The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-04-17

| beneath the windows of the Jailer's Of
| flee, where the grass is green and en-
| joy comparative freedom there The only
prison official in that place is the gate
attendant. The witnesses are allowed tt
| talk, the only requirement being that
they mcdulate their voices SO they will
not be heard to any extent by the pris-
oners.
As to their breakfast bill of fare, they
are generally served with roast beef, or
stewed beef and potatoes, rice and vege-
tables, soft and hard bread, tea or cof-
fee; pork and beans is also one Of their
messes for supper. Occasionally they
have beefsteak. The food is well cook
ed and in a place which could not be
neater if 1t were a portion of a private
residence. AT o'clock yesterday a
mess for these men was being cooked
consisting of rice, cabbage, stewed beef
and potatoes and coffee, while soft bread
was about to be issued.
Jailer Henry says that the taxpayers
would likely object if he were to at
tempt to substitute hotel kitchen ar
rangements and fare for the prisoners for
that now in vogue. The men who are
sent to prison have committed acts
against the laws of the country, and the
prison is a place where they are disci-
plined; only regular rations, plain and
nouriShing are dealt out to the men, In
no prison are provided the luxuries found
on private and hotel tables, and the
same general rule is followed in Oahu
prison. The health statistics of the pris-
on indicate that the fare is nourishing,
as there is very little sickness there. The
men appear robust and are generally
able to perform the hard labor to which
they were sentenced.
The witnesses for the United States
Courts are assigned to division of cells
on the lower side of the enclosure close
to the Office building. The cells are
clean and fresh-smelling and contain
cots; there are plenty of bed clothes, air
and light. The only regulation to which
the witnesses conform in common with
the prisoners is that they are locked in
for the night. They are placed within
their cells a half hour after the prison.
ers. The prison is as clean as a private
residence. The yard has a spick and
span appearance which indicates that
cleanliness is one of the first considera-
tions. The working prisoners, upon re-
turning from their work go to the bath
rooms, wash themselves and then their
clothes, changing to a clean suit. Each
prisoner is given a small piece of soap
each night.
A casual reader would imagine from
the reports of juries maue upon Oahu
prison that 1t was a horrible place. 1t
is quite to the contrary, and many a
housewife could learn neatness there.
Now said Jailer Henry, lin regard
to this Grand Jury, it was an uncaled-
for attack they made upon Marshal Ray
in regard to putting United States wit
nesses here. What other institution have
we where witnesses could be placed
Certainly not in the City jail. There are
always a lot of drunks being brought
there every night. and they keep up a
continual din of singing and shouting.
Would it be pleasant for these witnesses
to be held there, do you think? Oahu
prison is a quiet, orderly place. The
men, of course, are sober, and sobriety
causes them to behave. IL a man is not
quiet we have places to put him in where
he will have to be quiet.
Il consider the report attacked Mar
shall Ray without cause. AS for his not
knowing what there was here, L wish to
state that the Marshal was and is fully
aware of the quality and quantity Oh
food supplied here. Mr.. Meyer, eXamI-
ner of the Department of Justice at
Washington, was here some timesago and
made thorough examination of the
prison and expressed himself surpris-
ed at the manner in which we handled
the many nationalities of prisoners He
said he considered the prison as good il
not better than many in the States.
IF the witnesses cannot be placed III
the City jail and the Grand Jury believes
that the prison is not a proper place for
them. the only thing to do would be to
send them to San Francisco, and that is
preposterous. A county Jail needs an
appropriation, and even If an appropria-
ton was available it would take some
time to place such a structure in readi-
ness for prisoners and witnesses.
This prison is governed by an honor
able board of inspectors, consisting u
F. j. Lowrey, John S. Walker and Mr.
Smithers, who make visits here regular
ly to investigate conditions, and hear al
the complaints made by the prisoners
| When the Federal Grand Jury desires
to make a report of conditions which are
/ of vital interest to the community then
! Investigations of public institutions nae
/ better be conducted personally and IN
! formation gained first hand instead o.
/ through unreliable persons