The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-05
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Praises the Management of the
State Prison as Shown by Report.

Praises the Management of the
State Prison as Shown by Report.
1t is not deemed necessary to call your
attention specifically to the reports Of the
various state institutions. The management
of the state prison shows most gratifying re-
suits. The net gain in earnings over ex-
penditures is a phenomenal showing. and
there is no reason to believe so far as I am
advised that the result has been obtained
at the sacrifice of any obligation that So
ciety owes the unfortunates in that institu-
tion The binding Irvine industry, success
fully introduced and carried on in that in
stitutioG, at least so far as production is
fetal to the farming interests as it has to the
prisoners in furnishing work, and to the
state as means of revenue for their sup
port. The output of binding Irvine for the
past season was-about five million pounds
the board estimates the requirements of the
whole state at about seventeen million
pounds. 1t will thus be seen that there is
ample room for the expansion of this in
dustry, and I believe that it can now be
safely and prohtably extended, and without
the risk of less incident to experiment. in
new undertakings, What has been regarded
justly or unjustly, as a scandal in connec-
ton with the sale Of the product during the
last season should not prejudice your minds
against the industry on that account. Under
ton, for facilitating the sale and distribu-
ton of the product among the farmers such
occurrences can readily be averted in the
future. 1 commend this subject to your
careful attention.
RAISE SUGAR BEETS.
The state reformatory at st. Cloud is de-
serving of your attention in as great degree
as any institution in the state. The super
intendent's recommendations in respect to
providing employment for the population OF
that institution and his suggestion as to the
efficiency and corrective influences Of farm
work are we'll worthy Of your consideration
1t seems to me that if, in your judgment
the sugar beet industry is liable to be car
ried on permanently in this state, and
especially if the experiment Of this season has
proven reasonably satisfactory, much of the
population at this institution, we'll at
our charitable institutions, could be employed
to greater advantage in raising sugar beets
than in any other industry connected with
the culture of the soil, for 1 know of no
crop that can so proftably engage SO much
manual labor to the acre as beet culture
II this suggestion should meet your approval.
and be deemed practicable, legislation should
be enacted giving the authorities of the re-
spective institutions full power to enter into
contracts. The present methods Of raising
our state institutions, except as it may be
occasionally necessary in the rotation of
crops, does not commend itself either on the
secre of economy or as furnishing employ
n-ent for the inmates, especially when the
same institutions eXpend large sums annual
ly for vegetables and other products of the
garden.
The needs OF other correctional and char
table institutions are set out in the several
reports and except to the hospital for
the insane will rot be farther commented
upon.
The problem of properly caring for the in
sane has become so pressing that 1t abso-
lutely demands solution at your hands at
the present session The Importance of the
subject itself by-reaso of the great number
and helpless character Of the unfortunates,
as we'll as the great cost to the public for
their care and maintenance upon the lines
heretofore and hcw in vogue in this state,
can hardly be 6yer- estimated and justifes
all the care and CONSIDERATION that I am sure
YOU will give it, =