The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-12-29

of work, &C., by the sum of $2.941.-
81. Now, when it is considered that
96.OS5 convict days hove heec ;,:sseI
in the prison-that is, an average of
96, OS5 convicts for one day have been
guarded, fed, clothed, received the
necessary medical attention and other
things necessary to their detention
here; that, Is, 631 days of guard duty
has been performed, making an ave-
rage ola little more tban six convicts,
to each guard; that, in the jails of the
State forty cents per day is paid for
the dieting alone Of all prisoners
confined; the great personal benefit
accruiDg to the prisoner, by requir-
ing him to exercise himself; the learn
ing of many valuable trades, and the
nndoubted pecnniary benefit the
State has and will derive from their
labor, the wisdom displayed in es-
tablishing this institution, must be
apparent to all.
In the management of the affairs
OF the Penitentinry, I have endea-
vored to practice the strictest econo-
my and to avoid any waste or unne-
cessary expenditures. The officers
under my charge lave had written
and verbal instructions to keep an
exact account of aH transactions in
their respective departments. When
ever any sales were made, work done
or material furnished, and reported
by the proper officers to the Clerk,
payments have, in all cases, been ex-
acted, or proper record made, so
that the sums due may be collected.
AS an evidence of our success in
this matter, would direct your at
tention to the average daily cost of
maintaining a convict at this prison.
Since my last report. this cost has
been at the rate of twenty-seven and
four-tenths cents per day for, each
convict. This item of maintaining
n convict, includes guarding, dieting,
clothing, and medical attention and
medicines. l would now ask your
attention to the organization of the
guard, as 1T now exists. A thorough
ly efficient force cannot be maintain
ed here, without it is organized on
military basis and subject to the rules
and regulations of the army. For
neglect of duty or violation of the
rules, the only or greatest punish
ment the Superintendent can inhict
on any one, is to discharge him from
employment. This employment can
scarcely be regarded as highly desi-
rable, as the responsibility is very
great and the pay very small \ par
tial remedy is to increase the rate of
pay, SO as to make the places sought
after by moro responsible class of
men than many who now apply for
them. But an effectual remedy is,
to adopt n military organization. and
then the guard can be controlled.
In this connection. I would sug-
gest that the office of the Chief of
Guard be merged into that IF the
superintendent, and that this officer
be required to reside at the prison;
that he be allowed proper number
of subordinate officers, who shall as
sist him in his duties.
This officer shall be responsible
for the safe keeping of the convicts,
and maintaining the same. He shall
furnish working parties and make
details OF convicts for the different
departments, rs acquisitions are made
on him by the proper officer. He
shall have no supervision or control
over any work or building that may
be going on.
An engineer or architect should be
employed, whose duties are to make
all plans, specifications, superiptend
construction, have charge Of all work
pertaining to the same; aud also the
management OF the industrial depart
ments of the prison. He should en-
ploy all foremen and workmen ncces-
sary, and make acquisitions on the
Superintendent for convict labor
The funds necessary for these two
officers should be placed, monthly,
in the National Bank, iii Columbia,
subject to their order, and in such
amounts as shown by their monthly
estimates, furnished the Governor by
each of them, as necessary to the
public service under their charge.
Our experience here has Impressed
on us the Importance Of there being
two separate and distinct officers, rs
above recommended. IIe duties
are of an entirely different nature.
Even were the prison finished and an
important alteration WAS to be made.
the services of an architect Woull ina