well versed in the subject, and who has
given 1t so much patient study and at
tentlon should he of great weight. If, in
treating upon this subject at such length,
| have trenched upon your province, or in
vaded the field of argument, the import
ance of the subject and my anxiety con
corning it must be my excuse.
STATE PRISON
The report of the directors and super
inteudent shows prosperous and har-
monous condition Of things at the prison,
and it does not appear that any unusual
event has TRANSFERRED there within the per
od covered by it. AS to the need of the
institution, beyond current expenses, |
cannot do better by way of calling them
to your attention than to here quote from
the directors report, wherein they say
ave cannot TOO strongly urge the con
struction of iron stairs too, and walks
around the cells, to take the place of the
old WORKOUT wooden ones. This con
struction would render the prison safer
from fire" etc. And they also suggest, IN
the way of a desire improvement, the en-
larging of the front windows of the pris-
on. The well-known conservative char
acter, and safe, business qualifications
and habits of the directors give unusual
value to their recommendations and sug-
gestions. They have my concurrence,
and will, trust receive careful consider
ton from you. If repaired and improved
as suggested, we are assured by the report
of the directors that, the prison will not
suffer by comparison with any of It's size
in New England. | learn from the di
rectOrs that the prison has sufficient ca
pacty to comfortably accommodate 100
inmates, and the superintendent report
shows that the present number, (July 81,
1886 is IS, indicating that there is much
spare room in the prison-a condition of
things not likely to be lainented.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
This institution has now been in opera
ton about eight years, and, as was said
10y my predecessor in his incoming mes
sage, "is universally admitted to be a sue
cess of its kind. and from the report of
the directors, which Will be before you,
the institution is seen to be popular IL,
well rs successful; and from the same
source comes the gratifying Intelligence
that the institution has no special needs.
You will, however, | am sure, agree with
me that this institution should have at
tention and relief, as we are toled by the
directors that it is burdened with Il class
of prisoners that, by the construction OF
its buildings us to safety, it was not de
signed to accommodate and they add.
convicts sentenced for high crimes 4nd
long terms are not as secure as at the
State prison, aud no better cared ior." it
also appears that with capacity of only
- cells for males, it has at times been
crowded with l2O male prisoners. And,
further In their report, the directors say,
1--WE receive more for labor at the State
prison, and the work is much heater and
the prisoners more secure" and ask thai
you prescribe a remedy. Invite your at
tention to this matter, confidently be-
lieving that you can and will bv appro-
pirate legislation relieve the institution of
Its burdens and difficulties, and at the
same time provide greater security for the
more hardened criminals with pecuniary
advantage to the State.
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
The object and purpose of this institu
ton is indicated by its name and too well
understood to call for any elaboration.
From the nature of things. its work and
the occasion for its existence may be con
sidered to be perpetual. The frailtes and
frowardness of humanity furnish its pa
irons, and the hopeful, generous impulse of
Christian people asks its Intervention and
aid in wrestling and saving from a life OF
degradation and crime the waits and the
unfortunate, homeless and criminally in
clined children of the State. AS the result
of a long and watchful official connection
with the school, | entertain no doubt that
, the hopes and expectations of the most
sanguine of the originators and support
ers of the school have been, and are being,
more than realized, in the good work ac-
| complished. For the successful and bene-
ricient results, very much credit is due to
the faithful, Christian labor and influence
of Mr.. and Mrs. Fairbank, for a long time
, and until lately the superintendent and
, matron of the school. | note with pleas
ure and approval the remarks of Gov
t Pingree in his retiring message, as TO Mr.
, and Mrs. Farbank. They are richly en-
titled to, and doubt not will have the
&, | "a "a m
faithful service aud its good wishes il
. their enlarged field of usefulness in a like
relation to similar institution in a sister
+ state. bespeak for the institution the
continued ungrudglng and liberal support
a and encouragement OF the State. The
, State is to be congratulated upon the fac
. that it has in the State prison, House o
: Correction and Reform school for super
intendents and subordinate officers men
and women eXcellently adapted to theil
. work and devoted to its best interests.
l INSANE ASYLUM.
The condition of the insane persons o
the State at the asylum, the work being
, done at the asylum, the condition, charac
ter and management of the institution ar,
so well stated and set forth in the excel
lent report of the supervisors of the insane
that a perusal of it will be quite sufiicien
T to enable you to legislate properly rs t
: any and all matters connected with thi
= subject requiring your attention.
+ | invite your considerable attention t
: this subject, and to the report of the su
. pervisors. The il sane are the unfortu
, nate wards of the : tate. In the treatmen
Of them and providing for them, Their
y should be no such uncertain or insufficient
= action rs to even tend to the foundation o
% a charge of neglect. The supervisors il
y their report treat at length on the subjec
! of 1.-The criminal and convict insane" ant
a recommend that the State make provision
+ for them away from the asylum, and Civ
+ such reasons rs TO make it seem matte
= of necessity to take action IN the direc
+ ton pointed out in the report. You will
: doubt.not, give the subjectsuch attention
- as it demands.
!, STATE LIBRARY.
: To provide for "need that had becOm
e positive necessity the Legislature 9
a 1854 passed act No. 221, and thereby mad
provision for the direction of Il "buildn
IL for the use of State library, and othe
If like purposes, " and created Il commissio
IT to carry out the will of the State in tina