Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-06-26
THE PENITENTIARY.
New Mexico Possesses q MOdel-SOme
Facts Respecting the Institution
Under Col. Bergmann'S
Supervision.

p, gent sol burner may meet with IN tnls,
almost the last of the territories, is an
object lesson in penology which students
of that science in the older states and in
Europe might study with profit. Indeed,
the fact that the territory of New Mexico
possesses penitentiary designed, built,
and conducted upon the most advanced
ideas of modern thinkers is not generally
known, even in the territory.
The space accorded to this article is
too small in which to follow the growth
of this institution through the annual re-
ports Of its board of commissioners and
superintendents since 1884, and sufi-
cient description of the penitentiary as
it exists must suffice.
The officers of this model penal re-
formatory are Richard Hudson, o. A.
Hadley, Henry j. Young, Roman A. Baca,
Jesus Ma. Valdez, W. E. Dame, Abram
Abeyta, commissioners; Edward Fl. Berg
mann, superintendent, and Oscar L.
The grounds of the institution, stu
ated about two miles south of the city of
Santa Fe, are about eleven acres in extent,
and enclosed with twenty foot wall,
with watch towers, ETC., as is usual with
penitentiaries of the states. The cell
room, cells, mess room, chapel, hospital,
bath room, ETC., are all constructed and
furnished with regard to the comfort and
health of the prisoners, as we'll as to
their safe keeping; and while every pre-
caution is observed to carry out the letter
and spirit of She sentence imposed, pris-
oners are treated as unfortunately GRIM
inal and possibly refor.nable.
There are at present 1911 prisoners in
this institution, an increase of nearly 20
per cent over the number during the
years of 1894. OF this number not one
is undergoing punishment of any kind
for the infraction of discipline. 1t is
noteworthy fact that the iron prod, the
paddle and other means of torture are
here unknown, that officers or guards
never abuse prisoners, even by offensive
language, and that the management acts
upon the theory that there are no incor-
rigibles.
In the commissioners report of Novem-
Der, 1894, appeared the following: Sat
each meeting of the board the commits
sioners have made it their duty to care
fully inspect the prison throughout aud
they have never failed to find it in an ex-
cellent state of order. They have fur
nished the inmates with provisions and
general supplies of the best quality, in
ample quantity consistent with economy,
and at a cost to the territory that we
regard as most gratifying. We may also
refer with pride to the excellent sanitary
condition of the institution, no deaths
having occurred since November, 1892.
"The general conduct of the inmates has
been very good, fact that speaks we'll
for the discipline now in vogue here;
while plenty of wholesome food, good
clothing, proper literature, and systematic
religious exercises have all served to con-
tribute to the welfare and comfort of the
inmates. Again referring to the dis
ciplne of the institution, we may say
that it is of military character, and as
near perfect, in our Judgment, as can be
maintained in an institution of this kind.
In this connection, the following from the
uperintendent's report will be found In
terestiug: while do not claim that the
discipline in this prison is perfect, yet
feel no reluctance in asserting that it is
! nearly so. am gratified to say that our
convicts not only obey all orders I'M
hesitatingly, but, what is still better,
cheerfully. They feel that crime has it's
penalty, vet all seem to make the best Of
their lot, display pleasant faces, eat
heartily and work as earnestly as any
class of men.
"Outside the regular ration prescribed
by law, the convicts have been fed fresh
pork, potatoes, cornmeal, oatmeal, dried
fruits, peas, string beans, corn, radishes,
lettuce, squash, cabbage, onions, parsnips,
beets and sauer kraut. On each of the
national holidays each prisoner is allowed
lemonade, half pie, roast pork and apple
sauce, fresh fruits, etc. The victuals are
we'll prepared, and each convict is allowed
to eat as much as his appetite Graves, due
care being taken that there shall be no wan
ton waste"
| The motto of this prison is, Science,
repentance, labor" The people of the
territory may justly feel proud of its
penal institution as it stands to-day. 1t
| is no way inferior to the best, and is gu.
perior to many in the states where pen
ology Is studied ana practiced as a
science.
The repeated re-appointment of the
present superintendent of this institution
| by the honorable board of commission
ers justifies us in congratulating the
board and the people of New Mexico
upon their choice. Col. E. II. Bergman
is man of broad humanity, of a gentle
and unselfish nature, but firm in purpose,
exemplary in his daily life, and dis
ciplanarian of the Prussian and Union
armies. As a young man he was lieu
tenant in the famous Black Hussars of
Prussia. He came to the United States
in 1859, and in 1851 volunteered his SER
vices to Uncle Sam, and served as lieu
tenant-colonel of Kit Carson's celebrated
regiment of cavalry. Upon being must
cred out of service in 1867, Col. Berg
mann returned to civil pursuits, and in
1891 was appointed acting superintend-
emit of the New Mexico territorial peni-
Tertiary. After an incumbency of only
SIX months political reasons led to his
being superseded; but in his six months
trial he had proved himself so exception
ally efficient as q superintendent that the
commissioners appointed him superin-
tendent with full powers to act within
certain rules in 1898, re-appointed him in
1894, and again in 1895.
Col Bergman esteems the opportunity
offered him In his present position to
serve his fcllow-men both an honor and
a privilege. He possesses the happy fac
uity of gaining the confidence ofprisoners
and at the same time of impressing them
whit he absolute necessity Of disci pline. He
finds his duty not only in conducting the
institution economically and In the inter
est of the territory ina financial sense,
but, a. we'll, by kind, humane treatment,
moral precept and example, doing all