REFORMATORY PRISON.
On motion of Mr. KINLEY, the Reformatory bill [H. R. 176] was taken up.
The yeas and nays were twice taken in vain for a dispensation of the Constitutional provision so that the bill may be pressed to final passage-the last time lacking but one vote of the requisite two-thirds.
On Mr. KINLEY'S motion the Senate took up the bill [S. 182] for the same purpose. He then moved to substitute the bill H. R. 176 therefor-one being a transcript of the other.
This motion was passed by without action, and-
On motion by Mr. CRAVENS the female Reformatory Prison bill [H. R. 176] was read the first time.
Mr. CRAVENS stating that Mrs. Sarah Smith, manager of the Association for the relief of friendless women, was present, on his motion she had leave to address the Senate on the subject-matter of the bill just read.
This lady having made a few remarks from the President's desk-the Lieutenant Governor leaving the chair and taking a seat on the floor -
On motion by Mr. KINLEY the constitutional restriction was dispensed with and the bill read the second time by title only.
Mr. FISHER moved to strike out all alter the word "institution" in the ninth line of section 34.
Mr. TURNER thought the amendment should be adopted, because should there be any deficiency future Legislatures would be sure to supply it. He favored the amendment because too much latitude was given by it to the Governor and the managers of this institution.
Mr. FISHER believed that all appropriations of money should be limited, and that was the only reason which induced him to offer this amendment. He disliked the phrase "a sum sufficient."The amendment was rejected by yeas 20, nays 21.
Mr. CRAVENS objected to the provision in the bill which allows a portion of the $50,000 appropriation to be used for the purchase of a building site, because it was understood that seven acres of land has already been offered for that purpose.
Mr. HANNA objected to the provision that requires female children to be kept in this prison until they become 21 years of age.
Mr. BRADLEY moved to strike out that clause-the 3d division of the 19th section.
Mr. TURNER also saw many defects in the bill. This clause especially is manifestly unjust, and the motion to strike out should be agreed to.
Mr. ROBINSON of Madison, did not think the amendment necessary, because the Board of Managers would not keep anybody there any longer than was advisable, and for the good of the party so retained in the institution.
At the suggestion of Mr. Cravens Mr. Bradley modified this motion by inserting in lieu of the third subdivision of section 19, new matter.
Mr. RICE thought this amendment would keep out of the institution many an honest poor girl because her character is not bad enough to gain admittance. He moved to amend by striking out "or" and inserting in lieu "and."
Mr. CRAVENS called attention to the fact that the amendment does not yet obviate the objection raised by the Senator from Sullivan (Mr. Hanna). He opposed any form of slavery and would vote for no bill that authorized it.
Mr. STEIN regarded it a fortunate circumstance that the bill was not passed with this obnoxious clause in it. The amendment proposes to act upon established facts, riot upon mere conjecture, and he hoped the amendment would be adopted.
Mr. KINLEY was not disposed to interpose any serious objection to the amendment.
Mr. HANNA could not consent to give the power to commit any one to prison because of poverty, or of fear that such person may fall into temptation.
Mr. MORGAN was convinced that the bill was good enough without amendment.
Mr. GRAY presented objections to the bill.
The third subdivision of the nineteenth section was stricken out upon a division of the Senate-affirmative 21, negative not counted.
Mr. BRADLEY withdrew his motion to insert new matter therefor.
page: 164[View Page 164]Mr. FISHER moved to strike out "21" and insert "18," as the age when the inmates are to be discharged, wherever it occurs in the Reformatory Department.
The motion was agreed to upon a division-affirmative 21, negative not counted.
On motion by Mr. BRADLEY, the bill was read the third time.
Mr. HANNA asked and obtained unanimous consent to strike out the clause giving criminal jurisdiction to the Board of Managers-the first four and a half lines of section 33, which was clearly unconstitutional.
Mr. STEIN asked and obtained consent for an amendment declaring that commitments to the penal department shall be till the person is twenty-one years of age, and to the reformatory department till eighteen years of age.
The bill then passed by yeas 34, nays 10.
Mr. HADLEY moved to make the Soldiers' Home bill [S. 246] the special order for 9 1/2 o clock to-morrow morning.
The motion was agreed to.
And then the Senate adjourned.
