The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-04


state property many and expensive i'm
lprovements have been made according Il
the advice and suggestions of expert
enced insurance inspectors, thereby
greatly reducing the fire hazard and i'm
proving the risks we already have, il
would seem to be an opportune time t.
consider the question as to whether OF
not the state should carry part of its
Town insurance and thereby reduce the
amount OF premiums now being paid an
nually. Some plan whereby the state
insuring only its principal properties, or
each parcel of property for part of its
value, and creating sinking fund into
which shall be paid the premium which
it would be necessary for the state to
pay on the uninsured part on the basis
of the insurance now carried, would
| | believe, work out to the advantage of
the state. The sinking fund thus Gre
ated would, if the past experience of
the state is continued, amount in time
to substantial sum, and as the sinking
fund grows the state would be justified
IN carrying a larger amount of its own
| insurance.
"The mistake should certainly not be
made of providing for the states carry
| ing portion of its insurance without
adequate provision for sinking fund.
The plan could at least be tried out for a
few years with little danger Of serious
loss.
II urge you to give this matter careful
consideration, and recommend that a law
be passed based on the plan ] have brief
ly outlined, and that the state insur-
ance department be charged with the per-
Torrance of the duties imposed by the
act under such restrictions as you may
deem wise to incorporate therein.
House of Correction.
"The house of correction stands diff
ferently than the state prison. A large
number of the men confined there are
short time men and there is less oppor-
tunity to improve their condition. vet
under Mr.. Loukes' management the inst-
tuition has improved and the men helped
and encouraged,
"The buildings OF the institution have
been well cared for and such improve
ments and repairs made, including a new
and well equipped engine house, as has
with the prison have been util- !
lied to good advantage demonstrating |
the desirability of the purchase OF more
land il the same can be obtained at a |
reasonable price and located near the |
prison.
State Prison.
For some time there has been a grad |
ual decrease of commitments to our
state prison and at the present time
there is the smallest number in many
years. The sanitary conditions OF the
prison are the best and the men are
kept clean and wholesome. Under the
steady employment and is furnished
with every opportunity to develop the
better side of himself and encouraged TO /,
make the best of his life there. He is
nstilled with the idea that prison life
AN be made bright and wholesome and
hat he can prepare himself while there
o live a clean and upright life after his
'elease. Chapel services, schools, enter
ailments in which the prisoners par
icipate, ball games and other outdoor
,ames are provided. and life in prison
generally is made worth while, with spe-
ial effort on the part of the superintend- {
mt to improve the morals of the men. !
IN the whole the prison is quite IDEAL I
nd with the humanitarian treatment {
there is no reason why many |
f these unfortunate men cannot become G
God citizens and get a new grasp on I
lfe as they 60 out from there.
During my administration a prison \
/.
zen purchased and has proved sue d
ess, about s. 900 worth of produce having (
'een raised this year at a minimum c
Expense. Six prisoners received special s
arole and have been employed on the t
arm, making il unnecessary TO hire out c
ide help of any kind. The buildings p
n the farm have been repaired by help / +
rom the prison. and the farm likewise h
as been generally improved. Mr.. Walk "
r, the superintendent has had general a
ipervision of the farm and under his
BILE management very creditable show 81
lg been made. p
Parole System. !,
"The executive department has made r
Decial effort TO place the parole system OF
n a sbund basis, to follow up as care o.
lily as possible all breaches of the h
,nditions imposed, and TO assist in ev- Fl
v possible way the persons under pa 81
lie in their endeayors to better them m
Ives. The probation officers. sheriffs. m
nd superintendents of the prisons have a,
ded materially in the efforts that have
,en made TO keep these wards well in :
md The department has endeavored
impress upon every man and woman
leased the Importance OF keeping the
,recment made with the governor.
The results have been gratifying in
rye measure, and while this work has
; discouraging features, it has, on the
hole. been satisfactory and has led TO
greater respect for law and order, by
e prisoners themselves. Warrants have
en- issued for recOmmitment on the
ghtest breach Of the conditions of the
role and during the term more than
Is have been returned to serve the bal
Ice Of their sentence This has had a
~ healthy effect upon all phases Of the
5rk- In and out Of prison the word has
en- passed. that the governors warrant
1uld certainly follow q breach Of PAL