The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-23
ALL LOVELY ONCE MORE
RESULTS OF THE GOVERNORS VISIT
TO THE STATE REFORMATORY.
He Consents that the Earnings Shall
Re AvaiIabIe-TaIk to the Prison.
ers-PIeased with the System.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
JEFFERSONVILLE,I Ind, June 2.-GoV-
ernor Mount returned to Indianapolis thls
afternoon AS a result of his attendance
upon the meeting of the Reformatory
board there will be no designations from
the board, and there is thorough restora-
ton of the cordial feeling between the
members and the Governor. The Governor
gives his hearty approval to the ooard
plans for Improvement, and agrees that the
administration expenses shall be PAID from
the earnings of the institution from April
l. 1897, thus permitting the board to use
that much more of the current appropria-
ton for material improvements at the re
formatory, about $50, 900.
The Governor and members of the board
were at the Reformatory bright and early
this morning and made thorough inspec-
ton of the whole institution, the members
of the board pointing out it's needs and
unfolding their plans for supplying them.
Like everyone else visiting it for the first
time, the Governor found it considerably
bigger institution than he had pictured 1t,
and he expressed pleased surprise at much
that he saw. Cleanliness, excellent disctp-
line sound and wholesome food for the
prisoners and plenty OF 1t, and, above all,
the cheerful spirit ia which the inmates
went about their work and the cordial feel
ing that exists between them and the man
agement impressed him deeply.
After the inspection the board and the
Governor went into executive session, and
the financial accounts were thoroughly
gone over and the method Of keeping the
records of the prisoners was explained to
him. In the course of this conference the
subject of the recent interviews came up,
and the Governor called the attention of
the board to the fact that the only criti-
cism he had ever passed upon it was when
he declared his belief that the rule forbid
ding the employment of men over forty
years of age was unwise. The session
lasted until noon, and was resumed after
dinner for short time, and at it's close the
action noted above was announced.
At the noon hour the party repaired to
the great dining room, where the Governor
saw all the men at their noon meal and
made them brief but very appropriate ad-
dress. He expressed himself as Immensely
pleased with what he had seen during the
morning, and commented favorably upon
the many bright and Intelligent races ne
saw before him. Il took a greater personal
interest" he continued in the law Gre
ating this Reformatory than in any other
passed by the last Legislature, and l took
time and care in selecting the board of
managers, men who seemed to me the best
fitted men in the State for this great work.
| have the utmost confidence in their dis
interested patriotism and their ability to
make this Reformatory the great institu-
ton it should be- am not insensfble to
the heavy responsibility imposed upon me
by the Constitution in the matter of extend
ing clemency, but l desire to state now
that the exercise Of that power will depend
largely upon the recommendations made by
this board and the success of your ambt-
ton for freedom will depend much upon
your conduct here. l have examined some
nf nrdc u m
that this is the only proper way.
Il am glad to see the spirit shown
throughout the Reformatory. ! believe you
not here for the purpose of punishment,
but in order that you may learn to do bet
ter. Your life here is to be the beginning
after looking into the bright and intelli-
gent faces before me, that l shall meet
many of you in the future, and find you
honored citizens of your State
One of the points that impressed the Gov
ernor was the rapid increase of the popula-
ton of the ReformatoFy under the new law
1t is found that from 20 to rs per cent. of
the convictions are of men under thirty
years of age, and these are sent to the Re
dicted that it would catch about 6S per cent
of the convictions, but his prediction has
been exceeded.
After the adjournment of the meeting in
the afternoon the Governor said to a small
crowd of newspaper men, who had asked an
audience with him: Il have been more than
pleased with my visit to the institution
pleased with the progress that has been
made in carrying out the reformatory idea.
| have always been in accord with the no.
ton that our penal institutions. are for the
purpose of reformation, not merely for the
purpose of punishment and to relieve So
ciety of the presence of dangerous men. l
believe that young men can be stimulated
to better life if they are impressed with
the fact that good conduct will win for
them the reward of good citizenship.
I'VE have had some question as to
whether the earnings, of the, institution
should be made available for the payment
of administration expenses while the old
appropriation held, and / was inclined to
the view that they should not be thus used
until the lower appropriation of 900 be-
gan, but the law gives me the power to de-
termine that question and l came down to
see for myself. l am satisfied that the adj
ditional improvements contemplated by the
board are needed, after going over their
plans and that it is better economy to
work piecemeal After looking over the
whole field. / am satisfied that it is better
not to handicap the board. and believe that
their judgment can safely be trusted for
wise and economical expenditure of these
funds
you feet differently from before your
Not concerning the board" replied the
Governor, smiling. Il have always had the
highest confidence in their ability and right
intentions. but | have learned much of the
needs and possibilities of the Reformatory
| hold that not a dollar should be eXpend-
ed that does not return 100 cents in value TO
thing necessary should be denied or that
efficient help must be stinted or handi-
capped"
Warden Harley's House PaperTng.
One of the directors of the state prison
who was in the city yesterday, was asked
concerning the criticism made of Warden
Harley for using a part of the appropria-
ton for papering the warden's house. II
Seriously doubt" said he, whether the,
Governor made any such criticism as was
quoted. OF course, Harley papered the
house as he had perfect right TO do under
the appropriation law drawn by b. Wilson
Smith. who is said to have called attention
TO this alleged Illegal expenditure That
law makes this appropriation for the In
diana state prison on Page 30l OF the
printed acts: for. outside and inside inn
provements, including barn and warden $
house 81, 500. l don't soc how anything
could be palmer than that"