Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-01-10
THE GOVERNORS VIEWS.
SUBSTANCE OF THE ANNUAL MES
SAGE TO THE LEGIsLATURE.

The Governor Directs Attention TO tho
Question or Ballot Reform-Need of
Greater Care In Enacting Laws-The
Swamp Lands Controversy.
Gov. Luce opened his message to the State
LEGISLATURE by communicating it upon the favor
able aus plces under which it assembled, and
re:erred to the general prosperity which has pre-
vailed since the meeting OF the last Legislature.
THE BALLOT.
The first question touched upon by the Cover
nor Is In regard to purity OF elections. He recon-
mends the Legislature to adopt a new or diff
ferent system OF voting. II 1t 10 possible, thereby
to more sacredly guarI the ballot box. and con-
tinues:
The opsn charges made In so many quarters
that our eleotion5 are controlled by the corrupt
use OF money in giaring violation OF law are
painful to hear and alarming II true. IL false,
those charges are gross libel upon our civiliza-
tion. Unfortunate for stlte and nation will it
be II the fact 10 established that men are elected
TO positions OF public trust because of their
wealth or ability TO use or command money for
illegitimate purposes in secur n place. What
is known as the Massachusetts system is
earnestly commended to your careful consider
alton. From that commonwealth We hear OF
lii tie or no complaint against corrupt influences
at the polls. To this impor ant subject your
best thought is invoked.
CoNsTITUTIoNALTTY.
A growing evil has been developed in moro
recent legislation by the enactment OF laws In
conflict with the Constitution OF the state This
has caused very serious embarrassment in
many case3 1t Is very important that efforts
should be made to secure the passage OF laws
that will stand the scrutinizing test provided by
tho Constitution itself. The failure OF 30 many
laws in recent years for the reason suggested,
somewhat weakens confidence in the wisdom of
the Legislature that enacts and the Executive
who approves these measures declared to be un-
constitutional. Various methods have been
suggested 10 avoid the difficulty venture to
very earnestly recommend the appointment OF
a joint committee, composed OF three OF the
most eminent lawyers in the two houses whose
duty It shall be to carefully examine propose
Legislation with q view OF determining its con-
stitutionality
TO lock up decisions OF our own and other courts,
can at least avoid some OF the mistakes in legis-
la,ion, 1t 10 not presumed that the evil eau be
entirely olded, but 1t ought to be reduced to a
minimum. The c. ms tuition provides that no
new bill shall be introduced after the first fifty
days OF a session sha u have expired. Somatimes g
bills are introduced for one purpose, and after
the expiration Of the time limited for the intro
duction OF bills, used for purpose entirely for
eign to he original one. This seems to mo a
violation OF the letter and spirit Of the Consti-
tuition. and when resorted to, raises embarrass-
INDETERMNATE SENTENCES.
In the closing ho4rs OF the sessi N OF 1897 bill
was passed enti led AN act to provide Tor inde-
terminate sentences, and disposition, manage
ment, aud release OF criminals under SEN
tences." The Governor says that he could not
approve the bill because 1t contain d pro-
vision under which the managers Of the prisons
might double the maximum penalty imposed
by the law for the offense committed. 1 did
not aud do not believe that any man or set OF
m should be clothed with authority to inn
pose punishment beyond that provided by
law. The question q indeserminale sentences
will ain come before you. 1t Is brought
to your attention by thJ reports OF prison
boards and the Eoard OF Corrections and Chart-
ties.
PAROLE SYSTEM.
Close allied to this is what is known as the
parole system. In the State of Ohio the syst sm
of paroling prisoners has zen adop.sl. They
are permitted o go out before. the expiration OF
sentence, under rules and re 5ulnlion' estab-
lished by the Board OF MANAGERS but never un-
I'll thoy have serve1 the minimum time II )r
can they be held beyond the maximum require |
by law for the ofense committed Tnis is q
measure comme.tled by prison reform asso-
Citations, and by managers OF somo OF our
prisons. And while am not tho-ou ghly con-
vincod that the anticipated benefits will be de-
rived from its adoption, yet it is commended
to your careful consideration, IL adopted
our wno'o prison management must be
revised AMI changed. In the state OF Ohio
they have but one board clotbel with authority
10 grant paro'e to prisoners, and am clearly
OF the opinion that in order to secure a wise dis
cretion ami uniformity in practice, we must
consolidate aud es abish enc single p.ison
boar1 and the right TO grant parole must be
guarded, protected and restricted in ov ry par
ticular Another very impor, ant featurJ that
must be embraced in this law TO make IL effec-
tive and useful is-proyision must be made fol
the employment OF tue prisoner bef re he Is
pemi ted 10 leave the prison. Men o:ten go out
from the prisons with firm determination T.
lead better lives, but they have difficulty IN
finding employment; they are embarrassed al
every Turn their honest Efforts to secure hon
orable employment are frustrated. And one oi
ths Creates reforms being instituted in con-
nection with prisons and prisoners is tc
adopt means aud methods whereby EN-
ployment may DO secured. Her5 Is broad
he'd I'm which reformera can and do labor. And
In this conn sction desire to call attention X
the home for discharg ID prisoners, establish I'd
few Christian philanthropist5 1t Is doing
much for those who leave our prison imbued
with determination TO improve their lives
The promoters OF this home are not rich, and
the managers often in want OF funds, ana
know OF no more worthy purpose 70 which
small sum may be devoted. IL ought not, a1d
must not be- made In any sense state institu.
Sion. Its management and chief support mus
be left to private enterprise, but an app opria
tion OF S1,OOO per annum will be OF great ser
vice TO It,
III the parole system Is adopted those who e
out under i,s provisions must be carefully
guarded and projected. Another consideration
in this proposed legislation must be carefully
investigated, and that is its constitutiol lnlit y
1t will be worse than useless to adopt this sys
tenn, only to find, when the Supreme Court pas
upon IL, that 1t ia in violation OF ths Constitu
tion-
The prison labor pays nearly all OF the curren
expen ses of the institution. Demands for appro
priations will be for repairs only, AMI It Is be
ieved that $2J,0 900 will meet the requirem 3nts.
THE STATE HOUSE OF CORRECTION AND REFORM
ATORY AT IONA.
Your attention IL very earnestly called to tn
report OF the managers and warden OF this insti
tuition. For the twenty-one months endin
June 80, 1888, there was drawn from the treas
ury for current expenses S1OO,96374. And nfte
deducling the amount invested in machinery
goods and materials, the excess OF expo diture
over earnings for the period named wal
The employment OF convicts has attracts
widespread and earnest attention for years
Nor are all the questions connected wiOh tn
problem yet solved. Humanity dictates, nm
reason, as well as experience, enforces tho In
that our prison population must work. Justic
to the toiling millions requires that In doin
this comr eition with free labor shoull be re
duced TO a minimum. Yet the Stale must re
ceiSe cJmpe sation to defrny the expenses In
CURED in their detention. Otherwise 1t will fal
heavily upon those who toll by way Of increase
taxation. After giving this subject muc
attention, / am impressed with the belle
that prison lalor DOES not compete with fre
because the materials TO construct prisons ar
prepared by free labor; food and clothing ar
produced by free labor. Free labor superintend
institutions and shops. Free men are ON
ers and guards IL is doubtful whether in a
| economic view the pri ions do not give to fre
| labor almost as much employment as they tax
| from it. Efforts for improving the moral an
| intellectual condition OF the men, similar I
| those In force at Jackson, are constantly EN-
p.oysd at this institution.
| TaE BRANCH on THE STATE PRISON AT MAI
oUETTE,
This building has ample provisions for the car
| and custody OF 325 prieoners. The prison fore
las not been organized, partly because the builC
| ing is only now completed, but largely becaui
/ OF the reduction In our prison population. ID.
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