Semi-weekly herald., 1913-01-16

! county in New Mexico, after full
exposure of his imprisonment His
| splendid record in that community for
twenty years after being released, en-
abieG him to obtain the highest vote
| Of any candidate on his ticket. A
contest as to his eligibility by rea-
! son of his conviction was threatened,
and felt it would have been an out
rage, If such contest should prevail
against man who had made such a
good citizen. The other convict fin
| ished his term twelve years ago, and
ever since has devoted his life to pris-
on reform work in California.
My reason fcr pursuing this course
was because of tie passage of law
during my iiIs, administration by
which, in ao lition to the good time
allowed for perfect conduct, a prison.
er for work on the highways or peni-
tentiary farms, was allowed a deduc-
ton from his sentence of one-third of
the time employed in such work. A
prisoner sentenced to term of from
ten to twenty years, can now by per-
feet conduct and good work reduce
that sentence to four years and three
months. | have felt it was far bet
ter for the prisoner and the due ad-
ministration of the law, that there
should be a general rule, by which
prisoners are enabled to earn their
own liberty, than that individual par
dons be granted, which must of me-
cessity discriminate against convicts,
which have no means with which to
employ counsel, and in favor of those
who have wealth or influence.
Communications of sentences to the
penitentiary have been granted in thr-
ty-three cases, in order to cut down
excessive punishments, or to relieve
peculiarly distressing conditions.
State University
When President James H. Baker as
sumed control of the University of
Colorado, in the year 1891, the total
attendance was sixty-six students.
That institution has been growing by
leaps and bounds until today it has
| ,306 students. Its courses of study
and instruction have also been ad-
vanced until it now takes high rank
among the universities of the nation.
1t is needless to say, that the in
crease in attendance at the university
hnr ~, g..
ulty, in the buildings, and in the
general expenses of the institution. 1t
is ridiculous to assume that such an
institution can be conducted each sue
ceeding year with no increase of ap-
preparation.
Agricultural College
dent Charles A. Lory has made mar
velous advancement. The attendance
in four years has increased more than
two-fold. The scientific experiments
in the crossing of grains, in the treat
ment of soils, in the application of
water to growing crops, in the breed
ing of live stock, are sure to make
an increase of products both in guam
tity and quality, not even dreamed
Of at the present time.
Colorado State Teachers College
The Colorado State Teachers col
lege has made a wonderful advance.
Beginning with less than hundred
students when President T. X. Sny-
der took charge of that institution
twenty years ago, it now has an en-
rollment of 53S students in the regu-
lar course and of 1876 in the summer
school.
State School of Mines
The State School of Mines, under
the presidency of DR.. Victor A. AL
derson, has. suffered in attendance
with the depression attending mining
in this state, caused by the policy of
the federal government as to our nat
ural resources, but the instruction has
been all that could be desired and the
course of study has been advanced.
All of these institutions are doing
HloSt elHcieHt WOrk, ana snOuiu ne
allowed in appropriations all that the
revenues of the state will Justify
1t would make this message vol
ume if | were to enumerate the good
work by the other institutions and
departments of the state. Splendid
service is being rendered by each.
Each has made report of it's achieve
ments and of its necessities, and
hope that careful consideration will
be given to the same.
Notwithstanding the enactment Of
So many wise, progressive laws, there
are still some measures which, in my
judgment, should be enacted by the
Nineteenth General assembly.
Railroad Anti-Pass Law
Ir the Democratic convention, held
in Pueblo in 1908, pledge was made
to the people that railroad anti
pass law would be enacted That
promise has not been complied with,
and, unquestionably, it should be full
filled now by the Nineteenth General
ass, mnly.
n