The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1891-03-27
|Says the Committee Appointed to In
yestigate Minnesota Peniten-
tiary Affairs.
The Prison Labor Contractors R0nndly
Roasted Warden Randall
Exonerated.
Warden Garvin Given Raking.
Death or Ex.Warden Randall
Mt st. Paul.

chairman of the special committee APP
pointed to investigate the state prison,
has made voluminous report to the
house. The findings of fact are divided
into three parts. The first part deals
with the history Of the so-called prison
contracts. The second with the prison
management, SO far as the same is rep
resented by the board of managers, and
also with the existing contracts. The
third with prison discipline, Mr.. Ran
dall's administration, and subjects not
treated in the other two subdivisions.
In regard to the history of contract labor
in the pris On, the report reviews the
contracts entered into with Seymour
Sabin a. Co., which terminated in 1881
by the state purchasing the machinery
and shops of that company be-
ing compelled to pay therefor
$79, 900 for property which the report
SAYS the state already owned. The re-
port charges the firm with scheme to
obtain and Maintain Control.
of the prison. In 1881 they succeeded in
getting new contract for nine years.
They secured all the lands surrounding
the state grounds, together with all the
railway tracks and approaches thereto,
with the evident intention OF depriving
any other company of the chance of
competing for the convict labor. The
committee is Of opinion that nothing
further need be said rs to the motives
underlying such sale Of property to the
state. The parties responsible for this
scheme against the states interest have
openly avowed that at the time they had
control Of the prison labor, shops and
grounds, set forth the reasons why
and ayow an intention to maintain
that control which to the misfortune OF
the state they and their successors have
succeeded in doing to this day. Charges
OF prohigacy and reckless use Of money
In building and repairs in the peniten-
tiary are made in the report. With ref
erence to the
Binding Twins Iadustry
the interesting fact is brought out that
rebate of 81 ,693 was given by the man.
ufacturers TO the purchasers which was
not made public in the statement OF
expenses The committee also considers
that American made machinery is bet
ter than the plant purchased. The re-
port was as follows
As to Prison Discipline.
The committee examined many wit
nesses as to the conduct OF affairs under
Warden Randall's administration.
Warden Randall came to the prison
with limited experience as to such mat
tiers, and found things in disorganized
condition, and no doubt made mistakes
and misplaced confidence; yet consider
ing the circumstances the mistakes were
few and were corrected by experience;
that as soon as the prison labor became
organized the discipline became good
that early in his administration he came
TO differ with the contractors on many
points, and his care for the states inter.
est came in conflict with their desires
The contractors and their friends be
came determined to displace Mr.. Ran
dali and his deputy and instate in their
places Mr.. Garyin, the present incum
bent, in which they succeeded.
Inhuman Under Garvin.
The report then cites instances of in
human treatment OF convicts under tn.
present regime. 1t charges tlla'
the discipline Is harsher and less re
formatory, labor more severe and th'
financial administration loose and un
satisfactory.
In conclusion, they say they believ,
that the present warden and board o
managers secured and now hold thei
positions by virtue of the win of tn
contractors and their friends, and tina
they must do the bidding of the latter
or, as in the past, be displaced.
Recommen ndatians.
The committee recommends that tn
present contract system be abolished
and that the present board of manager
be abolished and some other board o
control substituted.