Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-13

A L ~ ~ a. Il Il
vice, that an explanation may not be I'M
profitable The prisoner released condi-
tionally under the statute is still convict
and continues such until pardoncd under
the constitution The conditional dis
charge does not Interfere with the sen
tenCe of the court except as to liberty,
locality and labor of the convict; these
conditions are important to a free man.
but by no means all of life
The conditions of such dis
charge require the released to
deport according to the cxactions of good
behavior, and report monthly to governor
and sheriff. Thus assisted, making life
successfully n satisfactory period of time,
the executive can remove the disabilities
remaining under the sentence and restore
the highest privileges of life. The dis
charge then simply suspends certain fca-
lures of the sentence, puts the convict ON
good behavior, watches, and finally treats
him according to his deserts. The sem
tenCc thus suspended remains over the
person to whom it relates indefinitely, and
when thoJpht best he can he purdoucd.
or, failing in conduct, be returned to pri-
son. In case of misconduct these released
convicts can easily, without adding to
court expenses, he returned to custody.
The conditional discharge, then, is a wise
provision. and properly used cannot fail
to conserve the best interests of all con-
cerned
During this administration 127 aIplica-
lions for clemency have been carefully
considered. and IS have been condtionally
released. seven of this number because far
advanced in disease. some of whom have
since died. The average portion of sen
tence to each thus released is two years
and remember all these cases are still
convicts out on trial, under political and
social disabilities, calling for the cooper
alton of every true citizen in conducting
them to Responsibility and usefulness; and
many OF them already report interesting
progress.
EXPENSE OF COMMITMENTS.
The State has paid during the present
administration for commitments to the
! House of Correction $lOUS0.7O, of which n
portion is worked out and returned to the
treasury by the Convicts. If the 10 com
mitmcnts had been made by n warden
from the PRISON, which in the opinion of
the superintendent could have been done
without additional force, saving would
have been made to the treasury of from
five to seven thousand dollars, depending
on number in a committal. This showing
relate to the House of Correction, and If
extended to the State Prison would be
somewhat larger For better under
standing of this matter see statement in
appendix.
| recommend that you consider and act
upon it in the interest of Il more cconom-
ical public service.
THE WATERBURY ASYLUM.
! 1t is easy to say this institution is under
excellent management ana its inmates AL
well cared for. Little more can be said
in this connection without repeating the
details of the supcrntendents report, t.
. xsb ish At is 90
! The Investigation of two years ago re-
suited in "A radical change of administra-
tion, which in many respects must he con-
sidercd an Improvement.
1t is pleasing to no longer sec bars al
most of the ward windows. and to know
that rarely any of the unfortunate in
mates are restrained. Another way, east
or gcntlcr, kinder, has been devised. aud
suggests humanity in the treatment anC
care of such eases that our people expect
During the present administration a cot
tage, neat and tidy, to accommodate tins
conva,cscent female patients. has beer
opchcd, aud serves Il good purpose, allow
inc improVables, in an improving condi
ton, to be cared for apart from the
others
There are in this institution from so tC
20 old, demented people. which number are
not. strictly speaking, insane, but mos
decidedly not lit in mind or body to remain
in any of our town or city communities
for lack of convcniences to properly cart
for them These should be separated from
the violent class. and an annex or cottage
similar to the one above referred TO
should be added for them.
The asylum is sadly in need of grounds
upon which the patients can he exercised
1t also needs moro farm territory. upol
which the labor of many of the inmate
can hc untilizcd. greatly to their bcncii
and the advantage OF the State. rhoS
would not be expensive additions, am
whatever thoy might cost, their practice
value to the institution and its occupant
would be more than an equivalent for tn
price paid.
or the changes in state institutions II
the last two years, none arc morr otis
factory than those seen at the asylum
BRAlvrI.EBORO RETREAT.
Few establishments of the kind in tn
. country are superior, in location, equip
, mcnt, surroundings and management, I
this one. 1t is indeed retreat, aboundir
, in "onvonicnceS and comforts. The Stat
. has about one hundred patients i'm thi
institution, and the counties of Windhum
Windsor, Bennington ana Rutland are au
, thorizcd to send all cases arising With
, their jurisdiction to this asylum This ar
, ran2ement was made because the Water
: hurry Asylum was in "A crowded condition
f the overflow, tho understanding being tina
. whenever there is room at the State In
= situation it shall be occupied by thcs
= cases,
. THE SOLDIERS HOME.
No expense incurred by the State serve
S better purpose, or is more cheerful
met, than the allowance to this instit,
/ ton. Since its establishment the Stat
[ has expressed it's gratitude to the indiger
veterans of the civil war in a wilin
l maintenance of this home. The record a
/, rcaGy discloscs that its need is CROWN
4 less from year to year as the number
\ dependent upon II are one by one mus
= tered from the service of time into that {
= eternity. No Vermont Legislature wi
4: ever need be told the wants of the SO
A diers' Home. At the session of 1879, as q
t all former sessions since it was founded
r a generous support will be accorded.
= FISH HATCHERY.
i The hatchery at RoXbury is doing
n good work stocking the streams and pont
h of the State with trout. Tables In the al
@ pcndiX will show how generally this wor
d is being conducted, and no comment
: required to demonstrate its efficiency {
+ benefits. The hatchery deserves well ;
!, your hands.
!. STATE GEOLOGIST AND CURATOR
The official in charge of this branch
g the service Mr.. George Perry, has bee
= and still is seriously out of health an
= unable to suitably complete the work col
! tcmplated by act No. Of the acts of Il
r last session. Resignng his office, Pro
n George II. Perkins of Burlington was al