The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-01-12
Gov. Nelson's Inaugural Speech.


ROR from giving in ertenso Governor
Nelson's inaugural speech. We are
able, however; to give our readers sew
eral of the important features of his
mastery review of the affairs of the
state. He first dwellS OH the states
finances, and says:
The financial affairs of our state government
are in a sound and prosperous condition. With
population of 100000. and an assessed valua-
ton of 100000 900, there is an outstanding in
debtedness of only $2,l4.OOO. subject to an an
nual interest of but ST. $780, and on the last day
of November. 1892. there was a balance in the
state treasury to the credit of the different funds
of 81 ,6SS 1861. Such a showing as this clearly
indicates that the government has been con-
Quoted prudenty and on careful business prin-
cples.
PRISON POPULATION.
Ii is gratifying to observe that notwithstand-
ing our rapid growth, no increase has taken
place in our prison population during the last
three years. As a matter of fact there was
smaller number of state convictS on the 31st day
OF October, 1892. than on the 3lst day of October
1889. This fact indicates the prosperous indus
trlous and law-abding character of our popula-
ton and demonstrates that the problem of
American civilization is here finding its best So
luton.
PREPARATORY AT ST. CLOUD
The reformatOry at ST. Cloud is successfully
accomplishing the benign purpose for which it
was Intended. but its usefulness is likely to be
embarrassed and handicapped by existing re-
cent legislation. Constant employment is alb
solutely necessary for the physical and moral
well-belng and the permanent reformation of
the conVlcts. When the refOrmatOry was lOcat-
Ell upon vast granite quarry. it was hoped and
expected that the problem of keeping the con-
VETS employed was solved and that ample work
Tor many years to come would be found i'm the
quarrles. But under the provisions of chapter
III OF the General Laws of 1891 only 80 per cent
OF the convicts cam be employed in qrarrying
ana preparing granite for sale The balance of
the convlcts, if engaged in granite work at all.
can only be employed in quarrying and cuttin"
stone for public buildings of the state. and for
walls and improvements Oh the grounds of the
reformatOry. With this law in force. it is evil
dent that the state, in order to provide EMPLOY
ment for twO-thrdS of the convcts must either
utilize the granite for public buildings or inau-
gurate some new industrial enterprise within
the limits Of the refOrmatOry Under these con-
ditions. maSmuch as additional buildings are
urgently needed at the institution ii would seem
TO be the part of wisdom. at as early a day as
practicable. to make use of the granite and the
labor of the convicts, as far as possible in the
construction of such buildings
TWINE INDUSTRY
The manufacture of Irvine has been success
fully established at the state prison and meets
with much favor among our agricultural popula-
ton This enterprise should be greatly enlarged
and extended; not only for the reason that it af-
fords permanent field for convict labor as lit
tie in conflict with other labor in the state as can
well be obtained, but more especially for the
reason that state prison twine if furnished to
the consumer at near its actual cost, will always
to some extent afford our farmers protection
against unjust combinations and abnormal prices
on the part of the Irvine manufacturers.
THE INSANE.
1t is encouraging to note that. though for Il time
insanity seemed to increase at an undue pace vet
that within the last two years the increase has
not been as great as was anticipated nor out of
proportion to the increase of our population
The growth of our state. which in the future will
be less rapid and more from within than in the
past. will no doubt tend to further decrease the
proportion of the insane. This promising out
look will obviate the necessity for any unusual
haste in constructing additional buildings, and
will also save us from any material increase in
appropriations for the current expenses of the
hospitals for the insane An appropriation of $685.
500 is urgently needed to finish and equip the
southwest wing of the third hospital at Fergus
Falls. This wing, when completed. will furnish
accommodations for 200 additional patients. and
will thus meet our immediate want for room for
some time to come. Large appropriations are
asked for buildings at the hospitals at Rochester
and Fergus Falls and at the school for the feeble
minded. When you come to consider these re-
quests in detail you will no doubt take such action
as the necessity for further accommodation calls
for and as the burdens of taxation will warrant
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
In the field of education Minnesota occupies
high and advanced grounds at all points. Our
state university has within the last ten years
grown beyond all precedent in quality. scope
and members. and to-day ranks as ore of the
leading educational institutions of our country.
to which we can all look with pride and admira-
ton. In 1882 the total attendance of students
was 253. In 1893 the number has reached 1874.
And during 1893 the number will exceed 1900.