The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-01-09
THE GOVERNORS VIEWS.
SUBSTANCE OF THE ANNUAL MES
SAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SAGE TO THE LEGIsLArUWE.
The Governor Directs Attention tn the
Question ar Ballot Rrform-Need OF
Greater Care In Enacting Laws-rhe
swamp Lands Controversy.
Gov. Luce opened his message to the State
Legislature by concentrating 10 upon the favor
able auspices under which IL assembled, and
referred 10 the general prosperity which has pre-
vailed since the meeting OF the last Legislature
The first question touched upon by tho Cover
nor is in regard 20 purity OF elections. He recon-
mends the Legislature TO adopt new or diff
ferent system of voting, il IL is possible, thereby
TO moro sacredly guard the ballot box, and con-
tinues:
The open charges made in so many quarters
that our elections controlled by the corrupt
use of money in glaring violation of law are
painful to hear and alarmingif true. II false.
those charges a gross libel upon our civiiza-
ton. Unfortunate for state and nation will IL
be IL the fact ia established that arc elected
TO positions OF public trust because OF their
wealth or ability 20 use command money for
ilegitimate purposes in securln place. What
is known as the Massachusetts, system is
earnestly commended to your careful consider
alton. From that commonwealth we hear OF
little or no complaint against corrupt influences
at the polls. To this impor ant subject your
best thought is invoked.
CoNsrIrUTIoNALITY.
growing evil has been developed in more
recent legislation by the enactment of laws in
has caused very serious embarrassment in
many cases. IL is very important that efforts
should be made To secure the passage OF laws
that Will stand the scrutinZipg test provided by
tho Constitution itself. The failure OF SO 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 UNI
constitutional. Various methods have been
suggested To avoid tho dific llty. L venture 10
very earnestly recommend the appointment of
joint committee composed of three OF the
most eminent lawyers in the two houses. whose
duty IL shall be 10 carefully exaInne proposed
legislation with view OF determining it's con-
stitutionality.
ia committee whose especial work il shall be
10 look up decisions OF our own and other courts,
can at least avoid some OF the mistakes in leGis-
lation, 1t ia not presumed that the evil eau be
entirely avoided, but it ought to be reduced TO
minimum. The Constitution provides that no
new bill shall DO introduced after the first fifty
days OF II session snail have expired Sometimes
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 the original one. 4 his seems to me
violation OF the letter and spirit Of the Consti-
tuition, and when resorted TO- raises embarfass-
ing questions.
INDETERMINATE SENTENCES.
In the closing hours of the sessi IN OF 1887 bill
was passed emit led An act 10 provide ior indie
terminate sentences, and dispos tion, manage
ment, and release OF criminals under SEN
tences." THE Governor says that he could not
approve the bill because IL contain d a pro-
vision under which tho managers of the prisons
might double the maximum penalty imposed
by the law for the ofenso committed 1 did
not and do not believe that any man or set OF
m n should be clothed with authority 10 inn
pose punishment beyond that provided by
law The question Of indotorminaio sentences
will ain come before you. IL is brought
Il your attention by tn reports OF prison
boards and the Board OF Corrections aud Chari-
ties.
PAROLE SYSTEM
Glossy allied TO this ia what is known rs the
parole system In the State OF Ohio the syst3m
II
are permitted go out before,the expiration OF
sentence, under rules and ro sula;ion, estab-
lished by the Board of MGnaTor but never I'M
til they have served the minimum time; nor
can they DO held beyond the maximum required
by law for the oifense committed. Tnis is
measure commended by Prison reform asso-
Citations, and by managers of some OF our
prisons And while L am not Uhorou Ihly con-
WINGED that the anticipated benefits will be de-
rived from its adoption, yet IL is commended
10 your careful consideration. IL adopted
our whole prison management must DO
revised anu changed In the state OF Ohio
they have but one board clothed with authority
10 grant parole 10 prisoners, and uln clearly
OF the opinion that in order 20 secure n wse dis
erection and uniformity in practice, We must
consolidate and establish one single prison
board, and the right 70 grant parole must be
guarded protected and restricted in ov ry par
ticuar Another very important feature that
must be embraced in this law to make it effec-
two and useful s-proyision must be made for
the employment OF the prisoner before he is
permitted TO leave the prison. Men often go out
from the prisons with firm determination to
lead better lives, but they have difficulty in
finding employment; they are embarrassed at
every turn; their honest Efforts TO secure hon.
orable employment are frustrated And one of
the Creates reforms being instituted in con-
nection with prisons and prisoners is 70
adopt aud methods whereby
ployment may be secured. Here is broad
neid in which roformers can and do labor. And
in this connection desire TO call attention To
the home for discharged prisoners, established
in the city of Detroit through the efforts of a
few Christian philanthropists. 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 are often in want OF funds, and
know of more worthy purpose TO which
small sum may be devoted. 1t ought not, and
must not be, made in any sense n State institu-
ton. Its management and chief support must
be left 70 private enterprise. but an app opria-
ton of Sl,vOJ per annum will be OF great ser
vice 10 il.
II tho parole system ia adopted those who 90
out under It's provisions must 10 carefully
guarded and protected Another consideration
in this proposed legislation must DO carefully
investigated and that il its constitute nAlity
II will be worse than useless TO adopt this sys-
TEN, only 20 find, when the supreme Court puss
upon it, that it il in violation Of thu Constitu-
ton
The prison labor pays nearly all OF the current
expenses OF the institution. Demands for appIo-
priatiOns will be for repairs only AMI 10 is be-
Geyed that - 100 will meet the roquirem 5nts
THE STATE HOUSE OF CORRECTION AND REFORM
ATORY AT IONA.
Your attention Is earnestly called 10 tho
report OF the managers and warden OF this insti-
tuition. For the twenty-one months ending
June 30, 1855 there was drawn from the treas
ury for current expenses -lUO,963.7l. And after
deducing tue amount invested in machinery,
goo1s and materials, the excess OF expo ditures
over earnings for the period named was
S4G, rs. -, or an annual deficiency of - Al.
Tho employment OF convicts has attracted
widespread and earnest attention for years.
Nor all the questions connected win the
problem yet solved. Humanity dictates, and
reason, as well as experience, enforces the fntt
that our prison population must work. Justice
20 the toing millions requires that in doing
this competition with tree labor should be
duced TO a minimum. Yet the State must re-
ceive cJmpo sation 10 defTay the expenses in
Cured in their detention. Otherwise il will fall
heavily upon those who toll by way Of increased
taxation. After giving this subject much
attention. / impressed with the belief
that prison labor doss not compete with free
labor 10 the extent TINT is popuIarly supposed
because the materials to construct prsu are
prepared by free labor; food and clothing are
produced by FREQ labor. Free labor superintends
institutions and shops. Free men are en-
ployed as chaplains, physicians, teachers, keep
Crs, and guards. IL Is doubtful whether in an
economic view the prisons do not give TO free
labor almost as much employment as they take
from a. Efforts for improving the moral and
intellectual condition OF the men, similar TO
those in force at Jackson, arc constantly ON
poyed at this institution.
THE BRANCH or THE STATE PRISON AT MAR