Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1916-03-10
MORE OF NOSES HOT AIR.
The Weiser Semi Weekly Signal

The newspaper or individual pos
sessing a spirit of fairness will give
Governor Alexander full credit for
what good he has accomplished or may
accomplish for the state of Idaho, but
thinking people are growing a little
tired of his constant claim that he is
the only individual in the state who
is looking after the interests of the
people. At the beginning of his ad-
ministration he tried hard to find
some grounds for filing charges again
st Warden Shook of the state -peni-
Tertiary, but having failed he has lost
no opportunity to slur that popular
official or find fault with his official
acts.
His latest attack, through his sub
sidized newspaper, was because Mr..
Shook bought ticket for Mrs. Ross,
who recently reprieved, from Boise to
her home. The subsidized organ first
announced with much gusto that the
governor had purchased her ticket and
had given her some money, but later
in INVITING the warden on being out
Of pocket the price of the ticket
stated the governor had secured her a
railroad pass. Mr.. Shook was at
Ned in the article because he has
kan fhtomobile at the penitentiary.
Having grown tired of misrepresenta-
ton he has come back in a rather
Iyjgorougs manner, as does Secretary
lot State Barker on the governor
claim that he is the only one who is
|fryingito get the states money from
Hand loan delinquents. But we will
w them tell the situation. Mr..
enook s article follows first:
FsM''Yes, the penitentiary owns lit
tie six. cylinder automobile, purchased
in July, 1915, the purchase Of which
was duly authorized by the two ma
jority members Of the prison board,
who take an interest in the peniten-
tiary and its inmates and render the
warden unqualified support in the
management thereof. Without an
auto it would not be possible for us
to farm and improve the state land in
the Gem irrigation district, as all the
supplies and inmates used and en-
ployed on the farm are transported
with the auto.
During the season of 1915 we har-
vested from this land 1899 worth of
produce, besides doing 81, 100 worth of
improvement to the land and the con-
struction of roads through the state
land. This year we expect to produce
a $40, 900 crop, in addition to doing a
considerable amount of improvement
in leveling, clearing and constructing
laterals. By the abandonment of this
farm, which, if we continue to i'm.
prove it, will in few years practi,
cally support the penite tiary besides
furnishing employment for consider.
able number of inmates, the warder
could get along without an auto, al
though one is furnished for the peni
Tertiary warden by every other STATE
in the Union. The legislature would
accordingly have to increase the main
tenance appropriation for the peniten
tiary an amount equivalent to tina
lost in crop production.
1.-THE expenses of the auto, taking
the governors figures as correct
which includes gas, tires and repairs
has been $24.42 per .nonth. l an
pleased that the governor published
this item of expense. AS to hi.
charge of extravaganza, the legisla
ture of 1907 appropriated 500, 900 fol
the maintenance of the penitentiary
The number of convicts was 2l2. Thu
legislature of 1915 appropriated $95,
600 for the maintenance of the peni.
Tertiary, and the number of prisoners
was 298, which shows that 298 mel
were maintained for five Thousand
dollars less appropriation for the bi
ennium than 212 were cared for il
1907, when all commodities were prac.
tically SO per cent cheaper than at the
present time. The maintenance ap.
preparation has never been less thar
500, 900 since 1905, and out of the
maintenance appropriation is paid all
expenses for transportation of con-
victs from place of conviction.
GAS to the governors statement
that the matrcn's salary could be useC
to enlarge the female ward, there
would be as much logic in the state
ment that the governors salary could
be used to complete the state capitol
building; the difference being that
the matron remains at her post OF
duty and renders the service fol
which she is paid, while the governor
travels over the state occupying the
different pulpits to deliver political
speeches under the guise of sermons.
The people of Idaho will recall with
sadness and humiliation the expert
ences with female convicts at the