10

MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTITUTION,
A careful investigation into the past management of the
affairs of the Institution reflects great credit upon the present
Board of Directors, of which Mr, John Hurst is the worthy
President. During the past five years, under the manage-
ment of the.pres.ent Board, the Institution has rapidly paid
off many outstanding liabilities, and we find the affairs of the
Institution in a most healthy condition, in a financial point
of view. Their declared object has been to render it "self-
sustaining," and we have no hesitation in saying that it can
be successfully rendered self-sustaining with proper economy
in-the management of its finances, if sufficient room were
given for the regular employment of the convicts, but unless
somee immediate relief is granted, it must in its present condi-
tion, become a very heavy burden upon the State. In spite
of the present high prices of everything used in the Institu-
tion, we find that in the past year the Directors have so far
succeeded in economizing the expenses of the Institution as to
have reduced the cost of supporting the prisoners to 38 f cents
per diem, which exhibits great care in management. The
various buildings furnish ample proof of cleanliness and good
order throughout. The Board of Directors, as at present
composed, are getntlemen of the highest standing in the com-
munity, and In the discharge of their duties seem to have had
thoroughly at heart, the best interests, and welware of the
State, The pleasant duty therefore devolves upon ns, in con-
clusion of saying that the affairs of the Institution have been
carefully and most discreetly managed, and we believe both
Directors, Wardens and Officers have done their whole duty.

A NEW BUILDING REQUIRED.
Having been thoroughly convinced of the absolute necessi-
ty for immediate and decided action by the Legislature for
the removal of the evils complained of, your Committee have
carefully examined and weighed the matter, and are unani-
mous in their decision that a "new Penitentiary" is required
as the old Institution is not fitted in any way, shape or form,
for the purpose required. Over one-fourth of the entire area
within the walls is now covered by the buildings and so
crowded are the premises that the contractors have not room
to share their rnaterial required in the prosecution of their
business. It would, therefore, be utterly impossible to erect
new building? within the present inclosure, even if those
already in use were adapted as Prison buildings. The ne-
cessity, therefore, arises for more extended accommodations,
and taking this view, your Committee carefully examined a
number of sites for the purpose, in the city.

THE COST OF AN EXTENSION.
The first inquiry made by us was, as to the cost of "an