The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-15
IOJaI 1or tne year---------------
THE PRESENT MARSHAL,


SO
Total for the 200
THE PRESENT MARSHAL,
Parson), has the same arrangements as
his predecessors in respect to compensa-
ton for hauling groceries and meat-S25
per month for the one, and $50 per month
for the other-the government feeding
caring for, and proving a driver for the
team and paying the marshal s. per trip
between the penitentiary and the city for
the use of it. During August, September
and twenty three days in October, of this
year it made sixty-four trips at IS, $4,000;
carriage of groceries and meat during said
months, S165. 100; total S4S5.00.
For $500 the government can provide it.
self with a span of horses, wagon and har-
ness to perform this service, and 500 ad-
ditional may purchase two good cows. suf-
ficient to furnish all the milk necessary for
the penitentiary, and it would seem as
though it were economy to do so.
The present marshal has twelve mich
COWS, about one hundred hogs and two ex-
ira horses at the penitentiars. The deputy
warden, Mr.. Amos, keeps two horses and
large number of turkeys and chickens at
the same place. All these are fed and
cared for by prison labor; portion of the
food for these animals and fowls is derived
from surplus food and swill from the prison
tables and kitchen: the balance is paid for
by the marshal and deputy warden.
From his twelve cows the marshal sup
plies milk for the table of the deputy
warden and guards, at the expense OF the
government and sells from SO to $50 worth
of milk per mouth to the prisoners or such
of them as have money to buyit, at the
uniform price of twenty-five cents per
gallon. This industry furnishes revenue
to the marshal of not less than 800 per
month, and at the same time has solved a
DISPUTED question concerning prison dis
cipline, viz: as to whether it is best
to furnish healthy penitentiary con-
victs with articles of food other
than the regular prison fare, even
though it brings profit to the officers in
charge. It is but justice to the marshal to
state in this connection, that when ques-
toned in regard to this milk supply, he
answered that many of the convicts were
old men with poor teeth and obliged to eat
mush.
CHARGE OF FRAUD.
We find under the management of the
several marshals during the period covered
by our Investigations:
THAT nearly all the vouchers rendered
the government by the deputy wardens for
potatoes or milk were fraudulent in whole
or in part.
2-That the supplies furnished have been
excessive in quantity.
3-That the prices paid for such supplies
have in many instances beennextravagant.
THAT the wagon account is an impo-
sition upon the government.
5-That it is bad policy and worse judg-
ment to permit the marshal or any en-
ployees under him to keep private property
or animals in or about the premises, or to
permit prisoners to perform any kind of
work or labor for the personal benefit of
the marshal.
6-That men serving terms of imprison-
ment for violation of the laws of Congress
against polygamy and unlawful cohabita-
ton have been granted greater liberties and
more generous favors than those impris-
oned for other offenses. Believing this to
be unwise and an unjust discrimination,
we respectfully suggest that it be discon-
tinued.
| We are of opinion that the person who
acts as warden of the penltentiary ought
| to have better rank and pay than a mere
guard. His position is most9responsible
one and calls for a peculiar order of talent;
| if he is fitted for the position he is GER
tainly entitled to what is here suggested.
We believe that such change would also
conduce to the improvement of prison
discipline. This officer ought also to be
provided with horse and light wagon at
| the expense of the government; his duties
call him to the city almost every day, and
as the penitentiary is four miles distant,
| Al, IF q &c n naoacCitv