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

to borrow at all; and we are able, to
build a $3,000,O00 capitol without incur
other hand, we have more than $s,OOO,O00
of the bonds of other states in our strong
box and all that we have to do to secure
But more valuable than the bonds, even,
is the sum of $7OOO,OO0 due on state
lands, from counties, cities and town
security is better than any state bonS,
and the rate of interest higher: The
amount loaned since Jan I, 1901. Is IN
this credit? II 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
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 1t.
Upon Investigation it was found that
unfavorable conditions existed in the
management, and also that the years
business, then just closed, had not only
resulted in 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
Democratic management of the\ state
prison, and especially the Irvine plant,
briefly stated, were as follows:
The prison Irvine was sold to the farn+
ers in 1900 the only year that the Demo-
Gratis had fun charge OF the PRISON. at
or 3 cents per pound higher than they
could have bought their twine for from
local dealers.
The Democratic management did not
guarantee prices, as former administra-
lions 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
order and the price guaranty being cut
off, they We're obliged to take the Irvine
not.
Much of the Irvine made was inferior in
quality, short in length, uneven. bunchy
and overloaded with oil. .r ssSfs
In the operation of the twine plant dur
ing the season of 1900 (the Democratic
year, the management of the prison Irvine
actual purchasers of the Irvine, in ths.t
they were obliged to pay at least 2 or 3
cents per pound more than they coulc.
dealers, but it was a dana ge 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 af-
fecting both officers and prisoners, was in
a deplorable condition and gradually
denced by the discovery of a plot on the
part of two officers of the prison to as
sist 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
reformatory and the other to pay a
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 toNsomething over 5.000-
900 pounds, cost the farmers over 500. 900
more than they would have been obliged
grade of twine from their local dealers:
at the same time, the twine purchased
was inferior In both grade and quality.
Of the Irvine plant under Democratic rule
came from some of the best farmers
throughout the state. and these COM
or party Affiliations; viz: That the prices
were too high; that they were not allowed
to cancel their orders when crops failed;
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 a benefit to the farmers of the
state, as managed, was positive detri-
ment to them.
REPUBLICAN MANAGEMENT.
I succeeded in making such changes IN
the board of managers as to secure the
position on March L. 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. 1t was also found
that there was about $4,000 in notes,
taken by the former administration.
which fell due in the preceding November,
stil uncollected.
The new management set about to rem
edy some of the evils of its predecessors.
and these were overcome as expeditiousiy
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
last seasons product, and IN order to dis.
pose of the Irvine and effect clearance
of the entire OUTPUT Warden Wolfer was
obliged to hire large number of travel
ing statesmen 1t 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, methtng over 100000 pounds
Of which 1850 600 pounds were sold to
the farmers of the state, and 2,28O,O00
pounds were sold to the dealers at the
following prices, viz: 6A cents per pound
for sisal and standard; 81 cents per
pound for mixed Irvine, and Q Ia cents
per pound for pure Manila: an average
of about 2 cents per pound below the
prices at which twine of equal grade end
ufacturers to the dealers OF the state
which would make an actual saving Of
over 1000, 600 to the consumers of the