New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-25


ne could not cat or talk for long time
The blood ran from his back and he was
taken 70 the hospital. AfterWard he was
given 100 more blows.
l have seen Octavia Wilson alias Mulvina
GOwadell bound 20 the ladder and beaten
like the lneh.
! have seen the captain throw Jennie
Thompson down and beat her with hoop
pole. I have seen him use a car drivers
whip on the prisoners in the yard
Two men were worked so bard tha: they
drowned themselves in the pond.
IV" MN We're put to work when sick.
They euccumbeG and were sent back to the
hospital. One died. Pepe Sanches came
to the bedside of the other and cursed him.
He drew The blanket over his head. and
when it was taken off he was dead.
When an investigating committee is
coming everything is cleaned up and white
washed. The prisoners are told if they
complain it will do them no good, as they
will be beaten when the committee go away.
All prisoners whose condition would sug-
gest inquiry. or whom these threats would
not ter11iy. are put away. The strap is con-
cealed and very light one shown. We had
NO books to read. A prisoner very seldom
sees one Of the board of control.
The sleeping quarters are like tomb in
graveyard with two blankets. Colored
prisoners have only one.
For years ! endured this Icouid not talk.
tor feared the strap. could not pray in
my cell, for ! saw q Tuan punished for that
The food was bad. NY cell was loathsome,
and the moisture stood on the walls so thick
it could be scraped Oft with the hand.
When came out / was given an outti {
that cost 81 and IS in money. came to
New Orleans, thanking God for sparing my
life and toy reason.
Revised Statutes, sections 2S49 70 2S7f,
contain the law governing the Penitentiary.
1t provides for board Of control of five
members. who are paid the magnificent
price OF $3.50 for their services. II is Yea
sonable to conclude they render an equiva-
lent for this SUN. They must audit the &C
counts, meet twice month, see that con-
victs receive ratioDs equal to those of
United States soldiers, and have comfort
able clothing; and that no excessive or un-
usual punishments are inflicted. One hun
dred dollars is prescribed for preaching, and
another 500 for books. Convicts whose
ST ntence of death has been commuted are
not permitted to work with the others, but
must labor alone
The report of the board Of control for
1870 is signed by one member only. 1t
cheerfuly states that the prisoners health
has been good, but does not mention ever
seeing any of them. 1t asserts they had
plenty of clothing, bedding and food, and
that no tavoritism has been practsed Their
two visits a month to the clerks office do
In J.
many more blankets the white man has to
balance the number of extra lashes the
,olered convict receives 20 warm him The
testimony OF visitors rs innocenty quoted
m the excellence OF the institution.
Did any OF these visitors ever see
my thing an officer did no. show them
Two thousand dollars is sad to have been
distributed wages. Can % convict be
Produced who ever got any of it above the
nm of IS. The discipline ia especially
commended with the remark that discon-
en' would follow any departure from the
fundamental! policy. Perhaps SO, but it ;nay
'e doubted Wheeler those on whom this
'eculiar discipline is exercised would object
0 a change.
The report for 1873, jus: rendered, is q
aore creditable document. 1t states the
emale prison leaks. has no Aoor on the
over story, and needs thorough genova-
ion. SO do the hospital beds. The law as
0 food has not been complied with. The
loral and religious instruction of the con-
lets is interrupted by their labor. The
onvicts say SO too. A library is wanted
What has become of the 500 for books3
here are no Bibles! The officers are mostly
which i. saving clause to the
lbsequent statement that some are ere
ntless, cruel and protane." The remark
BILE statement is made "that there ought !
be some means Of appeal for such |
)nvicts as are ill treated" 70 which
very Christian will! say amen! If that |
atement wo:lld be more emphatic in cap-
lls. they should be used. More, "they |
ioult not be sui tjecsed to further punish
ent for having made complaint" Again,
men! And Thank God for getting d man
that prison with eyes IN his head. The
'nduct o: the prisoners is said to be good.
I'd the guards walk among hundred. OF
EN- without fear. Armed as they are. and
70 fundamental system in full operation.
at statemen: may be implicitly relied on.
ne report concludes by saying the board
n not tel! who The lessees are. owing 60
e changss. which. OF course, renders it
tiieult for them to tel! any one under :he
atute.
These reports are contained ia two pages
oh. The fist. except in contrast with
. last. is w!.hcu. yalue. Ali the state
pnts contained are evidently derived from |
condhand Information. given, no doubt,
the officers tho board were intended to
peryis-. The language of the second is
arded. tut i: discleses such an astound.
9 state of things that il is marvellous that
y opposition il made to an Investigating
mmittee. Perhap. those who oppose the
pointment have 40: read that report.
10 che gentlemen who will compose that
mInittes We respectfully offer a few sug
stions.
When yor reach She scene OF your labor. l
l, vii! find everything prepared for your I
1sp'Ion. The cleanliness Of The premises.
9 good o.csr preserved. the appearance
III. prisoners. their contsnteo words,
9 regard they haze Tor their keepers,
> sxce!'sn: quality of the food. clo.hiH. |
quarters. the courtesy and hospitality
:he officers. ART: the affcctiona,e cags /!
" manlit's: :o5:ard their charges will |:
ike you viz. admiration. iol.r work |,
/: De n'ae Yer: easy for ycu, j: you will
ow II. Yor can take back .oul. Of tho
.:ewash oa It's walls ior sou: report If
IL will. !,
But If you start en your task with -
nr,uinnti.,,, 70 ..,os.l. IL IL !