The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-07-27
THE FESITENTTARY.

within few days of Governor Crosby, ",
wish to call attention to the condition of tn,
Montana Penitentiary located at this place
and to solicit his active personal attention
In remedying the evils that now exist. w,
are convinced Of and recognize his close per
sonal relations and influence with the Presi
dent Of the United States not only that bu
his wide acquaintance and friendly relations
with many public men who direct public
opinion and control legislation. We also see
In him man to whom active interest In
public affairs Is q necessity in the pursuit Of
happiness. We wish his active interpretation
influence, and effort in securing the redres.
OF an existing aud long continuing evil-the
inadequacy of the present penitentiary
buildings to the legitimate demands made
upon IL in enforcing the judgments of the
courts Of this Territory. We recently pub
lished a letter written by him to Attorney
General Brewster, saying that "by a small
appropriation, of say $500, on the pat Of
"the Department Of Justice for The purpose
providing greater security, in repairing
'fences, ETC., am led TO believe that the
"present complaints OH the part of the Off.
"cals Of the institution will be. to certain
"extcnt, met" In commenting Oh this we
said " We cannot understand under wha.
misspprehension of facts Governor Crosby
"applied TO the Attorney General for $500
90 as palliative Of the evils at the Peniten-
"tiary Of which the officers complain. Mar
"shal Botkin tells the solid truth when he
"says IL is not question of repairs at all,
"but one Of the completion of the building
as originally designed" On this informa-
ton we have no reason to change our COM
ments. But friend of Gov. Crosby writes ms
In relation TO the above: "I conclude the
facts are not understood. Governor Crosby
went to the Attorney General aud pushed
for very much larger sum and was fatty
refused. He tried for lesser sums down to
$500 with like result land finally undertook TO
arrange for what he wanted, to be given dur
ing the year, and was told they would see
what could be done about it. He then asked
for sum as starter and they gave the
$780," This places the Governors action In
a different light, and we trust he regards 1t as
it is regarded by all others we know of that
the completion Of the original building Is
the only adequate remedy possible.
For many years succeeding Territorial
and United States Grand Juries, the Legs
lature, Federal and Territorial officials, and
the press Of Montana have urged this matter.
1t is simply case where the United is keep.
ing, Or attempting to keep, eighty or ninety
10 accommodate that many but stopped at
point where 1t is only competent to incarcer-
ate safely and humanely twenty eight CON-
victs. Delegate Maginnis says he has re-
peatedly aud earnestly urged it upon the
attention Of the Department of Justice and
Congress; that the Attorney General has
approved the plan Of completing the prison
and given all possible aid, but that the COM
mittees to whom the matter has been re-
terred say substantially: "That is United
States penitentiary. 1t Is adequate for all
"the prisoners the United States will have In
"Montana. We will keep your Territorial
"prisoners, as many as we can, at cost, but
"further than that we will not go. If we
appropriate to enlarge the Montana peni-
"tentiary, Wyoming, Washington, and the
"other Territories where the United States
"has prisons, will demand the same thing"
This Is the Observation-Disclosures must have
influence enough with the Committee on
Appropriations TO secure its favorable report
and with the House and Senate to secure its
approval, or the prison will remain as it has
been. To secure this we invite the attention
of Governor Crosby. The original sppro-
pration was simply dedication Of the in.
ternal revenue of Montana TO that purpose.
The Territory now pays annually more than
enough TO complete the building according
10 the original plans. II that diversion can
be secured for another year the object will
be accomplished. 1t is demanded by every
consideration of justice, security, and hui
mainly.
And lest the attitude Of Deer Lodge in
the naLIer sHOuIu Ue HisuHutTsboou, we ieei
authorized in saying: Deer Lodge would
prefer not to have the penitentiary here. 1t
is of no material benefit to the town. What
advantages are derived from the close pur
chases made for the subsistence of prisoners
Is more than compensated by the menace 1t
is, in Its present condition at least, TO the
peace and welfare Of the community, with
Its frequent conspiracies TO escape and con-
tinuous tribute Of discharged convicts, few
Of whom lead better lives than before their
Imprisonment among US. The money that
would be expended in the completion of the
building is no object in comparison with the
evils attendant upon the location Of the
prison here, and we urge this case from be-
ing more familiar with the necessities for re-
dress rather than from any benefits that
would result directly to the town. 1t Is an
appeal for the cessation Of wrong, not an
attempt to secure mercenary benefits. All
efforts heretofore have failed. If Governor
Crosby after examination appreciates the
situation as we do, we shall expect his best
endeavors TO secure the additional structure
needed, and II 1t Is accomplished will be glad
TO give honor TO whom honor Is due.