Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-01-19

r. - = paill,intd, s.aa onalv1sa. ~
49, e ~ Cent ~ thsg h.yo 6n6hnD
65ili6. DWing thS e1istanos q t. CoGanis-
-, H Uembors have uxifAen opfnions IN thxoo
hndsed md ixty to oaesa
ssoasH &: dscidsd i've hundred md ai1s,-
Ntisstion. coains to It constsn increases.
bs1ed tA,ss hundred and ssvents-nine; IN ISL.
four hundred and FIFTY four; in 1881, Eve hundred
and eighfy-seven; ans during 1883 nix hundred
md ninety eight It Il Therefore. sppesent that
ration OF its three years' tenure OF od6ce, March
5th 1890 or some other method Of relief for the
court must be devised
the number of supreme Court Judges. to create
other appellate courts, to limit the cases that
may be taken to the supreme court upon appeal
or error. The method first mentioned can be
adopted only By constitutional amendment.
Tho legislature should give this subject its
consideEate attention. The vital importance of
q prompt hearing and ad1uG,cahon OF az causes
judges of theCourt of final appeal cannot posi-
bly, hear and determine the large number Of
cases brought before them, is equally apparent
THE STATE KxMTENTIARH.
The reports Of the Directors, Warden, and
U
you . detailed statement of the expenses. re-
ceipts, general condition and requirements OF
that institution.
The Kansas Penitentiary deservedly enjoys q
high rank among the penal institutions OF the
country. Strict discipline is enforced, but harsh
or cruel punishments are never inflicted. The
prisoners are supplied with abundant and whole
some food, the tasks allotted them are not exces-
siye and their health il carefully looked after.
The present Warden has made many valuable inn
provements in the prison, has discharged all Of
and economy, and has won deeervedly high pos
ition among the prison officials OF the United
States.
During the past four yean appropriations az
gregating So, 48i have been made for permanent
improvements, including new cell-house, IN
sane ward, workshop. reservoir. barn, ana other
minor buildings, and putting IN plants for
these improvements, as made. including cash
OUTLAWS for materials and prison labor employed,
aggregates $elS, $40.
successful. The output of coal has steadily in
creased. During the year ended December 81.
1885. the total output was ,25S2i2 bushels, val
ued at $50 10Y: o.; while for the year ended De-
cember 81, 1883, the output aggregated ,992, 90
bushels, valued at SIC, 241.7s. For the calendar
year 1885 the coal furnished the State instit1-
ions, for public use aggregated $685. ss bushels,
1883 the coal furnished State institutions aggre-
gated 658, ss2 bushels, valued at $40, i0O.74.
During the four years ended December 81, 1883,
was {, laos. 49S Bushels, valued at $500 9l6.69 OF
this amount, 2OSs. 720 bushels, valued at 81 y
5000. were supplied to State Institutions; l.
12O.67o bushels. valued at $2oo,0OA 9S, were sold
lands.
The most gratifying fact connected with the
prisoners, when compared with the population
of the state, has been steadily decreasing for
eight years past and that there has been an actu-
L., L. Iv.-s~
the past two years. On the first of January,
1870. the State prisoners mot including United
States civil or military numbered 2iS. or one
as or
every L. IA inhabitants in 1889, the number was
6SS, or one to every 157S inhabitants; in 1885 the
number was 65s. or one to every d:ssS inhabit-
prisoners numbered 76l, or one to every 1921
inhabitants. On the first of January, 1887, there
we're 895 State prisoners confined in the Peniten-
1893; and on the first of January Of the present
year, 861.
The Warden states, in his biennial report, that
more than sixty thousand criminals are serving
out sentences for feIonies, in the prisons of the
United States, or about one prisoner for every
thousand Inhabitants. The same ratio, in Kan
oners. We have, to-day, a total of only 1851, or
not much more than one-haf the number OF
criminals. per capita, reported for the United
States
The legislature of 1885 directed the building OF
an Industrial Reformatory. which was located
at Hutchinson Appropriations asRregating
$50 900 were made in 1855. and additional appro-
Board Of Commissioners having the building of
this institution in charge, report that q cell
house. with fifty completed cells therein, has
story for the office, guard room, dining room,
kitchen. boiler-house and an additional cell
house. With their connecting corridors, have
been built. The biennial report Of the Board
gives full details OF the progress of work, with
estimates OF the amounts necessary to complete
the buildings commenced, and make the insti-
tuition ready for the reception and care of
The general scope and design Of an Industrial
ReformatOry IL in harmony with the best
thought and experience Of the age. The Peni-
vicious criminals are p1nished for their crimes,
and kept in confinement in order to protect 90
ciety against their depredatioos. The heforn a.
type. who are not naturally vicious or criminal,
and and at the same time reclaimed and reformed
determined to separate the two classes Of law
breakers by establishing Reformatory, and
should carry out the original purpose in view.
strated, or its failure to accomplish the results
aimed at Is shown.
THE BOARD OF PARDoNs.
The law enacted By the Legislature Of 1885,
providing for q State Board Of Pardons, has
proven very satisfactory in its results. Tbs
Board appointed has been diligent in inveetigat-
ing all cases referred to it. has made full and
comprehensive reports to the Executive, and its
findings and recommendations have been alike
humane and just.
The Constitution vests the pardonins power in
the Governor, under regulations and restric-
tons prescribed by law. Section sA. chapter
81, Compiled Laws, provides that s'in all cases
in which the Governor il authorized by law to
grant pardon. he may grant the same en- such
conditions and under such restrictions as he
msy think proper" A similar provision 10 en-
bodied In chapter IS, Laws Of 1853. No law has
been enacted, however, providing adequate
remedies In case the conditions on which par
don or Communication is granted are vio1stsd.
The courts Of several States have sustained the
authority ct IN Executive to enforce penalties
for the violation Of conditional pardons. even in
tia absence OF statutory provisions. Such
authority, however, ought to be clear and deA-
mite. The Leeislsture should enact . law pro
vidina that violation Of any Of the conditions
On which pardon or commutation Of sentence
Il granted shall subject the person guilty Of such
violation to arrest and return to coD6nement
under the terms Of his original sentsnoe, and
oonfegriDg upon the Executive authority to issue
. warrant, directed to any sheriff, for the arrest
and return TO confinement of the offender. Such
4 statnfo Would have wholesome restraining In