East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-08-18

might be accomplished without put
ting democrats in charge.
The congregated dining room has
been made a success by the present
regime. Two men with Winchesters
are mounted in a steel cage over one
corner Of the dining hall. All pris-
oners are admitted TO eat together.
So far there has never been the
slightest attempt at disturbance.
The men, if anything. are better be-
haved than before, and there is never
word said or a blow struck in con-
nection with serving the meals.
The first man got rid of his stripes
about a month ago, and now many
are wearing the neat gray-bue suits.
As fast as they can be made all the
men will be dressed in them and the
hideous zebra-rings about the con-
victs will have disappeared forever
and Oregon prison management will
be among the most progressive in the
nation
The old "BULL-ring" in the rear
of the prison where the men were
marched about for exercise is still
there, but neat park has been built
with grass plots, flowers and benches
for the men to lounge in the sun
shine All this work was done by
the prisoners, and they seem to feel
pride in the improved appearance
and cheerfulness.
The Women in Prison.
! BY special request the reporter was
allowed to interview the three women
prisoners. They have large, comfor-
table quarters. are not kept in cells
or fed with the men. Each has the
use of a bath, a sewing machine and
magazines and newspapers to read.
All three are given to needlework
and have made much of the clothing
for the discharged prisoners. They
find time besides to do embroidery
fancy work battenberg, drawn work
I pillowshams, and bed spreads. The
two white women have articles for
sale, but the colored woman would
not part with any of her treasures ol
crocheting. She was making them
for her mother, was her simple reply
in answer to a question.
The farce of this colored woman
being sent to states prison for per
jury. when she probably could no
tell the meaning of the word to saw
her life, is a blemish on the state
= and the governor would be justified
in issuing a pardon on general prin
ciples. It would be about consisten
to send a colored man to the pen TO
stealing chickens, as to send an un
: educated colored woman to the pei
for perjury, when she hardly under
: stands the nature of an oath.
Chance to Smuggle a Gun.
: There is but one criticism to max
on the prison management and tina
} is the chance that is left visitors t
. smuggle a weapon into the hands O
s prisoners. While the writer and hi
S party we're shown about and talke
!. with some of the prisoners, about
p dozen young women visitors were &C
s ing about the kitchen and dinin
n room and commissary's room an
i other departments, and we were a
a accompanied by one attendant, an
! some of these ladies might have sill
e ped a weapon or a package of dyn;
d mite to the TRUSTEES who are allowe
in all these rooms.
n Many of them are pleasant, hone
ID looking fellows and would be abo'
le taking a weapon from the hands
re lady friend, but the Tracy -Merr
re episode is fresh in the minds of Or
n gon people. The capacious shi
In waist of many a fair visitor mig
~ contain something more deadly thj
= heart beats. and that there were o
= portunities to hand out such artiC
cannot be denied.
A word to the management on II
line will be sufficient to suggest
.. remedy. 1t may not be practical
us search all visitors, but a little scru
is ny would be safer.
re
s- NNATIrR SLIT IN RAKER COITNT