New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-21
no REFORM FOR GEORGIA.
THE STATE LEGISLATURE PREFERS TO
CONTINUE THE PRESENT CONVICT
LEASE SYSTEM

Atlanta. Ga. Nov. 20 (SpeciaD-The prospect
that genuine penltentiary reform would be inst-
uted by the Georgia Legislature at It's present ses-
sion was beclouded almost as soon as that body
had assembled and is now so dark that there
seems 10 be little hope OF Georglas early re-
demption from the shame OF the convct-ease and
chain-Sang systems. The Joint Pententary Com
mittee of the Senate and House met before the as
sembling Of the Legislature. A bill by the chair
man OF the committee embodied the views and
plan which Governor Atkinson subsequently pre-
scented In his annual message TO tho Legislature
and provided for n thorough reform OF the
present system This bill contained provisions for
a reformatory for youthful convicts. for convict
farm. on which women and feeble-b bodied male con-
victs to be worked. and for the establishment
OF State pcnitentiary. TO be built as largely as
possible by convict labor. In which able bodied
convicts should be taught useful trades. The bill
also provided that part OF the convcts. pending
the completion OF the penentiary. should be hired
but that they should be directly under control OF
State officers and not under that OF essees and
whipping bosses. as they are now To the sur
prise of great majority Of intelligent Georgfans
the Joint Penitentiary Committee rejected this bill
This action would have been commendabe IL
they had substituted II better bill, for that could
have been done easily But when it was found that
the committee cast aside the proposed bill and re-
ported in Its stead measure which practically
gives a new term Of life TO the present lease
system. there were expressions Of disappointment
and disgust in all parts OF Georgia. The convict
lease system, az IL now stands has been a scandal
and reproach to the State for many years. The
only plea for its existence has been that II was
adopted when the State. exhausted by the raw
ages OF war was unable to provide better pen
ltentiary plan. Accompanying this apology almost
invariably has come the assurance thta soon
a the Of the present leases expired Georgia
would adapt her penltentiary TO modern and hui
mone methods The convict leases Will expire one
wear from January next and instead OF any rea-
sonable prospect OF Kidding the State of this shame
IL appears that there Is a well-aid and powerful
scheme to continue It,
on every test vote that has been held In the
LEGISLATURE so far the reform element has been
overwhelmed by the advocates and defenders or
the lease system as it now stands. There is law
in Georgia which clearly prohibits the hiring Of
misdemeanor convcts. These are required by
statute 10 be employed the public works OF the
counties in which they were convicted. In de-
6ance of the law most of these convicts have been
hired 70 private parties and the proceeds used to
faien the fees OF court and county ofncals These
aaeran, abuses have recently been exposed by a
SnsciaI commissioner. who investigated the county
convict camps and VINO showed rnat the crneIties
sihie worse than those In the camps OF lessees Of
felony convicts A., 49,, .
rascs that the law as 10 msdemeanor convicts Is
somewhat vague. and In order to leave no doubt
as 10 Its intention a Pill was INTRODUCED AT the
rmei.dsmeanor convicts in this State. This bill was
defeated by an almost unanimous vote IN TIL the
body has virtually approved and appauded vio-
IL ton of law which has been going on Tor years;
legislation which would rid the State Of tb> cruel
convict-lsass system.