The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-07-13

A complete history of the penal
farm bill, tracing it from it's origin
through its passage down to the ap'
pointment of George E. Seidel, presl
dent of the Richmond Commercial
club, as a member of the penal farm
board of trustees for three years, has
been issued by the Commercial club
George E. Seidel, who was the most
active worker for the bill, John L.
Rupe, S. E. Swayne, James Carr,
Charles Jordan and other workers are
given proper credit for their work.
Mr.. Rupe drew up the penal farm act
From the time the plan was suggested
until it wass passed, it was in the
hands of Mr. Seidel. The movement
started November /, 1910, and was
carried on by the Commercial club,
backed by other organizations of the
state.
Story Of Penal Farm.
The history of the progress Of the
penal farm movement follows:
Nov. IA, 1904 plan was suggested
to the Richmond Commercial club pro-
viding for short term prisoners being
compelled to work and support them
selves while doing time for petty Of
lenses, more particularly DRINKS. Inc
suggestion met with the approval OF
the club and was referred to the com
mittee on legislation, George B, Seldel,
chairman.
Dec -. 191O-Committee on legis-
lation reported that data was being
collected to show the need of such
an institution.
Dec. %. 191O-George E. Seidel, John
l.. Rupe and the secretary called upon
Amos w. Butler, at his office in Ind
ANNAPOLIS, to present the matter to
him. He expressed intense interest
in the movement and urged the COM
mittee to push forward. The COM
mittee invited Mr.. Butler to come over
and address the club on the subject
of a penal farm, which he agreed to do
at an early date.
Vast Need Found.
jan 3, 1911-Committee reported
they had found a vast need for such
an institution and recommended move
ment be placed on foot to secure leg
islation which would provide for such
state penal farm, and John l.. Rupe
was requested to draft bill for such
a law.
Jan. 9, 1911-Amos w. Butler, at the
invitation of the club, addressed the
members on the subject of THE Need
of Penal Farm for Indiana" after
which John F.. Mccarthy presented
the following resolution:
Be 1t Resolved, That the Rich
mond Commercial Club hereby
recognize the need of such leg
islation as will provide for suit
abe Penal Institutions" or Penal
Farms wherein persons who have
been sentenced to serve in county
jails, or work houses, may be en-
ployed at such labor as will help
in their maintenance, and we
hereby pledge our efforts to secure
such legislation as will operate
toward the establishment of penal
institutions available for this pur-
pose.
This resolution was unanimously
adopted.
Timothy Nicholson expressed the
opinion the club should press the
with all possible vigor, and
have the movement placed before all
the charity organizations and COM
mercial clubs in the state and solicit
their help. Rev. Conrad Huber also
strongly advocated that the matter
be urged.
Chairman Seidel, of the committee
on legislation, advised the club that
the work was being placed before the
people Of the state who were lining
up in favor of the bill.
Rupe Prepares Draft.
Jan. 10, 1911-John l.. Rupe pre-
pares first draft of State Penal Farm
Bill.
Jan. 19,1911-Meeting of the execu-
tive committee of the Federated Com
mercial clubs was attended by the
secretary, who introduced the subject
of State Penal Farm, securing the
of the executive commit
tee with their promise to advocate it
before the legislature.
Committee consisting of James A.
Carr, S. E. Swayne and the secretary
visited Gov. Thomas R. Marshall
and asked for his support for the
State Penal Farm bill.
Jan. 10, 1911-State Penal Farm Bill
by John L. Rupe introduced
BY Senator Walter S. Commons in the
Senate. At the same time copies of
he bill were mailed out by the Com
nercial club. to members of the leg
stature, commercial clubs, and char
ty organizations throughout the state.
Feb. 6, 1911-Chairman Seidel re-
ported the bill for penal farm was in
he hands of the finance committee of
he senate, known as Senate Bill No. |
ia, and hearing would be given on
Friday evening, February 10, and ask
ID for representatives of the club to
appear before the committee in behalf
II the bill.
Presented to Legislature.
Feb. Is, 1911--George e. Seidel, |
chairman Of the legislative committee |