The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-10-25
PEEIrEETIARY MATTERS.
How tbs Brick-Msking Industry Has
Saved Money 70 the Territorr.

Col. :. J. Parker, proprietor Of the walia
Wsils sfafssmaa. and chairman OF the
board OF Penitentiary commissioners. Is
paying the Queen City oneof bis regular
visits, and is ss enthusiastic ss ever regard
ing Seattle. Upon being asked regarding
the cessation OF the salary Of the commits.
sloners, be says tina. Il was entirely guex-
peeied, as the Law reads very explicit on
the subject. and he attributes IL entirely 10
the hurry the legislature rushed things
toward the eni OF the session. ewing 70 the
woman suffrage ointruetlonists. Both laws
for the building of the additions and tao
government OF the institution are 30 so-
fully mixed that strict legal construction
would nnilify almost every section of the
acts. Some sections aliude TO the snPcrin-
teEdent aud another 10 the comm isxiouers.
there being no superintendent The salary
is very small in proportion to the work.
being only $500 per annnm. The commits
sioners. be says, have worked bard and
couscienuousiy. and have already saved
the territory nearly 5000 through their
business management.
Upon entering upon their duties they
found things In very crude state, and IN
order To give profitable employment 20 the
conyicts purchased brick-making plant
for $500. and with this small three horse
power Arrangement have made nearly one
million brick OF n very superior quality.
In the new building they haye used up
nearly 70o, 900, which, AZ the price hereto
fore paid for prick in wallis walla, $40 per
thousand, saves the terrific y f7ts9. Be
sides this saving they have brick on hand
TO the amount Of nesFiy S21oo lnorc- They
are already ordered and acquisitions are
already in for a million more next spring.
All This with an expenditure Of sI2co for
the machinery. The commissioners have
purchased two acres Of hre-clay land on
the fine Of the narrow gGage railroad at
Dixie and have extended the line right
Into the peniientiary brick yard. 9ae con-
yiels ike the WORK, aud nothing els
contents them more than idiencss. They
make their own clothing and shoes. do all
the bsaeksnithing, attend 10 the farm and
everything pertaining to the institution.
The officials are very siglians and no AZ
tempt at escape has yet been made.
The loss OF salary does not appear to
worry the colonel 20 any great extent, as he
trusts TO the justice of the next legislature
TO make amends At the proper time. The
commissioners are allowed - per day dur
iig their sessions, according 10 the law
passed the day after the allowance Of 500
per aunum: but as he justly says, nohoncst
man can afford 10 do his duty aud pas in
his time for that amount
II Il probable that things viii go on AS
they have been going a. ieesi until the i'm
proyements are completed. The new cell
wing Is ready for the steei cells. which win
Ne placed In position In about two weeks.
by December I the electric light
plant and steam heating machinery
viii be Ia operation. The sum
OF $500 appropriated for the
manufacture Of luse baggtag. the commits
ssoncrs have determined not 10 use, as i
will entail endless expense upon the terri
tory aud be white elephant Tor all time.