The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-02-12

buildings owned by the company at the
time the contract was made. =. the
state is not liable for any portion of the
award then made, that may not be covered
by the convict labor for the two years.
Viewed from financial standpoint only,
am of the opinion that the contract system,
properly guarded. is the best that has yet
been devised for the employment of crimi-
nails. There may be valid objections to the
system ON high moral grounds. but looking
at the question from practical business
point of view, it leaves little to be desired.
PHYSICIANS REPORT.
At present the penitentiary is IN the best
of sanitary condition. and the health of the
inmates is all that could be desired.
The healthy season throughout the north
west. combined with an excellent food sup
ply to the cOnvicts. cOnspired to give this
result. AS early as possible. | would
recommend that new quarters be procured
for the hospital department. Our present
ward is low, and poorly ventilated, and
should it be crowded with sick at any time,
the bad effect of insufficient space and ven-
tilation would be evidenced at once. Again.
there is no place for cOnvalescentS to get
out for exercise in the open air, factor of
decided value in the recovery from disease.
would suggest the remodeling of the up
per story of the solitary for hospital pur-
poses. Here would be secured quiet, plenty
of sunshine and air. A small yard could
be formed adjacent to the building for the
out of door exercise of cOnvalescents Dur
ing my service from July, 1889. to July.
1890. there were thirty-six patients ad-
mitted to the hospital ward. OF this num-
Der three cases resulted in death. Five
surgical operations were performed for the
relief of disease, and were all successful.
:. During the year three convicts were
adjudged insane and were transferred to
the insane hospital at st. Peter.
PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN's REPORT.
Religious services have been held each alter
nate Sabbath by the Protestant chaplain. These
services have been well attended; those present
have always been attentive, and manifested
good degree of interest. have made it a rule to
spend each Monday evening visiting the men in
their cells In this way, with afternoon visits. I
have come into personal contact with each one.
In some cases, where possible, have kept in
communication with those who have been dis
charged. and with highly satisfactory results.
Early last spring Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific Circle was organized. consisting of
thirty-six members; have met with them alter
nate Sabbaths most of the time since about the
first of June. The members have manifested
much interest in the work. and comments on the
topics studied have been highly commendable.
There have been some drawbacks. yet unquestion-
ably the circle is doing good. 1t is but just
should add that very much of the credit of this is
due to Warden Randall.
CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN'S REPORT.
In June 1889 your Hon. board saw fit to confde
to me the spiritual care of the Catholic inmates.
Prior to that date as opportunity permitted.
had for twenty years voluntarily attended to
these interests. During this long period have
seen the unfortunates of society. upon whom the
law laid its correcting hand, because of infrac-
tions of its provisions. pass in and out OF the
prisons sombre enclosure. Isee in retrospective,
q whole army SO pass. and can testify from long
continued experience that the chiefest factor in
the work of reformation has been the potent in
1uence of religion.
The divine truths implanted in the hearts of
these men in early years, whether at a mothers
knee or by the voice of Gods minister. and which
may have remained dormant and imperative for
years. 1 have often seen become through Gods
mercy most forceful agency in the general
amendment of life. A kindly word of cheer at an
opportune moment recalling to the minds Of
the inmates those sacred duties we owe our Gre
ator, and which their earlier years gave brightest
promise of realizing tender and respectful mem
ton of pious father mother in the course of
conversation-these simple means have often Of
fected wonderful results and marked the turning
point towards a betterment of life. ....
have reason to believe that the work entrusted
to me. and which have endeavOred to perform
in an humble way, has not been in vain. Though
in some cases the result has not been all thatI
could have wished, yet. in the vast majority OF
it has been fruitful in the moral ana
spiritual amelioration of these men. Many, to
my personal knowledge. have gone out of our
penal institution into the world with high and
firm resolve to live good life. and it gives me
great pleasure to record the fact that they are
now SO conducting themselves - to be worthy OF
all praise.