The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-08-28
Kansas Executive and Form
er Wayne County Man,
FOrmulateS Pleas.
TO MAKE LIFE PLEASANT
THEY WILL GET BISCUITS FOR
BREAKFAST AND WON'T HAVE
TO WEAR STRIPED SUITS
OTHER "GoOD THINGS"

GOVeTuOF 0tuUOS VI hduSdo. d Aofu1-
er resident Of Wayne county, has be-
come the champion OF prisoners. The
following Topeka dispatch tells OF the
governors prison reform plans:
Under Governor Stubbs's plan OF
running the Kansas penitentiary it is
almost a pleasure to be sent there.
Eight hot biscuits for each convict
at breakfast
All the corn bread each convict can
eat at noon.
Fresh fruit for supper.
These, together with all the staple
food necessary. are among the induce
ments offered in the culinary line.
No stripes for good convicts, easy
work, china dishes to eat from, and
good literature to read are some addi-
tional drawing cards.
The Governor has an idea that a
prison should be a reformatory in
He proposes to run 1t along that idea
for while. II he finds that he is mis-
taken he will adopt the old method.
"The way to reach the heart Of a
man is through his stomach" said the
Governor Feed man well and he
will not be SO troublesome"
Men Were Badly Fed.
This is responsible for the new bill
OF fare at the state prison. which in
cludes hot biscuits, corn bread and
fruit. When Governor Stubs took
charge of things he found the kitchen
at the penitentiary run by an official
who knew nothing whatever about
the art of cooking. The steward doled
out certain quantities Of meat and
vegetables and the like each day and
the head cook ordered convicts to
cook It up. The convicts were also
green at the work. AS a result a con-
glomeration was prepared which
would repel the stomachs of men. At
least this is the report made to the
Governor by his confidential inspect
ors after three weeks stay at the
prison. Then the food would be set
before the convicts in tin pans and
tin cups, which had all been worn to
the iron. This sort of food served in
old rusty tin and iron dishes didn't
have tendency to improve the dispo-
sitiOn Of the convicts.
When the facts were reported to
the Governor by his confidential man,
orders were issued Immediately to Sc
cure an experienced cook for the
kitchen, to supply the dining room
with chinaware, and to improve the
bill of fare.
1T will cost about cents a day
more to feed each convict than the
state has been paying in the past"
said the Governor, but we will get
almost twice as much work out of
them. The state owes them a decent
living. even should there be no COM
pensating features"
Weak convicts Protected.
The days task is also to be changed
About half the prisoners are worked
In the prison coal mine. Each one in
the mine is compelled to dig so much
coal day. The task, to the exper-
fenced miner, is easy Even to the
strong. healthy man who picks up the
trade quickly, the task isn't any bur.
den. But to the weakling, or the one
VINO can not catch on to the knack of
swinging pick while lying on his
side or back, it is hardship. The
new plan is to let the men dig what
ever amount of coal they can. The
young convicts will be kept out of the
mine; also those who have weak con.
situations. The prison mine is a bug
bear to most Of the convicts. Howev-
er, the natural born miners prefer it
to work on the surface, for they have
more liberties
Experienced school teachers are to
be employed at the prison school. This
school is run at night, and while it is
not compulsory all OF the young con-
victs are eager to attend 1t. They
would rather be in school than in .
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