The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-09-25
G0V. MEAD
VISITS PRISON
Arrives in City in Company
with New Warden

Governor Albert E. Mead and Chas.
:. Reed the newly appointed warden
of the pen;tentiary, arrived in the city
this morning and went Immediately
to the state prison, where they have
uceu spending the day.
Governor Mead came over from
North Yakima. taking this opportunity
of visiting Walla Walla and the peni-
tcntiary here
My visit here means absolutely
nothing" said Governor Mead this af-
ternoon Il simply had time to ger
over here for few days and as Mr..
Reed was coming | took the Oppor-
tunity to come and see the peniten-
tiary, merely in my capacity as gov
ernor and nothing else
Everything looks good to me here
There are lots of improvements since
was here last and everything is GER
tainly busy.
Our penitentiary compares favor
ably with any l have seen and in some
respects has others distanced. Many
Sldte PRISONS nave SacClIlceQ IOcaIlO
to advantage and have been placed
down in a canyon where a larger num-
ber of men are required to watch the
prisoners and with greater danger tC
the guards. In economy of manage
ment and lessening of danger to the
employees, the state penitentiary is GER
tainly ahead of any others in the west.
our penitentiary is located in the open
with a minimum of danger to the
guards and the most economical pos
sible operation.
The laws passed by the last legis-
ature, permitting the enlarging of the
scope of convict labor and yet in such
a manner as not to compete with free
labor was good Legislation For a
while there is occupation for the pris-
provements around the prison. The
road work is a good thing and should
he a great benefit to the state From
here | am going over to the Okanogan
camp where the prisoners are making
road and see what is being done. The
i' t.'i - NllpN lue NOIh Is gong III
good shape. The jute mill is also a
place to work out convict labor and it
tnterferes with no free industry
Asked about the indeterminate SEN
tence law, the governor said
1t meets my hearty approval. The
indeterminate sentence law is one of
The best pieces of penal legislation
ever passed in the state. And it is so
recognized everywhere All the states
are coming to it and l think it is but
UNIVERSAL Just what a mans sentence
should be cannot always be determined
with accuracy when he is sentenced.
Something surely depends upon his
behavior and other things which may
develop. | think it will work sue
'eSStully here and am we'll pleased
that it should be passed.
AS | have said, everything looks
all right to me. My visit has no po-
Nlcal significance and | do not care to
discuss politics at this time. 1t will be
io.e seasonable next year. | will re-
I'm in Walla Walla until Friday and
Then will probably return to North
l2&.ma or so to Spokane"
Warden Reed has been busy all day
aSnerting his new charge and assum-
HlS control of the state prison. He
VIII at once enter upon his duties as
warden
While no policy of administration
i+ announced it is thought the new
"HmImStration will follow the same
S,@'ral and successful lines as that of
Warden kincaid. Mr. Reed has had
mach experience in this kind of work
and can be relied upon for a success
IUI government of the pen