The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-07-10

build $3,OO0,OOO capitol without incur
ring 81 of bonded Indebtedness. On the
other hand, we have more than $1,000, 600
of the bonds of other states in our strong
box and all that we have to do to secure
the interest is to cut OF the coupons.
But more valuable than the bonds, even,
is the sum Of $7,OOO,OOO due on state
lands, from counties, cities and town
ships, l say more valuable because the
security is better than any state bone,
and the rate of interest higher. The
amount loaned since Jan. I, 1901, is in
excess of 1,2Je.OO0. Would you preserve
this credit? If so, keep the Republican
party in power. -'-
THE STATE PRISON AND BINDING
TWINE PLANT.
During the last campaign the manage
ment OF the state prison, especially IN
connection with the binding Irvine plant,
was constantly under discussion. 1t was
claimed by our party that it was grossly
mismanaged, and we promised, II given
the opportunity, to remedy the evils and
place the Institution in the same excel
lent condition in which our political enc
mics found it.
unfavorable conditions existed in the
management, and also that the years
business, then just closed, had not only
resulted in a loss to. the state. but that
the manner in which the business had
been carried on had proven very unsatiS-
factory.
DEMOCRATIC MANAGEMENT.
The principal complaints against-the
prison, and especially the Irvine plant,
briefly stated, were as follows:
The prison Irvine was sold to the farnt
ers in 1900 (the only year that the Demo-
Gratis had full charge of the PRISON. at
10 cents per pound. This price being 2
or 3 cents per pound higher than they
could have bought their Irvine for from
local dealers.
The Democratic management did not
guarantee prices, as former administra-
tionS had always done, or as the present
prison management is doing and did do
both last season and this season. This
being the case, the option of canceling an
off, they We're obliged to take the Irvine
whether they had any crops to bind or
not.
Much of the Irvine made was inferior in
quality. short in length, uneven, bunchy
and overloaded with OIL D.
In the operation of the twine plant dur
ing the season of 1900 Qhe Democratic
year, the management of the prison Irvine
plant was not only a detriment to the
actual purchasers of the Irvine, in ths-t
they were obliged to pay, at least or 3
cents per pound more than they coulo
have bought it for elsewhere from local
dealers, but it was a damag to all other
consumers of Irvine throughout the state
for the reason that instead of tending to
regulate or lower the prices by coming
into. active competition with independent
cordage manufacturers it kept prices up
and made them even higher.
The state also lost money under the
Dem ocratic administration of 1900 by the
purchase of large amount OF high-priced
fiber at the closing period of that season,
which had to be carried over and manu-
featured the following year.
The discipline of the institution, as at
fecting both officers and prisoners, was in
a deplorable condition and gradually
growing worse. This was clearly evil
denced by the discovery of plot on the
part of two officers of the prison to as
sist a long-term convict to escape from
the institution. The discovery~of this plot
having been made within three days after
Warden Wolfer was reappointed. The
officers were arrested and both convicted
of the crime, one sentenced to the state
reformatory and the other to pay
heavy fine. ..-..
The sale of the binding Irvine to con-
sumers of that product in the state by
the Democratic management in 1900,
which amounted to something over 5,000,-
600 pounds, cost the farmers over 500 900
to pay had they purchased the same
grade of Irvine from their local dealers:
at the same time, the twine purchased
The Complaints as to a the ana mana a
of the Irvine plant under Democratic rule
came from some of the best farmers
throughout the state, and these COM
plants were general, regardless of party
or party Affiliations; viz: That the prices
were too high; that they were not allowed
to cancel their orders when crops failed;
that the Irvine was inferior in grade and
quality, that they were obliged to take it
and pay for it whether they could use it
or not; that the Irvine plant instead Of
being benefit to the farmers of the
state, as managed, was a positive detri-
ment to them.
REPUBLICAN MANAGEMENT.
I succeeded in making such changes in
the board of managers as to secure the
reappointment of Warden Wolfer to that
position on March 1, 1901, but there had
already been considerable Irvine manu-
featured. Much of the Irvine made and
in store was found upon examination to
be inferior in quality. Tt was also found
that there was about $4,000 in notes,
taken by the former administration.
which fell due in the preceding November,
still uncollected.
The new management set about to rem
edy some of the evils of its predecessors.
and these were overcome as expedltiOusiy
rs possible. although some of the poor
Irvine manufactured at the beginning Of
last season. or up to March 1, 1901, whey
the new warden took charge, together
with the reputation made the preceding
year, made it very difficult to dispose of
last seasons product, and in order to dis
pose of the Irvine and effect a clearance
of the entire OUTPUT Warden Wolfer was
obliged to hire large number of travel
ing statesmen. It was an sold. however,
and the Irvine gave general satisfaction.
except the poor Irvine that was made at
the beginning of the season, just referred
to, or before the change took place
GREAT SAVING TO THE FARMERS.
There was manufactured in the season
of 1901, som ethtng over a,500, 600 pounds
of which 3y390.O00 pounds were sold to
the farmers of the state, and 2,280,000
pounds. were sold to the dealers at the
following prices, viz: 61a cents per pound
for sisal and standard; 81a cents per
pound for mixed irvine and 0 Ia cents
per pound for pure Manila: an average
of about cents per pound below the
prices at which Irvine of equal grade and
quality was sold by the jobbers and man
ufacturers to the dealers Of the state,
which would make an actual saving Of
over S1,000,0O0 to the consumers of the
state by the purchase of prison Irvine
The competition coused by sale of the
state prison twine at these figures also
tended to lower the prices Of Irvine sold
in the state by other manufacturers.
which resulted in benefit to the con-
sumers Of binding Irvine in the state gen.
orally
The profit on binding Irvine last season
amounted in round numbers to $313, CO.,
This was u clear profit after all expenses
had been borne incident to the conduct OF
the Irvine plant.