DISCIPLINE OF THE PRISON.

In the examination of the prison discipline, which is manifest-
ly an important feature, appertaining both to the interest of the
State and the good of the convict, your committee state that it is
far from being perfect, and requires much to be done to make it
so; but the committee were unable to elicit sufficient proof to
express censure, as preponderating testimony was their guide in
this case as in all others.

FINANCIAL CONDITION.

The financial condition of the penitentiary we found to be in
a very unfavorable condition; the fire which took place, thereby
incurring cost in rebuilding the workshops consulted, and addi-
tional improvements having been made by authority of the di-
rection, to insure greater efficiency in case of similar accidents,
incurred cost; and another cause of loss, as represented to the
committee by the officers, was their inability to keep the black-
smith shop in operation, in connection with other departments of
the prison, that of the weaving department having to compete
with machinery that scarcely yielded a return exceeding the out-
lay. Coupled with the pressure of the times the committee are
induced to admit that the prison labored under great disadvan-
tages during the past year, but will add, that under a proper re-
gime and a judicious disposition of the labor and a solid financial
basis, upon which the operations of the prison should rest, it
could then be made to sustain itself.

The report of the president and directors shows the institution
to be in debt some thirty thousand dollars. It is now proposed
to appropriate the sum of fifty thousand dollars, so as to enable
purchases to be made at a cash valuation, and not subject the
financial operations of the prison to heavy discounts, which, as
represented to the committee, amount annually to about five
thousand dollars.

The report of the president and directors of the institution
asks for a speedy and special appropriation of fifty thousand dol-
lars. Your committee suggest no fixed amount, but recom-
mend to the Legislature that some relief be immediately ex-
tended.

MORE GUARDS NEEDED.

Your committee discovered that some of the workshops were
without an overseer or guard, in which the subordination of the
prisoner was the only guarantee of discipline. This is the con-
sequence of an insufficiency of guards; for, as the present sys-
tem works, the men occupying these departments are furnished
opportunities of talking together, thus brooding evil. Hence
your committee are of opinion more guards should be appointed.