Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-01-11

|
must receive compensation TO defray the
expenses incurred In their detention Other
wise IL will fall heavily upon those who
toll by way or increased taxation. After
giving this subject much attention am
impressed with the belief that prison labor
does not compete with free labor to the ex-
tent that is popularity supposed; because
the materials TO construct prisons are pre-
pared by free labor; food aud clothing are
produced by free labor. Free labor super
Intends institutions aud shops. Free men
are employed as chaplains, physicians,
teachers. keepers and guards. IL Is doubt
ful whether in an economic view che pris-
ons do not give to free labor nearly as much
employment as they take from IL.
AGAINST THE DETROIT HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
There are various coniectures in relation
to the cause for the present reduction in
the number OF our prisoners. In 1887 the
legislature passed law relative to the con
hnement OF convicted persons In the De,
troit house of correction. il provides that
any court OF Grim nal jurisdiction shall
have power TO sentence any male person
convicted for the first time of any offense
with certain EXCEPTIONS punishable by
imprisonment, 10 the Detroit house of cor
recton. The court has held that provi-
SION OF this act, taken in connection with
section 955i Of Howells statutes, denies TO
justices OF the peace the right TO sentence
persons convicted of offenses TO the house
OF correction at lonia.
To meet this objection the repeal OF act
n, session laws Of lss1 and the amendment
OF section 9,5i of Howells statutes is rec
| commended "a well as an enactment OF
| well guarded law that will authorize justices
OF the peace 10 sentence under certain cir
| cumstance 10 lonia, and perhaps 10 the
| branch at Marquette. We have established,
| or are trying 10 establish, a system of pris-
| on management under control OF state au-
thorities, and II seems better that we should
send stare prisoners TO state institutions.
| And again, we have the buildings, aud the
expense per capita is reduced by the
increase Of mum bers.
| II practicable, our - female state prison
ers In the Detroit house OF correction
should be placed in the state institutions.
| II is possible that our prisoners may be
classified, pacing the hardened and con-
nrmed criminals in one institution. Then
III Ike one OF them more Of reformatory-
between the reform school and the prison,
the other pri ION taking those of more
medium character between these two eX-
| tremes.
GUBERNAToRIAL JOKE.
or all the complaints made against the
mana GERS of institutions in management
plrtls Inship is one OF the last and least
A majority of one OF the important state
boards has Tor years been composed Of gen
uemcn attached to the minority political
party in tue state And vet the fish propa-
gated under direction OF this board are
found 10 be strictly non partisan in their
character. 50 win the work Of al our
boards.
THE REFORM SCHOOL AND INDUSTRIAL HOME
Unusual efforts have been made 10 Sc
cure homes for the BOYS sent TO the reform
school and these efforts have been crowned
with great .uccess. A larger number have
been released and placed in homes during
the last year than in any previous year
| since its esttbl shment Homes are more
readily found for them as the character of
the boys that 80 out is more perfectly IN
derstood.
Industrial home for girls Is an outgrowth
Of the civilization which distinguishes the
age In which we live. Some of the prob
lens connected with the care and control
of this class OF girls have been solved.
They have availel themse Of the oppor-
tunities afforded them by this home and
many Of them have gone out to honor
homes OF their own, while others are doing
credit 10 themselves and the institution in
the homes of others. There is no longer
difficulty III finding places for the good girls
in the home.
IONA ASYLUM.
Every dictate OF reason and humanity
requires the maintenance Of the separate
asylum for insane criminals. The one at
ionia is now crowded hey ond prOpriety or
comfort; some cute must be provided.
Two years ago | earnestly recommended its
| TclIlONdl 10 SDulG more favorable point. ana
| the conversion of the present institution
into "a prison for females. hope that no
money will be appropriated to extend the
building where now located. The most
feasible plan that now suggests itself is for
the state 10 procure proper site within "a
short distance Of the present institution,
and erect thereon IA suitable building for
the harmless inmates.
IsINsANITY INcREAsINGl
The increase OF insane persons in our
several asYlums would seem 10 indicate n
rapid growth in insanity, but close investi-
CATION viii satisfy the enquirer that this is
more apparent than real. People well ad
vanccd IN years. with falling mind and
strength, peevish and fretfu perhaps
whom no one would h I'VE thought of calling
insane 20 years ago, are now sent 10 the asy-
lum. Many of them can receive more com
Portable care and treatment there than they
could in their homes. Perhaps IL Is as well
or better that they should be there, but il
accounts, in part, for the rapid increase in
asylum population
HEAVY APPROPRIATIONS.
In the appropriations made for 1857 and
1883, $4,000 was appropriated for the sup
port OF state patients and the payment of
o icers OF the asylums. While this was
quite largely Ill excess OF the amount ex-
pended for the purpose, yet no other item
added 50 much TO the taxes of these two
years this sum. About three -hfths of
the :, 400 patio $ in the different asylums
are supported by the state. 1t will not be
necessary, even with an increased number
of patients in these institutions, TO raise so
large "a sum as the estimate Of 1887. A bet
ter plan, in my Judgment would be 20 est
mate the amount required for each asylum
and appropriate II, or SO much of il as
should be needed. to that purpose. There
has been reduction in the charge for the
support of all patients Of IL cents each per
week during the last two years.
THE UNIVERSITY.
The board Of regents has submitted a
memorial giving "a detailed statement of
needs for the next two years. The special
appropriations suggested aggregate s2i9,-
2s9. The permanent appropriations made
under existing laws are 100000, making a
total Of 50. 80. Every in ell gent citizen
of Michigan shares IN n common pride in
this great educational inst tuition. All de-
sire To SIC 1t prosper. bUt there is no deny
ing the fact that is constantly increas ,ng
demands are somewhat DISTURBING TO our
people. While s. benefits are appreciated.
there is yet a common belief that they are
not equally distributed. The tlxes for its
support are paid under "A sort of mental
| protpSt Marty or unite half of its