The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-06-20
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.
Des Moines, June 10. 1901.


penltentiary to reform school mod
eled after that of Elmira, N. Y. JItge
Robinson, IN discussing the proposed
change, said:
The plan is in line with the theory
of today that criminals should be re-
formed rather than punished. 1t is
proposed to admit to the Anamosa in
stitution only criminals between the
ages of 16 and 80 years, ard those sen.
fenced to more than one year. The in.
mates are to be given their freedom
at as early time as is consistent
with their good conduct. Their re-
lease is to be in the nature of pa
role and after they have maintained
their good conduct for a stated
period. their release is made perman.
,ent. The records of the Elmira insti.
tute, which is conducted in this fash
ion, show that &c per cent of those
released on parole lead reformed
lives. The Anamosa penitentiary has
now about $50 inmates. The changes
in system would not necessitate the
construction of additional buildings,
but only new classification of in
mates"
The board is also figuring on the
establishment OF a state colony for
epileptics. There are 200 epileptic pa
tients in the institute for feeble mind
ed at Glenwood, and about 500 in all
of the state institutions. The epilep-
tic patient requires special treat
ment. What is good for other insaul
patients is not beneficial for the ep&;
leptic. He requires more eXercisS
and a different diet. Colonies for epH
leptics are being established in MANI
states, and they are recognized as tile
best means of treating this class OF
patients. The state board of control
believes the time has come for Iowa
to take this step, and will use it's in
finence with the legislature in this
direction.
An order has been made by the
war department and sent to the ad.
jutant general of state troops which
is the first appraisement had of q
change in the manner of apportioning
the funds to the various states. The
order is in the nature of request
that the state military authorities
furnish to the war department the
entire number of officers and enlist.
ed men in the guard and upon this
list the apportionment of the mill.
tary funds will be made instead of in
ACCORDANCE with the number of con.
gressional districts. Iowa has had
in the past about the sum of $11 .OO(
for the support of the guard which
apportionment was made on the basis
of the 100000 military appropriation
The increase of this appropriation
by congress TIC one million will make
lowa's share about $4,000, which
sum will be sufficient to fully equip
the guard for the first time since
the state has had military organ
ization.
At regular session of the state
executive council the question OF
leasing meandered lake beds, accord
ing to bids that have been received
since Secretary Davidson was author
lied to make the leases. was taken up
Five beds were leased in Hancock anC
Wright counties, two for $50 eacl
and three for $25 each. The lake bee
at Storm Lake was leased to the city
of Storm Lake, which wanted the
land i'll order that the summer re
sort at that point would not be
spoiled by the land being put under
cultivation. The land was rented tt
Storm Lake at a nominal sum. 1t was
stated by member of the council
that when the state gets absolute ant
undisputed title to these lands, they
will be disposed of to Storm Lake il
order that permanent park may be
established in that city.
Referring to an interview given out
by himself recently in which he al
luded to the need for an epileptic col
ony, Judge Robinson of the board o
control said there were at least 50
epileptics in the state institution:
and probably more. There are a
least $50 at Glenwood. eff the mum
Der keeps on increasing as it has,
said Judge Robinson, something will
have to be done by the state. Thu
epileptic and insane require differ
ent treatment. The general plan il
case an epileptic colony was estab
lished, would be to have it in the
country where the patients would
have plenty of air and light and exer
else. The insane can stand confine
ment much better than epileptics
They should have different die
from the insane, and in particular
should be given less meat. Where tn,
epileptics and insane are together
it is impossible to discriminate il
diet properly. In many other re
spects, too, the treatment should b.
different
Several eastern papers having re
Gently mentioned Senator Allison a!
the most available man in the repub
lican party for the presidency, Gov
ernor Shaw sent the following tele
gram to the senator, who is tempo
rarily at Washington: 81 notice will
much satisfaction that the country
is taking kindly to the mention O.
your name for the presidency. hop,
you will encourage it's use. will b.
more than glad to aid to the best o
my ability. Let Iowa and the nation
rally to you as never before. Do no
say no." Senator Allison, on the
other hand, when questioned b,
Washington newspaper men, declared
that he positively would not be can
didate, and suggested Governor Shaw
In the district court r. M. Rich
mond was sentenced to three years il
the penitentiary at FIT. Madison a,
hard labor. Richmond is the mar
who represented himself to be al
agent for a theatrical company ant
was pretending to book girls to sing
in the chorus of an opera company a
Buffalo during the Pan-American ex
position. In this way he succeeded
in getting possession of their money
He was sent up for larcency Of 81
from Fife Sutley of this city.