The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-12-01
GoyernOr-EIect Gardner Also
Approves Plan to Buy Big
Tract for Prisoners.
CONTRACT SYSTEM TO
BE ABOLISHED SOON
Bridges, Home From Conference,
Says Recommendations Will
be Made to Legislature.

A back-to- -the-farm movement for
the inmates of all penal institutions
in the State will be recommended 20
the coming session of the Legislature
by the Penitentiary Committee. which
has Just been in session at the Plant
er's Hotel in St. Louis. The meeting
consumed two days, the first day be-
ing devoted to the hearing of all mem
berS who had suggestions to offer for
the betterment Of the conditions in the
State Penitentiary and other State in
stitutions. The recommendation are
approved by Governor Gardner.
Capt Harry Bridges, Cape County's
representative in the Legislature, was
a member Of this committee, and it
was upon his motion thai resolution
was passed to abolish all convict labor
contracts which expire on the last day
of this year. The resolution was adopt
ed without opposition and was ordered
sent to the State Legislature before
which body the Governor will appear
and make his recommendations when
the lawmakers convene in January.
The Penitentiarv Committee, as it is
called convened Tuesday morning at
n.OO hf4o,. +bo ,,,,r,1Oco Of tbo mont
ing had been explained, the public
hearing was begun. Suggestions were
offered from men from all over the
State: men who had practical expert
ence in handling prisoners and con-
ducting penal institutions. Lieutenant
Governort- elect Wallace Crossley pre-
sided at the meetings.
A Board of Control Of five members
Twill be recommended in the report to
the State Legislature. This board
shall replace the State Board of Par
don and Parole and the State Board of
Penitcntiary Inspectors. 1t shall con-
sist of one woman, lawyer, a bust
ness man, a union labor representa-
tive and farmer. Ii shall be a non
partisan board.
The board shall not only control all
penal institutions. but also guard the
! inmates OF all State institutions. 1t
shall have all the powers the two
boards have that are to be dissolved.
This board would not only control the
State Penitentiary but also the instl-
tutions for delinquent boys and girls
/ in Boonville, Chillicothe and Upton,
the latter being the State Industrial
School for negro girls.
A State farm is to be recommended
where the convicts could be taught
agriculture and also raise all products
necessary for the kitchens Of the varl-
GUS State institutions. A tract Of
about 1000 or 5000 acres was suggest
ed as suitable for the purpose. Here
the convicts would be taught to raise
wheat: to familiarize themselves in the
bree ling and raising of cattle, and IN
that way they would not be made to
feel that they were being deprived OF
their personal liberty, but given a
stimulus to brace up and return to a
better life.
As another occupation for the con-
victs the committee recommended that
they be put to work on the public high
ways. This work in the open would
not only be more sanitary than the
employment in the factories, but also
beneficiary to the State and the public.
All the highways would soon be put IN
more passable condition.
The committee will meet severa'
times before the State Legislature con-
ivenes in January. a complete inves-
tigation shall be made as to the con
ditions in the State Penitentiary. The
committee will also visit the Other
, penal institutions of the State ano
embody the result of these inspection
trips in their report to the State Legls-
lature.
This committee was appointed by
r Governor Major a few weeks ago
, Both political parties are represented
The committee is composed of the fol
, lowing: Mrs. H. n. Ess, president OF
the Women's Prison Reform League OF
Kansas City; Lieutenant Governor
: elect Crossley, of WarreEsburg; Sen
ators Mike c. Casey of Kansas City