The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-11

on hand. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 53UZ
Oct. 81, 1S9O-Total number of convicts
W on hand. Observation-Disclosures. 5I59
A net decrease of ............... 103
This decrease in prison population
did not, in fact, commence until after
July 81, 1889, on which date the prison
rolls showed 1882, the largest number
ever on hand at one time. After that
date the number varied but continued
to decrease until Oct. 10, 1890, when
there were on hand 3179 convicts, a
decrease from July 81, 1889, to Oct.
10, 1890, of 253. This has been the
first indication of any halt in the in
crease of our prison population since
1866. On the LIST of January OF that
year there were only 134 convicts,
which would make the net increase
up to July 81, 1889, about $500, or at
the rate Of lao per annum.
An estimate of the number of in
mates in the penitentiary at different
dates as compared with the total state
population shows:
1870. One in penitentiary out of
every 1919 inhabitants. Basis, S1S,-
$40.
1880 One in penitentiary out OF
every 1853 inhabitants. Basis, $780,
900.
1890 One in penitentiary out OF
every 703 inhabitants. Basis, q
100000.
RECEIPTS AND DISCHARGES.
The receipts and discharges, in
comparison with former periods,
show as follows:
For two years ending Oct. 81, 1884 :
Receipts, 1905; discharges, 967.
For two years ending Oct. 81, 1886
Receipts, 2191 discharges, 1921.
For two years ending Oct. 81, 1888
Receipts, 224S; discharges, 1854.
For Two years ending Oct. 81, 1890:
Receipts, 2012; discharges, 1647.
TRANSFERS.
On the LIST OF January, 1889, the
house of correction and reformatory
being organized and ready for recep
tion, twenty-eight boys have beeu
transferred to that institution in &C
cordance with the requirements Of
the law and proclamation Of the gov
,ernor.
PARDONs.
The number of convicts rardoued
during the last two years has been
LAT, as against ITO for the two years
previously.
The governor has granted several
other pardons not noted on the prison
records, because they were granted to
take effect and to be delivered after
the terms Of sentence had been
served, in order to restore to citi-
.zenship. Several of those entered on
the records were granted and took
effect only few days before the regu-
lar expiration of terms for the same
reason. At this point | respectfully
suggest that it would be policy to re-
store citizenship by pardon to all con-
victs who serve out their terms Of
sentence, except those who are no
toriously bad cases and are certain to
return TO their evil ways. This can
not injure society, and it will be OF
great benefit to the convict to realize
that he is not still under punishment
and sentence after leaving the prison
5precincts.
In addition to the pardons granted
the governor has committed quite a
number of terms. Such commute
tons and pardons, bestowed upon the
recommendation of prison officials for
good conduct and long service, exert a
most beneficial effect upon conduct
of convicts, and are of untold benefit
in the management of our prisons.
COMPETITION WITH FREE LABOR.
There has been considerable COM
plant because the convicts here and
at Rusk are employed in manufacture
ing, and it has been charged that our
prices are fixed below the cost of man.
ufacture in order to undersell the pro.
ducts of factories, ETC., struggling to
build up in our cities. This is not
true; our prices are not below the cost
of production, and have always been
fixed to compete with prices of pro-
ducts manufactured outside the State.
The prices of articles of similar kind
made within the State have not been
taken into consideration.
There are great many people who
talk outside great deal, and VINO
leave nothing unsaid or undone to
create prejudice against penitentiary
products, in consequence of which we
labor under many disadvantages in
making sales.
EXPENSIVE OPERATION.
Tha character OF the industries at
Rusk are such as to render them much
more expensive to operate than those
at Huntsville. The furnace and pipe
foundry, being outside the main prison
walls, require an extra force of guards,
and as the furnace runs night and
day, the number of guards for the fur
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