Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-11

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Sergeant, Hickman, WEIGH, STEVENSON and
Blackman on the part of the senate, and
! Messrs Moore, Parker. M. Johnson, Thay
er, Batchelder, Rahilly and Gregory on the
| part of the house of representatives, de-
parted at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, as
per announcement, for Saltwater for the
purpose of inspecting that institution.
They were accompanied by other senators
and representatives, Legislative officers,
ladies and other guests to the number of
about two hundred. Three passen-
ger coaches were placed at
the disposal of the commit
tees and guests, and the run was
pleasantly made, but was destitute of any
notable incident.
Upon the arrival of the train in front of
the prison the visitors left the cars and were
taken in charge by Warden Reed and
Deputy W arden Hall, and with the assist
1nce of other guides were shown through
the prison and workshops, where the crowd
was speedily divided into small groups K
amining and asking questions about the
Various automatic machines therein con-
tanned.
The committee at first made an inspec-
ton of the prison and the grounds, and
the needs of the institution was explained
to them. The full capacity for the accom-
mediation of prisoners is nearly reached,
only six cells being now unoccupied.
About 600 feet of the prison yard is still
enclosed by high board fence, which
does not appear to be very formidable
barrier between 800 hardened criminals
and liberty. The inspectors recommend
an appropriation for completing the wall,
and estimate its cost at $4,000. They
recommend an appropriation of $4,000
$125,000 for the current expenses of the
prison for the ensuing two years.
The second state prison nonsense hav-
ing entirely subsidized and the inspectors
pretty much died out, the prison officials
are of the opinion that a settled policy
should be adopted, and it is their opinion
that the money required for the payment
of one years salary to officers of second
prison would, if expended in grading, ETC.,
remedy the natural defects of the present
site, and they will probably ask the legis-
lature to make regular annual appropri-
alton for buildings and Improvements 80
that their plans may be made in accord
ance with the resources at their disposal.
Upon this subject the inspectors say:
The appropriations asked for during the
next two years seem large, yet it must be
borne in mind the prison is now full and
more room must be provided; that the To-
cation of this prison is peculiarly unfor-
tunate, for it is absolutely necessary to
have yard room, and have it walled in, to
get even part of this space in a condition
fit to use; in building the walls an i'm
mense amount of money has been spent,
and more will be wanted in the future.
These walls have to be of heavy and ex-
pensive masonry to withstand the enor-
nous strain pressing upon them, and most
Of the available yard room has only been
attained at great expense by grading.
Yet in face of all this, it would seem from
a careful consideration of all the circum-
stances that the wisest plan is to go on and
complete the wall and increase cell room
capacity sufficient for ten or fifteen years
to come, so that it can contain popula-
ton of from six hundred to eight hundred,
the motive power and shop room being
amply sufficient for that number. Then,
no doubt, the earnings would be enough so
that the care of the prison would cease to
be state charge, and then the time will
have come when more advantageous To-
cation for prison should be selected.
The prison proper is neat and orderly
10
credit upon Warden Reed and Deputy
Hall. The warden reports gain of TWEEN
ty five in the population of his institution
during the past two years, which certainly
speaks we'll for the people of the state
when it is remembered that the state is
becoming populous in greater ratio. He
anticipates a greater increase during the
two years to come and asks the legislature
to increase the capacity of the
prison in accordance with these an
ticipated requirements. He compliments
the people Of the state upon their morals
by telling them that the proportion of
convicts is not large in comparison with
other states.
The following are extracts from the
warden's report:
EARNINGS AND EXPENDITURES.
By the new contract the price received
for convict labor was increased from forty
cents to forty-fvs cents per day. This has
increased our earnings, but the great ad
vance in subsistence and fuel has increased
our expenses, so that we are unable to
make SO favorable showing as we had
anticipated, but we have been able to get
through with the appropriation made by
the last Legislature for current expenses.
and to slightly reduce the cost per capita
above earnings of maintaining the pris-
oners.
The earnings from all sources were, for
1881, $26, 277O4, and for 1882, $3O,95278;
the expenses were, for 1881, $40, 96456, and
for 1882, $54,972,65.
I estimate that it will require an appro-
priation of 100000 for 1888, and $4,000
for 1884, and that the earnings for 1883
will be $4,000, and for 1884, $4,000.
APPROPRIATIONS,
In addition to more cell room, there is
urgent need of a steam laundry to prop
erly do the work now required.
The old wash-houss is entirely INSULT
cient,it is onlyla temporary structure, made
many years ago by the deputy warden,
with the aid of convicts, and without any