The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-07-01
CONVICTS OF ISlAS MARlAS AS
SOClATE FREELY WITH ONE AN
OTHER.
PRIVILEGES GRANTED PRISONERS
Settlement Still in Its lnfancy-Gov-
ernment Has Had Many Obstacles
to Overcome-Wonderfu Resources
Of the Island.

San Bias, Mex, June 3O.-ln the
shcrt space of three years, quite a
number of substantial stone and wood
en- buildings have sprung up for the
accommodation Of the prisoners and
the soldiers, at the penal colony at
Islas Marias. This is without the
various industrial departments, in
which the prisoners themselves take
an active part.
This sreat enterprise of the M2Ni-
can government has its incalculable
advantages. not the least of which Is
the expulsion from the larger cities
of the republic OF "A most undesirable
class of people to an isolated spot,
where their interests, talents, and gen
eral welfare are literally studied and
provided tor by what would appear,
to most people, an all too generous
government
At the present time the colony can
My be considered in its infancy.
There are about 800 convicts, men
and women. and if one could see the
transformation that has taken place in
so short a period by the laIorers OF
men, many of them unskilled, and all
thon, iustiu ,tiValv law IL cpul1
only be considered as marvellous.
The colony is under the supervision
of the vice president of the republic,
Ramon Corral. and the direct govern
orship of Arturo Cubillas, whose un-
/ firing efforts in its advancement are
worthy of the highest possible praise.
| 1t would indeed be hard to realize
| the patience and energy that has been
required of Mr. Cubillas to overcome
the many obstacles and difficulties
that have been met with in the estaO-
lshment and placing upon a sound
basis what will some day doubtless
prove to be one of the greatest under
taknss by the Mexican government.
1t must not be forgotten that the
government of penal settlement such
as this is by n means such simple
matter as in similar places in other
parts of the rid On the Cne hand
the convicts go about their work to-
gether in squads, heavily guarded by
warders ever ready to castigate any
one of them on the slightest provo
cation. On the other hand the pris-
oners here are allowed to associate
freely with one another to do tneir
work as best they can, for these ISL
ands make one of the prettiest spots
in the whole republic. The prisoners
ally the granting of them further en-
tails good deal of responsibility on
the hands of the governor, than
would otherwise be the case were the
men treated and controlled in the way
that is Z, nerally understood
The convicts are, comparatively
speaking, happy, and it really gives
one pleasure to see them on Sunday
all enjoying a plunge in the sea, ana
sporting with one another like so
many light heated school children A
few, industrially inclined are in the
carpenters shop making few articles
of furniture and so forth. for their
own private use. while others are
roaming the island, entirely free, this
day. to do as they. please. There is
a brass band and a plaza to add to
their enjoyment.
ltw ould be impossible to estimate
the resources # these islands. Some
of the most precious woods to be
found in Mexico dominate here; there
are salt deposits and the maquey
grows abundantly. Up-to-date machin-
cry is now being installed for distill-
ing purposes and eXacting tiXtile fiber,
which in few months hence will be
exported
As the islands become cleared of
the nXuriant srowth, the agricultural
resources must in time become very
valuable. At the present time there
is pasture enough to maintain thou
sands of head of stock. The climate
is good and healthy, and the rainfall
is regular. In fact. the conditions
point in every way to prosperity.
II is not to be doubted for one mo-
ment that the government a few year,
hence will be reaping the harvest it
.inLI.. l..-.,.,-n.