Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-09-19

Salem, Or, Sept. IS.
Editor Capital Journal.
Dear Sirs: / wish to speak few
words of praise through the col
umns of the Journal in regard TO the
great work of reform that has been
wrought in the state penitentiary at
Salem through the ministrations Of
Governor Oswald West, together with
the aid of the penitentlary officials,
Mr. F. H. Curtis, warden, and Supt.
c. w. James.
have just been released today
from that penal institution, having
served two and one-half years for
the crime Of larceny committed at
Baker City, Oregon, and am able to
notice and speak of radical change
that has taken place since my incar-
ceration and of the change that has
gradually been made since my first
coming into the institution. | wish
to praise the methods of Governor
West, who has put new life into each
individual in the prison that has been
his good fortune to meet with such a
man as Governor West and to come
in personal contact with and the gov
ernOr Is interested in the work of re-
form to such an extent that he has
placed the prison and grounds by the
aid of its officers, upon an entirely
different scale. Each one is now
making something for himself in the
shop, also in the brick yard, those
who are farm TRUSTEES and those upon
the highways, these and all Of these
are the one great work of Governor
Vests policy of reform set in motion
in the state of Oregon The prison
has taken on new life in the way of
many reforms, in the way of cloth
ing, cell construction and in the way
of food, good food that has been in
augurated in the three table PROPOSE
tion, whereby a man whose deport-
ment is good and who attends to his
duties as required, may obtain some
of the comforts to be found in the
home and then it brings a man back
into his own again and back to life.
A new auditorium has been built,
which is used for divine purposes of
worship for those who wish to at
tend on each Sunday and at other
tines On each Tuesday night and
other occasions, such as holidays, a
moving picture show is given for the
exclusive benefit of the inmates, a
moving picure machine and appar-
atus having been provided, having
been purchased by the convicts,
paid for from the amusement fund
and at no cost whatever to the state.
Saturday afternoons we have our
usual ball games and other games
upon the grounds and this is all
made possible by our good governor
of the state of Oregon and our good
and efficient warden, Mr.. Frank Cur
tis, and Supt. c. w. James. Oul
Supt. james is a just man with q
kind and pleasing disposition and is
interested in each person in the in
stitution. does all in his power any
one can possibly do for the boys. Mr.
Frank Curtis, warden and one of the
greatest factors in Governor Vests
policy of reform, he too, is in his
work soul and body, with the inmates
trying constantly and daily and hour
ly, II need be, to try to help some
poor unfortunate to lead a better
lllN anu ulltl tlN me- 10 hllulN ul6
posed to all in his charge and las
but not least the DR.. Philip Bauer
chaplain. parole officer and presiden
of the Oregon Prison Aid society
carries with him a goodly supply o
good cheer for all he meets anC
comes in contact with good man
well liked by all the inmates ant
doing great work for the BOYS II
the institution.
He brings to us some of the mos
talented speakers, gifted, and singer
of the best talent, who are also takinj
an active interest in Governor West
policy of reform, and altogether fo
the great movement and wave of re
form of state institutions. All o
them work in unison and harmon
and take the greatest interest Il
Governor Vests boys, (for this /
what the governor calls them, al
the boys outside are making good
both those that have been parole
and the honor men outside the wall
at other institutions and are doin
their duties without a murmur, an
then, too, the different guards. AL
OF them are kind, courteous and ar
ever on the alert to aid any one {
lead the life OF the Golden Rule.
great and wonderful change has bee
made in the whole institution since
was first incarcerated there, which
the result of years of hard work b
our warden, Mr.. Frank Curtis an
our superintendent, c. w. Jane.
whose kindness and work is now be
ing rewarded by the good graces c
our great and honorable governor
Oswald West, who has now launche
into existence the great reform /
state institutions. Governor Yves
has placed a large number upon tn
honor roll and in time will place
much larger number, that is. remov
the paid men altogether and leav
only such as are needed upon tn
grounds of the prison for police pun
poses in times of possible trouble @
disorder and TO carry out the plan
OF the institution. large numbe
OF the boys have been paroled unde
the new parole law and only two Q
three have had To be returned an
they committed nothing serious, eN
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