The times., 1897-08-22
NO A0[|DAYFoR GUARDS
Apparent Discrimination Against
Employees of the Jail.
THE VACATION is PAID FOR
The General Agent of the Depart
Could Be Remedied-A Doubling
Up of Work That Discounts
Vacation.
y .-r--T

The guards at the Jail appear to be dis
| eliminated against by the Government IN
| the matter of the usual summer vacation
| There have been no. official complaints
made about it at the Department of JUS
ticc, but it Was stated there yesterda that
| IL was case that ought to be submitted
| by the proper persons TO the Attorney Gen
eral, who has Jurisdiction over this insti-
tuition.
1t is not strictly true, however, TO say
that they have no vacation. Warden
Leonard is now at Atlantic City enjo ying
the hreeze, ami is, no doubt, thinking oc-
casionally of the guards at the Jail. He
Is given the power to appoint these guards
and IL is believed that they are ali treated
Web. The vacation is another thing. 1t
is sometimes arranged this way. When a
guard desires tc get off for some time it
is occasionally granted, but when he comes
back he has to do so much extra work
that he may as well have had nc vaca-
ticn at all In fact it would absolutely
be best that he should have none under the
circumstances. A vacation from the
Government is supposed TO be a deserved
gratuity, but in the case of the Jail n
guard who is lucky enough to get off at
any time must pay for it in unnecessary
waste OF flesh and blood
When man asks for leave of absence
FOR fifteen days or SO it is granted upon
the stipulation they, upon their return, do
double or consecutive duty until such tine
is fully made up by active work. A guard
goes on duty at 8 a. m., leaving at p.
m Should, at that hour, there be an
absentee the guard is ordered to do duty
from p. m. until "A. m, making twenty
four hours o labor.
Warden Leonard as stated, is not no v
in the city. and his suhordinates do nut
care TO discuss the unpleasant subject
An attempt was made 10 interview of
them yesterday, but he was as close as u
clam utter he had stated that he was not
now on his vacation, and didn't expect
to get any 1t was stated that tha pre-
decessors Of Mr.. Leonard saw 10 IL that
the men got some rest from their vigils
in she bacteria laden atmosphere OF that
vicinity.
These reports were referred Yesterday
to Major Strong, the general agent of
the department of Justice. Major Strong
said that il was not the proper thug
to discuss affairs of institutions first n
the newspapers. The complaints or sub
jects for consideration should be made
by the parties aggrieved. He was aware
that there was no provision for yaea-
ton for these guards, but he said that
he had no doubt that If proper rep
reSeEtatioDs were made 10 the 4 torn "
General, the guards would be as literally
dealt with as any other class Of enl-
plnye.s The guards might he let off two
at q time. and their places filled by sub
stitutes There was an analogy for this
in the case of one of tie men being sick.
In such al instance, the A ttorney General
would rot object TO paying for a sub
slitute, and that plan might be pursued
in the matter OF the vacations for the
guards.
MAJOR Strong has said enough TO indicate
to the guards that If they will draw up
o petition - the Attorney General he
may remember what Chief Leonard .JIas
apparently forgotten.
IL was nfged yesterday that the guards
had a very easy time. This may OF may
not be true, but the guards don think
they do insufficient work for their pay,
and besides they have the dreariest life
ima giua2le with the Eastern Branch flats
on one side, arid vistas in front aHd
mosquitoes and malaria above and around
aad below.