The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-06
CONVICT CAMP HORRORS IN AR
KANSAS.

Whether the influences when nave
caused the exposure Of the prison camp
horrors in Arkansas be political or other
wise, the public gains Just a year ago
NJ. G. Baylcs, j. r. Buster, james A.
IIcbcrly and w. II. West, representing
citizens of Coal Hill, johnson county, pre-.
fcred charges and specifications against
the lessees OF the Penitentiary and
laid them before the Board OF Penten-
tiary Commissioners. They averred that
the lessees did unmerclfully1and inhu-
manly treat the convicis under their
charge; that they worked conyicts over
ten hours day; that they worked con-
vicis in badly ventilated mines; that they
worked convictsinp places dangerousto their
health, safety and life; that they failed and
refused TO furnish convcts with whole
some and sufficient food; that they failed
and refused to provide convicts with
proper clothing that they refused
to provide hospital for sick
conyicis; that they worked conyicts
on the Sabbath Day; that they permitted
conyicts, heavily bound, TO go outside the
walls Of the penientiary and sell whisky.
These were some Of the charges preferred.
The defense claimed that all Of said
charges, 10 far as they related to them us
lessces after the latter part Of Novcm-
ber, 1885, when they took charge Of
the sonyicts from their sub-lessccs, the
Ouita Coal company were untrue. Gov.
Hughes, thereupon, sent George W.
Williams, OF Little Rock, notary
public, TO Coal llill TO investigate.
This lac did, and the testimony showed
that the charges preferred by the citizens
Of Coal llill were well founded. The no.
tary's authority was limited, but he took
many dispositions from physicians, miners
AMI other citizens, and these lac incor-
pomtcd into his report TO the State
board. Notwithstanding the dreadful
character Of the revelations, the
Penientiary Board conicnted itself with
formulating q new set Of rules aud direct
ing their enforcement As the enforce
ment was left to the lcssecs the result was
rs might have been cxpected-a rccur-
renee OF the inianes. A short time ago
the attention OF the Board was again called
10 the sufcrings Of the convicts at the
Coal Mill mining camp aud another inycs-
legation was had, revealing the most shock
ny brutality on the part Of the wardcns.
The State Board seems TO have shown
no disposition TO remain inactive when
has been made, but IL has
shown ncapacity In preventing the re-
Of the outragcs. II Is not
worth while for the people to vent
their wrath upon the Board, Of which
GOV. Hughes Is chairman cx oilicio. Tho
truth is that men TO whom are given the
bodies Of convicts for hire, and 10 whom
il intrusicd at the same time their moral
and physical welfare, win not he
amcnablc to rules devised for the
protection of conyic,s against their
eupidi,y and rapacily. The Board was
mistaken in surprising that lis revision
Of the rules would better the condition Of
the convicts. The incapacity shown by
the board was only the incapacity which
will ever he shown by bodies which I'm.
dcrtakc to administer prisons under the
conyic, lease system. A silk pursc cannot
bc made out OF n sow's ear. aud the State
that works lis conyicis on the leased camp
system will inevitably be disgaccd. II
has always been NO and will 50 continue
TO be.
TnE SomerriHe Reporter aud Rdicon IN.
forms Tug Atrial and the public that