The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-23

IN relation to amendments OF. and additions 70.
our present laws. These recommendations
being based upon the actual experience of
these officers. coupled with thorough study
and investigation of the matters to which they
refer, entities them and respectfully invite
You Ia give them, an earnest and careful CON-
sideratiOn.
PENTTENIIARY.
The report of the directors of the peniten-
tiary embraces the respective reports of the
warden, chaplain and physician. and is trans
mItted herewith. 1t is very comprehensive.
and furnishes complete information touching
the condition of that institution. An examina-
ton of the report shows that the daily average
number of prisoners confined in the peniten-
tiary from December I. 1876 to June 30. 1877,
vas AS; while the daily average from June 80,
1877, to the close of the fiscal year, June 30,
1878, was 465: and that the number of prison.
ers confined at the latter date was 800. There
have been discharged during the period COW
cred by this report:
BY expiration of sentence:
State prisoners. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 165
United States prisoners. ....... %
By pardons:
State prlsOners. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. ~
United States prisoners. 6
By Communication of sentence:
state prisoners. .--.........-......... ID
Five prisoners have been returned to cOun-
ties for new trials, eleven transferred to the
Asylum for the Insane six have died and two
escaped, of which one has been recaptured and
returned to the prison.
The aggregate earnings of this institution,
according to the estimates, embracing period
from July l, 1879, to June so, 1881, inclusive,
will be SI27, 400; while the current expenses
for the same period are estimated ut S203. 1865,
leaving the amount of expenses over earnings,
s75965.
In asking your attention to the several sug-
gestions and recommendations embraced in
this report, feel it my duty to especially i'm
press upon you the Importance of that portion
recommending the establishment of . reform
school for youthful criminals. This question
has been agitated for years. It has been fire.
quently urged, with much force and reason.
not only in former reports from this institu-
ton, but also in the message of my predeces-
sor. The dictates of humanity, the safety of
society, and the welfare of the youth of our
state. appeal to you for an earnest and prompt
consideration of the question; and trust that
the necessary measures may be adopted with
out further delay for the organization of such
an institution.
PRISON LABOR.
Many complaints have been made that the
present policy of employing prisoners in the
manufacture of such articles are produced
only by skilled labor, brings the labor of the
convict in direct competitor with the honest,
industrious mechanics of our State.
These complaints are not without founda-
ton. The penitentiary derives its capital from
the State: it pays no taxes, but is necessary
burden. While the mechanic derives his cap
ital from his labor, he pays taxes, is expected
to obey the laws, and in obeying them, is re-
quired to contribute his quota toward sustain
ing a system of convict labor, directly in con-
flict with the means upon which he depends for
a support. Yet duty to the State As well Ms to
the prisoner requires that he should be en-
ployed and that such employment should, as
near as possible, be made to defray the ex-
penses incurred by the State on
his account. 1 therefore suggest
the appointment of committee,
to take into consideration this whole question.
relating to the present system of convict labor
at this institution, with a view to the adoption,
if practicable, of such measures rs will in due
time Obviate this apparent injustice to the
mechanics of our State
ASYLUM FOR THE BLIND.
The report of this institution shows that
forty five pupils were in attendance at the
close of the term ending June Z, 1878. The
estimates for the current expensee for the fis-
cal years ending respectively June 30 1880 and
1881. are S13.5l3 and SI3.903. This is exclus-
i've of the sum of $1,000 which the trustees and
Superintendent allege is required to erect and
furnish a hospital building. which the health
of the students. as well as the success of the
school. demands.
INSTITUTION FOR EDUCATION OF THE DEAF AND
DUNE
This institution seems to be well conducted.
and in an encouraging condition. The whole
number of pupils enrolled from November 30.
1876. to June 30, 1878. is one hundred and nine
The sanitary condition as shown by the re-
port of DIR. c. q. Mckinley. the attending
physician. is remarkably good-not q de:th
having occurred in the institution during the
past six years. The respective reports of the
trustees and superintendent are well worthy of
a careful perusal.
In addition to the necessary approximation
for current expenses, the sum of S6OOOO is
asked for. to erect public buildings. The ne
eessity for such an appropriation of very clear
" and fOrcibly presented by the superintend-
ent in his report, to which respectfully direct
your attention. and will only add that per-
sonal inspection of the institution will fully
vindicate the superintendent in his earnest APP
peals for additional room.
AsYLUNs FOR THE INSANE
Of the three hundred and sixty inmates I'M
der treatment during the biennial period end
ing June 30. 1878. mt the asylum located near
osawat1mie' hity-nine have been DISCHARGED,
restoreu' twenty, improved; seventeen, unlm-
proved: three escaped, one was not insane;
thirty nave dled-ieavlng two hundred and
thirty inmates IN the institution at the close
OF the nscai year ending June 81, 1873.
invite your attention to the report Of the
trustees and ofhcers OF tins institution. From
tins report II Will be seen that the most press
ing demand OF TINS institution Is for more
room
Inc TACT that al the close OF the hscal year
ending June 30 1878, one hundred and sixty
four insane persons were. for want of room. ex-
cluded from the State sylum, coupled with the
dictates of humanity, the safety Of society.
and the welfare of this unfortunate and help
less class of our citizens. makes it an impera- |
tive duty to provide the necessary means to in |
crease and utilize the capacity of the asylums |
to meet this demand.
There have already been appropriated |
various sums. amounting in the aggregate to |
Slus.S99.25. for the purpose of erecting. near /,
the city of Topeka, an additional asylum for |
the insane. This asylum. as will be
seen by the report of the trustees is /