The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-03-23
CLOSING SCENES IN THE
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE
Times Man Looks On and Also Visits
Penitentiary, to Find That Institu-
ton Under Competent Control

Jefferson City last Friday night Il
witness the closing scenes in the Leg,
islature. There was more or less tur.
mol in both Houses during the last
few days, and often things appeared tC
get mussed into almost a chaotic
shape. In the Senate particularly
was this true. Here, also, the Repub.
lican side, under the leadership OF
Senator Gardner, during the closing
hours, succeeded practically in block
ing the passage of every measure
however meritorious. Saturday morn
ing the Collectors" got through a res
olution in the Senate whereby sin
gle objection could prevent the con-
sideration of proposed measure
Thus it was that many meritorious
bills were buried in the Senate.
In the House things were quite diff
fercnt, and measures were there act
ed upon with businessilke rapidity-
only to be buried in the Senate grave
yard, generally. The House member
ship impressed us as being a splendid
working body, and while considerable
"pep" was often shown by opponents
on different measures, the very best
Of feeling generally prevailed, and
much splendid work was done by that
body, even up to the closing hour
| But there was a very apparent reason
for this good work and good feeling,
which any observer was quick to rec
ognize. 1t was almost wholly trace
able to the surprising ability and dip
lomacy of Democratic Floor Leader
Frank H. Farris, who had every situ-
alton completely in hand. He very
often anticipated differences, even be-
fore they made their actual appear
ances, and would promptly forestall
them. While Representative Farris,
of Phelps county, was easily the COM
manding figure on the floor of the
House, there were many other active
and efficient members. Representa-
tive Moothart, of this county, was ev-
er watchful and efficient, separating
the wheat from the chaff, and succeed
ed in getting through most of the bills
he introduced.
Visit to the Penitentiary.
On Saturday afternoon we had the
pleasure of visiting and inspecting
the penitentiarys Warden w. r.
Painter gave us, the freedom of the
grounds, and we were permitted to go
anywhere our fancy dictated. We
were truly surprised at the wonderful
degree of competency and efficiency
that was everywhere in evidence in
that great institution under it's present |
able and humane management. We
went through several of the cell
buildings, and were most agreeably
surprised with the splendid discipline
everywhere in evidence. In the great |
cell buildings, where perfect order and
absolute cleanliness were most no.
ticeable, there was tier upon tier of
cells, each cell usually occupied by |
three prisoners, who appeared to take
special delight in keeping their
"homes" as neat and attractive as
possible. The spic and span appear
ance of the innumerable inmates is
inclined to give one more the impress
sion that they are in a great club
house, rather than in one of the big
gest penal institutions in the United
States. Along the sides of these cell
rooms are shower baths, where the
convicts greatly enjoy their daily alb
lutions, even though the "habit" has
been acquired by many of them since
their confinement.
A visit to the auditorium and chapel,
which is an immense third floor room
over the dining hall, was another rev.
elation to us, in the way of attractive
ness of the place. The room will ac-
commodate perhaps 2,000 and here
the convicts assemble for worship or
for entertainment. Here they enjoy
splendid performances, all of which
are produced by inmates. The auditor
ium is presided over by Lord Barring
ton, who is "doing" a long term for
and about whom the papers
were so full during his trial. He is an
of most pleasing manners
much pride in keeping the great hall
in the most attractive condition pos
sible, and has made many improve
ments there during his superinten-
dency.
A visit to Punishment" hall was
also a revelation to us. Having heard
of the indescribable tortures that
were inflicted there, our astonishment
was great indeed on seeing the condi-
tions in that place Of torment, as
they really exist. Here we will state
that the whipping post was long ago
abolished, and in Punishment" hall
is meted out all the so-called punish
ment that is dispensed in the peni-
tentiary. We were somewhat sur
prised upon entering not to be greeted
by agonizing cries and groans Of pain,
and upon further investigation, all the
punishment disclosed was a number
of convicts "in the rings. All the
punishment in this is that rings are
slipped on their wrists and their arms
are drawn up slightly above their
heads, in which position they are kept
for varying lengths of time, in ac-
rordance with their wrong-doing. This
is practically all the punishment that
is meted out in what many people have
been lead to believe is chamber of
horrors" On inquiring about the
solitary confinement dungeon, we
were led to door, which was swung
open to our wondering eyes, and 10,
and behold! There was no deep, dark,
damp hole in the ground There was
not even a darkened chamber! In