Year: 1859

/


aud effect of the constitution. Carriage


and wagon making business may be divided


into dozen different departments, and be.


cause dozen different convicts are employ


cd, each upon different department Of tho


business, It cannot for that reason be said


that the carriage and wagon makers trade


is not taught tbere any moro than it can be
said that carriages and wagons are not


made by them. An indirect is just as


wrong rs direct violation Of the constita-


ton.


In my opinion it would be far better for
the State 10 maintain her convicts in idle
ness by direct tax than to employ them
in violation Of the constitution, or at the
expense Of OUR mechanics. In one case the
burden of supporting them would fall equal
ly upon all. and in the other single class
Of our citizens would be the sufferers. But
there is no necessity of either employing
the conSicts in violation Of the constitution,
or to the injury Of our mechanics, or of sup
porting them in idleness. / therefore must
respectfully ask you to enquire into the al
lodged grievances on the part of the me-
chanics Of our State, and il they have just
cause Of complaint, TO give them such aid
rs your wisdom may suggest and justice
may require. The House of Correction is
another institution intimately connected
with the criminal jurisprudence Of the State.
This institution was founded by an Act of
the Legislature approved in January 1855,
and has now boon in operation for over two
years, and in my opinion is very great
improvement In a moral point Of view upon
the old system of sending mere boys to the
State Prison for the commission of crime
There are now confined in the House Of
Correction, fifty, y,eight young lads, whose re.
spective ages when sentenced, varied from
nine to sixteen years. They are now being
educated and cared for in a manner suita-
bic to their tender years. Trades are be-
ing taught them, and when they shall be
set at liberty, they will be prepared to en-
ter Upon the duties of life with good edu-
cation and free from that stain that ever at
taches to one who has been the inmate Of
State Prison. This Institution needs
your fostering care, and whatever aorropri
atiens are necessary with view to its CON-
pletion, and to enable it to be successfully
conducted, doubt not will meet with IA.
vor at you hands. Were it not for this In
stitution, fifty eight young lads, its inmates
would be confined in your State Prison, the
companions Of the hardened criminal and
subject TO all the contaminating influences
Of such associates. No man can visit this
House Of Correction and watch tho work
ings Of the system there adopted to edu-
cate these boys, and reclaim them from the
paths of vice, without feeling or gratitude
to the authors amp founders Of such an in
stitution.


The main building and north wing are
now completed. l believe the true policy
of the State requires Its Enlargement. /
therefore recomtficnd such an appropriation
as will be sufficient within the next two
years to erect and complete the south wing.


The constitution Of our State provides
that "iuslitu,tVus nOi Tho Joucnu or tiiuov
inhabitants who are deaf, dumb, blind or in
sane, shall always be fostcfed and support
ed" This is wise and charitable provis
ion Of the organic law, The trainers Of
that instrument seemed unwilling to leave
the care and welfare OF these unfortunate
inhabitants to voluntary legislation. They
have therefore required you, before you en-.
tered upon your duties to take solemn
oath that you would foster and support in
sttutions for the benefit of those who are
deaf, dumb, blind, or insane. Actuated
by wise and humane spirit the Legisla-
ture at its annual session for the year 1853,
made an appropriation in money Of three
thousand dollars towards the building Of
an Asylum at tho village (now city, Of
Flint, for the deaf, dumb, and blind, and
a like appropriation of twenty thousand
dollars towards the building Of an Asylum
at Kalamazoo, for the insane. Subsequent
have also been made by the
Legislature for the Same purpose.


There is connected with the Asylum at
Flint, and belonging to the State, ninety
two and s7-1O0 acres Of land, and with the
Asylum at Kalamazoo one hundred and
sixty seven acres.


The entire expenditures upon these Asy-
lums exclusive of what has been paid for
the land) together with the different years
in which tho expenditures were made, are



1885, for both institutions but used at Flint 5000 90
1853, q, at Kalamazoo, 10000 90 :. 5000 1000 40 40
1882 1882 so,oSS sooSS 90" Co., 1890 1890 GO GO


sI3o,0oo Oc $4,000 90


A portion of the Asylum at Flint has
been completed and has been for some time
past been in use. The walls and roof Of
The main building have been erected, but
it will require further appropriation Of
one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars
to fully complete and furnish the whole
odice and carry on tho institution for the
next two years.


The south wing Of the Asylum at Kala
mazoo is nearly completed and after the
same shall have been furnished, will be
ready for the reception Of the unfortunate
insane of our State. This wing is Of sufii
cient capacity to accommodate ninety pa
tient,. Tho main building that was de-
signed To divide the two wings was unfor-
tunately burned in the month Of February
1853, and until this main part is rebuilt,
it is feared the prosperity Of the institution
will be in great measure retarded, II
would require an appropriation Of thirty
Al. III I,oN ,>a.t,on