The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-24
Investigating the Treatment OF Con-
yictS.

Investigating the treatment O1 Coh-
yictS.
Ever since the Greenwood and Angus
ia Railroad company has had the peni-
Tertiary convicts at work grading tile
line Of that thoroughfare, tho air has been
moro or less charged with reports OF
cruelty on the part Of the managers
towards those in their keeping, and
periodically expressions have been
given to the feelings of philan-
thropists both in the newspapers
and in tho courts. The readers Of the
Press and Banner have not forgotten that
more than a year ago, we went to Gen.
Bradley the superintendent of the work
ON this side Of the river and had a long
interview with him OH this subject, in
which he stated many interesting facts i'll
connection with the treatmen. of the con-
victs then engaged in the work. 1t will
also be remembered that Judge kershaw
ordered a committe from the grand jury
to visit the stockade and report upon the
facts of the case. Their report was not
mado until after the adjournment of the
Court, but Il readers will remember
that the report was submitted to writing
although we believe that the report was
never made to the court as directed by
His Honor but it wa published in the
village newspapers in connection with
the prescntment of tho Grand jury, for
the September term.
1t will not be forgotten that that report
exonorated the railroad authorities from
all blame or cen>ure in the premises, and
since then the question has been COM
paratively at rest in Abbeville county {;
but from Columbia just now comes tho
news that the attention of the State au-
thorities has been called to tho fact of q
startling mortality among the convicts
employed by the road, and that the Gov
ernor and the Directors of the Penitcnti-
AIRY arc mvch incenscd at what they con-
ceive to be a great wrong, and that they
are now taking active steps to invcsti-
gate the truth or falsity of the ugly ru-
mors. 1t is also stated that serious
charges will be preferred in court against
some of those having control of the con
victs. We sec it also stated in the news
papers that out Of sometwo hundred con-
| victs about one hundred have died with
in the past twelve months. We are una
ble to speak of the grave charges in this
specification, but this sc do know, that
the deatll-rate up to the time that we in
terviewed General Bradley on tho sub
ject was reported to be very small in
deed.
The reports as circulated are a dis
grace to the State and a reflection upon
the humanity of the gentleman who have
charge Of the laborers. For the justilca-
ton of these good and public-spirited
citizens who are giving their own time
and labor to the pressing forward OF q
magnificent enterprise which is to bene-
tit not only Abbeville county, bnt all the
upper portion of the State, as we'll as for
the viudication Of the good name of q
proud Commonwealth, these matters
should be Investigated in the courts OF
the last resort. The reports as circulated
are damaging not only to the Govern
ment, but may be construed rs n person.
al imputation against the officers of the
State no less than against tho lessees OF
the convicts. The prisoners should be
treated humanely. Their employers are
entitled to justice. That the corpora
tors of the road are engaged in the con-
struction of a great public work is no
reason that the idle public should unjust
ly blame them and excite prejudice
against them in the eyes Of the world
and in the estimation of our W State
officials. Then in the name Of, and in
justice to the corporators of the Green
wood and Augusta Railroad. let the Gov
ernor, or the Directors bring their charges
in the courts, where false accusations
may be set aside by the facts, and the
character of upright men be fully vindi-
Gated. These whisperings and occasional
illusions i'll the newspapers to this mat
ter, have been going on long enough.
For the sake of the good name of the
State, in behalf OF humanity and justice,
as we'll as for the rcpelling Of the implied
imputation against some of the best citi-
zens of Abbeville county, let the inves-
tigation como. We have no doubt
that they now desire it as they did a year
ago. General Bradleythen told us that he
courted investigation, and that every
member of the board of Directors was
anxious for all the facts to be known Of
all men. Let the authorities either inves-
tigate or cease to cast their imputations.