Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-24
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN COUNCIL
Meeting OF the County Comm IssiOnors OF
the Btate-DiscussiOno on the Jail system
and Management, and the Practice biltty
and Value OF Jail Workshops.

chairman of the present meeting. Mr.. Chesley
was chosen and took the chair He stated the
object of the meeting to be to discuss the various
topics named in the call. There is no overshad
owing topic to be discussed, but many interesting
questions may come up before US which should be
settled before going forward further with the
workshops.
John Reed of Androscoggin was chosen Secre-
tary.
The newspaper Reporters were invited to take
seats at the table.
The roll was called, and the following counties
found to be represented
Androscoggin-W. d. Rock, John Reed.
Aroostook-Not represented.
Cumberland-E. c. Townsend.
Frankln-NOt represented.
Hancock-Not represented.
Kennebcc-Orrick Iawes, d. ii. Thing, Il. s.
Neal.
Knox-Not represented.
Lincoln-Davd Chamberlain, |, ebert Montgom-
cry.
Oxford-A. r. Gordon.
Penobscot-William H. Chesley, w. Il. Furser-
son.
Piscataquis-I. Sands P. J. Jefferds.
Sagadahoc-E Colby, F. j. Parker, b. F. Mar
BILE.
Somerset-S b. Cragn
Waldo-Not represented.
Washington-Not represented
York;. F. Bracket, j. Bragdon, Jr., Dimon
Roberts.
The chairman thought that it would be well to
have uniform practices in the jails throughout the
State, in the government and conduct OF the
workshops. The cost of the workshops in An
droscoggin county is less than those in Penobscot,
and those in Penobscot less than the workshops
proposed in Portland. He wanted all these mat
tiers discussed.
Mr.. Wilson, one of the jail inspectors, was
called upon, but said that these matters were in
the hands of the county commissioners. He
should be glad to offer suggestions at any time
during the progress of the meeting
Mr.. Reed said that Lincoln county was the
pioneer in the movement to set prisoners at work,
and VIM. Ii. Small of Alma. chairman of the
board in that county in 1874, was called upon.
He said that business had been carried on there
a small scale. There were no manufactures
in Wiscassct Of any extent, and they were oolged
to 60 outside Of the county for the sale OF their
labor. The first idea Of this system was to i'm
prove the morals and condition of the prisoners,
and have them go out better men than when
they came in. Lincoln county has an old but
strong Jail, and workshop had been finished OF
in room in the Jail. 1t had capacity for twenty
men. The work had at first been let to the pro-
prietors of the shoe factory, but they had failed
in the enterprise, and the job Of course was not
profitable to the county. contract mad now
been made with Mr.. Parlin of East Winthrop,
who was to take the men and work them to the
best advantage, pay fair market price for the
same, and share equally with the county IN the
net profits of the same. If the work is to be done
by the county, a good deal depends upon having
an active live man for jailor. After laborlng
under great difficulties in starting, he thought the
workshop IN his county had improved the disci-
plne and morals Of the men.
Mr.. Chamberlain of Lincoln, said that persons
who had been growing worse and worse, under
the influence of employment had been sent out
better men. The shoe factory had met with no
loss on account of the work of the shops. lave q
comfortable workshop which may be enlarged II
the case demands it.
Mr.. Reed of Androscoggin, said, that from the
moment starting, the commissioners OF his coun-
ty had never felt like giving up. The only regret
was that they were not allowed more mony to use.
The workshop had cost 5000. 1t was built in the
ward adjoining the jail; it was two story frame
building partltioned into three rooms, and capa-
Bile of accommodating 10 persons, and that Is more
than the jail will accommodate. \ year ago last
February the labor of the prisoners was contract
ed for at 50 to 10 cents per day-to pay nothing
for the first 80 days. and then raise the pay grad
ually 10 20 cents per day. good deal OF the BUS
mess was the making of shoddy, or inner soles,
and "pan cake work, which is sold to the shoe
factories in Auburn. They got along wen
enough, but cross-purposes come up between the
contractor, his assistants, and the Jaor and MS as
sistants. For two months or more the prisoners
had been working, directly for the county. those
that aic N for short time are put on cheap work
those in for longer time. on shoes, do work for
the factories. Have some fifty persons at work on
womens shoes. An engine of eight horse power
is provided to drive the peggng, stitching, and
other :2echinery. Some of the young prisoners do
the stitching, and they are quite expert there
is no more orderly workshop in the State were
it not for the barred windows, you would scarcely
know YOU were in a Jail workshop. The excellent
Sheriff, Littlefeld, who is also Jallor, has no
trouble in maintaining the best ofdiscipline The
prisoners prefer to work Prisoners are received
from Oxford, Cumberland, and York. Under the
first contract made for labor the county received
some $1,000 for labor. Had since built high
fence around yard, into which the wood Is haul
ed, and the prisoners work it up. The women
make clothes for the prisoners "Nelse Leigh
ton of Portland, has signed the iron clad reform
pledge, and his notorious wife, "Gentle Annie, =
is making herself generally useful Experienced
shoe makers are hired to instruct the convicts.
Have religious exercises conducted by the clergy
men and the members of the y. NJ. c. Association.
Have graduated four temperance lectures who
are now laboring in the reform movement.
The question was asked by a member of the
board if those who had charge of the men in the
workshops went armed.
Mr.. Wilson said that such course would be
most unwse. No arms are carried by the OYER
seers of work in the State Prison. An evil dis
posed prisoner could knock the armed person
down, secure his arms, and thus make his escape
1t was virtually placing dangerous weapons.in the
hands Of prisoners.
In speaking of the board of prisoners, Mr.. Roak
of Androscoggn believed in paying the jailor a
fair price for board. Three dollars per week is
paid in Androscoggn county and no complaint Is
heard.
Mr.. Halves of Kennebec, said that workshops
had been fitted up in that part of the Jail in this
county which was hitherto unused; the commits
sioners had advertised to let the labor of the prs-
oners, but no proposals had been received. They
had written to manufacturers; the managers OF
the Pittston shoe factory contemplate making Il
bid; if no arrangements of this kind are made,
then the county will set the prisoners at work on
its own account. Thought that the labor of the
prisoners was of service as bearing upon their
social moral and religious discipline. Without
it, they became demorslized, and go out of the
prison worse than when they came in. The Jailor
must feel an interest in the matter if good Is to
be done. He had visited the Auburn shops and
never had seen better discipline. The care of the
prisoners is much less when they are at work than
when they are idle
Mr.. Chesley, the chairman, said that Penobsco'
built shops last season, and let the labor Of the
prisoners for three years-50 cents per day foi
all in under 60 days, and 80 cents per day for all
over 60 days. They are employed in the manu-
facture of sash, blinds and doors; with little
broom factory in the attic He spoke OF the diff
cutics in contracting for labor. lie had no doubt
however, that the contractors would make the
| services of the prisoners remuneratlve. 1t IS
good idea to learn these prisoners trade that they
may be prepared to do something when they GO
beyond Jail walls. The entire cost of the work
shop, heating apparatus, &C., was $4,000. Tween
ty-four persons are now at work. The temper
L