The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-02-25

Governor Marvll has sent the following
letter to the Ways and Means Committee of
the General Assembly:
"Gentlemen-As the representatives OF
the people of the State of Delaware you will,
in all probability. soon be called upon to
determine as to tho advisability OF erecting
and maintaining a penitentiary in this
state.
"There is an earnest demand that some-
thing be done in this behalf. And when we
consider the present deplorabe condition Of
our prisons and the demoraizing effect of
our prison system 1t is not strange that
such a question should agitato the minds OF
our people and that they should cry out for
prison reform. Heartily in accord with this
sentiment, as am, yet l would beg leave to
offer to your consideration few stubborn
facts, as well as some practical suggestions.
1.-The state has been asked for 5000. 900 for
the purpose Of building penitentiary. This
at glance would seem to be an ample ap-
preparation, but let me assure you that this
sum will not be sufficient to cover the ex-
pense of erecting a suitable building and
supplying an outfit At u low estimate
$50, 900 more would be required. The inter-
est on this sum at per cent. would be
SlDpuuU per ne HeAl bttp nouiN w
to procure an efficient corps of employees,
and speak within bounds when | estimate
the cost at not less than $4,000 per annum.
practical machlnlst, one who thoroughly
understands the care and attention such
machinery requires. could not be had for
less than $4,000; nor could capable engi-
neer be hired for less than $1,000 to $1,000.
Then, add to this, each year, for REPAIRS
per cent. Of the original cost and per cent.
| of 1850 900 is $40. .000) and you will have
, general idea of the cost.
"Thus 1t will be seen that the expense is
| enormous under any circumstances, but
when we take into consideration the hand
full that constitute the whole population OF
| the state, 1t must be potent to all that the
| project would be suicidal.
"I am aware that the argument has been
used that the penitentiaries of other states
pay to them a revenue, That may be ad-
mitted. but Il certainly could not be ex-
pected that a penitentiary would pay any
appreciablc revenue to this state. because
| there arc very few prisoners in this state
whose sentences extend beyond the period
of one year. Surely not long enough to
learn even a common trade.
"The average number inN, New Castle
county of long-term prisoners--those whose
terms extend beyond a year-is not more
than twenty-five; in Kent county, five; in
Sussex county three. Thus you will readily
perceive that such an institution could not
be even self-supporting.
'"rhe State of Delaware is not large
enough in population to support peniten-
tiary. II would be to our treasury. each
year, a burden almost 100 heavy to bear; or
else would gradually fall into forced neglect
and become an unsightly monument TO our
folly.
But there should be q decided reforma-
tion in our prison system. This enforced
idleness should be done away with. This
hud1llng together OF male and female, the
youth OF first offense and the hardened man
Of crime. is condition Of things which
should not exist any longer. There should
be employment and proper accommodation
provided, Prisons should not be looked
upon entirely as places of punishment.
There Is higher meaning to them than
that-they should be regarded. as well, as
places OF reformation and, with this end In
view, would suggest that for the expendi-
ture of $4,000 our present prisons might Dc
so arranged aud constructed as to become
houses OF labor, as well as incarceration;
and places of reform, rather than hot-beds
OF vice. In these reconstructed prisons
there should be placed suitable tools, forms,
and benches, and the materials for the pris-
oners to work upon could be procured, in
the raw or unfinished condition, from
our mills and manufactures, while the ex-
pense of maintaining such an addition would
not greatly exceed that OF our present un-
satisfactory one.
81 offer these suggestions to the commit
tee and pray an earnest consideration Of
them.
JOSHUA II. MARyIL Governor"