The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-09-08
SWEAT SAYS THE
LEASES MUST GO.
Orders All Lessees of COnvicts in
the Circuit to Give Them
Up.
THIRTY DAYS is THE Time LIMIT.
The Judges Instructions in Futile Saws
Expense or Hardship Are Not to
Be Considered.

Here is copy of instructions ad-
dressed today by Judge j. L. Sweat to
the various clerks of the superior
courts OF the different counties of the
Brunswick judicial circuit:
"Dear Sir-His Excellency w. Y.
Atkinson, the chief executive of this
state, whose duty 1t is to take care
that the laws are faithfully executed,
has brought to my attention the fact
that sentences imposed by the courts
in this circuit as for a misdemeanor,
have not been faithfully executed, and
that instead thereof convicts have
been hired to private persons in viola
tion of law, and has requested that |
see to a correction thereof.
"MIsdemeaaor offences and certain
felonies. in the discretion of the court,
are punishable by a fine, imprison-
ment, work in the changing on pub
lie works, or on such other works as
the county authorities may employ
the chaingang, provided that they are
not authorized to give the control of
the oonvicts to private persons, and
sentences are passed accordingly.
County authorities may organize
chaingangs for the purpose of work
ing convicts sentenced to misdemean-
or sentences on the public works, or
roads, and may control them for that
purpose, providing suitable places for
their safe keeping, and employing
such overseers and guards as may be
necessary therefor, and one or more
counties may combine and keep and
work their convicts together, on such
terms as they may agree upon.
incorporated cities, to vns or vii
lagos may also organize chaingaings
and work mlsdemeanor conyicts on
their roads, STREETS or other public
works.
County commissioners or ordina-
ries may provide for the working of
misdemeanor convicts upon either
county or city chaingangs, or furnish
them to chaingangs in other counties.
"Now desire you to lay this COM
munIcation before the proper authorl-
ties in your county with request
that immediate action be taken by
them looking to the proper disposition
and punishment of misdemeanor con-
victs, and to make such preparation
therefor as may be necessary. L have
also notified private persons hiring
convicts from officers in this circuit,
and who are now engaged, illegally,
in working the same, to arrange for
remanding and delivering the same
up TO the custody of the proper au-
thoritles. Upon the reception of any
such. convicts by the county authori-
will ho ruArIoI hu 70
persons, and such time as may have
been allowed for good behavior.
Thirty days from this date is given
to county authorities and private
lessees OF convicts under misdemeanor
sentences in which to consummate
such delivery, and if upon the ex-
piratlon of such time such delivery
has not, in any instance, been consum.
mated, then the court, under orders
to the sherIffs of the different coun-
ties, will Immediately have such con-
vlcts taken charge of and remanded to
iail for a faithful and legal execution
of the sentences of the court upon
them.
SIN causing restitution of convicts
held by private persons to the proper
county authorities, and within the
time specified, the matter of equitable
adjustment of the hire paid for con-
yicts rests entirely with such authori-