Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-03
OUR LETTER BOX.
CITY PRISONERS.
he StataHarald

To the State-Eeralu.
 The criticisms of the action of the mayor and board of aldermen in consign- ing the iong-term city convicts to Coal burg prison have been many and severe. mostly, it seems to me. in appeals to morbid sentiment. 1 and all good citi- zenS deplore the necessity of such a course for more reasons than one, but our circumstances are peculiar and necessi- tate methods suited to our peculiar con- dition. While We are (without even be- ing consulted on the subjecO made the dumping ground for all of the states convicts 1 cannot see the justice in re- quiring us to afford an asylum for them at an expense that would absorb what little revenue our taxing limit affords to the neglect of other and more impor- tant interests
 It has been e1nblazoned on every high way from time imrnemorial that "the way of the tranSgressor is hard,' and those who enter that way do so with a full knowledge of the consequences. We might deal with our legitimate propor- tion of the criminal classes in more humane and satisfactory way to all con- cerned, but when our environments are such that we are required to deal with nine-tenthS of the criminal classes of the state (not by our consent). extraordinary means have to be resorted to- l have no doubt the city fathers carefully and painfully considered this grave question from every feasible standpoint, and sought hard for a way out of the dilem- ma. None better presenting, they did what they did in the very best of faith, believing that they were doing the very best that could be done with the facili- ties at command, and I believe they should receive the plaudits, Well done thou good and faithful servants"
 These who cannot applaud, but heap up criticisms, should be able to suggest a better plan (which no doubt would be anxiousiy adopted or shut up.
 The task of the critic is easy, hence the supply of critics has always been equal to the demand. The most distin- guished diYines, statesmen and generals have always been the subjects of the se- verest criticisms, but this army of crit ics usually have few if any amends to offer for the betterment of conditions: their stock in trade is exhausted when they get through announcing to the world that everybody else is wrong,
 It is very easy to say the city author money to do most things, and it is not always very easy to say just where that money is to come from.
 Our efficient police commission de- cline cutting expenses on that line. In- surance compa mics require the fire de- partment kept to it's present standard of efficiency or we must suffer greater loss in advanced rates of insurance. Ex- penses for lights and water are virtually fixed by permanent contract. Interest on OuI bplloeu ueDl must De ptIu UT we SJOn go to the "bad;" and numerous una voidable incidental expenses, some of which might be dispensed with in the in- terest of the city, but under statutory law cannot be. Many other city interests. could be managed much more to the sat isfaction of our people if some unreason- able restrictions which are not within our control were removed. s
 I have not attempted to discuss Coal burg from a sanitary standpoint, but l am very we'll satisfied that very, few people. would select it as a health re- sort, or even Pratt mines or any other coal mines or city or state prison, but these are all way stations on the road of the criminal and they travel it of their own volition, and l see no way to avert the consequences. Miners and la boring men object to convict competi- tion; so do I; so does every citien in Bir- mingham who is not interested in their labor But the condition is upon us, and for the present at least we cannot change it hence nothing is left US but to en- dure 1t as lest we can until opportunity affords relief. The city authorities are charged with promoting the policy we have ell been striving to rid ourselves of, think unjustly. They are only adopting ths policy, If you live in Rome you must do IS Rome does" In other words, adopting plans suited to the environ ref1ts that beset us. When the state secs proper to rid us of such environ IT nts she will rid us of nlne-tenths of our oTimnals, and we will find no difficulty in taking care of our legitima te remain der in as satisfactory a manner as pos sible.
 Put all blame where it rightfully be- longs. When you condemn our plan suggest a better. Respectfully,
 TT T., RORERTSON