the number of female convicts has not increased during the last two years, and we believe that all can be cared for in the building for the insane when completed. We do not believe it advisable to commence the erection of the main center building at this time, while it may be necessary in the years to come, yet at the present, with the number of convicts decreasing instead of increasing, we do not think it advisable to proceed with the erection of this building. Senator McCoy does not concur in the recommendation that no appropriation be made to finish the building for the female prisoners, for the following reasons: The building which is being erected for the criminal insane will in the near future be needed for the purpose for which it was originally designed, and a use of part of it for a female prison should only be temporary for the reason that it would be a better arrangement than the Warden is now able to make elsewhere in the prison, and he believes this building cannot now be turned into a proper prison for this class. He believes that the building in progress of erection for the female prisoners should be finished with all reasonable dispatch, believing as he does that they should not be confined in the general prison, for reasons that will readily suggest themselves to the thoughtful. Nor should they be confined except temporarily in the building designed for and occupied by the most unfortunate of the criminal classes the criminal insane-and believing as he does that this building as some other of like character is a necessity, he believes that an appropriation should be made for its completion. Again, he thinks the convicts can be profitably employed for the next biennial period on its construction, and that their labor cannot be utilized so well in any other manner, if indeed they can be employed at all, which is absolutely necessary. This of course could be obviated were an appropriation made to construct the main centre building, part of which, if properly constructed, could be made more nearly suitable for a female prison, and the balance could be utilized for a hospital, school, bath, laundry and other proper purposes, for which no adequate provision has ever been made in this prison. And this he believes could all be done for about what it would cost to finish the building for the female convicts. The bath room that is now used is totally unfit for bathing purposes. The only bath tubs in use are half barrels, which are placed in a poorly heated room; we would recommend that a reasonable amount be appropriated for the erection of a temporary bath room with proper furniture. In the main cell-room the fire escapes are ample, but in the female department the means of escape from fire are not what they should be; but as the new building for the insane will soon be completed, and if, as we recommend, proper provisions are made to accommodate the female prisoners in the same, we do not think it advisable to make any change in fire escapes in this building. We found the sanitary condition of the prison good. The water supply is ample, and furnished by the city water works. The Warden's home is comfortably furnished, with the exception of carpets in sitting room, parlor and dining room, which should be replaced with new, and we recommend an appropriation of $200 for the Warden's use in furnishing his house. We found the discipline of the prison good, with no complaint from prisoners of severe or harsh treatment. It is the opinion of your committee that the Warden and his deputy are competent and efficient officers, and are to be commended for the evidences of care, cleanliness and general good government that is everywhere apparent about the various buildings and the yards connected with the prison. The Clerk, D. H. LeSeur, appears to be a very competent man, and the books, so far as we could ascertain, are well and properly kept, showing that he gives the work his careful attention. W. C. Gunn, Chaplain of the Prison, is a man, we believe, who has prison work at heart, and that he is accomplishing much good. Every convict who enters the Prison who is not able to read and write, attends school for a certain length of time each day, and Mr. Gunn has the satisfaction of knowing that all who have attended his school have learned to read and write. We believe that he does not receive sufficient compensation for the work done, and that he ought to be paid $1,000 per year. In looking over the support fund we find that during the last eighteen months that there has been left in the hands of the State Treasurer over $12,000 of said fund, which, under the careful management of the Warden, was not found necessary, and we would recommend that the support fund be reduced to $9 per month, as that amount will be ample under proper management. We find that chapter 67 of the acts of the Seventeenth General Assembly has been complied with, and no indebtedness has been contracted in excess of appropriations. We believe there ought to be a reasonable appropriation for contingent and repair fund, as part of the support fund has been used for contingent purposes, which does not make a proper showing for the support fund. We would recommend that the sum of $200 be appropriated for the purpose of changing the electric lights in cell house from outside to inside of cells. We recommend that $1,200 be appropriated for transporting prisoners. We also recommend that the law be changed for time of letting contracts for fuel from October to June, as coal can be bought cheaper in June than October. Your committee sought to get the evidence before the grand jury of Jones county, in the ex-Warden Martin's case, but found that it had been destroyed, as was the custom in all cases where no bill was found. The appropriations made by the last General Assembly have been, in the opinion of your committee, wisely and economically expended and for the objects appropriated, and that there has been no diversion of any money from the specific purpose for which it was appropriated. The following is a list of the names of employes and the amount paid them, and the nature of the employment. We found that none of the employes have received anything additional to their salary in the way of board, rooms, light, food or clothing, or anything else at the expense of the State, except the Warden gets his rent, fuel and light as provided by law, in addition to his salary. All of which is respectfully submitted. BEN MCCOY, On the part of the Senate. G. L. DOBSON, JNO. T. HAMILTON, On the part of the House. TENTH BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE Iowa Industrial School, EMBRACING REPORTS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BOYS' DEPARTMENT AT ELDORA, THE TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, FOR THE FISCAL TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 1887. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. DES MOINES: GEO. E. ROBERTS, STATE PRINTER, |