The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-19
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During the year especial attention has
been devoted to the poultry department
and an experimental study OF our poultry
interests
From the experiment station have been
issued bulletins ~ provided by law, de
failing the results of experiments and the
seasons work, and three special issues
making public the analysis of fertalizers
under state inspection; and l am con-
vinced that our farmers all over the State
have profited from them.
Agricultural Fund.
The moneys appropriated to this State
under act of Congress approved Aug. 80,
1890, commonly known as the Morrill, Act,
have not yet been drawn. The commits
sion appointed by the last General Assem-
bly, to confer with the representatives OF
Brown University in the matter are con-
sidering proposition from the latter
looking to an intimate relationship be-
tween the college and the Agricultural
school at Kingston, to the end that the
youth Of our State may be provided with
such instruction as the Morrill, Act was
intended to give.
Charities and Corrections.
occupation of the new Almhouse, the con-
struction of a chapel and hospital, and
the introduction of industrial training at
the Sockanosset School for Boys, and the
appointment of Mr.. w. w. Murray in
place of Mr.. Nibecker, resigned, TO be
Superintendent of the Sockanosset School.
The long existing demand for provision
for men sent from the district courts for
short terms in the Providence County
Jail has not yet been met. The Jail is con-
tinually overcrowded by from 50 to 100
inmates, and they are confined two and
three and more to cell. The necessity of
an additional building for the violent in
sane is also immediate. The last Assem-
bly, appropriated $50, 900 for such q build
ing, but as after further consideration
and the study Of plans, in the opinion OF
the Board Of State Charities and Correc-
tons, such a structure rs would meet the
requirements could not be built for that
sum, the matter was postponed until
sufficient expenditure should be author
lied.
The problem of the control and reform
of our criminal classes is a most serious
one, and is Of growing concern. A con-
spicuous feature of il is the handling of
what may be called professional crimi-
nails, men and women who, by reason of
continued commission Of crimes and re-
peated terms In prison, may correctly be
known by that title.
Our State laws do not sufficiently recog-
nize that there is a distinction between
persons who commit crime. Within GER
tain limits of discretion on thesfart of the
judge the professional criminal receives
for an offence the same punishment as a
first offender, and at the expiration of his
term is released to return again to his oc-
cupation of preying upon society. The
statutes of number of States provide for
an increasing term of punishment for sec
opd and third offences, until the person
who gives evidence of becoming profes-
sional criminal is put safely out of the
way before he fairly enters upon his ca
reer. recommend consideration of our
criminal law with view to exercising
such salutary control in Rhode Island.
The Militia.
The States military force annually in
creases in efficiency and prestige, and is
to-day, believe, on as good footing, so
far as its personnel and average discipline
is concerned, AS that of any State in the
Union. Various circumstances contribute
pline, but much of the difficulty under
which our militia organization works is
compensated for by the enthusiasm and
devotion on the part Of officers and men
throughout the brigade.
An important addition to the available
force has been made the past year in "A
company of naval militia organized in the
town of Bristol under an act of the Gen
eral Assembly, and numbering fifty-seven
officers and men, divided into two boats
crews. To equip this force the State has
been allotted upwards of 1900, being its
share of S25, 900 appropriated by Congress
for division among the several States
organizing a naval militia. The naval
militia promises to be valuable accessory
TO our military force, and in event of war,
Rhode Island, for home defence, would
have great need of men who could assist
in operations afoat, including torpedo
work So soon as Congress shall provide
for their equipment l would urge the re-
cruiting OF the companies in Providence
and Newport now provided for by law. In
this connection I wish To make acknowl-
edgment OF the courtesies and the active
assistance accorded by the Navy Depart
ment In the interests of our naval militia,
especially by Assistant Secretary of the
Navy j. K. Solely Commander Theodore
A. Jewell, commandsnt of the Torpedo
Station, and Lieut. w. A. Marshall,
L. s. n, the latter of whom personally
drilled the company.
The machine gun battery has been in
creased by the addition of two Gatlings,
making an efficient battery of four pieces
The Officers Rife Association have
and the competitive rifle practice has re-
suited in distinct gain to the members in
the use of military arms. am strongly
Of the opinion that the State should sup
port range, and that our militia officers
and enlisted men should be required TO
posed TO be familiar with in actual service
The military and naval force of Rhode
Island, officers and men, and all arms of
the service and independent comands now
numbers ,492. of which 1886 are in the
brigade. The encampment of the brigade
at Oakland Beach I'm August was in many
respects one of the most successful ever
held, and, while there is ample room for
improvement IL eXemplfied the long
stride in the direction of practical eflicien-
cy that has been taken since the brigade
was first organized. While however, the
brigade has increased in numbers and eff
cheney, our annual appropriation has been
maintained at about the same figure
IL was established at twelve or thirteen
years ago. Twenty-four thousand dol
lars has been nominally the annual APP
preparation, but as matter of fact the
assembly has been called upon at the
close of each year to make up a deficiency
of upwards of 5000. The actual liability
incurred the past year, for instance, in
cluding - 900 for armory rents (provided
for by an appropriation in addition TO the
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