Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-04
$4,000


Territorial University -.-...-.- 3,Ou
Total estimate $4,000
The Penitentiary at Seatco contains
seventy three persons. The cost Of their
maintenance for the past two years hiss
been $4,000.
The management is judicious and
firm, very properly tempered with kind
ness. The prisoners have general good
health, and bat few deaths have oc-
CURED: when seriously sick they are
placed in the hospital, have good &c
Communications. nursing. and excellent
medical attention They are provided
with abundant food in suitable variety.
AMPLE clothing and ordinary sleeping
celia They are generally we'll disposed
in conduct, and not a few of them give
evidences Of desire to become good cit
liens. Moyeable shackles have been in
troduoed and ussd in many cases to the
comfort, benefit and satisfaction of the
convicts, who remove them at meal
time, at night and on Sundays. In the
out Of door system Of labor IL is consid-
cred unsafe 20 dispense with the riveted
shacklos in view Of the additional temp
tatinn and facilities for escape incident
TO the new irons, bat IN any cases where
they can be safely used they are always
applied.
A portion of the appropriation for
their purchase remains unexpenaed,
which recommend shal, be devoted to
procuring as many Of these shackies as
can be obtained Herewith. Moral in
structors have been appointed. and have
discharged the duties imposed faith
fully and with decidedly satisfactory
effect. Reading matter has also been
provided as directed by law. much TO
the entertainment and qualification Of
the prisoners. have issued but few
pardons save under the statute all ewing
rebate of five days TO each month for
good behavior upon the recommenda-
ton Of the Superintendent. This law is
most salutary, inspiring good conduct
with hope of reward, which is always
recognized by the pardoning power.
The present contract for confining,
guarding. boarding and general support
OF the prisoners will expire on the first
day of August, 1884, and before
your Successors assemble. Il will
be necessary fer you TO pro-
vide for future contingencies at
this session. This will be the most i'm
portant Of all your Legislative duties. l
therefore recommend thai its consider
alton may be entertained by you as soon
a. may be agreeable 10 your honorable
bodies.
The present contractor has fulfilled
| his obligations to the Territory honor
ably and efficiently, and has been al
much expense in building the prison
and stookade. and providing other ne
cessary appliances, has valuable expert.
enoe and IL worthy Of your oOnsiderate
attention, ii he presents q proposition
70 rcnew the contract.
| A Law Of Congress provides that all
Territories, except Washington, shall
have a. q donation the United States
| prisons located within their respective
domains upon their admission as States
In view Of this remarkable exception
against rs / suggest that you petition
Congress 70 give rs the prison at Mo
Nei's island at the proper time. which
1 II secured will afford an economical so.
luton Of the subject for the future.
Personal observation and study of the
reports satisfy me that the affairs OF the
Hospital for the Insane have been man.
aged in an intelligent, humane and Geo.
n0mioal manner, by the hoard of Trus.
tees, also that the medical and hyeienic
treatment have been esninently skillful
and successful, and the general super
vision careful and thorough.
The inmates, 30 many of them as are
conscious of their true condition, and
are capable Of appreeiating kind atten-
tons aud good household accommoda-
tions, are ~ well satisfied as can be ex--
pected frem persons of their unfortu-
| nate and uus0ttled condition of mind
| Our system il simple and comparative
~ inexpensive, but 10 equal TO the best
In management and results.
The following extracts from the re-
ports Of the Board of Trustees, and the
Superintendent of the Hospital. will ac-
quaint You with its business condition,
and include some recommendations for
Legislative action:
Annual summary from August l6, 1881,
to August 10, 1882.