The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1898-01-08
THE CALABO0SE.

TINS itlltle HE llNtN HNSa W "'
vance to he absolyed from the
/ charge of captiousness or unneees-
mrN criticism. Ii recognizes the
necessity of city Jail, but not OF
such an institution as now disgraces
4 Creenyille under that name. The
paper does not venture to offer
any suggestions on the subject, be-
inc satisfied to call the attention
of the city government and the
public generally to II condition
/ which it believes to be public
outrage,
fhe evil complained of Is the
sity calaboose or lookup. 1t is
/ 5iiiicult, in the language to which
arespectable newspaper is restrict
oil, to do Justice to this place,
/ TaE TINES can only hint at its
horrors Let any citizen who may
feel interested in the subject 90
and examine il for himself. The
most ctusory look will convince
him that no description can cor
reetIy portray the reality The
lookup contains one room, alb, t
| twelve feet in width by sixteen in
length, into which women or
plain DRINKS" are put. 1t is alb
soluteIy bare of anything-co con
| taius no seats, no bedding, no fire,
no sanitary arrangements of any
kind. In this apartment on Christ
mas night twenty-five persons were
confined at the same time. This
il the 'parIor" Of the calaboose.
Back of ii is the cell which is used
for most of the mfortunates who
are brought to the lookup. 1t is
double, the front part opening by
narrow Slated iron door into the
corridor The back cell is six by
eight feet in size and about seven
feet high, The floor is concrete
and is more than half covered with
water from leaks in the roof, The
cell is perfectly dark, even at mid
day 1t contains absolutely moth
ing. The occupants must sit or
lie ON the wet floor with no cover
ing but their clothes. The front |
part of this double cell is of the
same size, and only differs from
the back by being dimly Lit through
the grating The air is cold, damp
aHdfoui beyond conception There
is absolutely no sanitary arrange
ment In this black hole, little
more than six feet square, with a
,tagnant puddle of filth for its
floor, and in almost total darkness,
the writer is informed that no less
than seven men have been confined
at the same time. Prisoners have
been left in it for two days at q
time without bedding and actually
food or water except when
furnished by the pity of outsiders.
Of the filthiness Of the place and
-he utter and criminal disregard
not only for the health, but the
Tery lives of the prisoners The
iBrEs IS afraid to trust itself to
peak 1t is with a sense of shau.s
hat the paper informs the public
j the existence Of such an aboni- :
latlon in the city 1t is a relief to
,e able to state that plans for a
lew and commodious lookup are
ilready under consideration, the {
building to be furnished with {
water. properly lighted and |
warmed, and fitted with sanitary |
1t is to be hoped |
hat no hindrance will be encount- s
red in the speedy erection Of the d
lew building, and, in the mean q
ime, if ii is possible to remedy !
he abuses which have been most G
riehy and inadequately described, q
he matter should receive immedi- a
te attention ,
No class Of criminals, however e
should under any cir i
be subjected to the
liserie- which the occupants Of
he present calaboose are com a
eiIed to undergo, but its inmates. I
5 a rule, are negroes, leyee hands, n
nd Migrants whose worst ofense v
drunken spree or trivial d
rect quarrel. The main object l.
{ arresting most Of them is to get
rem off the streets for little :,
nile and keep them safe until :
icy are sober The city of y
reenville is primarily responsible :
II their misdemeanors. A coun- v
,,., p'