Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-01-01

the year, Only two deaths having occurred.
one from old age, the other from sff-c'ion
Of the heart. II 10 believed that the health
c ,ndiii,ns will not be injured by the sub.
sdtution Of steam heating system, which
| has just been pu. in plscs OF the 60
stoves formerly 10 use, as . more uni
form temperature may be maintained within
the buildings. The warden holding very
properly, 40 We believe, that the State muss
not endanger the life Of the convict by its
manner Of imposing temporary Punishment
for discipline has placed in each dark cell
| = slightly raised wooden platform, which
| the rebellious iom,te may occupy for .
| bed instead of the foor as heretofore. This
is human and CONNER dsble. The educs-
tonsl work performed by the State for its
illiterate criminals confined in its prison
While teacher hiss usually been employed,
no adequate facility for effective work has
been provided. No convict is oblig- d TO
avail himself of the services of teach T,
and until recently no opportunity was
granted the teacher to communicate
with his pupil exeep. through the
grated door Of his cell at nigh,
when the days work was done.
Very recently, however, . small room ha.
been fitted up for school room where
| email ela.s may assemble and receive in
he han
persuaded 10 avail themselves OF this i'm
provei opportunity. 1t would teem to b.
che duty of the State to provide re.sopabls
| a communications for this work and possi.
bly, it would be wise to compel by
Law all ilii.erste c,nvicts to
devote some time 10 each day to work in the
school room; at least some provisio, Of
this kind M ghs be of great benef: to tbs
y ,uuger criminals. This educAtio work
ought to be ffecsively supplemented by the
faithful labors Of . Christian man bsariog
u this unfortunate and unlearned people ~
| . chspiain Of the institution, the cousols-
| tons Of the Christian religion, encouraging
them and stimulating them to Chris
tan faith which might lead to the
living Of better life. The appropriation
required for this purpose would be small
q I'd the investment a paying one.
The manufacturing interests carried on
| at the prison have been a. satisfactory IS
Ia any year since the division Of labor
1der the statute of 1887. The sales Ct
goods have been made for cash, very little
credit having been given; the credit system
has wrought only iriury to thi, institution in
the part. snd should be re placed BY c..h pay
m ant for all goods sold. We observed 3
large number Of non producers used for
jobbing about the prison. Ills believed that
though these men may MT be capable Of be-
coming skilled vorkmep, the lsboring por.
ton Of them might be utilized TO the I'D
vantage Of themselves snd the State; we
are pleased to know tina. ,bs
m insgement 10 abou: TO besi1
tue manufacture Of lima casks, in which
the warden believes he can employ quite .
portion Of these convicts referred to-
The old stock Of goods carried along for
several years has been largely redaced.
The broom business has proved success
and more could psoa:sbly be done il Law
permitted. Very lfae work 10 done ia each
Of the industrial ep,simsn,s.
A quorum Of the Council remained in
session until slmost the time for the New
Yesr to make iis appearance, fos the IT.
pose Of completing the yesrs work. Ad-
j3u,pment vas had to Jan. 14sh.