The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-04-11
Figures Won't Lie.
For to-day

Enemies of the present administration of the
state prison have industriously circulated stories
for months past that the prison discipline ex-
ceedingly bad and getting worse and that the ex-
penses of the institution had increased alarmingly
story is absolute falsehood. The discipline
never was as good as at present and the convicts
never worked as well or cheerfully. all citi-
fam liar with the facts in the testify
The question of comparative expense is one which
the books of the prison and the books of the state
auditors office will clearly show. To ascertain
the truth falsity of this part of the accusao
Messenger reporter detailed this week to
look up the figures for Warden Stordock's first
year nd compare them with his predecessor
last year, and the result of his investigation is
presented below. 1t should be remarked in pass
ing that by reason of greater variety and guam
tity of food furnished convcts and better cooking
the food is pronounced by the consumers from
100 to 200 per cent. better than under the old
regime. Provisions of all kinds cost an average
of nearly if not quite Is per cent. more in 1887
than the same provisions cost in 1886. yet Mr.
stordock by good management coupled with ex-
pert subordinates has been able to feed the pris-
oners vastly better than did his predecessor and
better proof than this fact is required that a
change of management was needed at the prison.
But the figures:
The average number of convicts during 1886,
Reeds last year, AGO. and the amount paid for
food alone during that year was $50, 17O.so. The
total prison expenses exclusive of salaries, dur
ing the same period amounted $3S2Sl.40 or aver
age cost per convict, of 1910 per annum. Dur
ing the present warden's first year, 1887, the
age number of convcts 4l2 and the food
count alone footed up $l9,O27.25 while the total
prison ex )enses. not including salaries, were $685.
62S.7 IS or 1913. Is for each convict other items
showing still more to the credit of the present
financial administration the facts that since
the new warden came in, wholesale prices for all
food articles bought except sugar. advanced in
the market 12k per cent; and sugar advanced Is
per cent; that during Reeds last year, potatoes
were sold at % and 80 cents per bushel whereas
all bought in 1887 could not be had at less than 40
to so cents; that at the expiration of Reeds term
all supplies were nearly exhausted especially pota
toes for which, while waiting for the new crop,
Warden Stordock was compelled to pay in the
spring as high as IS cents and Sl.2O per bushels;
that when Stordock assumed charge there were in
the entire establishment IS vests wastcOats for
convicts, and these were only issued to invalds on
prescription of the prison physician; that the new
warden furnished in 1887 400 vests of wooden cloth
costing from 81 to Sl.10 per yard and allows each
convict one of them during the winter; that under
Reed the prisoners allowed no under.cloth-
ing except in winter; that Warden Stordock
bought in 1887 1000 yards of cotton flannel for
under-clothing, which he supplied to prisoners the
year round all the first year of the new admin
istraton. and yet he saved the state considerable
money over his predecessors