Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-07-06
II. R. SPANN;
P. F. LABORDE,
W. C. MORAGNE,
GEO. A. ADDISON.
G. DALLAS TlLLMAN.
FOR TIE ADVERTISER

Mn EDITOR st is time that newspaper scrb-
bling had ceased in regard to the recent outbreak
from our new Jail. One Of the Commissioners of P
Buildings thought proper to charge me with every
culpablc neglect" the sole cnuse Of the outbreak
To this unjust and wanton attack upon my charac-
ter, replied in as becoming manner as possibly
could In that reply frankly stated the true cause
Of the unfortunate event, and at the same time cx-
pressed my willingness to diuidc the censare Of the
public with the Commissioners. But l perceive
BY your last paper, that the whole Board, save a
single member, have united in Card, sustaining
DR.. Minis foul charge of culpablc neglect against
myself, as being "such discharge of public duty,
as was due both to the Commissioners and to the
public"
had hoped for more justice and sincerity at the
hands of the Board thanll but since they have
subscribed to DR.. MIMs' cowardly, vindictte and
impotent charge, shall not hesitate to reply to them
in the same manner that have done to Mr.. Nl,ns
am not the man, though poor, young, and it may
be fricndcss, to submit quietly and withou. MUIR
mur to injustice, insult or wrong from any nah, or
set of men, even an official body Ike the Commits
sioners of Public Buildings. But my feelings are
not alone at stake in this charge my character is
also involved, and will defend myself at every
Odds il is true there are six of them to prefer the
charge, while stand solitary and alone in my de-
fence. The Commissioners too are all men OF
age wealth and position, but even these shall not
make me cover, because feel strong with truth,
justice and conscience on my side.
Our Jail has been broken. 1t is said, and said
Justly, that there is blame somewhere, and it can
officially be attached only to the Commissioners or
myself, or both have declared that we arc oil to
blame, but this they utterly deny, and attempt to
throw the whole responsibility upon me by mere
assertion Some one must answer to the people
malice, and 81, as scapc goat for the official mis-
conduct Of the Commissioners US body.
In the reply which Twas forced to make to DR..
MINIS said the Commissioners should be censured,
1st, For building a defective Jail, which can. be
easily broken in day time night time, unless the
prisoners al,oays locked up in the cells of the
third story, or the debtors Of the second. 3D.
For not having the Jail completed at proper time
and according to contract with the undertaken,
which omission on their part, forced me as Jaior
to admit workmen with sharp tools into the third
story, where the escaped prisoners according TO
their own acknowledgment should have been al
lowed to 60 at large in day time for air and cxer-
else.
In that reply, also confessed myself to baine-
lst, For emitting to lock the prisoners up erery
night in the cells, during very sniiry weather, to
prevent Jail fever, which is almost certain death,
and is common in our prisons. If was wrong in
this as before said, humanity prompted it. I'd,
For onittingto lock the two strcng DOORS" in the
second story which had been left open for the
workmen that very day, and but for them would
have been locked.
The Commissioners endeavored to evade all this
by saying laconically, that they are "ms'atements
and fimsey excuses" on M part. But can tell
them they are too fast The public will not rest
satisfied with any such brevity or assertion, although
i, is supported by sir interested men. No one can
be witness for himself, and tho guilt rests alike on
each of the Board. Vice, crime or misconduct of
any kind is indiuisible and if one Commissioners is
to blame, all are. Therefore they must produce
proof by certificates or something else of their inno
cense and my guilt. They alledge :" very culpable
neglect" against me, and the burden of proof rests
upon them according to law and justice Both
sides have made assertions, and | challenge them
to produce certificates or to carry the matter into
Court, where frir investigation can be held.
alone, and not the Sheriff, .(as am told by good
authority will be held responsible, if Jury can
find me to be defaulting Jaor Therefore II the
Commissioners fall to prosecute me or produce GER
tificates, "the public"w "judge" and judge me
fairly.
It seems that the Board are now satisfied Of the
defectiuc plan of their Jail. Additional bars have
been placed over the cells, and another "strong
door, has been added TO the original plan at the
foot of the stairway. Of the basement story. But
the poor Jail is still insecure. BY cutting through
the t,ro thin Dooden floors, just over the stair
way, prisoner msy descend perpendieularly, es-
Gaping all the strong DOORS" BY cutting through
three thin wooden balls, one in each story, prisoner
may again escape the doors, and he that doubts me
let him go and see that by cutting through one thin