Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-13


The UNITED STATES PEsIrESrrAsY-Eztyaet
IRON he annual report Of the SscTsary Oft Int
nor TO CoHgTsSs-For years the labor Of the con-
victs has not yielded an income sufficient for their
maintenance, and the attention Of the inspectors
was some time since particularly directed by me
TO this defect with the hope that some plan could
be devised 70 remedy IT, During the past wear the
prevalence Of an epidemic in the prison occasioned
much loss OF time and some unusual expenditures
Notwithstanding which, have the eradication
OF stating that decisive advance was made to-
wards the attainment Of an end so desirable The
institution ought to be selfsustaining and no ef-
fortwiH be spared to make 10 so. The number of
convicts In the prison larger during the past
year than In the year previous, and 10 constantly
increasing; yet the estimate submitted for its sup
port ana mainsensnce e., for the next fiscal year Is
which was made at the last session Of Conuress
Fztraei from the Report Of "A, Board Of Tnsp,e.
tors TO ths SECRETARY Of the Interior -Fbe hoard
have kept steadily in view the duty imposed on
them, Of so conducting the affairs OF the peni-
tertiary mat, II u be possible the proceeds OF the
labor OF the convicts shall pay for the cost of their
maintenaneei and when com putaton is made
Of the time lost from the prevalence of epidemic
dysentery, and the extraordinary expenditure for
hospital stores, and for removing from the sewer
the great quantity of animal and vegeta BILE sub
stances that had been collecting, according to the
report OF the physician, for several wears, and
eHlltteo noxlous eI halations the annual accounts
showing increased productiveness in the industry
OF the prison, and reduced estimates of the cost
of its administration for the ensuing year exhibit
considerable progress toward the end desired of
making the Institution self-sustaining: but the
board doubt the practicability of that policy until
there is room for the development of the contract
system, by charging the buildings, as their pre-
tent dimensions do not afford accommodations
for 4 sufficient number of workshops The
board, appreciatng the relation between igno-
rance and crime, aud bearing in mind that i'm
prisonment in this penitentfary comprehends re-
formation as well punishment invoke your at
tention to the subject Of an adequate and self
selected prison library, including elementary
school books as an importa AUXILIARY in confer
ring religious and moral instruction; the Of
the library, however, to be subject to general
rules not Inconsistent with the ordinary disci-
pine.
COncurring generally in the Improvements sug-
geSted by the warden, and especially as to the
danger and want Of economy in the mode of
lighting the premises, the board beg leave also to
urge the prOpriety of an appropriation by Con-
gress for introducing water into the penitentiary
from the Potomac aqueduct The pipes for trans
uniting the water extend TO the walls of the
prison, and can be made Immediately available
liberal supply of this pure and refreshing els-
ment Will conduce In high degree to the Physl-
cal comfort and health Of the convicts and thus
augment their powers as operatives. Ii will like
wise prevent the accumulation In the offices and
conduits Of the buildings of matter offensive
and generating disease promote the convenience
of the kitchen and laundry, chiefly of the latter
where water deeomposing soap and unfit for wash
Ing snow used-be efficient safe guard against
the destruction Of life and property by IRE and
source ofpower in its application TO machinery In
closing their report, the board take pleasure In
expressing their appreciation of the zeal and en-
ersy of the warden in the discharge of his duties
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
PETER FORCE,
GEoRoE PARKER, ( Inspectors.
X. X CRAwFoRD,)
Report cfths Warden TO the Boa,d Of Iasp,eto,s
Gentlemen. In accordance with the law I have
the honor to submit the following, my annual Tt
port OF the general affairs Of the prison. Jointly as
they appear under the direction Of the honorable
Board of Inspectors and the warden:
~ has been source OF much pleasure and graf
incduon 10 me TO notice your prompt deli bera-
lions, at all times tending to the welfare Of the
institution, bY sustaining all my monthly reports
which cheerfully encouraged me to carry them
into effect. With these united feelings of har-
mony great advancement toward good and
perfect discipline is manifest.
| have endeavored to make my report az brief
as possible as am just recovering from very
severe attack of illness. | hope my report NAV
be as comprehensive as brevity will admit
On taking possession Of my office regretted TO
notice an almost entire want Of discipline; not
that wish to cast any imputation upon the gen
tleman who preceded me as warden, for the want
OF capacity or competency, but the uncertainty of
his retaining his office, with some other causes
became known among the convicts which rem
dered them reckless and insoIent to an alarming
extent. | immediately issued my orders TO the
deputy warden and the officers under his direc-
ton, which they very promptly, resoluteIy, and
hunanelY carried into execution; and il became
evident in a short time that we had obtai ned a
S nng lEo1 mol toward proper and safe disci-
the deputy warden, and the guards for their fear
less and gentlemanlike conduct, fearing no con
sequences, as has appeared, in the faithful per-
Torrance OF their duties in many trying moments
The labor of the convicts is at present under
the contract system for term of years
W ith all due respect TO your Legislation on this
subject, j would say that not only the small
IL II
daily support and maintenance of the convict,
but that the system Of contracts In this prison is
Incompatible with perfect and prope: disci pl ne
surely II II 10 gain and source of revenue to the
contractor, 1t is reasonable to suppose by proDer
management Of the officers Of the Institution il
would be equally profitable to the government
The loss sustained by the transfer Of the mate
rial and tools OF the shoe shop to the present con-
tractor stands alarmingly against me in NV ex-
pendltures, although contracted previous 10 my
appointment as warden.
The broom contractor also found miserably in
debt, and only by my prompt and determined
course, In seizing and retaining his goods saved
great portion Of the debt. lie has since ceased
in his contract, and there still remains balance
due the government, for which have retained
his machinery, and In case should again start in
operation the broom factory for the government,
IL will entirely liquidate the debt.
The carpenter snop is still in operation and the
present contract ceases January |, 1861. when il
VIII be question as to whether Ii will be re-
newed, or some other business established in Its
sVsdd closing with thls part, shall briefly refer
to the financial condition Of the prison. In a
great measure must refer you to the statement of
the clerk, which is very concise and clear as |
entertain the most reliable confidence In his IN
tegrity and accuracy an an accountant twill
be observed by this statement that my expendI-
lures have exceeded that OF some former wears
For fear that as the discussing agent should be
accused OF extravagance, an imputation which |
have striven against with all the energy possess
would respectfully offer the following explana-
lon in extenuation for my conduct.
On the LIST of October, 1855 my predecessor
made out his annual report. On the LIST of jan
uary, 1889, entered upon my duties as warden
OF this institution, and from that date up to the
present month paid accounts presented against
the prison of the former year Of ''twelve hundred
dollars" which have been included in my ex-
penditures.
found the eonvicts much in need of clothing
having 70 wear their winter clothing for eight
months In the year without change; and the ma
teriai being formed Of stout, cheap wooden goods
II Is almost an impossibility 10 make them last
even by repairing them, for the following winter
The rapid increase of prisoners, some unex-
Pectedly arriving from the neig hboring States
make larger number than ever before confined
AZ one time in this prison. The nature of the
laboring work Of portion Of the convicts renders
absolutely necessary change Of clothing MANY
Of them were accustomed to undergarments be-
fore their conviction, and in the want of which
L.. A. g