Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-06-14
From the Somerset Reporter
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 Pris-
on has been very badly managed and that the
people Of the State have been terribly i'm
posed upon. Our readers are familiar
with the means employed and the course pur-
sued, as we have alluded to itheretotore. The
prison is about 80 years older than the repub-
lcan 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,l5+.66, in
1856 81, 1881 and in 1867 SS.2224s. In
each case il was made by commissioners ap-
pointed for that purpose in 1888 by the Maine
Law party. subsequently republican, In 1896
by the democratic party and in 1901 by the
republican party.
So that the value of the property of all
kinds at the prison when it was turned over
TO republican control was probably correct at
81, ,222 4s. There were also notes and ac-
counts the face value of which was 81 423.O4
making the total assets 50, 9,64j52 The lia-
biities were -, ,564.4l leaving net balance
Of ssl.ll as appeared by the report of the
commissioners counting the notes and ac-
counts at face value.
To summarize, the situation when republi-
cans took control. there was the apparent net
assets of Ssl the articles of subsistence
lights, fuel etc. very low requiring immediate
heavy expenditures. The claims of creditors
pressing and the credit of prison seriously
impaired, buildings inadequate and out of re-
pair. with the legacy of the necessity of an
immediate appropriation of Sl5,3'j to keep
the institution on its legs.
Prior to and including 1858 the average an
nual cost of the prison to the State not in
cluding the original cost of construction was
ss 500. with a population in 1857 of 100
prisoners averaging for the 35 years it had
been in operation not for from 20, making the
average yearly cost per man not far from
8l3i.
During 90 years 1859 to 1879 inclusive, the
prison has cost the State S2s4, 1898, $4,000
of this amount has been expended in new
buildings, enlarging old ones, the purchase
of real restate and steam fire engine, per
manent and extraordinary improvements.
making the annual cost 10 the State, with an
average population Of $50, Sl4 ,204 or an av-
erage cost per year per man $97, not giving
the prison any credit for the extensive per
manent improvements. BY giving such cred
it the annual cost would be So, ,O05, with the
cost per man reduced to S5S.
SO that as compared with the former man.
agement, providing there is practically no
balance 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
population Of $50 is but trife greater un-
der republican management, than it was for
population of 20 under the former man
agement and the cost per year is S34 less, or
accounting for permanent improvement Sl3
less for each man than under the former man
agement, 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 mannfac
turing largely increased the capacity for in
mates more than double and according to the
report Of the commissioners the net assets
above all liabilities $l3960; or counting the
notes and accounts at face, as we have those
Of the former management, S43,03l as the
net assets againat SSl, in 1856 With the
valuation at the figures of the Inspector in
December last, one of whom is a 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 republi-
cans can challenge comparison with advan-
tage where figures and facts are taken into
account