Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-18
THE PRISON CONVENTION.
Pay for Roard and Care of Prisoners The
Inevitable Tramp, What SIN al be Done
WIN HIml-Ke

The first resolution reads as follows:
Resolred, That all sentences to jail as a penalty
for crime should include labor as well as fine or
detention in default of payment of fines.
Mr. Bracket of York said that it seemed to be
unanimous yesterday that thirty day prisoners
were a debt weight on the workshops. If these
were all sent to the workshops, twOuld embarrass
them for room. Thought the time was coming
when facilities would he provided for working all
prisoners. Those who are sentenced for long
term should be sent to workshops. Those SEN
fenced TO a short term should not.
Mr. Drake of Waldo thought the resolution
would be against the interests of his county.
Mr.. Pendexter moved that the resolution be in
definitely postponed and II was so voted.
The second resolution was taken up and adopted
without discussion. 1t reads follows;
Res1lCed, That in the opinion of the convention
sentences of thirty sixty days in jail are far too
frequent to accomplish the desired object named
TO protect persons and property.
The third resolution was then taken up, as fol-
lows, and unanimously passed.
ResOired That in the opinion of this convention
The state should provide house of correction, in
which all females who may be convicted Of asy
crime IN any court of this State, SHAH be confined
and employed under the supervision of officials,
the majority Of whom shall be females
The next resolution reads;
HesOlred, As the sense of this Convention, that
II will be wise and eXpedient for our LegIs lature
to amend sec of chap. llG of the revised stat
utes, by striking out the word three in the
fourth line thereof, and inserting therefor the
word 1.-TWO" so that as amended, said section will
read The Jallors fees for the commitment or
discharge of a prisoner shall be twenty cents and
for the support of each prisoner OF every descrip
ton committed to his CUSTODY such sum net ex-
ceeding at the rate of two dollars week, as the
County Commissioners Judge reasonable"
1t wa. inquired by member of the convection
what was meant by every description"
Mr.. K al said the expression was copied d.
rectly from the statutes, and was commonly made
20 atplv to the board only, of prisoners in jail.
The prIce of board IS too high. This law was
framed 10 1876 when pork was $50 per barrel a nd
hout from Sl2 to So per barrel. The times are
dliereLt now; the prce of all articles OF con
sumption have decreased. In Audro.coggin
county they had to pay the TAILOR So a week for
the board of prisoners, beside. paving all the
bill fjr clothing, bedding, sc. Ii had cost the
rouutt. the past year. 5000 for - prisoners. He
va, iu favor of the resolution
Nh. Swift of Cumberland, inquired if that sum
included heating.
MIR Read replied that it did not.
Mr.. klmbsll Of PenObscot said that the matter
Wa all cady III the hand. OF The County Commits
,ioner,, they could fix the price now. lie was
for The resolution
Mn Read said he knew il was in the hands OF
the Comfy Commss ioners. but he thought the
law would assist them in making the reduction.
Mr.. Brsgdon of York. SAID they had cut the
boald down in his county to $3.50. A pressure
had been brought TO bear upon the commissioners
ia oppositien; the amendment would take away
the strain. Thought the work could be done well
for So. The SO had included simply the bare
grub.
NJ. Drake Of Waldo, wa. in favor of the reso-
luton.
MI Marble of SaVadahoc followed on the same
side.
Sheriff Dresser of Cumberland had noticed
that sharp, practical men had been put on boards
OF commissioners. He was jailor in Portland.
and perhaps was biased in bis Judgment. Prisons
had formerly been regarded as strictly penal in
-tttutious, with penal fare. But now work shops
a. schools Of industry, bad been connected and it
was found necessary to feed the men better, more
than 80 &c nts per week being required. Care i.
greatly Increased. He believed that the prices
paia were none too high. And when YOU come
to the Humanitarian pant you shauld be care
ia of the man whom YOU put IN charge of pris-
oners. And you should be willing to pay compe-
tent Keep the men Ia a halt starved condi-
ton and how can the Jailor pursue the humsni-
tartan part of his work. He knew that the CRY
had been "cut down, cut down." but give the
ia ilors fair show, and not be always looking to
the ono cent matter.
Mr. Bngg. Of Androscoggin was in favor OF
the resolve. The people throughout the State are
grumbling-taxes are growing higher and higher,
and "lepudiation' is beng whispered in the stores
and at the corners of the streets. lie believed in
feeding prisoners well, but not better than he
hlu self feeds.
Mr. Dresser said that a return TO the auction
block, to bid OIL county prisoners for their sup
port would hardly be approved by this age. The
moral reform wouldn't mix with that worth
cent The jsis are not so expensive in proper.
ton the State Prison. Wanted TINS reform to
take some other form than talk
Nj. rake said the criminal expenses are con-
stsutly increasing in every county, and the people
must have relief.
Mr. rendeSter of Oxford, offered the following
as substitute for the resolution under considefa-