Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-15

| The convicts are well fed and clothed; the
| disciplinary ard sanitary conditions of the
prison are good; and the books are plainly and
| correctly kept The Seventeenth General Assem-
bly, reduced the pay Of both the clerk and chap
| lain. The salary now allowed these officers is
/ entirely too low in view Of the constant and
arduous services they are called on 10 perform.
The salaries should be made respectively 81 eco
year.
Finding that the surplus of convicts' earnings.
over and above the cost Of support, was ac-
cumulating in the Warden's hands, directed
him to pay such surplus into the State treas
ury, which he has done from time to time M
to Sept 80, 1879 to the amount of s15, COL 80,
as is shown in his report, and the same has
been increased at this date to s17,14l76.
The number Of guards allowed by law is one
for each ten convicts. This is beyond the
needs Of the prison. One guard for every fif-
teen convicts is, in my opinion, ample to main
tain discipline. If this reduction in the num-
Der OF guards were made, the current cost OF
the prison would be largely reduced, and the
convict earnings would make the prison nearly,
If not quite, a self-supportng institution, and
to this extent SAVING the State from expense
The prison is heated by about seventy-five
stoves, at q cost for fuel, as is stated by the
Warden, Of about $4,000 for the biennial pc
riod. 1t could be heated by steam at small
expense, and large amount now paid for
fuel be saved. By the use Of steam the cost
avoided, and the safety of the prison from fire
would be materially enhanced. The roof Of
the dollhouse should be made fire-proof. AS
II is now, unless constant care and watchful-
ness be had, there is danger from fire.
An appropriation for building for a laun-
dry is q necessity. The blacksmith shop used
by the Tool Company is badly ventilated and
needs enlarging. The expense, as .hown by
the report would be small, and the improve
ment would be of great benefit to the health of
| the convicts who work in this shop
| The contract for the building, for which an
| appropriation of $1,000 was made by the
| Seventeenth General Assembly, was let by the
Executive Council to the lowest bidder, and
| the structure has been completed in sub
| stantial manner, answering most admirably
| the purpose for which it was designed.
THE CRAIG INVESTIGATION.
The Seventeenth General Assembly contin-
ued as q commission the committee raised dur
ing the session to examine into the manage
ment Of the Fort Madison Penitentiary during
Warden Craig's six yearn' term Of office which
committee was unable to get through with the
work before the close Of the session This
commission had power TO send for persors
and papers. To meet the further expenses Of
the investigation, the General Assembly au-
propriated $1,000, of which 81 S41 81 have bee,
expended, as appears from the books of the
State Auditor. The commission made repor.
to me June IA, 1873. The document ing
quite vOluminous, to save exrense, bad on.y
800 copies printed, in place Of the usual nun
Der authorized by law-3,5O0 copies. Lie
commission did not sum u" the amount OK
pended by DR.. Craig ov r and above the
amount contemplated By ...H. but Q careful