The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-01-26
THE STATE PRISON.
Cor. of Milwaukee Sentinel.
WAUPUN, Wis, Jan. 5, 1871.

w MI O1N, W 49, oeSA' Us AOb
The Legislative Visiting Committee
wound up their tour to the several insti-
buttons of the state here this morning, and
have gone to their several homes to com
plete their private business, so that they
can dwell in Madison during the session
without anxiety. In the appointment of
the Committee for this year, the Cover
nor exercised excellent common sense.
The Chairman, Senator Petit of Keno
sha, is man of sound Judgment and ex-
perience in affairs. He has kept his COM
mittee busily at work, and has infused
energy into the work of examining the
several institutions. Senator Miner, of
Necedah, Is a perfect vocabulary of the
prices of all things, from raft of lum-
Der to cambria needle, and he has al
lowed nothing to escape his notice See
ator Burchard is a man of genial nature
and sound sense, and has rendered valua
bic service. Assemblyman Thorn has
been with the Committee but portion
of the time. The other members of the
Committee have been equally able and
Industrious as those above mentioned:
Keenan,, and Merrill in the examin alton
of accounts; Swain in general investiga-
ton; Rounds in the examination of gen
eral management; DIR. Chase in the mat
ter of the hyg ienic condition of the sew
eral institutions. 1t is often said that
the Examining Committee is a humbug
that they go around and eat big dinners
some OF them do J, and make white
washing report. One thing is certain,
that this Committee have worked faith
fully and thoroughly, and have exam
lned infinitely everything connected with
the several institutions they have visited.
Early morn and high noon and late eve
have found them at work, and they 90
hence to the Legislature prepared to
give intelligent answers to all inquiries
concerning their recommendations. Your
reporter is under obligations to them in
dividually and collectively for many
courtesies. They we're accompanied here
by Superintendent Hendrickson and Hon
G. r. Gibbs, Secretary of the Board of the
Reform School, Hon w. E. Smith, Hon. Fl.
S. Town, Hon. j. Baker and several 9th
ers.
THE STATE PRISON
is an institution that is in admirable con
dit1on. Its officers are all gentlemen
well qualified for their several positions
Hon. G. T. Wheeler, the Commissioner,
combines in an eminent degree the quail |
ties that fit a man for his position. He
has good sound sense; he is eminently
practical he is economical without a
tinge of parsimony; he is kind and DO.
lite, and he has great power over men.
His business ability is Of the highest or
der, as everything about the prison testi
fies, and especially as the construction
and furnishing of the new shops testify.
He is much liked by all the con7icts, and
by his associate officers
THE WORKSHOPS
were destroyed by fire last June, and
from their ashes, Phenx like, new ones
far superior in every respect, have sprung
up, and manufacturing has already com.
menced. The machinery has but lust
been set up, and has been running but
few days, It's OF superior quality as
respects capacity and durability, and
runs with a beauty and ordel that strikes
one as the very poetry of motion. The
new engine is from the works of Hiner
& Co, OF Fond du Lac, and is a fine piece
of machinery. 1t has a capacity of seven
ty-five horsepower The building is 217
feet long, 81 feet wide, and two stories
in height The foundation is laid or the
bed rock, and the walls, two feet in thick.
ness, are built of the best quality of stone,
which was dug out of the prison yard
The whole is covered with an IRON roof.
The first floor is divided into three com
partments, separated by large iron doors,
SO that in case fire should break out in
any one of them the doors may be closed
and thus secure the rest from possible
destruction. The whole building is heat,
ed by steam. The shops are so much
more convenient and safe in every res
pect that the state is to-day better off for