The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1893-01-11


and all above a GER
L. H. NlNANS' tain amount be APP
piled for the reduction OF direct state taxa
ti0n. Any change in this policy involves an
amendment TO the constitution, but the dis
position of the present and prospective IN
crease in specific taxes should receive serious
consideration.
State Institutions.
The public institutions OF the State are all
in admirable condition. No serious epdemics
OF disease losses by fire otherwise have
occurred in the past two years except by the
= ea-SLs'- AZ Eastern Asylum. by which no lives
were lost and no property destroyed aside
from the building. This has been restored.
Our penal and reformatOry institutions were
placed by the last Legislature under the con-
troll OF q single non-partisan otrd, and the
wisdom of the action has been fully vindicated
by the results. The reports or the state
Board of Inspection and of the several war
dens and superint endents afford a most graft
flying showing The six institutions con-
trolled by the state Board of In
though varying in the age. sex, and de-
gree OF criminalty of the inmates. The
success which attends them is largely due to
the business ability and experience OF the
board, who can survey the whole field of opera
lions. and compare suggest. and dir, ct for the
best interests of each institution. The bene-
ticial effects OF the acts OF consolidation will
i be more apparent as time Is afforded for their
IulI development but some additional power
should be given the Board of Inspectors to
grade classify, and transfer inmates from ne
prison TO another as occasion may require.
Charitable Institutions.
The State Public School at Coldwater. the
School for the Blind and the school for the
Deaf have also been placed under the super
vision of a central board Of control. This pol
icy having been adopted with good results
should be continued and extended.
Referring 10 the importance of the State
Nftyeisity, and the increase in attendance
from $50 in 1886 to nearly 5000 at the present
time, the Governor says:
The question presents itself. shall the at
tendance be limited to the present capacity of
the university or shall accommodations be pro-
vided for all who may desire to come? / be-
liCve the latter course TO be the wise one and
that you cannot be too liberal in granting the
appropriations asked by the Board Of Regents.
Their management has been careful and con-
servative in the past and j am confident that
every dollar YOU may grant VIII be wisely used
TO promote the usefulness of the university.
The message reports the Agricultural Col
lege, the State Normal School, the Mining
School, and the Schools for the Dear and Blind
/, In satisfactory condition Appropriate re-
sAyiew is made of each, and just and ia recog
nfi"J OF all is urged upon the Legislature.
The State Public School at Coldwater receives
the following mention:
The State Public School Mt Coldwater is
prosperous and doing good work. and l can
suggest nothing better for it's interests than
that IL be continued. together with the School
for the Deaf and the School for the Blind I'M
Control.
state Prison.
The most important Of our penal institutions
l. the State Prison at Jackson The position
of warden Is a very responsible one. because
of the character of the inmates and the mag
nitude of the interests under his supervision.
The State is fortunate in the present incum-
bent, whose administration has been marked
success. In the past two years, for the first
time in its history, the prison has paid its own
running expenses and in addition has earned
FOR tlNn fafn In ln
agement of great penitentiary IL is condi-
tion and not theory which must be met, and
II is the practical man who will succeed.
On the State House of Correction and Re-
foImatory at Ionia extensive repairs have been
made, new machinery put in operation, and
the institution is now credit to the State.
The discipline and management are highly
commended by the Board OF Corr ections and
Charities and all who are interested in prison
morals. Al these improvements have cost
money. and financially the returns to the state
suffer in comparison with the State Prison,
but the foundation Is now laid for better re-
suits in the future.
The discontinuance of the Marquette branch
OF the State prison is counseled, because of the
great expense of keeping it, and because the
prisoners can be oa'ed for at the other prisons.
Gov. Winans says it will not be needed as a
prison for years.
The Criminal Insane.
The new bull ling for the Asylum for
Z a
Melted and is now in use. notwithstanding
the dangerous character of the inmates, order
and quiet are maintained in the halls. and all
il done that can be for their comfort and well
fare.
Reform Schools.
The value of the Reform School at Lansing
IL apparent when we consider the large num-
Der and youthful character OF It's inmates, and
he fact that 90 per cent. of them are reclaimed
from evil habits and tendencies and become
useful citizens OF the State. | especially ask
your attention to the report of the superin-
tendent and the suggestions therein made.
The Industrial Home for Girls at Adrian Is the
counterpart of the Reform School and IL doing
good work in reclining hayward and vicious
girls
AsyIums for the insane.
The Michigan Asylum for tl> Insane at Kali
amaZoo maintains its reputation and efficiency.
IL has able and Efficient Board OF Trustees.
and superintendent whose services are of the
highest value. The inmates number thou
sand. but with the completion OF the new cot
tage all are comfortably provided for. All that
has been said in praise of the Board OF Con-
troll the superintendent and the general man
agement at Kalamazoo IL equally true of the
Eastern Asylum at Pontiac. The appropri-
ations which this board will ask may safely he
or the Northern Asylum at Traverse City
regret that cannot speak from personal OBJ
servation. No criticism of the management
has reached me. which fact IL the best proof
that none Is justified.
Soldiers Home.
am glad TO say the Soldiers Home at Grand
Rapids is now in a satisfactOs condition, eN-
ternally. internally, and financially. The
loars and the commandant are working har-
mOniously, and the inmates are well contented.
The Governor advises the establishment of
home for the Predetermined, "a now they are
distributed in poor-houses, asylums and state
schools The presence OF these unfortunates
among the youthful inmates OF the reform
and industrial schools Is detrimental to the
Al Il, ON Il,
the various institutions The appropriation
Of $4,000 annually for twenty years,
for to state Board of Geological