The age-herald., 1898-04-01
DISCUSS PLANS
For the Disposition of Prisoners Convicted in Police Court. WANT THE LEASE EXTENDED With the Sloss Iron and Steel Company Until First of September Alderman Al.-
 man Votes in Negative.

A meeting was held yesterday at the mayors office to consider some plans for the disposition of the city prisoners. Alder man Pearee, chairman of the police and sanitation committee, Alderman Altman, chairman of the judiciary committee, and Mayor Evans were present.
 The contract between the city and the Sloss Iron and Steel company, by which the latter leased and worked all the long term city prisoners in their mines at Coal burg, expired yesterday and the city jail is no longer adequate to accommodate all the prisoners convicted in police court.
 At meeting of the city council several Alderman Altman providing that the con- tract with the Sloss company be not re- newed and that after the adoption all able bodied male prisoners be worked on the streets of the city and that company be appointed to consider the best plan for the disposition of the women and children who were convicted. The resolution was never acted upon. Since then the Sloss company has notified Mayor Evans that they would not renew the lease under any circumstances.
 Mayor Evans has been much concern d as to what would be done with the surplus of conyicts and the idea of stockade sug- gested itself to him. His plan was to util- ize the women and children prisoners in raising vegetables, which could be used in feeding the prisoners at the city jail. It would cost approximately S1 ,00O to perfect the stockade scheme and a majority of the aldermen are unwilling to spend that much of the citys money on an experiment.
 The meeting yesterday was presided over by Mayor Evans.
 Alderman Pearce moved that the commit tee recommended to, the board that the Sloss Iron and Steel company be allowed to retain the city convicts now at Coalburg until their terms expire.
 The motion was adopted, Aldermen Pearce and Gray voting in the affirmative. Alderman Altman voted in the negative
 "A man convicted for misdemeanor," he said, "should not be sent to the coal mines. It takes the manhood out Of him and makes him criminal
 Alderman Gray characterized the present question as one of cold cash.
 "Personally," he said, q yield to no man in my sympathy for humanity"
 Alderman Gray then moved that Alder man Pearce be appointed as commit ee to confer with the Sloss company and ma ont if they would not continue to accept city convicts under the old contract until Sentember 1, and report the result of the conference. -
 The motion was auOpteu, <Aiuei HIGH pearce and Gray voting for and Alderman Altman against. The latter gave notice of a minority report. =,
 Alderman Gray then introduced the fol- lowing resolution:
 "It is the sense of this meeting, that we regret the financial condition of the city Is such we are forced, in order to take care of the prisoners fin humane manner, to send them away from the city; and that when the financial condition of the city is such that 1t can take care of its prisoners in a proper and humane way, they shall be retained in the city, which in the judg- ment of the committee, will not be- later than September 1, 1s9S."
 The resolution was adopted, Alderman Altman not voting. He then introduced the following, (which was unanimously adopted: .ast
 ''Resolved That a committee of three. of whom the mayor, shall be appointed to in- quire and investigate the cost of the erec- tion of a stockade on Red mountain reser- yation to which the city shall send female children and weak and infirm prisoners; said stockade to be erected not later than r October 1, 1S9S."
 The committee then adjourned.