Birmingham state herald., 1896-06-11
THEY DID NOT TRY HIM
Case Against Officer McCoIIum
 Was Postponed.
MATERIAL WITNESS ABSENT
Commissioners Garrett and Crawford Report on the Condition of the City Prison.
 Chiefs Monthly Statistics.

The board of police commissioners had special meeting last night, with Com missioners Garrett, Crawford, Reynolds and Thornton present.
 On motion Commissioner Garrett was chosen temporary chairman and Com missioner Crawford temporary secretary.
 The minutes of the previous regular and special meetings were read and ap- proved.
 Chief Mcdonald preferred charges against Officer R. H. McColum for vio- lating rules 74and 91, referring to conduct unbecoming an officer, said to have oc- cured Saturday, June 6, between 5:30 and S:30 a. m. Owing to the absence of a material witness for the plaintiff the investigation was deferred until today.
 A petition from citizens of Green Springs was read praying for relief from an existing nuisance, which had been condemned by the county health officer. The nuisance was that of dumping filth and refuse on grounds in that neighbor- hood by Contractor Burkhalter. The matter was discussed at length and Commissioner Reynolds moved that the matter be referred to the mayor and board of Aldermen. Carried.
 Chief Mcdonald asked for number of blank books, which were necessary at pOuCc u was moved LDaI the chairman make a requisition on the mayor and board of aldermen for same Carried.
 The City Prison.
 A special committee, consisting of Com missioners Garrett and Crawford, ap- pointed to make an inspection of the city prison and report their finding to the board, reported as follows
 Birmingham, June 9. To the Honorable Board of Police Con-
 miss ioners, Birmingham, Ala
 Gentlemen: We. your committee, ap- pointed at your last regular netting to inspect the city prison and make report beg leave to submit the following:
 We visited the city prison on Monday morning, the 8th instant, accompanied by the chief of police and the city physician. and made a thorough tour and close in- spection of all the departments of same, spending about an hour in this duty.
 We found all the floors, cells and dun geons well kept and in neat and tidy con- dition throughout. We were especially pleased at the absence of any filthy, foul condition and offensive odors. The walls and gratings of the prison and its cells appeared to have been recently white washed, and we were informed that this Is done every two or three months. The floors were damp, or rather wet through out, having just been washed or secured We learned tha. there Is permanent condition of slight dampness of the pris- on floors, due, it is said, to insufficient or improper drainage. As to what effort, If any, has been made to correct this defect we have not been advised, but would re- spectfully recommend that this board suggest to the mayor and aldermen that it be given attention and remedied if practicable.
 There were some slight complaints among the prisoners that no bedding is supplied them; and this is a conceded fo xy,1a na bnv hu ba fIrr fact that 1t is almost impossible to keep the prison supplied with bedding, blan- kets, etc, owning to the fact that the pris- oners will tear up and destroy them, and there seems to be no practicable way by which this can be prevented.
 The ventilation of the prison is not suf- ficiently provided for, especially for win ter, when the window openings have to be closed with glass sash. and we re- spectfully recommend that this be called to the attention of the mayor and board of aldermen, with the request that such extensions and improvements be made in the ventilation as is necessary for the health and comfort of the prisoners. This. we think, can be done at no consid- erable expenditure of money.
 We find the water sinks, closets, bath ing facilities, etc., sufficient for the pris- oners and well kept. E.
 A visit to the prison kitchen at an hour when meal was in course of prep aration disclosed the fact that the food supply is well cooked and of sufficient variety, consisting of bread, meat, beans, and occasionally vegetables, while spe- cial dishes are prepared for sick prison CTS whenever the city physician directs We noted that the vessels in which this food is cooked and served were clean and apparently in proper condition, as ap- peared to be the culinary department in all of its appointments.
 A good sanitary condition of the pris- on is made clear from the records of Dr. Gibson, the prison physician, there ap- bearing but few cases of sickness and those of mild character.
 The prison Is too small to accommodate the increased average number of persons confined therein. and this Is due to the larger scope of offenses and the increased territory over which the city criminal court has jurisdiction since the estab-