The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-01-11

tries manufacturing for the inmates
Of the penitentiary.
Fifth.-Erecting new buildings.
such as reformatory.
Sixth.-Working prisoners on the
highways in connection with the pro-
posed highway commission.
Seventh.-Employ warden and SUI
perintendentS.
Eighth-Make rules and regula-
tions for all employees.
The salary of this board would not
exceed the salaries and expenses OF
the five boards to be abolished. in
Guiding the salaries Of their secre-
taries and treasurers. The saving in
the buying OF supplies through one
agency would be very large. But be-
yond the question OF economy expert
ence in other states has proven that
a great work Of organization, build
ing and reforming as above outlined,
Is best operated by such central au-
thority.
A prison system should be broad
and comprehensive. The men should
be developed during confinement by
placing them i'll a position OF mutual
responsibility where they can prepare
for work after their sentences eX-
pire The model prison system where
first offenders are segregated. and
where others are given an oppOrtun-
ity for farm and road work offers the
hest opportunity 10 reform these PEG
pie.
The problem OF handling prisoners
both during the time they are incar-
cerated and after they are set free.
is one that is engaging serious
thought Of people who are concerned
in reducing crime.
M many states organizations and
associations have been formed to aid
families of prisoners and ex-prisOn-
ers ana great good is being accom-
plisEed.
The rapidity with which the board
could carry out these great reforms
would depend upon the degree Of
financial aid We could give them, to
buy farms, erect buildings, purchase
machinery and other equipment.
7 suggest giving the board the use
Of at least $75O,000 for the next bien-
NAL period in addition to the receipts
from the institutions.
EIeemosynary Institutions.
recommend that the 10 boards to-
with thnir t-a no ahni-
ished for the following Institutions:
The four state hospitals.
The State Confederate Home.
The State Federal Home.
Missouri School for the Deaf.
Missouri School for the Blind.
Colony for the Feeble Minded and
Epileptics.
Missouri State SanitOrium.
suggest that these institutions be
put in charge of state board Of con-
troll of say three members, not over
two Of whom shall belong to the same
political party. Such board would not
require any more expense than the
present boards and their local treas
urers. 4 large saving would come
from a concentration OF the buying
for these institutions under one au-
thOrity
But aside from the feature of econ
omy and more important than that
would be the increased efficiency in
these institutions This board should
be given authority to employ all su-
perintendents and other employees on
the basis of efficiency. These in
situations should be removed entirely
from politics.
The~Iegislature should consider the
sdvisability of raising the allowances
for the sustenance Of the delinquents
sent to these institutions TO such fig
ures as will meet the extremely high
price of food. These people should
be furnished wholesome food and be
cared for in a proper manner.
Permanent Roads.
The agitation for permanent roads
in this state has been continued so
long and has become so universal
that there is nOw demand that def
mite steps be taken for building a
system OF state highways. The nee
essary legislation can be enacted
within so days.
Everyone favOrs this needed I'M
provement for our state and realizes
that We are far behind our progress
sive sister states. Our present sys-
tenn Of control Is unsatisfactory and
obsolete. The progressive states
have all created a state highway COM
mission, and have given TO the state
large powers of control over state
highways. And in return for these
measures of control the states have
contributed literally to the construc-
ton OF roads.
Our present inadequate road laws
are largely responsible for our lack
of road building.
7 favor the creation OF state high
wav commission composed o: four
members. two Of which shall be
choses from each Of the leading poiit-
ical parties This commission should
serve without compensation. except
travelling and other expenses while
the commission is in session. High
! class mon with DatTiOtic motives can