Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-11-13
LnrnrnAL NArunE-No. n |

GENERAL NATURE-No. n
IxLer 40 provide for the establishment OF
.mllsry prison. and for its government.
ne enacted by he Senate ard House Of Repre-
.,liatreI Of me Unlttd States Of America IN ION
cy.,s asstu,6Ld That there shall be established
=, Rock lsand in the state OF Illinois, prison
IN the confinement and reformation OF Offend
srs against the rules regulations, and laws for
ths government of the army OF the United
states in which shall be securely confined and
smpIoyed at labor. and governed in the manner
br,elnafter directed, all Offenders convicted be-
fore ANY conrt- martial or military commission III
tbe United States and sentenced according to
Law to imprisonment therein
sEg a That the Secretary OF War snail organ
ia. A board Of i've menbers 10 consist OF three
officers Of tho army and two persons from civil
life Who shall adopt plan for the building OF
sncl prson, and who shall frame regulations for
the 70. .yernlnent OF the prisoners, in accordance
WITH tic provisions OF this act. The said com
m,,atlnefa from civIl life shall hold their 6iicos
for The term uf three years, and shall be paid
FIVE dollars day while on duty, and necessary
travelling expenses and the said officers of the
army shall At all times, DO suuJect 10 removal
by the Secretary Of War
stc 8 That the Secretary OF War shall, with
sail commissioners, semi-annualy, and as much
oitener az may he deemed expedient, visit said
prison for the purpose OF examination. lnspec-
ton aud correction aud they shall inquire into
al abuses or neg eGts of duty on the part OF the
officers or other persons IN charge of the same.
AMI make such changes IN the general discipline
OF the prison as they may hold to be essential,
SIC That the officers OF the pflsOu shall
cnl,.-t OF a commandant and such subordinate
officers a. NAV be u, cesnarv, chaplain. a sur
gcun, and g ERIK who shall be detailed by the
Secretary Of War from the commissioned oihcers
OF tie army anu sufficient number OF enlisted
neil shall be detailed by the Secretary OF war to
act as turnkeya guards, and assistants in the
prison.
SIC 3. That one of the inspectors OF the army
shall AT least once in three months, visit the
pri-On for the purpose OF examining into the
books and all the affairs thereof. aud aseri aiming
whether the laws, rules, and regulations relating
thereto are complied with. the officers are oom-
palcut aud faithful, aud the convcts properly
governed and employed aud at tho same time
treated with humanity and kindness Anal 5hal
be the duty OF the inspector. At once to make
fd report thereof to the Secretary OF War
Ssc g. That before the commandRht enters
np1n the duties of his office ha shall give bond
With sufficient surltles, III sum to De hKed by
the Secretary OF War. to be approved by aim
conditioned that he shall faithfully account Tor
oil money placed IN his hands for the use oi the
prison and for the faithful discharge OF all hls
duties M commandant. lie shall have com
m,ui Of the prison shall have the charge and
employment Of the prisoners aud the custody
Of all the property of the government Connected
with the prison. lie shall receive aud pay out
all the money nsed for the prison., and shall
cause TO be kept in suitable books,
complete accounts of all the property, ex-
peusos, incOme business and concerns
OF the prison; and shall make full and regular
reports thereof to the Secretary OF War; aud
shall under the direction and with the approval
Of the Secretary of War, employ, for the benefit
OF the United States the convlcts at sueh labor
and III such trades al may be deemed besf Tor
their health and reformation. He shall have
power 10 sell and dispose OF any articles manu-
factured by the conyets, and shall regularly ac-
count for the proceeds thereof, and shall give
bond and security for the faithful keeping and
accounting of all moneys and prof erty coming
10 his hands as such commandant. He shall
lake note and make record OF the good conduct
Of the convicls and shall shorten the daily time
OF hard labor for those who, by their obedience,
hohetiy lndusty, or general good conduct earn
tncl iayorr; and the Secretary of War Is author
Hed aud directed to remit i'll part, the senlen-
ces OF such convicts and to give them an hon
cradle restoration to duty n case the same Is
merlted; and in case any convict shall dlsobey
me lawful orders of the officers OF the
prison, or refuse to comply with
the rules and regulations thereof,
he may be placed in solitary confinement, and the
eomnandant shall at once report the case to the
secretary Of War, who shall direct the inspector
10 make full examination and report OF the mai,
Ter al the next inspection ; but in no case shal
any prisoner be subjected to whipping branding
u lhe carrying OF weights for the purpose oi
uiselthhe, or for producing peniteLce ana
tNeIy prisoner, upon being discharged from
prison, shall be furnished with decent clothing
pooks shall not be denied the cOnvict5 at tunes
Hhen not employed; and that unofficial visitors
shal be admitted to the prison under such re-
silcIl0hs as tue board % commissioners may
luP1se. The prisoners shall not be denied the
t'Fliege OF communicating with their irlends
" letler aud from receiving like communlca-
.,ons from them, all of which shall be subject to
.ne inspection OF the cOmmandant, or such oin-
ee as ile may assign to that duty.
nEo 3. That the prisoners shall be supplied
~lth ample and clean bedding, and with whole
Suns ana sufficient food, but when III hospital or
uluer discipline their diet shall be prescribed by
sHe proper authority. The prison shall be suit
a ventilated. and each prisoner shall have a
peehly bath OF cold or tepid water, which shall
e applied to the whole surface Of the body un-
iess me surgeon shall direct otherwise for the
"eai'h OF the prisoner.
ote u That no officer of the prison, or 9TH
u person connected Herewith. shall be con
o.heu or Interested, directly or indirectly, IN
iN contract, purchase, made on account OF the
Prison
sEe 10. That any officer who shall suffer a
convict to escape, or shall in any way consent to
M ,H escape, or shall aid him to escape, or in
attempt to escape, shall upon conviction, be dis
INSISTED INSISTED from the service, and suffer such other
punishment as court martial may intlct
'N IL Ihat any soldier or other person en-
inuSed IN the prison who shall suffer convict
~ escape, or shall IN any way consent to his es-
tpe' OF shall aid him to escape, or in an at
olpt 10 escape shall, upon conviction OF court
year.
nEc: II. That all prisoners under confne.
, enl III SAID military prisons undergoing SEN
eiee OF courts-martial shall be liable to triA
i l punishment by courts-martial under the
d tts and articles Of war for offences committed
uu,,lhg the said confinement.
uaA q