Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-03-08
The PENITENTlARY COM MISSIONERS.
Routine Business TransaCted-A New
Building-Oapitol Park Pave
ments-A Good Showing
for Col. Bergman,

The penitentiary commissioners closed
their session late yesterday afternoon.
The new superintendent, John Il. DeMier,
was authorized to enter upon his duties
on the first Monday in April.
A resolution was adopted allowing the
convicts 20 per cent Of the money derived
from sales of hair brides, horn combs,
match safes and other ornamental and
useful articles manufactured by them
from hair and horn.
The superintendent was directed to
proceed with the erection of two story
brick structure on the penitentlary
grounds which is to be used as a work
shop, laundry and hospital, and he was
also directed to order, direct from the mill
at Tres PIpdras, a car load Of lumber for
this building.
1t was also decided to purchase the
necessary tools and material for establish
ing q harness shop at the institution.
The secretary was directed to advertise
for sale 100000 brick in lots of not less
than 900, and TO advertise in the Santa
Fe N1w MEXICAN, Las Vegas Optic and
Albuquerque CItizen for bids for furnlsh-
ing the institution with supplies for the
next six months.
Hon. B. NJ Thomas, territorial score
tary, appeared before the board and pre-
scented the following:
To the Board OF Penitentiary Commissioners.
Gentlemen We, the majority of the
capitol custodian committee, respectfully
represent that the walks and rOadways in
the capitol grounds and the sidewalks
adjacent thereto, have never been paved
and that they become, at times, When
most in use, nearly impossible.
And further, by reason OF the funds
available to the capitol custodian COM
mittee having been reduced about 40 per
centum below the appropriation, that
committee finds itself utterly unable to
make the necessary Improvements; we
/ therefore respectfully request and recon-
mend that your honorable hoard author
ize the superintendent of the penitentiary
! to furnish and deliver the necessary brick
and sand and the labor to lay all the
walks necessary as indicated above, I'M
der authority of law as found at page 220,
acts of 1891, in the following language:
For capitol current expense fund :
The superintendent OF the penitentiary is
hereby made the custodian of the capitol
grounds and authorized to employ the
convicts in keeping the same in good
order and condition, acting under the
supervision OF the capitol commission,
etc. Respectfully submitted,
Sol. SpIEGELBERG,
b. NJ. THOMAS.
Mr.. DeMier thought the citizens Of
Santa Fe ought to do this work. Mr.
Dwyer was inclined to agree with him
and wanted the subject postponed, Mr.
Laughln thought the law was plain
enough and ought to be complied with
and Messrs. Armijo and Branch agreed
with him. Finally Mr.. Dryer moved tc
amend so that the capitol commission
would have TO do the necessary hauling
ard the resolution was then adopted.
Acting Superintendent +. IL. Bergman
submitted his report for the past month
1t shows that the food for each man cost
IS. 4S cents per month, or fraction over
II cents per day.
An inspection OF the grounds was made
and many compliments were paid Col
Bergman for the good order and system
everywhere apparent. In fact, it is ad
milted that never before was the peniten
tia!y conducted on such an economical
and well regulated system rs now.
The commissioners left last night fol
their respective homes. Supt. DeMiel
will close up his private affairs at Las
Cruces and return here with his family
the last Of this month. Under the law
the superintendent has the appointing o
all subordinate officials by and with the
consent Of the board OF commissioners.