The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-01-17
STATE INSTITUTIONS.


pcnitentiary. Insane Asylum. State Uni.
versity. Capitol, Etc.
Prominent among our state institu-
tons may be classed the penitentiary.
the insane asylum, the Soldiers Home,
the State University, the capitol build
ing and grounds. the normal schools
and the reform school.
/ suggest that a committee be APP
pointed to examine the books and re-
port upon the general condition of
the prison. ] invite careful scrutiny
of the methods employed in purchasing
supplies and the food and treatment
furnished the inmates
The expense per capita during the
last two years has been much greater
than it would have been had the
grounds been surrounded by a suitable
wall for in consequence of its unsafe
condition, the number of guards neces-
sary to prevent escapes has been out
of proportion to the number of in
mates.
The cost of furnishing the table has
been in excess of many prisons, but the
policy of the board of state prison COM
missioners has been to give the convcts
plenty of wholesome food and require
each and every one of them, who is not
sick. to perform a certain number of
hours labor every day, except the Sab
bath.
During the past two years we have
| granted but two absolute pardons,
while we have committed the sentences
of 49,
| 1t is the unanimous belief OF the
present board of pardons that much
good may be accomplished by holding
| out as a reward for reformation and
| industry the hope that some reduction
will be made in their terms of impris-
| onment.
I recommend that in addition to the
regular appropriation, you provide for
the employment of a teacher, say four
months each winter, that a school may
be maintained for the benefit and in
| struction of the younger inmates.
| Three hundred dollars per year, or $500
| for the ensuing two years, will pay the
| salary of a suitable teacher, who can
| be assisted by one or more of the in
mates
1t is important that new cell house
| be built al once, and additional cells
provided. Almost a complete new out
fit of bedding is required the old being
worn out. Hospital accommoda tons
must be furnished, and it would be a
great aid in elevating the morals of
the inmates If we had a chapel in which
services could be held on Sunday. The
same room would answer for a school.
We should have an electric light plant,
and means should be provided to heat
the buildings with the natural hot wat
er we have at our disposal.
| think a saving to the state could
be effected by change in the method
of conveying prisoners from the vari-
| Gus counties to the penitentiary by
making it the duty of the warden to
send a guard after them, when notified
by the district judge that prisoner
has been sentenced. Each discharged
convict should be furnished transporta-
ton to the place where convicted, and
at least S. in money, in addition to the
suit of clothes furnished. AS the law
now stands they get $40 each, which is
not enough to pay their fare and ex-
penses to remote counties.
AS the improvements contemplated
are of a permanent character and will
be a part of so important an institu.
ton of the state, l reiterate my rec
ommendation made to the Legislature
two years ago, and advise that the
|
raised by the sale of bonds instead OF
a direct tax; 10-20s, bearing per cent
interest, could be sold, and before they
would mature we could raise the mon
-op spuBl eul SulUss "a usql 6Bd OF a
mated to us by the government foi
that purpose. In this manner the tax
payers would not feel the expense
which must be met. In the near fu
ture a ditch should be taken from
Boise river for the purpose Of irrigatinl
all the lands belonging TO the penitenti
airy reserve that are suitable for cult
: walton. there being nearly 100 acres o
this class.
= Warden Campbell and his able assist
ants are deserving of the highes
encomiums for the very great chang
manifest in not only the prison. blu
! its inmates Uniform kindness an,
f hrmness have been the means EN-
ployed.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
= l submit to you herewith the repor
e of the regents of the Idaho State Uni
versity. You will be impressed with tn
2 unparalleled success of that important in
! stitution.
The board of regents have attache
5 a department of agriculture to Il
$ through which they have availed them
o selves of the benefits Of both the MOI
] rill and Hatch acts, and from these az
5 preparation, almost entirely, has the un
e versity been maintained and withou
which its doors must have been CLOSED
$ for. the reason that the appropriate
f made by the state so far has been fo
d rived from the proceeds of the ssle {
d university lands has been entirely ir
n adeouafe To st1stafn the college