The Portland daily press., 1875-01-25
BY TELEGRAPH.
FROM AUGUSTA.
Legislative Matters.
Especial to Press.l
Reports of the Warden and Inspectors of
the State Prison.

Reports of the Warden and Inspectors of
the State Prison.
AUGUSTA, Jan. "a.
The report of Warden Rice and other officials
of the State Prison will be laid before the
Legislature the present week. Mr.. Rice, in the
beginning of his report, says that the health OF
the convicts during the year has been unusually
good, bus one having died during the year out
of total of 181, and none pardoned because OF
i'll health. Generally the men have worked
well and willingly, and there has been less pun
ishment in proportion to the plumber OF con-
victs than dnring any previous year. The
average number of convicts the past year was
thirteen less than in 1873. There have been 80
committals during the year from the following
ties:-Cumberland IA, Penobscot9, Ken
nebec 5, Androscoggin 4, Washington q, York
4, Aroostook 2, Oxford 2, Franklin, Hancock
and Waldo each. OF the 81 committed last
year, 28 are for three years or less IA between
three and five years, for six years, between
seven and nine years, 3 for life, 2 for death. VI
the 50 committed, 30 are under sentence for
larceny, for burglary, 2 for robbery, for
felonious assault, 8 for arson, for murder,
for adultery. and 1 each for murder in the
second degree, rape, and assault to ravish.
The earnings of the prison derived from the
manufacture of carriages, harnesses and boots
and shoes, amount to SO, while the ex-
penses of the prison have been $30,904o6-a
balance against the institution of $2,SS5.63.
The deficiency is due to the fact that large
part of the men have been employed at dis
advantage in consequence of the loss of the
carriage shop in December, 1873. But for this
accident, the Warden is confident that the pro-
ceeds would have paid the expenses of its
support, the salaries of the officers and even
more.
The Warden says the building account is
considerably larger than was anticipated, be-
cause looking to the convenience, security and
future requirements of the prison, wise
economy demanded it. He thinks considerable
repairs are required, especially on the old part
of the prison.
Following the report proper is the financial
statement of the prison. By this it appears
that the amount of stock on hand Nov. 30,
1874 was $73, 172.3 against $50, 644.69 Nov. 30
1873; balance due prison (Nov. 80, 1S74,) $780,
629 90 sganst $42,774.06 the year previous;
S23831. GA has been expended for buildings and
repairs Gncluding the new carriage shop.) The
salaries of the officers amount to $13, 1876;
$500 IS was paid for transporting prisoners,
and $685. As was paid to discharged convcts.
The number Of convicts Nov. 80, 1873, was
129, and the number received during the year
So, making 181 in all. The discharges Mere as
characterization of sentence SO, pardored
5, died 1; total A, leaving the present number
1877, an increase of during the year. Almost
half of the convicts in the prison 1857 are under
for 1oro Tho pavt
Der for any one crime is for burglary. 16; and
for murder Is.
The prison was opened July q 1924, since
which time 2100 convicts have been admitted.
OF this number 1856 have been discharged on
expiration of sentence, 4S4 have been pardoned,
so have died, and 10 have escaped.
The report of the State Prison and Jail In
spectors follows that of the Warden. They
say that the new building cost $40. 612 q, leav-
ing deficit over the appropriation of $6,219.43.
which is asked of the Legislature. The build
ing has been constructed in the most substantial
manner and very economically. They further
report that the discipline of the prison has
been satisfactory. At the request of the In
spectors, the Warden has appointed Wendell
P. Rice Deputy Warden, whom they think
possesses in the highest degree the requisite
qualifications for the position. Experience has
verified the wisdom of the appointment.
During the year the clergymen of Thorn aston
have acted as chaplains, and teacher, Mr.
D. j. Starrett has been employed to instruct
the prisoners evenings and Sundays. The plan
has proved successful. The whole number
under instruction was IS, average attendance
50, number unable to read and write Is; ages
from Is to 40.
In closing their part of the report the In
spectors say:
"We fee, that we should not do justice to a
most excellent public officer, should we close
this report without expressing our appreciation
of the general management OF the prison by
Warden Rice, who has discharged the irksome
duties of the position to the satisfaction OF all
interested in the success of the institution. The
subordinate officers of the prison are entitled to
commentator for the manner in which they
have performed the duties of their office"
Aside from the tables the reports of the
officers cover about ten pages, containing all
the information required. If other depart.
ments would model their reports as much as
possible after the officers of the State Prison,
more could be printed and all would be read
Report of the State Librarian.
By tho report of the State Librarian it ap-
pears that there have been added to the library
during the past year, from all sources, LAB
volumes and pamphlets, as follows:-By pur-
chase; 1874 volumes and 2 pamphlets; by ex-
change, 427 volumes and 209 pamphlets; by
donation, Ill volumes and go pamphlets, ex-
elusive of the large number of books and
documents received from our own state and
large number of books which have been re-
bound and placed upon the shelves of the
library. The expenditures of the year for the
purchase of books and incidental expenses have
been 92327. s.
Various Matters.
The Constitutional Commission met this
morning, and after short session adjourned to
meet Monday at four O'clock. Nothing of i'm
portance was transacted.
Senator Corthell is SO far recovered that he
will be able to be in his seat on Monday.
A hearing will be given by the Commerce
Committee, Thursday, on the Cape Elizabeth
Ferry Landing. This is matter which some
what interests Portland.
The Senate has moved for a Joint Special
Committee on Retrenchment.
The House few days since referred the COM
munication of the Governor to its Financial
Committee.
Rev. Mrs. Haines of Gardiner offered prayer
in the Senate Saturday morning 1t was the
first recognition of woman in that capacity
by the officials of the state. The service was
very impressive.
Saturday the Governor made large number
of nominations, including the following, the
most mportant:-Member of Board of Agri-
culture, Henry Carmichael. Brunswick, vice
Walker, declined; Trustee of Reform School,
J. W. Porter of Strong; Trial Justices-Isaac
Hobbs of Hope, Caleb Hodgdon of Boothbay,
and w. P. Feber of Ripley; Robert r. True,
of Brunswick, r. E. Peavey of Portland, A.
N Varneu of Vassalhorn' Taxadermists.