The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-10-14


been accomplished within the appropria-
ton authorizing them, this institution is
now a credit to the state Short terms
of imprisonment prevent as profitable
employment of it's labor as might be
made under longer terms. The earnings,
however, compare favoraby with SINH
lar institutions in other states. The re-
turn by the directors of about $4,000, the
uneXpended portion of the appropriation
Of 1894, is a welcome surprise to the treas
ury.
Prison Reform
The criminals of a penal institution
should be classified according to previ-
GUS life, offence committed and general
character of the individual which sug-
gests putting prison life under reforma-
tory discipline, so that the inmate will
be better person at discharge than at
commitment the principle being that the
state has the criminal in charge simply
to secure the public against his vicious
tendencies while he is being punished,
not to hinder in any way the development
of his better nature and growth in man
hood: and, in a broader sense, that he
should. while restrained, be subjected
to moral influences, so that he will be
nearer to, if not absolutely in, a better
life when entitled to his liberty. Yer
mont has hardly kept pace with the other
states in legislation looking to the re-
turn of those, who have wandered, to the
paths of good citizenship.
If a move should be made in this direc-
ton, l am sure | need not bespeak at
your hands its careful consideration.
The Asylum.
The Waterbury asylum is the most
important of our state institutions. In
design it is a model. Humanely and eco
nomically administered, it is a credit tc
the state. 1t has cost approaching $780,
600, and being exclusively under state
control will accomplish an interesting
saving in the care of our insane poor
Under the Poland pauper law the eX-
pense of this Unfortunate class became a
state burden instead of subdivided one
among the several towns. This centrali-
cation of the burden tends to an equaliza.
tion of it, and is without objection, unless
1t multipies the number of patients.
The records at Waterbury casually
observed do not show such a tendency
With it in view to protect the asylum
against such possible imposition, | rec
ommend that you investigate this sub
ject and act according to the informa.
ton your investigation affords The in.
mates can be more humanely cared for at
this institution With less expense anu
greater security to society than by the
towns.
1t is somewhat in the nature of a
common cause to provide for the insane
poor which the state is as much inter
ested in as the town. Patients whose
condition still invites treatment anG
those beyond the reach o. such a benefit
should remain at the asylum the formei
class that they may be cured, and the
latter that the close of an unfortunate
life may be made as comfortable as pos.
sible. The insane poor of the state should
be cared for at the asylum.
Savings Banks and Trust Companies.
These institutions are reported in
good condition. Deposit withdrawals
have increased of late under the menace
to financial security occasioned by
political discussion. Trusting the pray
or of the people win be answered soon,
this disturbance is not expected to last
long
The Prohib tory Law
For nearly half century prohibition
has been an omnipresent theme with the
people of Vermont and a study of tenn
perance, has become feature of our
educational system. 1t has stood and
stands bulwark between brutality and
home, order and riot, the better and the
worse in all things. The prohibitory
law has occupied a conspicuous place
upon our statutes and signally aided
the cause of temperance.
1t has not eXterminated from our So
ciety all disposition to violate it's pro-
visions nor does any law destroy the
germ of transgresslon but it has to a very
satisfactory extent restrained the Of
fender, making rumseling Improbable
and a reproach. Violations are the ex.
ceptions and confined mostly to the
larger places.
The general temperance of our people
Is superior to that of any sister state,
Our prohibtory law insures a better
home for the laborig man and his family
here in Vermont than in any other COM
munity of its size on the face of the
earth.
We have reason to congratulate our
selves upon many things but upon no
one thing more than the character which
has become a part of our life since pro.
hibiton has guarded the avenues of our
society.
With these and other considerations in
fun view, we are confronted by the usual
biennial inquiry shall the prohibitory
law make way for high-llcense, or shall
the law be more faithfully enforced.
Among the things clear to judgment and
conscience is the demand for a more care
full, diligent, day and night, everywhere
present enforcement Of the law. Such
attention should be given the subject
as to render it very inconvenent if not
impossible to indulge in violation,
Law however good, not enforced, be-
comes bad and soon imparts its charac'
ter to the people enacting it, The wis
dom of the fathers traceable in our
society and our institutions urges earn
est enforcement of all our laws. Public
sentiment in many localities regards the
enforcement Of the prohibitory law DIFF
ferently from the enforcement of other
law and and in my opinion you should
provide better pay to the officers called
upon to enforce 1t.
Provide I'm such way as commends It,
self to your discretion better enforce
ment of this law or public expectation
will be disappointed