The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-02-05
SENATORS DISCUSS
THE PRISON BOARD
ALL KINDS OF AMENDMENTS Of
FERED-oNE CUTS WARDEk'S
SALARY DOWN TO $500.

materially the present board of con-
troll of the state penitentiary, and
which may also affect the manage
ment OF the prison bill by Senator
RedT amending the Law regarding
the control Of the penitentiary, was
sdyanced to third reading and passed
| finally by the senate Tuesday after
room on request OF the author. Thir
! lty-tnree of the members of the
senate were in favor of the chance
/ but tie emergency failed TO carry
on the mes sure.
The amendment TO the present law
governing the board of control does
not change the board but leaves il
composed of the governor, attorney
general and the president Of the
board Of agriculture. The amendment
provides, however, that the Doard
or a majority of it shall appoint or
rcmjye the warden, and takes that
power away from the governor eX-
clusively The salary of $4,000, as
previously paid, is also cut down
10 $500. Provision is made, how
ever, for the warden's residence to
be furnished him and he may take
advantage of the wholesale prices
on supplies for himself and family.
Senator Redwine is chairman OF
the senate committee which has been
Investigating conditions at the peni
tentiary. No report has been made
as yet to the senate as to what the
committee has found, and several
members of the senate opposed con-
sideration OF such an amendment as
that proposed by the chairman OF
that committee at this time, or be-
fore the finding of the committee
could be placed before the senate.
An amendment was offered by
Senator Vandeyenter to place the sal
airy at $4,000 a year but this was
voted down. The warden at present
receives $4,000
Senator Barrett thought he had a
better plan for the management OF
the penitentiary than that of Senator
Redwine. Barrett wanted TO take
the board of control of the prison
entirely out of the hands of state
officials, and let the governor name
the warden and he be confirmed by
the senate as in other appointments.
eff we want any real reform in
the state" said the senator, Eve
should do away with the ex-officio
government"
The board of control of such in
stitutions should have time to look
after it and visit the place, declared !
the senator, but the members of the
present board had no such time, and
had never been there, with possibly
one exception. The lack of system
in the management of the institution
was due to the lack of opportunity
of the members of the board 10 max"
inspection of the place. SEN
ator Barrett said that he had bill
almost ready for introduction that
" ould do away with the present syS>
tcm of the board of control and
though, the senate sould delay ac
ion on the proposed measure until
ater.
Senator Briggs agreed with Senator
Barrett that the board of control
mould be divorced from the state
,flicials, but believed the Redwine
measure should pass now. He said
he committee on penal institutions
would later have the bill for the man
cement and control of the penal in .
titutions Of the state. A majority
f the states, said the senator, ara
ifty years behind in the manage
nent of their prisons.
Senator Harlan declared that if It
vas the intention to put the present
warden out of a job the proper pro-
eedings for so doing should be
rought. and not cut the salary so
e could not afford to keep the ,
lace.
Senators Mcintosh and Redwine d,
9th thought s2,500 was a very good
alary and said not many people in }
,k x>oma were getting that much I
nd the former cited a number of Y
tate officers who are getting $4,000
nd $4,000 year, without house
urnished. Senator Redwine declagC.
hat the board of control should hive I
bsolute power in the management G
t the prison; that they had no such {
over now and can do nothing. G
Thirty-three members voted for =.