On motion of Mr. Monroe,

The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the doorkeeper be required to furnish the Representative Hall with the necessary number of candlesticks and snuffers; and likewise that he obtain from the commissioner of the permanent seat of Government, the window curtains belonging to this House. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Brown.

MR. SPEAKER:-There has been introduced into the Senate, a bill entitled

"An act for the relief of Andrew Jamison and James H. Relfe." Also,

"A bill for the relief of J. N. Henderson," collector of Cape Giradeau county.

And the House then adjourned.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1836.

THE House met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker laid before the House, the following report of the

Warden of the Penitentiary:

CITY OF JEFFERSON, NOVEMBER 26th, 1836.

The convicts have been employed in removing the rubbish, leveling the yard, filling up cells, white-washing walls, paving entry, and in making brick. The latter was the principal employment from the last of June to the first of October. The continual rains during the end of summer and the beginning of fall, and an insufficiency of hands rendered the brick making business much less profitable than it will be hereafter.

The profits and expenditures of the institution have been as follows:-To wit, from labor of convicts, in removing rubbish, leveling yard, filling up cells, &c.

In furnishing brick and paving prison entry, "Curbing and paving walk,

"White-washing prison and laying hearths, "Making brick for sale, and sold,

"Making brick unsold,

Making brick shed,

Total,

$177,00

57,82

39,57

70,20

159,00

125,00

8,00

$636,59

The expenditures of the same period have been as follows:-To wit:

For stationery,

" Oxen and cart,

"Overseers salary,

"Guards,

"Oil and candles,

"Hospital,

"Provisions,

"Convicts reprieved;

"Physician's salary, "Prison,

$35,63

"Beds and bedding,

110,31

$1,433;84

This amount of $636,56, of earnings, deducted from the expenditures, leaves a balance against the prison of

The amount of articles on hand belonging to the institution, are

$797,25

Books, &c.
Hospital,

Total,

This amount deducted from the expenditures, still leaves a balance against the institution of

Servant hire has somewhat increased our expenditures. About the time we got into successful operation, in making brick, one of the convicts scaled the walls of the Penitentiary, and attempted to effect his escape. He refused to be retaken until he was shot. The wound so disabled him, as to render him unfit for service afterwards. We lost his labor, and had to hire a hand in his place.

Making brick will be the most profitable employment for the convicts during the next two years. The prison yard contains a large quantity of dirt, which must be removed; the most economical mode of doing this is to make it into brick. The brick made will find a ready market, command a good price, and afford a handsome revenue.

A proportionate increase in the number of convicts, will render it necessary, during the next two years, to erect an additional number of cells. This will require a great quantity of brick; these can be made by the convicts within the walls.

sary.

The brick making business could be prosecuted much more successfully by employing a skilful brick-mason, and conferring on him. the powers of an overseer. With his aid and instruction, the convicts may be made to erect the additional cells, that may be necesThe wood work could also be done by employing a single carpenter, and placing that portion of the convicts who may have some knowledge of that branch of business, under his direction. A skilful brick-mason can probably be obtained for six hundred dollars. He could make this much out of doors, and of course he would not be confined in the walls of a prison, at the same business, for a less sum.

Under the present law, the overseer is allowed two hundred dollars per annum, and the guard each, one hundred and thirty two dollars per annum. for their services. These compensations are insufficient. An overseer should be an intelligent man, with business habits and good moral character; such men will not confine themselves in the walls of a prison for two hundred dollars per year.

The moral improvement of the convicts must depend much upon the character of the overseers.

The guards, too, should be men of good moral character and great firmness; such men cannot be employed for the present compensation. Indeed it has been with difficulty that guards have been employed at all. The overseer has frequently been compelled to stand guard, sometimes for two weeks in succession. Some out of curios ity, and others at the pressing request of myself, and some to procure a little cash in case of neccssity, when no other means are offered, have undertaken to stand guard for short periods of time, but

never for any period of considerable length. The guard is continually changing, and the Warden has no choice in the selection of one, but is compelled to take such as offer their services. From this view the necessity of increasing the compensation is manifest. Another fact is important: Since the adjournment of the last session of the Legislature, all the necessaries of life, together with labour of every description, have been greatly enhanced in value. The services of the most common labourers are worth from fourteen to fifteen dollars per month; of course the overseers and guard should receive as good, if not better wages than common labourers, unconnected with the prison. The principal overseer should be allowed six hundred dollars, the assistant three hundred dollars, and the guard at least two hundred dollars per annum, to be paid quarterly.

Besides the cells necessary to be erected, it will be necessary to put up work shops of different kinds, and to erect a wing at the back gate of the prison, where wagons and carts enter the prison. While vehicles are passing and repassing, the prison gate is necessarily thrown open, and in such cases a few daring convicts, working in the yard, could overpower the guard and effect their escape. The erection of the wing proposed would remove this danger. It should be constructed with two gates, one of which should be at all times shut. The vehicle should pass through the outer gate into the wing: the outer gate should then be closed, and the inner gate opened, letting the vehicle into the prison.

Much time has been expended in letting visitors in and out of the prison. In some of the state prisons, visitors are required to pay a small fee; this pays the expense and trouble of attending to the gate and sometimes furnishes a revenue besides. It has the effect too, to some extent, of keeping out idlers, and persons who have been in on former occasions.

The health of the convicts has been generally good; two brought here unwell have improved in health. The wounds of the convict shot, have been cured up; but he is still unable to follow active employment, and will probably continue so.

The physician has been uncommonly attentive to the prison, and in justice his salary should be raised also.

This is a complete detail of the transactions of the Penitentiary, together with my observations, &c. up to the first day of November, I have the honor to be,

1836.

Very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't,

LEWIS BOLTON,
Warden of the Penitentiary.

On motion of Mr. Cravens of Pettis,

The foregoing report was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. Minor,