Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-03-23
COST OE PLANT.

| Ihe total cost OF the plant when fin
ished will not exceed $4,000. This Is ex-
elusive Of power and the cost of all the
buildings used except the dry house. OF
course. the employment Of convict labor
in most of the construction work has
materially reduced the cost to the terri
tory. The same plant could not oa du-
plicated on the outside for less than
$25, 900.
PERFECT BRICK.
The product consists of common, re-
pressed and vitrified bricks for paving
purposes. They are all perfect in rhape,
particularly those that have passed
through the repress machine, including
most of the fire bricks. The edges Of
these are clean-cut and the surfaces
smooth. The color is somewhat varied
according to location in the kilns, but
the prevailing tint IL rich blending of
chocolate and red oxide of iron paint
This color is very highly esteemed by
contractors. The clay for making the
common bricks comes from deposits
about mile east of the penitentiary
and an unlimited quantity of excellent
fire clay Is found about three miles from
the institution, in Santa Fe canon The
material for the vitrified paving bricks
is found near by, and the product there
of is as hard as granite. 1t Is in demand
for paving purposes. The common
bricks are worth 81 per 1000 at the
yards, and the fire bricks command
from s12 to SIS per 1000, according to
the quantity ordered
LIME AND STONE
Connected with the brick yard Is a
large lime kiln in constant operation
It's product is in demand, and much
more could be sold. The stone-cutting
yards are adjacent. Here large blocks
| of limestone from the quarries two
miles northeast of Santa Fe are being
prepared for the walls of the south wing
Of the penitentiary, now well under
way, and for other construction work
that is planned.
A MODEL INSTITUTION.
At present 1879 convicts are confined in
the institution. which Is about the av-
erage number. The largest number ev-
er confined there was 223. About 100
are received and about the same num-
Der liberated every year. The number
whose sentences will expire this year is
seventy-four. The prisoners are COM
fortably clothed. we'll fed, and humane
ly treated. They are nearly all stout and
in good health, and seem to be as well
contented as could possibly be expected
under the circumstances. Only two
deaths have occurred during the past
year. This certainly speaks in high
praise of the food, sanitary condi lions,
medical treatment, and general care be-
slowed. The spacious hospital Is COM
fortably furnished with iron bedsteads,
clean bedding and good mattresses and
springs. and everything else needful for
sick people. Connected with 1t are oper-
ating rooms and well-equipped drug
store. 1t is a model in every respect.
The same conditions prevail through
out the entire institution. Perfect or
der and quiet, neatness and close atten-
ton to work are noted in every depart
ment. While Superintendent Bursum
and Assistant Superintendent James
are good disciplinarians, and insist up
on strict compliance with every rule,
they are both governed by humane mo-
tives, and seek to contribute all in their
power to promote the good of the per-
sons in their absolute custody. Mr..
James is an n-tempered, kindly dis
posed gentleman past middle life. His
duties bring him in daily personal con-
tact with most of the prisoners, and
they all seem to look up to him almost
as father He unquestionably has
their highest welfare constantly in
view. Mr.. Martin has charge Of the Of
fee, and in him Superintendent Bur-
sum has an exceptionally capable and
vigilant assistant.