The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-22
MIR. Rarcus,s Speech.

senator BarcuS was given the moor 10
speak on the adoption of the amendment
offered by himself. His speech was
notable effort and was so regarded not only
by those who stood with him on the propo-
sition, but by the friends of the bill. Sena-
tor Barcus said in part:
'I regret exceedingly that more time cam
not be had to investigate this question.
We are dealing with an exceedingly i'm
portant piece of legislation. In 1886 Benja-
min Harrison stated that he would IL neces-
sary speak in every county of Indiana
propagating nonpartisan control of our
penal, charitable and reformatory institu-
lions. Since that time the war has been
waged. not with uniform success, but on
the whole such progress has been made
that to-day the State of Indiana is the envy
OF all the other States in respect TO these
eleemosynary institutions. On the 9th day
of October, 1902. the Indianapolis Journal
printed q sort of history of the Southern
Prison and the Indiana Reformatory. and
in that the statement is made, Reform
rather than punishment Is the central idea
some length and outlining the conditions
that did prevail when two prisoners were
kept in single cell and cots scattered
thickiy all through the corridors. where
they were packed together in such condi-
ton as to breed tuberculosis and all kinds
of lung trouble. after pointing out the fact
that the Indiana State Prison South was
second to none in its filth and in it's con-
dition to breed disease it then said: "A
change for the better has taken place in
the official force. Formerly many men
pull and could have defied the warden. Now
every man holds his position because he
expected to do his best. and he does it or is
discharged. The result of this system is
efficiency all along the line. The bparti-
san board of control. with the selection Of
able and experienced men of affairs. has
brought business methods to the entire
management.
EMINENT AUTHORITIES.
added to this testimony 1 wish to point
out what Mr. Brockway. who for fifty years
was the warden of the New York State Re-
formatory at Elmira, has said. He visited
the State of Indiana in 1901 and spent two
days at the Indiana Reformatory. He says:
Il could scarcely recognize the place as be-
ing the same / have seen at a previous
visit before the changes were made. The
new block of cells is the best have ever
seen. 1 have never seen a reformatory
where the parole system Is administered so
admirably. 1t is thorough and complete
Gentlemen, 1 am reading from the best
authority on the reformatory in the United
States IL not. indeed. in the world. He says:
1T is thorough and complete, including the
supervision of the men on parole. The men
in the Reformatory are apparently well
nourished. The officers are middle-aged
men and are efficient. They work with a
spirit and energy that do not characterize
officials generally. The plans of economy
of Superintendent Hert as explained to me
and approved by the Board of Charities are
certainly progressive and look forward TO
the true ideal of a reformatory for the adult
male
Then Senator Barcus quoted from other
eminent authorities on prison management.
all of which called attention to the re-
markable progress made in Indiana. Con-
tinuing, he said:
while these successive steps that have
been enumerated measure the advancement
that has been taken in a physical way, they
also represent steps OF progress in the spirit
and in the proper work of these institu-
tions. The value OF an institution depends
upon the results accomplished.
FAIRNESS TO THE BOARD.
"And now as to the amendment offered
The law as it stands to-day gives the Gov
ernor the power to remove the board If he
sees fit to state his reasons why, in writ
ing, and give the members chance to be
heard. Personally. / do not know of my
own information. and am loath to believe
that the Governor wants any more power
than this. That is fair. but I propose by
this amendment that the Legislature shall
even enlarge that power and make 1t pos.
s!ble to Dust that board IL the 'stage-whis
pered' charges about this body are true
but for heavens sake let us make these
| charges under the light OF day and give
| the gentlemen a chance to be heard In the
| controversy according to our bill of rights
II the gentlemen constituting ST., the board Of
| tory are guilty Of neglect, malfeasance OF
| misfeasance In ONCE. will vote for an in
vestigation. have no personal interest IN
this matter. have not been approached b,