The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-06-16
The State Prison.

The Democratic organs of Maine have spoiled
large amount of white paper in the attempt
to make it appear that the State Prison has
been very badly managed and that the people
of the State have been terribly imposed upon.
Our readers are familiar with the means en-
ployed and the course pursued. We have al
luded to it heretofore. The Prison is about 80
years older than the Republican party, and
was under the management of the Democratic
party of Maine, before its fearful degeneracy,
the greater part of that time.
In 1855 the valuation was SS,154.66, in 1856
IS, 1881 and in 1857 SS,222.4S. In each case
that purpose in 1856 by the Maine Law party,
subsequently Republican, in 1856 by the Dem
ocratic party and in 1857 by the Republican
party.
So that the value of the property of all kinds
at the prison when it was turned over to Re-
publican control was probably correct at IS,
222.4S There were also notes and accounts
the face value of which was 81 ,423.0, making
the total assets $9,645.52. The liabilities were
IS, 9,564.41 leaving a net balance of SS1. IL as ap-
peared by the report of the Commissioners
counting the notes and accounts at their face
value.
To summarize the situation when Republi-
cans took control, there was the apparent net
assets of SS1, the articles of subsistence, lights,
fuel, etc., very low requiring immediate heavy
expenditures, the claims of creditors pressing
and the credit of the Prison seriously impaired,
buildings inadequate and out of repair, with
the legacy of the necessity of an immediate
appropriation of S15,375 to keep the institution
on its legs.
Prior to and including 1858 the average an
nual cost of the Prison to the State noe includ-
ing the original cost of construction was
$500, with a population in 1857 of 100 prison.
ers averaging for the 35 years it had been in
operation not far from 20, making the average
yearly cost per man not far from S131.
During 20 years, 1859 to 1878 inclusive, the
Prison has cost the State 1884 ,093. $4,000 of
.1A1
ings, enlarging old ones, the purchase of real
estate and steam fire engine, permanent and
extraordinary improvements, making the aver
age annual cost to the State, with an average
population of $50, S14204 or an average cost
per year per man of S97 not giving the prison
any credit for the extensive permanent i'm
provements.. Bygiving such credit the annual
cost would be S9,005, with the cost per man
reduced to sos.
So that as compared with the former man
agement, providing there is practically no bal
ance in favor of the prison, which we do not
admit as matter of fact, the annual cost of
the Prison to the State, with an average popu-
lation of 150 is but a trife greater under Re-
publican management, than 1t was for popu-
lation of 20 under the former management, and
the cost per year is $34 less or accounting for
permanent improvement S73 less for each man
than under the former management, and leaves
the prison with buildings in good order and
adequate for at least ten years to come, the
machinery, tools, ETC., greatly improved, the
capacity for manufacturing largely increased,
the capacity for inmates more than double and
according to the report of the commissioners
the net assets above all liabilities S19,960; or
counting the notes and accounts at face, as we
have those of the former management, S43-
O31 as the net assets againt SS1, in 1856. With
the valuation at the figures of the Inspectors
in December last, one of whom is Democrat,
the net assets are $97 1888 against S3,SlS in
1856 as the valuation of the Inspectors of that
year. Therefore in any event Republicans
can challenge comparison with advantage
where figures and facts are taken into ac,
count,