Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-11-02
Rnlnnns Demoeratie Inlluences.

The state of Michigan was fortunate
in getting rid OF the Democratic ad
ministration as soon as it did. Had il
continued two years longer the state
would have been banlirupted. That
this is Legitimate conclusion is shown
from the fact that wherever the Demo
cratic Influences longest continued,
there the worst conditions were found
when the Republicans resumed control.
A most remarkable instance of this Is
the state of affairs in the house OF
correction al lOnia.
twill bc rcmembe red how like grim
death the last remnant OF the Demo.
cratic administrations Warden Parsen
hung onto his snap, long after he
had been legally owed. great
howl went up + the Democratic
press over the p ton OF SO good
man. and eXtrav assertions were
made as TO the economy and good man
agement Of his wardenship. 1t will
prove of interest to the people TO learn
the exact state Of affairs developed by
the board when Parsell was finally
ousted.
The last legislature appropriated
So, 600 for general repairs at that lnsti-
tuition. This was intended to cover
the two years, out Parsell used up
the entire amount during the first
year And yet, when his successor
took hold. every roof on the premises
leaked and the boilers were badly out
of repair The present warden had TO
begin work on them at once. and the
expenses viii have TO be paid out OF
the current expense fund
. nd
years $500 were appropriated. OF that
amount all but S7.3s was used the first
year.
For bedding, etc, for two years
81 900 were appropriated, and $500
used the first year for from 300 TO 800
men. leaving from $50 to 800 men TO be
supplied from the balance of $500.
The inmates clothing was almost
entirely used up.
out of $50. 900 feet Of lumber on hand
/ July !, $50, 900 feet was found TO be
/ Gull lumber, almost entirely worthless
/ for furniture. The best had been
picked out TO make a showing for the
! Democratic administration.
Although Warden Parsell is credited
/ by the Democratic papers with having
said he had to spend $4,000 the hrst
month TO fix things up. 1t IS fac'
that when he turned the institution
over TO his successor there was a gen
eral air of dilapidation about the
whole premises, and 50 far rs could be
ascertaIne no improvements had oeen
made 70 the property during ms "ho4e
term. And yet $4,000 were drawn
from the state treasury TO run the IN
stitutiOn for the two fiscal years emo
inc June 80. 1894. besides the specia
-ftft L IN Or
enormous total s1s3.500 for that insti
tuition under Democratic rule.
The average number of men IN the
reformatorv during larsells manage
ment was 1853. Tu6 number now +
ass 80 penal institution in the nlte'
States will show SO shameful a imam
cial record as the state reformator,
did under Democratic management
TheNast sum of money mentioned wa
squaudcIcl i'm cNtravagant, II not cor
rupt. purchases, and in general ms
management.
There is not rcformatory in tn
United states that is self-sustalning
2 and nothing but arrant ignorance o
$ dishonesty will prompt any party l
prom ST. TO make such an institution
r source of profit to the state. The larg
increase in .he number of inmate
without profitable employment ia
hard times and the difficulty of sellin
/ t.e prison output at profitable hgure'
: make the outlook for the institutio
4 for the next two year, far from pTomi
a ing: but it can be said Of the presen
D warden that. if he has TO draw $50, OO
/ year from the taxpayers TO run tn
p institution. there will be voluntar
r vacancy i'm the wardenship, withor
n any QUO warranto to kick him out.
As fitting finale 10 the Democrat
y record IL must be mentioned that
:. suit at law is now pending to recov'
from Par,cn about II 800 paid 10 hin
,- self and wife in salaries, after the da'
n of his removal by the board. II
b. supreme court has decided that he ";
% not entitled 90 the pay, and the on
m honest thing for him TO do is to refun