New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-13
GENERAL NATURE-No. III


An act to provide for the establishment of
military prison. ana for its govern
Ment.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representative Of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That there
shall be established at Rock Island, in the
State of Illinois, prison for tho confine-
ment and reformation Of offenders against
the rules, regulations and laws for the gov
ernmeDt OF the army Of the United States,
IN which ehall be securely confined, and
employed at labor. and governed in the
manner hereinafter directed, all offenders
convicted before any court martial or mill
tary commission in the United States, and
sentenced according TO law to Imprisonment
therein.
SEC. ,. That the Secretary of War shall
organize board of five members, to con-
slst OF three officers of the army and two
persons from civil life, who shall adopt a
plan for the building of such prison, and
who shall frame regulations for the gov
ernment OF the prisoners, in accordance
with the provisions Of this act. The said
commissioners from civil life shall hold
their offices for the term of three years, and
shall be paid five dollars day while on duty.
and necessary travelling expenses; and the
eaid officers Of the army shall, at all times,
ne ne subject to removal by the Secretary Of
War.
Sec. 3. That the Secretary Of War shall,
with said commissioners, semi annually.
and as much oftener as may be deemed
expedient, visit said prison for the purposes
OF examination, inspection, and correction:
and they shall inquire into all abuses
or neglects of duty on the part Of the Of
icers or other persons in charge of the
same, and make such changes in the general
re- JYII nj b0
to be essential.
Sec. 4. That the officers of the prison
shall consist of commandant and such
subordinate officers as may be necessary, a
chaplain, surgeon, and clerk, who shall
be detailed by the Secretary OF War from
the commissioned officers of the army; and
sufficient number of enlisted men shall
be detailed by the Secretary of War to act
as turnkeye, guards and assistants in the
prison.
SEC. ). That one Of the inspectors of the
army shall. at least once in three months.
visit the prison for the purpose Of examining q
INTO the books and all the affairs thereof,
and ascertaining whether the laws, rules.
and regulations relating thereto are com.
Piled with, the officers are competent and
faithful, and the eonvicts properly gov.
erned aad employed, and at the same time
treated with humanity and kindness. And
~ nAoii po tAO "u'J VI LILO Inspector, at
once, to make full report thereof to the
Secretary Of War.
Sec. 6. That before the commandant en-
ters upon the duties of his office he shall
give bond, with sufficient sureties. ia sum
to be fixed by the Secretary of War, to be
approved by him, conditioned that he shall
faithfully account for all money placed in
his hands for the use of the prison and for
the faithful discharge of all his duties as
commandant. He shall have command of
the PRISON; shall have the charge and en-
ployment Of the prisoners, and the CUSTODY
OF all the property Of the government con-
nected with the prison. He shall receive
and pay out all money used for the prison.
and shall cause to be kept, in suitable
books, complete accounts Of all the proper.
ty, expenses, income, business and concerns
OF the prison; and shall make full and
regular reports thereof to the Secretary of