The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-12-23

~ Nv W pu0 0ouApt ~" pLS
result of our labors has been duly presented
TO you. Apart from this there are some other
matters TO which our attention has been
directed, and which deserve the attention of
the authorities.
In several instances we find that fire has
been allowed to escape in the mountains rob-
bling them of their grandeur and destroying
great forests of timber. Some of these fires,
as has been shown, had their origin in sparks
from the smoke stacks of saw mills whereby
large amounts of private property also have
been destroyed and habitations and human
life endangered. Better safeguards and more
vigilance should be required from the propri-
etors of these works.
We find that ~convicts detailed for labor
outside of the penitentiary have in three in
stances escaped from the guards, only one Of
whom has been recaptured, the other two
being now at large. The facts elected seem
TO show that there was not, in two Of these
cases at least, a proper exercise of vigilance
or else too much confidence was reposed by
that part Of the guard having them in charge.
- VI " "teiSS " NoioSo e'S
county and Territorial prisons, and the Sis
tels' Hospital. The old county prison W e
found totally inadequate and unfit for the &C
commodation of the fifteen inmates found
therein, and We endorse and commend the
action Of the Honorable Board of County
| Commissioners in the erection OF the new,
respectable, commodious and substantial
prison which is now almost ready for occupa-
ton. The Sisters Hospital we found COM
plete in all its apartments, sclupulously clean,
sufficiently lighted and ventilated, and an all
of quiet and comfort prevailing throughout.
These with skillful medical attendance, and
the gentle care of the Sisters in charge, rem
der this a rue home,for the afflicted homeless
We found the p~enitentiary taxed to its fullest
capacity. There are now confined forty con.
victs, and there are only twenty-eight cells
in one instance six men are confined in ar
improvised cell 5x1S feet. The corridor il
used for a dining room. The kitchen is
temporary structure, and entirely without the
prison. TIL officers quarters are outside ant
in no wise commodious, and the armory il
lllSollfClllClU uilo III oulhSlCLitIy Vii
Never since the early hist -ry of Montan;
has crime been SO prevalent as now Tit
near approach of a railroad and the rapid in
fux of population lead us to apprehend tina
the number of ~convicts may be largely in
creased. Already we are informed a humble
are under sentence in the different counties
and there will be more when the severa
courts now in session are terminated. W
believe the present capacity of the prisol
should at least be doubled, and we therefor
earnestly request our Delegate to Congress
to urge the necessity of the immediate ere6
ton of another building or the extension c
the present one to the end that ample, SAT
aud comfortable quarters may be provided fo
the Territorial c~onyicts. Every part of tn
prison and its a~djuncts we found to b
thoroughly clean, the inmates Statistic
with their food and treatment, and the gel
eral management by the Warden admirabl
and worthy Of commentator.
Having now concluded our labors, and d,
string to resume our respective avocation
acknowledging our obligations to the Uol
District Attorney, the Sheriff and other of
GERS for prompt, efficient, and courteous a
t%ention, we respectfully submit this repot
and ask that We be discharged.
Signed, W.. A. CLARK,
Foreman.