The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-12-06

supporting as econ as possible
aud because il has not done 70 yet Is
certainly no reason why il should not
now proceed with all possible dispatch
to make it not only self supporting but
q profit 10 the State.
| am not sufficiently couversant with
the management OF the institution since
us establishment here TO saw who IL
r,sllv responsible Tor the tardiness in
It's construction, but the response biIity
rests somewhere. But one thing Is
certain, since the installation OF Capt
Bridges the work has progressed more
rapidly, and twice a. much has been
accomplished in the same length OF
time as under the administration OF any
former superintendent The general
conduct and department OF the convicts
has been much improved. A radical
change has been effected in the disci.
pline, which is noticed by the
merest casual observer. This has been
accomplished by the adoption OF rules
more rigorous and which have been en-
forced with such irmness and kindness
that the couvicts have yielded 10 them
without sny murmuring or even one re-
ported case OF characterization. Any
thing like raid or an escape is now
almost, il not entirely, impossible.
To give some sort OF an idea or
basis on which TO calculate the produc-
,iveuess OF the institution when finish
ed, have ascertained from the Superin-
tendent these facts: For the month Of
October the entire force OF convicts.
averaging 95 iu number, were yariously
employed; the greater number working
upon the building and the balance in
the various workshops. The net pro-
duction OF the workshops for this
month, working IS convicts, amounts
to S2,2349l, aud estimating the labor
OF the balance OF the couyicts (who were
all employej) at one-half the usual
price paid for like services, amounts TO
the sum OF S9i7 so, the whole produce
ton amounting to 3.lS2 II for one
single month. Now the expenses Of
the institution for the came period
would not amount 10 more than half
OF this amount, showing a net profit 10
the State OF ~ least 81 500 for one
month
Under former administration the
only accounts Of the workshops that
were kept separate were the shoe and
smith rhoys. The production OF the
shoe shop for the three months ending
July 3l.l, 1873, was SSSS 20, aud for
like period ending October 3lst, 1873.
under the superIntendency OF Capt.
Bridges the productions were 81 so 10.
an excess OF s9Sl 80 for the same pee
rod Ia the smith shop for the three
months ending July 81, 1873, the re-
ceipts were S2S7 43, and for a ike
period ending October 81, 1873, the re-
ceip,s were S9Ol.72. an excess OF
SOFA 29, aggregating in these two dc.
partments IN excess over former pro-
ductions OF nearly $1,000 10 the
months named This shows that Capt
Bridge has not only entered upon the
dischsrge OF his duties - Superintend.
ent with the ability adequate TO the
task, bu! with a will and determine
tion TO practice the most rigid econ
omy aud consul; the best interests o.
the State. Wagon making, chair
making, turning OF all kinds, aud brick
making Tor general sale, are new fes-
lures introduced under his admins
trston. The character OF the work in
fipsh, and in ell other particulars, will
compare lavorably with iha. turned
out 10y our b,st workshops in the cties.
II the institution We completed, a.
it should have been several
year7 ago. | have no doubt
but the State would to-day have been
deriving n considerable revenue from
this quarter and until il ia fully com
pleted j! il impossible 10 secure that
efficiency and system that could upder
other crrCustarces he had and obtained.
Captain Israel, the efficient officer Of
the guard, Is constantly on hand and
not only performs bis official duty 10
the satisfaction of the officer in com.
mand, but whrD rot engaged officially,
performs the duties Of al least two men.
The State has reason 10 feel grateful
that this institution il approXImatug
its completion, and that instead Of being
a burthen upon the tax payers il will
hereafter tc relief or source OF profit
10 the State. VIsIToR.