The Dawson journal., 1884-10-23
THE CONVICT SYSTEM.
Macon, Ga, Telegraph.

MACON, October Z, 'S4. DRAR SIR: The
special telegram from Atlanta this morn
ing informs the reader that IF W. FauIk-
ner, white convict Mt bockett's Camp,
attempted to escape. The colored guard
shot and killed him"
Will you give us your opinion as to
whether the prison laws of Georgia are
intended to be reformatory or for punish
mcnt exclusively? If for punishment ex
olnsively do you believe the Inquisitors of
0 d could have designed more damnable
torture than to have entrusted TIE lives
of white convicts to the ''colore1 guard ~
Do you believe that it benefits civiliza-
tion, Christianity, or respect for the law,
for the latter to be administered by 'col-
ored men" as guards, policemen or ju' ors?
If wrong, should this state of prison
rule be corrected or "whltewashed!" If
so, when and by whom?
Yours respectfully,
SEVERAL GEORGlANs.
To the above interrogatories
,propopnded BY subscribers and
readers of this journal we reply.
The convict lease system was has
tily adopted at first as the best
means to meet great necessity.
1t was crude and ill-digested
and worked badly. Efforts have
been made from time to time to
perfect it, but no better system
has yet been presented. It is far
from perfect, but more recent leg
islation has declared in favor of
the reformatory methods, which
should belong to all penal institu-
tons. Unfortunately, the de-
sires and intentions OF good men
have been to a great measure re-
strained and modified by reason
of the fact that heretofore the
convict system has figured as a
prominent political issue in State
campaigns. The present rules
which require the Governor, the
chief keeper of the penitentiary
and the medical officers to lool
ai,o1 thc moral al pA seal -,
fare Of the convicts, if properly
administered, should ameliorate
the condition of these people.
With SO large pr2ponderanca OF
c)lored conyicts, it is perhaps nee
e3sary to employ some colored
guards, for the reason that ne
groes understand each other, and
for the further reason that it must
be difficult to find good and com
petent white men TO perform q
service so distasteful. We are
solid in the opinion that no col
ored guard should be placed over
white men.
But there are men serving out
terms in the penitentiary for vio-
lent crimes committed in 'hot
blood. These should be classed tc
themselves and every opportunity
atfored them for reform. Under
no circumstances should such be
placed in the power Of negro
guards. We can imagineno white
man so debased by crime whose
nature would not revolt against
the deep humiliation of a negro
guard.
The physical torture might lacl
something of that ascribed to the
punishment of the inquisition
but the mental and moral suffer
ing would be increased.
We are quite settled in th,
opinion that our civilization ha.
gained nothing from coloreC
guards, jurors or policemen. l
is probable that at the coming
session of the Legislature, the con
vict lease will receive some atten
ton. We think that there are
wrongs about it that may be cor
rected. We are quite sure tina
the way some men get into tn,
penitentiary and many get on
ought to receive prompt and earn
est attention.
The convict lessees form a clos
and powerful corporation, stron!
in money and personal influence
The marks of their power may b,
plainly seen throughout the pclit
ical system of tie State. The.
have great influence with ambi
tious men who desire to be Gov
ernors, Congressman, judges, etC
We do not believe that they desir
or intend to oppress and injur
convicts.
As to whether there will be an
"whitewashing" done about til
convict system and proposed il
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