The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-01-05

the institution, or eiseNhe for their
accommodation II new hospital is
decided upon. provision should be
made for the care OF eoileptics IN a
separate building.
Penitentiary and Reformatory.
improvements are needed al both
the penitentiary and reformatory. The
peni,entiary is in need OF an insane
ward and separate cell house for the
confinement of prisoners afflicted with
tuberculosis.
I am sure you will be satisfied with
the economical manner in which the
funds appropriated for the benefit OF
these penal institutions has been eN-
pended. The officials are entitled TO
commentator for the faithful and eff
cient manner in which they have con
Quoted the affairs OF state entrusted 10
them.
Convict Labor.
A question OF grave moment is the
employment of our conyicts. This
question has been discussed and con
sidered for several years. but no con-
elusion has been reached of perna-
nent nature. The law enacted at the
last session. known as the Lewis
Road Law" has been of some effect,
should be wish it clearly understood,
however. that am not in favor of the
employment Of conyicts in lines of in
dustry which will TO any great exten.
come in competition with the honest
man who Is honestly endeayoring TO
make a livelihood for himself and fam.
lily; SO tnat whatever line OF occupa
tion is recommended must necessarily
be limited TO a very few things.
Road building is most commendablo.
| believe In making appropriations
from the internal improvement funds
for permanent improvements such as
road building: convicts could be used
very adrantageously. appropriatins
the money for the maintenance of the
prisoners while engaged on the road.
for the nece ssary guards, etc. In this
way great deal more road could be
built for ,he same money, and undoubt-
edly better roadways would be the re-
suit. OF course only certain classes
OF the prisoners could be utilized in
work of this kind. There is always a
large number that ii is necessary to
contne within the walls of the institu-
ton. l believe with small outlay ma
chinery could be installed which would
admit of the manufacture of articles
that could be sold to other state insti-
tutions. Clothing and garments could
be manufactured at a nominal cost fo-
the use OF the insane asylum and boys
school. which could be purchased at a
smaller cost than is now being paid
for goods OF perhaps inferior quality
and at the same time leave a small
margin OF profit OF the penal inst-
tuition. which would eventually result
In lower taxation upon the people for
. Al, ,f 10,
II such a suggestions meets with the
approval of the Legislature. the law
should be carefully framed so as not to
admit of the possibility of such goods
being placed on the open market.
am unalterably opposed to the con
tract system.
Parole Officer.
The enactment of a parole law sew
eral years ago, whereby prisoners, al
the expiration of the minimum sen
tence imposed were eligible for pa
role. has worked very satisfactorily.
snd by its operation the number of
prisoners in the penal institutions is
kept down to the minimum, thus saw
ing the state great expense.
But great deal more good could be
accomplished by the enactment of a
III" hlo i'lAbG lol Lie appointment Ol Il
parole officer, whose duty 1t should be
to keep track of the paroled prisoners,
help them secure employment and as.
sist them in every way possible to
keep the provisions of their parole.
This official should be appointed by
the wardcnS of our two institutions
and the board of penitentiary commits
sioners, and should be under their alb
solute control and direction | am
heartily in favor of the enactment OF
such law and sincerely hope it will
be passed by this Legislature
l am also in favor. when prisoners
are paroled from the state pcniten-
tiary. of giving each suit OF clothes
and five dollars. Very often pr;s-
oner is paroled and leaves the prison
almost pauper, and unless he has
friends to assist him, 1t leaves him
with no alternative except to commit
some crime. The state should safe
guard these people as much as pos.
sible, The added expense would not
be felt in a material degree. and be.
'ieve in the long run would be a great
saving.
Insurance Laws.
During the past two years the public
press has teemed with sensational re
ports as to the conduct Of the great
life insurance companies with head.
quarters in the East. | am not pre-
pared to say to what extent these
charges may be true. but to a casual
observer it would appear that the pol.
icy-holders were not as fully protected
rs they should be. However, I am not
inclined TO view the situation with
alarm or to run to the other extreme,
believing that there is a middle course
TO pursue which will fully protect the
insured As well as the companies
The insurance department has given
the matter of insurance careful study
and investigation. l am sure that
whatever suggestions it may make to