New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-30

ealO auicuudtoTy ACT suOulu, Huu IL Is hereby
enacted that they shall, be the amount al
lowed by the constitution and laws Of each
State, respectively, as existing in the year
eighteen hundred and seventy one, and that
such exemptions be valid against debts
contracted before the adoption and passage
of snch State constitution and laws as we'll
as those contracted after the same, and
against liens by judgment or decree of any
State court, any decision of any such court
rendered since the adoption and passage OF
such constitution and laws to the contrary
notwithstanding.
Approved March 3. 1873.
GENERAL NATURE-No. al
An act 10 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 DO established at Rock Island, i'll the
State or illinois, prison for the confine-
meDt and reformation of offenders against
the rules regulations and laws for the gov
eminent OF the army of the United States,
in which shall 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 a board Of five members, 70 con-
sist of three officers of the army and two
persons from civil life, who shall adopt q
plan for the building of such prison, and
who shall frame regulations for the gov
eminent Of the prisoners, in accordance
with the provisions of this act. The said
hn1
their offices for the term of 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,
be subject TO removal by the Secretary OF
War.
SEC. 3. That the Secretary of War shall,
with said commissioners, semi-annuaily,
and as much Ottener 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
ticers or other persons in charge of the
same,and make such changes in the general
discipline OF the prison as they may hold
to be essential.
SEC. A. That the officers OF the prison
shall consist of commandant and such
subordinate officers as may be necessary, a
chaplain, a 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 turkeys, 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
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 convicts properly gov
erned and employed, and at the same time
treated with humanity and kindness. And
it shall be the duty of the inspector. at
once, TO make full report thereof to the
Secretary ot War.
SEC. 6. That before The eomInandant en-
tiers upon the duties OF his Office he shall
give bond. with sufficient suretieS. in a 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
cOmMaudant. He shall have command of
the prison: shall have the charge and EN-
p!oyment ri the prisoners, and the custody
of all the property Of the government con.
hecte6 with the PRISON lie shall receive
and pay out all money used for the prison.
and shall cause 20 be kept. an suitab bic
books, complete accounts OF all the proper
u. expenses income. business and concerns
of the prison; ami shall make full and
regular reports thereof to the Secretary of
War: and shall, under the direction and
with the approval of the Secretary of War,
employ. for the benefit of the United States,
the e0nvicts at such labor and in such
trades as may he deemed best for their
health and reformation. He shall have
power 10 sell and dispose of any articles
manufactured by the convicts, and shall
regularly account for the proceeds thereof,
and shall give bond aud security tor the
faithful keeping and accounting of all
moneys and property corning to his hands
as such commandment. He shall take note
and make record OF the good conduct of
the convicts. and shah shorten the daily
time OF hard labor for those who by their
obedience. honesty. Industry, or general
good conduct. earn such iavOrS and the
Secretary OF War is authorized and directed
to remit, III part, the sentences or such
convicts. and to give theIa an honorable
restoration TO duty in case the same is
merited; and in case any convict shall dis
obey the lawful orders eli the officers of the
prison, and refuse to comply with
the rufes and regulations thereof,
he may be placed in solitary confinement,
ana the commandment shall at once report
the case TO the Secretary OF War. who shall
direct the inspector to make full examine
ton and report of the matter at the next
inspection: but in no case shall any prisoner
be subjected to whipping, branding, or the
carrying OF weights for the purpose OF dis
cipllne, or for producing penitence; and
every prisoner. upon being discharged from
prison, shall be furnished with decent
clothing.
SEC. !. That the use Of newspapers and
books shall not be denied the convicts at
times when not employed; and that I'M
official visitors shall be admitted to the
prison under such restrictions as the board
OF commissioners may impose. The prison
ners shall not be denied the privilege of
communicating with their friends by let.
ter. and from receividg like communica-
tions from them, all of which shall be sub
iect to the inspection OF the commandment.
or such officer as he may assign to that
duty.
SEC. g. That the prisoners shall be sup.
Piled with ample and clean bedding, and
with wholesome and sufficient food. bat
when in hospital or under discipline their
diet shall be prescribed by the proper
The prison shall be suitably
ventilated. and each prisoner shall have a
weekly bath OF cold or tepid water, which
shall be applied to the whole surface of the
body. unless the surgeon shall direct Othe.-
wise for the health of The prisoner.
SEC. g. That no officer OF the prison. or
other person connected herewith, shall be |
concerned or interested, directly or inoi-
rectly. in any contract, purchase OF sale .
made on account of the prison.
SEC. 10. That any officer who shall suffer
!. convict I" escape, or shall in any way con
sent 90 his escape, or shall aid him 10 escape, |
or In an attempt TO escape, shall. upon con
gictiOn, be dismissed from the service. and |
suffer such other punishment: as 81 court
martial NAV inhict.
SEC. II. That any soldier OF other person !
amployed in the prison, who .hali suffer a
convict to escape, or shall in any way con
sent ia his escape or shall aid him fa 60