The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-01-11

a condition OF ldIenes among them Is
not to be thought of. In 1888, in defer
ence to the well known views and wishes
of the labor organizations of the state,
the state conventions of the two leading
political organizations of the state repre-
senting all but small minority OF the
whole people, declared without dissent
in favor OF the abolition Of the contract
system of prison labor. Believing these
declarations were made in good faith
and that promises of political conven-
tions should no more be broken than
those of the individuals, recommended
in my inaugural address two years ago
suitable legislation to give them effect;
and the legislature duly passed the law
referred to. The arguments in favor OF
abolishing the contract system, while
shall not repeat them here, are to my
mind conclusive.
The law of 1887 referred to appropri-
ated but $25, 900 to purchase machinery
and put in motion the public account
system, an amount deemed much too
small by the inspectors to warrant them
in undertaking the work, and so up to
this time nothing has been done. The
result of their investigations will be laid
before you, and it will be seen from their
special report, after visiting many prisons
in other sections of the country, that
they recommend the reinstatement OF
the contract system in Minnesota.
The main point is to get started that
the prisoners may have work. The IN
dustries of the prison it seems to me
should be, as far as practicable, such as
will qualify them to follow useful pur-
suits after their terms have expired and
they again take their places as citizens
of the state. l earnestly hope that under
the new system the provision for pay
ment to the prisoners of good conduct
money will be continued by the state.
Whatever changes are made, this wise
and beneficient rule should be continued.
also heartily join in recommending
the parole system for the state prison
so successfully in operation in Ohio and
elsewhere, and already provided by law
for the st. Cloud reformatory. Also in
recommending, and for the reasons they
urge, that the appointment of warden be
made by the board of inspectors. re-
new the recommendations made by me
two years ago that the board of inspec-
tors be enlarged to five members.
| Governor McGill then referred to the
pardoning power. He thought it should
continue to be vested in the chief execu-
|
The governor next referred to the
somewhat famous reform school removal
question. He went into history of the
case, and stated that the board of mana
gers of the reform school had failed in
their duty in not removing the school as
provided by law. He recommended that
the board of managers be empowered by
law to select new site at Red Wing, If
in their Judgment change would result
benefcially to the school. The city of
Red Wing is suitable point at which to
locate the school. He further recon-
mended that the old site be plated and
sold.
After referring to the state national
guard in terms Of high commentator,
Governor McGill spoks of the state sol
diers' home. He approved of the site
chosen and advocated generous policy
by the state.
The bureau of labor statistics, the gov
ernor said, is useful, well-managed in
stitutiOn