The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-28
JOINS GOOD WORK
Warden Tomlinson Recommends
Civil Service.
Baneful Effect of Politics
Plainly Seen.
MAKES HIS REPORT.
Still $4,000 Worth of Irvine
on Hand.
Recommends Construction OF
Cottages For Employees.

J. B. Tonlinson, warden Of the Kan
sas penitentiary. believes in civil service
reform in the institution and recon-
Iaends the adoption of that idea in MS
biennial report filed with Governor
Stanley.
Persons should not says Mr. Tom
Iinson in his report, and the suggestion
is unanimously endorsed BY the mem
bers of the board of directors Of the
prison. be given employment at the
prison in any eapacity, because OF per
sonal or political influence Employees
should be selected because OF the Mt
ness and capacity.
This sentiment Will be received Win
pleasure by the people OF Kansas, re
gardless of party. because Kansas De
Heves in civil service reform IN the state
institutions. both penal and charitable,
and there is unanimity OF sentiiilelie
in the state at large in favor OF taxing
these public institutions out OF the bale
full influence of politics.
The warden also generously commences
the parole system adopted by Governor
Stanley with reference to prisoners and
recommends that the governors plan be
elaborated. in some respects. and made
a matter OF law by legislation
Another important subject IN the war
den's report is a recommendation that
the Bertillon system Of measuring
prisoners be adopted. This makes 1den-
tificatiOn possible under any clrculn-
stances, whether a prisoner or an ex-
convict be alive or dead
Mr. Tomlfnson also suggests that the
state authorize the construction OF col
tageS for the use OF employees and ON
GERS of the prison. He calls attention
to the fact that the prison has brick
plant, plenty of stone and labor. and at
a small expense could erect on the I'M
occupied lands owned by the state,
number of cottages which would accom-
mOdate the men who now are compelled
to hustle for places in which TO I'VE
,-r17fa a hEa
Mr.. TOnlinsOn also recommends that,
in addition to the twine plant, no add
tionai manufacturing enterprises be in
augurated in connection with the prison
The warden recommends that the Irvine
plant be placed under the management
of a competent superintendent, instead
of under the warden. as it now is
When prisoners discharged, leave the
penitentiary they are supplied with a
suit Of clothes Mr.. Tomlinson thinks
the quality of the clothing now being
supplied is not as good at it should be,
and recommends that the inferior stuff
be displaced in the future, by better
material. This will necessitate q slight
increase in the appropriation, which he
recommends.
A cold storage plant. in the opinion
of the warden and the board of directors,
would pay for its cost in a single year,
and the legislature is asked to establish
such z. plant.
A competent electrician is also sug-
gested as an addition to the present
force, to take charge Of the lighting and
power supplied by the prison plants.
These duties now devolve on others. who.
in the opinion of the warden, have all
that they can attend to and do it we'll
so he suggests the change.
An inter communicating telephone
system and fire alarm system are also
recommended for the prison also pro-
vision for insurance of the buildings and
property. No insurance is carried, but
fires have caused a loss. in the past two
years, amounting to $4,000.
The Irvine plant product was sold to
the amount Of $50. 2S5. So. OF this amount
all but S264 has been paid, and the bal
ance is now in process of collection.
There is now on hand Irvine worth $50.
259.26 Probably next year the Irvine
product wiz be sold to jobbers and
dealers, instead of direct to the con-
sumer as was the practice this year.
However, this has not been fully de-
termined by the management of the
prison.
The Populist administration left a de-
hciency legacy of $1,759. This has not
been paid. and the legislature is asked
to settle it. This is the only deficiency
in the financial affairs of the prison at
this time. Warden Tomlinson has
turned into the treasury over $1,000 IN