The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-22
PLAN TO USE THE PRISONERS.
THE GOVERNORS SCHEME Is
BRIEFLY OUTLINED.


Work To Produce Permanent
Hcnedt to the Statc-ConviCts 10 BE
Cared for by the StntC-It is suS-
Eestcd That the Proposed Plan
WouIa Net the state a Tidy sum.
Atlanta. Ga. Aug Z.-Prncipal Keeper
Turner of the peniteuuary department has
completed the plan which has been agreed
upon by himself and Gov Atkinson for
the disposition of the couvicts at the eX-
piration Of the present ease and to-day
furnished copies of the scheme which VIII
be embraced in his report TO the legislature
and Recommended 10y the governor in his
message to the press.
The plan u.s. in the main, that which was
outlined in these dispatches several days
ego The recommendations are given TO
the press i'm order that tho public and mem
bers Of the legislature may have time TO
digest 1t in advance of the meeting Of The
general assembly which win have to pass
upon the question. The following ex-
tracts viii show the material points Of the
plan.
The state should purchase as early as
possible in 1895 a tract of farm land, con-
tanning from 5000 TO 1000 acres, in health
fuI location on line of railway, accessi-
BILE from all parts of the state and on which
should be a deposit of clay suitable for
making nrst-class brick, stone suitable
for building purposes and water power
of not less than 200 horse power.
Before the present contracts expire, to-
wit, April J. 1889, there should he erected
on this property temporary, but comfort
able buildings, hospitals stockades, and
appurtenauces for the Imprisonment and
safe-keeping of the following class of con-
victs: Females, boys under
fixed age probably II years, aged, infrm
and diseased convicts and such others as
may be reserved to cultivate the farm,
manufacture brick and quarry stone.
The buildings so erected should provide
for a complete separation at all times of
the three classes named and for separate
eating and sleeping apartments for whites
and black. The water power should be
used in supplying these buildings with
water and light, furnishing such power
as may be needed in workshops and indus
trial occupations. The females should be
in charge of a matron and should manu-
facture clothing for the convicts-
The boys should be employed in making
and repairing farm implements and tools.
All other convicts mentioned and re-
served should be put TO Cutivating the
land, manufacturing brick and quarrying
stone.
The brick manufactured and stone quar-
ried should be of such quantity and quail
ity as under plans and specifications pre-
viousy adopted viii be required for the
erection of walls and appurtenances for
the imprisonment of the whole convict pop
ulation
All other convicts should be hired out
for terms not longer than five years on
one of the following plans: The state
bearing all expense of maintenance, cloth
ing transportation, medical treatment Of
fcers and guard salaries and having abso-
lutte control of the convicts; the hirer pay
ing the state an agreed price per capita
per diem. or the hirer bearing all the ex-
penses, except for medical treatment, a
local physician being appointed and
paid by the state, who shall
reside at each point where
convicts are worked and seeing that they
are maintained in strict compliance with
the contracts, the hirer paying the state
an agreed price per capita per diem. OF
these two plans / consider the former the
better, as it removes the convicts farther
from the possibility of mistreatment than
the latter.
The hire should be paid directly into the
state treasury and should be expended
only In payment of penitentiary expenses
the balance TO constitute a building fund
10 be used In erecting a permanent mod
ern prison
A conservative estimate of the results
OF this plan would be as follows Appro-
priation needed TO purchase land and
equip the same $4,000. Maintenance and
general management Of 2.3l0 convcts for
five years at % cents per capita per diem,
SlO49 315, making the whole expenditure
for the five years Sl.17i,375. II this plan
is adopted, the state furnishing the mate
rial and a large part of the labor, with
an available fund of S2732J0 at the end
OF the five years. II win have the best
equipped of modern prisons i'm this coun-
try. (which will cost the tax payers moth
ing and probably leave a surplus i'm the
treasury, which can be applied TO tho
public school fund or used for other pur-
poses.
To place convicts on the public roads
will cost the taxpayers each year. for
maintenance, S203 $50. a like amount the
first year for equipments and material ana
large sums each year thereafter for re-
pairs, new equipments and material and
the state will have neither permanent pris-
ons or a permanent system. To engage
them In farming on state account should
The state purchase land for that purpose,
will cost the first year not less than 81 Boo
600 and would be but a doubtful expert
ment.
IL has been suggested that each county
should have the option OF working certain
classes Of the conVlcts on their public
roads, and while the suggestion would or
dinarly commend itself 60 me as a step
in procuring better roads. an end greatly
90 be desired, stll If many of them should
be so used IL would so reduce tho net re-
suits from the contracts of hirnE as 60
defeat the erection OF a permanent prison
ana no the end Of the terms of hiring
Georgia would be no nearer a final solu-
ton Of this vcXed problem than now.
To carry these suggestions into effect
bill should Dee passed providing for the
creation OF a prison commission. consist
tUg OF The governor cX-oficlo. and three
practical business men from different scc-
tons OF thC state. GO hc appointed by the
governor These commissioners should re-
ceiye salaries OF 5000 each for tno years
1895 and 1855 and an necessary travelling
expenses actually Incurred IN the dis
charge ~ their dudes ana thereafter such
salaries as may De provided boy the gene
erai assembly. They shoud have offices
h. the capitol and such clerical force aud