Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-22
ReDo(ts from Maine State
Prison for 1909.
Anthony A. Mcdonald Of Dres-
den Petitions for Pardon.
Copies Of Dog Law Sent to the
Cities and Towns.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Thursday, Feb. "a, at 10 A. M.

The annual report of Rev. G. A.
plumer, the chaplain of the Maine
state prison, which was filed with the
Governor and Council, Monday, says in
part
During the past year 60 persons
were committed to the prison. Four
teen of them could neither read or
write, one could read little but could
not write; 22 had attended for a few
terms or longer period the common
schools Il had taken the course taught
in the Grammar schools; 10 had COM
pleted the High school studies; three
had been educated in private schools
and two had been favored with acad-
emic advantages.
"Forty-six of the convicts were ac-
custonIcd to the use of Intoxicating
drinks. some using the lighter drinks
occasionally. others using the lighter
drinks regularly but in moderate guam
titles. others using the heavier drinks
occasionally or regularly and moder-
ately and the remaining number drank
the hcaVe" liquors in large amounts.
Nearly all, there being few excep-
tons were users of tobacco in or both
Z ways Of it's common use. Many of the
younger men were Incorporate smok-
ers of cigarettes and several had as
ISOLATED the use of opium with their to-
bacco using and drinking habits.
"Ancthcr donation OF books has been
made to the library by those having
the care of the Maine State library.
Though these books have been used
they are d valuable addition to the pris-
on library which now numbers q few
more than POO books and 800 bound
magazines. The library is largely
used ny nearly all who read and is a
source OF much pleasure ana instruc.
ton.
"The privilege of writing weekly and
receiving as many letters as their
friends are pleased to send them are
appreciated by nearly all and serves to
strengthen the ties which bind one to
his family and the purpose to turn to
better life and become a blessing to
ones family, and in so doing to society.
Six thousand and ninety-eight letters
have been sent out within the year and
much larger number have been re-
ceived by the inmates of the prison.
"The work of instruction has been
continued as in previous years. Many
have made commendable progress in
their studies. An unusual number
have been taking some course of prof
table studies in several of the cores
pondcncc schols. The advancement of
all is commemorate and that of several
is worthy of especial mention on prop
err occasion.
I'VE have not allowed the duties of
librarian and instructor to superCedc
the moral and religious work of the
chaplain. The services of the Sabbath
are. as heretofore. preaching in the
morning. this service being maintained
Z In all its parts as fully as a similar
service in the church. and a second ser
vice in the afternoon with the female
prisoners. The morning service on the
third Sabbath of each month is conduc-
ted by The Roman Catholic priest. AS
there is no spirit Of antagonism be-
tween the priest and the chaplain we
find our services mutually helpful. The
+ other hours of the Sabbath are passed
In visiting the men and conversng
with them on moral and religious sub
jects OMIT" a number of the men are
systematically studying the Bible. We
have furnished them with such helps
as they need and aid them as they re-
quiro. our experience in this work has
taught US not to despair of the refor-
nation of any man but to SOW the seed
OF truth ii the morning looking for the
time when the stony ground shall be-
come good soil to receive the seed and
yield a rich harvest
The report of the visiting commit
tee on the part of the Governor and
Council Hon Leroy r Pike of Cornish