New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-05
PENAL REFORMS IN GEORGIA.

II is gratifying TO learn from recent Atlanta
dispatches that the Legislature OF Georgia Is
preparing to abandon the barbarous system of
leased convict labor whose abuses and scandals
have so long and so seriously furnished the good
name of the State. As IL well known. Georgia
has followed since the War the practce-once
common in many parts of the South-of leasing
to private contractors the services OF certain
classes OF convicts at the same time vesiing in
these irresponsible lessees full control Of the i'll
dentured criminals and full power to exercise
upon them all The seventies Of penal discipline
The transfer to private individuals of such all
solule authority over helpless bodies of convict
laborers cOuld have but one logical result. and
the history OF the leasing system has been an
almost unbroken train OF brutal offences against
deccncy and humanity. \ little more than a
month ago Colonel Philip q. Byrd. a special
commissioner chosen to investigate the cOn1i-
tons Of life In the leased convict camps 0f
Georgia, submitted report to Governor Al
klnson. disclosing abuses and horrors which
shocked and startled the moral conscience of the
whole State The Atlanta Constitution freely
admitting the truth and accuracy of Colonel
Byrd's discoveries declared that they exposed
"as foul condition OF affairs as modern civiliza-
zion has ever Witnessed. 1t almost passes he
lief" this responsible Journal added. that
"in this age Of civilization. refinement and hu-
"manity such a condition OF affairs Colonel
BYRD has uncovered could exist Georgia is
mot Russia; hut right here, under the caves Of
"our churches. II seems that the prison hells OF
siberia are outdone In cruelty and wan.on-
"ness"
The barbartics Of the system thus vigorously
denounced included the overworking OF the
leased conv.cts, furnishing them with INSULT
Gent and often putrid food. denying them prop
or clothing, shelter or medical treatment, and
subiecting them at all times 10 cruel and un-
necessary punishments. Governor Atkinson on
receiving the report decided to call together the
committees OF the two houses OF the Legislature
which have charge Of prison legislation and TO
submit 10 them certain reforms which Colonel
Byrl's discoveries seemed to make imperative
In the State penal system The Governor. the
Superintendcnt Of the State Prisons and several
other State officials have also assisted at the
conferences held In Atlanta over proposed prison
legislation. and 1t is now announced that def
mite p,an has been agreed on Cor amending the
state code so as 10 wipe out entirely the odlOus
practice OF msdemeanor convict leases.
The new bill. which Is TO be presented to the
state Legislature in November. forbids absO-
lntely the farming out OF convict labor to pri-
vate contractors, although II still allows the
State 10 assign short-term prisoners to road
work In counties and municipalities which ask
for their services. at fixed rental for that
single purpose. Put the State Is hereafter to
assume complete responsibility for the welfare
Of all convics and to feed c!othe. discipline and
control even the few prisoners who may under
the now lam bp cmnloved missile tho csfuh.
lished penal Institutions
The new scheme. II sanctioned by the Legis-
lature. cannot be put into operation. Of course.