Year: 1865

4


recommend that the Legislature extend aid ia


secure the early completion of the Junction and


Brelkwater Rail Road to Georgetown and Lewes
This work OF such great Importance to our State


ought not to remain unfinished When completed it
would open direct communication, during all seasons


Of the year, between the Ocean and the city of Phil
adephia. All portions of the State would then be
easy OF access. The enhanced value of the land
would soon repay the amount of expenditure Our
State would be amply supplied with all the lines OF
railway that necessary to public convenience
and business and further call need be made upon
the General Assembly for works Of this character


To this measure should be added the cession to
the United States of so much territory near Cane


Henlopen, may be required for Notifications and
wharves. l am aware that territory has been
ceded, but upon conditions that the Government
could not accept, to wit that no nonresident
negro should be employed in the erection of any
fort or pier within the limits of the land ceded ;
that slavery should not be abolished within said
limits as long as it exists in the State, and that
fugitive slaves escaping to said limits shall be deliver
ed up on claim of their master When it is remem-
bered that the territory ceded both uninhabited and
worthless, these conditions become frivolous But
while the State persists in attaching them it must


lose the benefit that would accrue from the erection
OF the contemplated Notifications and pier work
so manitestly important ought to receive every en-
couragement. Certainly it ought never to ue pre-
fOhlcu Ol ItStllcLlOnS which
rest upon sound principle Had it not been for these
unnecessary qualifications, these public works and
the railroad. for which aid is asked would doubt
less have been completed by the Government


Your attention is invited to the provision made for
the INDECENT Deaf and Dumb am informed by the
Directors OF the Pennsylvania institution that owing
to the advanced cost OF articles of food and clohng
they are compelled to increase the charge for each
pupil. suggest that the amount limited to be ex-


dad Il,


hundred dollars to eighteen hundred dollars make
similar recommendation with respect to the provisions
for the INDECENT Blind and the Predetermined
think that the benevolent purposes of the acts relat


ing to these unfortunate classes could be made much
more efficient and practical, if the acts were SO
amended as to extend the benefits to adults and also
to strike out the clause limiting the number of pupils
i1om the respective counties. 1t not unfrequently
happens that one county is fully represented while
the others are not; yet additional applicant from


the former. however worthy must be denied the priv


eses when, perhaps ii is most important to enjoy
them. In communication upon this subject gen
tleman who has dey oted wears to the instruction of
the Blind, says there could be no greater charity
and justice to the unfortunate blind than to provide
the means OF happiness and selt-Support, wherever
this can be certainly done without regard to the ad-
ditlon OF q few more years to their age. Delaware
may well afford to do this, as the number of benef-
clarles IL always so few.


The frequency oc The trials of youthful Offenders
suggests that some legislation should be had with re-
ference to them. For several terms passed. the Court
in one of the counties has been greatly annoyed by
the large number of lads brought to the bar upon
charges of larceny. Most of the lads are under the
age Of fourteen years However strong the proof of
the crime, there is SO much sympathy felt for the
parties and so great unwilngness to deprive them
OF the rights of citizenship, forfeited by conviction
of felony, that they either acquitted or if con-
vi fO nla NLo Ia
is that this class of criminals is rapidly increasing
To check this increase and to punish and reform such
offenders, there should be some special enactment
either establishing House of Correction or giving
the Court a discretion to the penalty and the
power to bind any of the parties to suitable masters
The chief aim of amendment should be to relieve the
lads of the consequences of felony. l am aware off
no mode OF doing this except by providing that the
crime Of larceny committed by such persons shall be
deemed misdeme0nor, to be punished MS above
suggested.


But preventive of crime is much better than
punishment If these lads were properly employed
at school, in all probability they would not have com
mitted crime. Growing up in ignorance, uncontrolled
by parental restraint. idle and UNEMPLOYED they
become lawless and mischievous Their days and
evenings are given to plumber and wickedness and as
they advance in years, they grow An early
education, moderate amount of intelligence, would
doubtless awaken their praiseworthy ambition incul-
cate industry and honesty, and mould their future
into usefulness and credit Such a power for good
you may make your common schools; but not under
your present system. Measured by the large amount
of money annually spent upon them, schools in this
State ought to be models of efficiency and success
But unfortunately. in too many instances they are
neglected and suffered tn drag along, rather than to
move earnestly and successfully mpeed by the
teachers ability, the parents interest and the schq I
lars Improvement The laws upon this subj, need
a thorough revision. l recommend thu ne LegiSla-
turc devote its energies to this ;H3)ect TO reform
neopl Of all classes rp,ai opportunities of receiving