The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-01-24
BER6ELEY,,.

1
Iystem, We have a chain gang which
we work on the new and worst roads.
y Our roads and bridges are IN q
| bett3r condition than ever before, and
the cost of keeping them up has been
very much reduced owing to the fact
that we work great many places that
formerly had to be kept up by con-
tract. We build some bridges with
the chain gang and the work done is
much more substantial than contract
! work.
3. Our chain gang began Ill Februa-
| ry with seven convicts, and at the close
OF October we had lS, making an aver
age of about 13.
4. The chain gang tends to decrease
crime, as our lest term of court lasted
n little more than two days and the
| previous session from 10 to II days.
5. The public funds are certainl!
more satisfactorily and economically
administered under the new law than
under the old.
6. The county affairs are satisfacto-
rily administered.
7. In my opinion the system is near
ly perfect. / suggest that trial JUS
tices be allowed to sentence their pris-
oners direct to the chain gang. A
prisoner should be punished by in
creasing his sentence five times for cs-
Gaping from the chain gang.
CHESTER.
l. Bv the old mcthodand by u chain
gang.
2. Highways are admitted to be in
| better condition than ever before.
This has been accomplished at cost
of more labor and money than in the
past.
3. About sixteen.
4. There is perceptible diminution
| of crime, due in great measure to
the chain gang in our midst, which
furnishes an object lesson. The record
shows that less money was expended
on Yast court than any proceeding
court for years.
5. 1 think so. Notwithstanding the
equipment and current expenses of the
chain gang, which costs something
over s., 200, our county expenditures
for general purposes have been less by
Ito. 30 for this fiscal year than for
the previous year.
Is AS much so as could be .reasona-
bly, expected.
Z. Some changes are necessary. The
| limit for sentence to chain gang should
| be increased to three years, as this
would increase the number of convicts
and reduce porportionately the cost of
| maintenance. The board as now con-
stituted is too cumbersome. Geo
graphical sections of the county should
be represented instead OF townships,
as they are too small
CHESTERFIELD.
/. The contract system and the chain
gang are worked in the court house
township. The old system is in vogue
in the other townships.
2. Our highways and bridges are in
better condition now than they have
been for years, especially in the court
house township. We build bridges
with convict labor at about onehalf
the cost by contract.
3. We average about eight convicts.
4. The chain gang has decreased
crime considerably. The trial Justices
say they have nothing to do now.
5. The county funds are very sco-
nomically administered. Our present
tax levy is the smallest in years.
6. The county affairs are satisfactC
rily administered.
z. The county boards should be
| abolished and allow the township
boards to look after the roads. The
supervisor could attend to auditing
accounts, etc. He is bonded officer,
and his work must be inspected by n
grand jury. The present board is too
large and cumbersome.
CLARENDON.
l. We are working our highways by
che old system.
.. Our highways are III better
! condition than wEcr we began and
with less cost.
,. We work no convictS.
4. Have no chain gang
.. We are running the county ut u
much less cost than the old board did.
Think we will save Mt least 81 500.
6. [ think the county government
law is giving pretty good salts
faction. The board is too large and
the pay too small.
DARLINGTON.
l. BY both contract and convict sys-
tens,
=. The roads and bridges are now
about 50per cent. better, with about
the same cost rs heretofore.
3. We work about Il convicts.
4. Crime has decreased 30 20 40 per
cent.
5. We can do the county work un-
der the present system for 20 per cent.
less money.
G. Not altogether satisfactory. but
quite an improvement on the old sys-
tenn.
:. | suggest that prisoners be allow
ed some reward for good behavior and
be punished :or bad behavior.
FAIRFIELD.