The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-09
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

a GOv0rmm0at R@Dltentlefy Needed
The subject or Convict Labor.
The conduct Of the department Of juttice
for the last necal year IL fully detailed in the
report Of the attorney general. and invite
the earnest attention or the congress TO the
eame, and due confederation OF tho
recommendations therein contained. In the
report submitted BY this officer 10 the
last session OF congress be strongly recon-
mended the erection Of Q penitentiary for the
connneme mt Of prisoners convicted and sen
fenced in the United States courts; q be
repeats the recommendation IN his Ecporl 'or
the last year. This 10 Q matter OF very q. ct
importance and should ct once receive con-
Rreeeionai action. United States prisoners
are now confined In more than thirty
different state prisons and peniientiaries,
e.tuated In every part OF the country.
They are subjected to nearly % many different
modes Of treatment and discipline. ard are far
too much removed from the centsol and regu-
lation OF the government. So far - they are
entitled to humane treatment and opportunity
for improvement snd reformation. the govern
ment is responsible 10 them; but this duty csn
scarcely be discharged without more absolute
control and discretion that is possible under
the present system. Many Of our good citi-
zens have interesrod themselves with the
question Of
PRISON Reform.
4u0 kGUCI0i kOVSIUmCut UUOuJu DC IN =
situation. since there muet be United States
prisoners. to furnish important aid in the
movement, and should be able to H.
luetrste what may be practi-
cally done in the practice Of reform,
and to present m example In the treatment
and improvement Of its prisoners worthy Of
imitation. With prisoners under its own con-
troll, the government could deaf with the some
what vexed question Of convict labor. 90 far
A iea rnnV fcta Uaen ronraYnnA nrrnpdfnO IN n
plan of its own adoption and with due regard
70 the rights and interests Of our laboring citi-
zene, instead Of sometimes aiding In the
operation Of system which causes
among them irritation and discomfort
Upon consideration Of this subject, It might
be thought wise TO erect more than one Of
these institutions located in such places q
would best eubeerve the purpoees OF conven.
fence and economy in transportation. The
considerable cost OF maintaining these con
victs. % at present. In state institutions.
would BE eaved BY the adoption Of the plan
proposed. and BY employing them in the
manufacture Of auch articles % were needed
for nee By the government. Quite
Large pecuniary seneat would Be
the JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
Iagain urge change In the federal Judicial
system to meet the wanta OF the pc ople and
obviate the delays necessarily attending the
presentation Of affairs In our courts. All
are agfeed that something ehould be done,
and much favor 10 shown BY those we'll able
to advise TO the plan suggested By the attor.
ney general o. the last session Of congress
and recommended In NY last annual meeaage
This Recommendation IL here renewed,
together with another. Bade 1t the
eame time. to such . change in the manner Of
compromising district attorneys and marshals,
and the latter subject 10 commended to the
congress for its action In the interest Of econ.
omy 10 the government and humanity, and
fairness and justice 10 onr people.