The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-12-29

that this form of punishment be inflict-
ed only under the direct supervision
of the warden, and in the presence
of the resident physician.
For Civil Service,
The employment of guards under the
present system is very unsatisfactory
We believe that only men should be
selected for this work who are espe-
cially fitted for the same. No man
should be employed who is under 25
years Of age, as the responsibilities
thrown upon the shoulders of guard
may become very great at any time,
and therefore only men who have ar.
rived at the age of discretion should
be entrusted with this work. Pay of
the guards we find entirely too small.
ed rules The present form of en-
ploying guards through political pref
erence is decidedly injurious to the
best service Some system of civil
service examination should be estab-
lished and forever maintained to gov
ern the employment of guards and
officers at this institution. We feel that
the Importance of this step is such
that immediate steps should be taken
to make it. In the past men have
been thrown upon the warden to per-
from this important duty who have
had absolutely no qualifications what.
ever as guards. In the matter of sal
airy, we would recommend that the
pay of the warden be increased to not
less than $500 year and mainten-
ance, and other officers in proportion
down the line.
To Make Marksmen.
system of target practice, both for
rifle and revolver, should be establish
ed and maintained throughout the
year. Nothing can tend toward good
discipline more than a knowledge
among all convicts that the guards ov-
er them are able to shoot effectively.
We would recommend that graded
system of discipline be established for
the guards. For this it appears that
some system of fines or temporary
suspension of pay, ranging up to pub
lie dismissal, would probably be good
plan.
At the present time, when all classes
of labor are commanding such high
salaries, the proper men for this work
must be paid we'll, and if SO we'll paid,
| it will be necessary to establish some
form of examination in order to secure
the most efficient service.
We note that, at the present time,
the women prisoners are dressed in
costumes such as are worn in the
ordinary walks of life, and as they
this class of prisoners should be clad
were accustomed to dress prior to
their incarceration. We recOmend that
in suits of uniform texture, make, and
color, thus avoiding the feelings of
envy or jealousy on the part of those
who do not possess fine clothing or
friends outside of the walls to furnish
them with such.
One Wing Good.
On investigating the sanitary con-
ditions of the penitentiary we find
that the new wing built five or six
years ago is in splendid condition and
we have no fault to find with the con-
dition there. The balance of the pris-
on is in very deplorable condition.
The drains through which must pass
all the drainage and water used in
scrubbing corridors are without vents
and traps, allowing the sewer gas to
escape into the corridors. thus men.
acing the health of the prisoners.
The sewer system recently installed
and known as the septic tanks is very
good, going great way toward solv
ing the sewage question of the in
stitution, and We believe if the sys
tenn is managed carefully and correct
ly these septic tanks will take care OF
the sewage. The sewage, after pass
ing through these tanks should be col
lected and used as fertilizer on the
light soil, making it especially adapt
ed to the gardening industry; by sc
doing you not only take care of the
sewage but add one item toward put
ting the institution on a self-support
ing basis.
Bad Sanitary Conditions.
The sanitary condition of the jute
mill is very deplorable, but if the rec
concentrations of your committee with
regard to the jute mill, as found in
another part of this report, is accept,
ed by the legislature, this condition
will be remedied.
All cooking utensils should be made
of copper, as far as possible. as a
sanitary precaution. These can be
made at the tinshop of the institution
at a very small expense. We find
that the kitchen furniture is con-
structed of wood, allowing the accu-
mutation of dirt in the cracks. All
wood should be eliminated from the
kitchen, as far as possible, cement