overnor has the pardoning power. He extends executive clemency to a
number annually. He has not time to attend to the duties connected with
this prerogative. There are 2,000 prisoners. No doubt many of them have
excessive sentences. If a thorough investigation was made, many would
be found innocent. The governor has not the time to attend to these
matters. There should be a pardoning board appointed to investigate
these cases and advise with the governor. To show the necessity of such
a board, I have only to state that during the past year the Pardoning
Board of Kansas has advised executive clemency to fifteen criminals who
received their pardons on the grounds of innocency. One of the number
being a Mrs. Henrietta Cook, who was sentenced for life, and who had
served fifteen years of imprisonment, when, upon an investigation of her
case by the Pardoning Board, she was discharged, there being no doubt
as to her innocence. The great majority of these prisoners are poor
and friendless. They have no one on the outside to aid them in securing
their rights, and unless a pardoning board is appointed to investigate
these cases, many a man and woman entirely innocent, will have to serve
out a sentence in this prison.

It is but natural for the contractors to use their influence to
prevent the men under their control from receiving pardons. If a man
is sentenced for ten years, and has been in one of the shops for two or
three years, and has learned to do his work well, the contractor will
want to keep him instead of letting him go, and will, no doubt, in an
underhanded way, do all against the poor prisoner he can. This strong
influence in many cases will have to be counteracted and overcome before
the prisoner can receive his pardon and obtain his liberty. A pardoning
board, when appointed, should be men who would not be in collusion with
the contractors, but be men who would see that the prisoner had justice.

CHAPTER XIX. NOTED CONVICTS

At the present time there are fifty-six females who find homes in this
living tomb. Two-thirds of them are colored. The greater portion are
kept busy making underclothing for the prisoners. They are detained,
during working hours, in a room, seated at tables, with a lady guard
watching them. They are not allowed to converse with each other, only as
they get permission from this officer. They are not permitted to see the
male prisoners. In fact there is no way of entering the female prison