The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-01-14

books for the library and for various other
purposes. The Institution, as whole, de-
serves the most liberal appropriations at
your hands that are consistent with any In
come OF the state that can be secured by
any proper tax levy.
Department OF AEricu1ture.
The people OF Minnesota are but Begin
ling to awake to the great economic and
social Importance of the work done by the
department Of agriculture in our state uni-
.versity, through its school and college Of
agriculture and its experimental stations.
The work is justly attracting the attention
of agriculturists in our own and other
states. It is leading the way to a more In
TEN of farming In Minnesota. 1t Is thus
rapidly becoming factor in checking that
unwise movement from the farm to the city
which all publicists have Of late deplOred.
Tilling Of the soil is the most important In
dustry Of the state, and appropriation tend
ing to aid in developing it and making 1t
more profitable to the producer should ever
receive the first attention OF the law-making
power. The school of agriculture needs, for
the proper prosecution OF its work, appro-s
priations for the following purposes: q For
an electrical and heating. plant for the
school, for new horticultural building, a
new veterinary building and small appro-s
priations for repairs and for the library.
No appropriations will be made that will so
widely justify themselves by adding to the
wealth. OF the state as Will SUCH as are
asked for by the school of agriculture.
Dairy and Food Comsni.siOn.
The report Of the dairy and food commis-
sioner shows that the design Of the state
in creating that office has been realized to
a very satisfactory degree. The commits
sioner recommends several minor amend-
ments to the law governing his department.
amendments seeking to keep the food of
our people freer from adulteration and im-
purities, and to protect and foster the
growing dairy interests OF our state. The
subject is one Of great interest to our peo-
pie, and I believe will receive all needed
consideration at your hands.
State Fair.
In the past the state fair has been a
very influential factor in stimulating pro-
! gress and development in the many depart
| ments Of agriculture in Minnesota The
continued success of the fair In fostering
that progress calls for some appropriation
at your hands The managers recommend
appropriations for some new buildings and
additions to old ones, and also for furnish
Ing an adequate water supply. In case of a
serious confagration, under present condi-
lions, nearly all, II not all, the buildings
upon the grounds would be at the mercy
of the flames Attention is called to these
requirements, believing that no wise and
needed appropriation will be withheld.
/ Correctional Institutions.
The training school at Red Wing had
! within its custody in the last fiscal year an
average of 266 youths. The correctional
work performed by this institution offers
/ greater promise of accomplishing reforma-
ton than that of any of the others, since IL
! deals with offenders in the earlier stages Of
life, when the mind is most easily trained
In right directions and the good training of
4 few years is most potent for correcting
past errors Of judgment or disposition.
This fact should give weight to the recon-
n10fS ne +ho 0r1 - fo,. -
appropriation Of money for new school
building and new cottage, to assist in fur
nishing the youths in the care of the insti-
tuition the education and treatment that
may be required to enable them to rise to o
useful and honorable career in life.
1 The state rcformatory at St. Cloud deals
i with a CLASSIC Of offenders intermediate be.
Il tween those confined at the training school
4 at Red Wing and the state prison at; Still
water. Dealing with a class OF prisoners
less amenable to reformation. it has none
the less accomplished most desirable re
suits. Out OF a total Of seventy-six persons
released in the past two years, OILY ter
have broken the terms Of their parole
Most Of those keeping their parole may be
counted as returned permanently to the
ranks of good and !aw-abiding citizens, and
part even of those who once break paroles
will so benefit from the discipline of this
institution as to rise ultimately to honest
and honorable careers in life. This large
relative success of the reformatory feature
of this institution is just subject Of con
graduation for all the citizens Of our state
1t demonstrates that reformatory methods
are the most economical in dealing with
crime, especially for those not advanced in
years. The institution asks for considerable
appropriations for the construction of a cell
1 wing and also building for dining room
and school purposes and other objects.
The managers Of the reformatory also ask
for the appropriation Of $4,000 for the cree
ton of a woman's building. There is need,
= either at that institution or elsewhere, fol
j additional provision by this state for the
1 care and custody of female offenders
! few women guilty Of heinous crimes, such
i as murder. are confined at the Saltwater
4 prison, and a large number are, for minor
! offenses, confined in our warehouses;. which
i offer no opportunities and no inducements
1 for reformation. On the contrary the work
! house, as now managed, seems to have been
specially devised for securing, not the re-
formation, but the further degradation OF
4 the women whose feet have been by mis-;
deeds brought to Its door. This condition
i of affairs is a disgrace to our civilization
& and should no longer be tolerated In q com.
munity with its boosted regard for morals
and good order. N IN II Ell. 55ssss
s The managers Of the prison at saltwater
present an exhibit of the work of that in.
stitution that in two particulars, at least
4 deserves more than a passing mention
The earnings Of the institution are larger
than ever before, and this increased income
has been obtained In connection with a dis
cipline that has attained the reformation Of
a a larger number Of convicts than ever be
fore. In fact, 1t is doubted IL any similar
institution in existence can present better
4 record in these respects than that at Still
water. This fact should be sufficient war
rant for preventing the adoption Of any i'll
considered legislation that will In the least
q peril the good results now obtained by the
prison discipline of our oldest penal institu
{ lion. All experiments and changes In the
4 laws and regulations concerning prisons
should be those that promise an extension
and not a rstriction Of these factors fol
reforma ton S.
The application BY Law 2of the principle 81
reformatory sentences and the Introduction
on parole by the prison board has greatly
tlessened the occasion for pardons. PardOns
u are exceptional acts Of public officials and
8 should be reduced to minimum. This Ii
best done By so framing the statutes as Il
lessen the occasion for the same. At pres
& ent the larger share Of applications FOL
II executive clemency in connection with per
d sons convicted Of grand larceny, where thu
& penalty established by law is heavier thar
the Judge and jury believe should be in
ficted. The Judge gives the minimum
sentence Of the law. but after lapse Of
such n period Of time as he deems suficien,
s to satisfy the ends OF justice. he joins will
"A Others In asking for executive clefnency.e