Arizona republican., 1905-02-05
The Leglslature,s Opportunity.


 The various territorial institutions having been examined by special com mittees from the legislature, reports should be forthcoming, soon, as to what the statesmen found on their travels. As affairs are moving along in their measured routine, nothing but per functory comment is to be expected in most cases. It remains to be seen whether the committee which visited the prison at Yuma can make any rec concentrations which will tend to solve the important problem of finding work for the territorys hundreds of idle con- victs. Should the committee be able to point out a practicable plan it would be the highest duty of the legislature to give the suggestion its most earnest consideration.
 The fact that the maintenance of the prison constitutes the biggest item in the expense account of the territory is important to the taxpayers, of course But that is a secondary consideration in view of the urgent necessity of find ing employment for the prisoners. Dur ing the last four years the population of the prison has increased at a pro- digious rate having almost doubled. There are nearly 400 convicts confined in the prison at this time. They have substantially nothing to do. The en- forced idIcness of the prisoners is bad from every standpoint. Conducted as it necessarily is, the institution is nei- ther penal nor reformatory. It fails to provide the punishment contem- plated by the law, and the conditions are the worst possible for the morals of the convicts. All reformatory in fucnccs are lacking. Thrown indis- criminateIy together the unfortunate men are taking at public expense, a post graduate course in crime. Many of them, especially the younger men, are weak rather than naturally crim- inaI. But all such are thrown under the most vicious infiuences-the influ- ence of the hardened and degraded class. This estimate of the situation is sustained by expert authority and is borne out by the increasing number of second -termers'- who having served a term at Yuma, have commit ted more crimes upon being released. Ultimately if this system is continued. the territory is bound to pay a heavy penalty for it's failure to grapple with the pressing question.
 Under a system of varied employ ment, it is possible to segregate the prisoners, and keep the more promising and worthy from the influence of the most vicious. Objections more or less valid can be urged against any man. ufacturing enterprise that may be sug- Eested, but there is a very simple 'way out" for the legislature
 This "way out" is made clear by the general demand for good roads.
 Let the prisoners be employed on q comprehensive system of road-making in the territory. Experience has al ready demonstrated that this solution of the prison problem is altogether practical Utah has reaped immeasur- able benefits from the employment of convicts in the construction of roads.
 If any member of the Legislature is unable to appreciate good roads in the abstract, he should take a trip over the magnificent government road re- gently constructed between GoldfeId and the Roosevelt reservoir dam. That great highway is the finest wagon road in America. By the use of convict la bor the territory could soon be grid ironed with grand roads like this reser- voir highway, and they would cost nothing, in effect. The cost of main taining the prisoners while engaged upon such work would not be mater iaIly greater than the cost of keeping them penned up in idleness at Yuma.
 Properly worked out, this plan af- lords not only happy solution of the prison problem. so far as the territory is concerned, but it's beneficial effect upon the prisoners could scarcely be