Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-27

convention of County Commissioner,
Plans for the Euture-Int.r resting Dis
c"ssion-Address by DIR. Mason.
Agreeably to call issued by the Prison and Jail
Inspectors Of the State, quite a number of the
County Commissioners and Sheriffs of the State,
and others interested in prison and jail reform, met
in the court room at the Court House in this CITY,
yesterday forenoon at eleven o'clock.
The convention was called TO order, by Hon
William Wilson Of Ilallowell.
On motion of Mr. Thing Of Kcnnebec, Hon.
John Read of Androscoggin, was called to preside
Hon. David Chamberlain of Lincoln, was made
Secretary.
The call was read by the chairman.
Mr.. Bracket of York moved that members of
former boards OF county commissioners be invited
10 participate in the deliberations of the conyen-
ton. Cared.
had arisen what shall be done to have prisoners
sent to ails for short terms instead of the State
Prson' The judges now sentencing such
prisoners to the State Prison. 1t is said that some
county officers have objected to having prisoners
sentenced to Jail on account of the expense.
Mr.. Bracket of York, thought the arrange
ments i'll regard to the expense of prisoners where
there were no workshops, high and unjust. 1t
was very expensive to send prisoners to other
jails. York county really supports two iais, one
at Alfred and the other at Saco, during the term
of court and these, with the cost of sustaining
prisoners in Jail workshops out of the county,
made the bill of expense for prisoners pretty heavy.
lie thought that some men ought to be sent to the
State Prison instead of to ALT was a better
place for them.
Mr.. Read, the chairman, explained in regard to
the expense of prisoners from other counties in the
workshops at Auburn. 1t was found last year.
and 80 reported at the convention, that the inter-
est upon the investments for the workshop, cost
OF employing ovcrseers, and other expenses, would
h,,,v NJ -u-I.
That was the amount fixed upon to be charged to
the counties having prisoners al their workshop.
This, added to the board, made the bill S555 per
week In making up the accounts, it had occurred
to him that these oils would appear quite formid-
able; and he thought that the bills could be less
ened somewhat the coming year.
Adjourned to afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
On motion of Mr. Prince the following commit
ice appointed to examine into the matter of
compensation between counties for prisoners at
workshops: Messrs WIN. Wilson Of Hallowell,
Sheriff Pennell of Cumberland, Gordon of OXFORD,
Bracket of York, Ferguson of Penobscot.
Mr.. Read, chairman was called upon 20 give
some information in regard to prison labor,
drawn from his own experience. Last year we
had to speak disparagingly Of the contract system.
There were cross purposes arising between the
contractor and the county, and it was very unprof
table. They had good facilities for manufacturing
at Auburn. 10 February they annulled their COL.
the county. They had been manufacturing
women's balmoral shoes. The men liked the bus
mess. Had made contract with one of the lead
ing shoe firms of the place, through which firm
the shoes are all sold; have difficulty in dis
posing of all the goods they could manufacture.
They had come out about square financially.
But there has been decided improvement in the
morals of the prisoners who had gone out from
the jail He looked upon the Jail workshop as
success. Have no spare room for schools or chap
ell service, although regular meetings have been
held. number of men who had been in jail for
interpreting had signed the pledge and now
earnest workers in the temperance cause.
Mr. Ferguson of Penobscot, said the prisoners
had been at work for year. The building had
cost about $4,000; had sold the labor Of prize
oners from 50 to 50 cents per day. Had been man
ufacturing doors, sash, blinds, brooms, &c. The
contractor complains that he has made failure
financially, and new contract will have to tie
made. y good many men are received whose Ia.
Dor is not worth anything. He believed thorough
ly in Jail workshops Thought that with the exper.-
ence received they should be able to run the shop
more successfully hereafter, though absute loss
had been made. A school of one hour each diy
was held, on the principle that instruction ought
to go along with the labor.
Mr.. Chamberlain from Lincoln, said they had
been experimenting for some two years. Notfavor-
ably situated in regard to selling work. They had
let out their work at various prices, but the con-
tractor was unsuccessful. They had fitted up q
shop in the attic of the jail. Last May they Sc
cured the services of Mr.. Parlin, who took the
men, and agreed to give the county one half of
the profits ofthe labor Since that time had work.
ed with success. The effect of the labor on the
prisoners is most salutary. Tue men have de-
sire to have their work look well. Had made SAY.
log over and above the expenses of the workshop,
Had received men from other counties. Thought
that the idea of making money out of the enter
prise erroneous one; it was a far more de-
sirable object to send out better men into the
world.
Mr. Patterson, Sheriff of the county, said that
the average number of prisoners for that county
was but eight. But very little damaged work had
been sent out from the shop. Ten Or fifteen men
had been at work for the past year.
Mr.. Thing OF kennebcc, said they had been try
ing to do something here. A large number were
in for short terms, which was disadvantage.
Counting the saes and the stock on hand, no alb
solute loss had been sustained. But if the matter
of dollars and cents is to be consider"a. but little
money can be made out Of it. He tho lght there
was moral side Of the question. An this was
the main one. lie claimed that labo had be-
nfcicnt influence upon the prisoners. There
were men in kennebec shop who never before
have worked on shoes, who now very good
workmen, able to earn their living outside of the
Jail walls. He hope that labor would be continued
until the experiment can be fully tested.
The subject Of schools in jail was taken up.
Mr.. Whitney. jailer at Penobscot, said there
a school established in their Jail, held in q room
in the Jail fitted up with school apparatus. II
teacher is graduate at Bowdoin college, and .
good one. 1t was the first school established in q
Jail in the STATE. Prisoners have behaved them.
selves well aad take good interest, and maintain
good order. All prisoners under 81 years of age
are required to attend school. Prisoners older
than 81 not required, but have the privilege of
attending, being placed on their good behavior.
The school and the workshops had good infu-
ence upon the boys, especially. The schools are
held in the evening
Mr. Read said it contemplated soon to c.
tablish similar school at Auburn.
Mr. Thing of Kcnnebec, presented the follow
ing resolution, which he moved to lay on the
table,
Resolred, That due regard for the interest of
society, we'll the future we'll being of the un-
fortunate, imperatively demand that convicts IN
our several county jails be kept steadily employed
at useful labor.
Mr.. Prince thought the education received at
Jail would turn the convicts thoughts in a right
direction, and enable him to go out with the pur-
pose of doing something for himself. The school
at Thomaston was found to be beneficial. He
wished all the counties would try the experiment
of schools
The question Of moral and religious instruction
was taken up.
NJ V;lanr &c ITolIou,aU so;J tbo nsnootors