The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-29
HOUSE REMEMBERS ITS DEAD.
ELOQUENT Tributes WE'RE PAID
DECEASED MEMBERS.

I've Important Measures Were Re-
considered-Re pOrt of the Prison
Commission VIII GO 10 the Legis-
Iature on WednesdRy-New Plan as
10 Convicts shows Excellent Re-
acknowledgements COnvicts Pre-
sent a Serious Problem.
Atlanta. Oct 2s-The House devoted it7
entire session to-day, with the exception
OF voting to reconsider two measures OF
yesterday. to memorializing five Of its de-
ceased members. These were the late Hon.
Alex :. Erwin of Clarke. T. W. Fain OF
White. W. s King Of Houston. George T.
Barwick of Emanuel and ". c. Wade Of
Brooks.
Very eloquent tributes were paid the de-
ceased members by Messrs. Ellis and Lane
of Bib Hardwick Of Washington, Car
toon Of Clarke, Bull Of Forsyth, Duncan
of Houston and Rose of Camden. The
House adjourned Immediately after the
close Of the memorial exercises TIL Mon
day as a mark of respect to the memories
Of the departed members.
Immediately following the read of the
journal
bill by Mr.. Post Of Coweta relating 90 the
removal of derelict troopers from the
premises Of landlords. Mr.. Tatum moved
the reconsideration, because he thought il
defective in that il did not specifically
state causes warranting the removal. Mr..
Post the author, assented TO the recon-
sideration. although he did not consider
that the defect existed, but as matter
Of courtesy to the members from Dade.
Tggt 49, rel for "a
consideration of his defeated bill which re-
lated to the filing of suits in the county
where the defendant corporation had its
principal Office. Much to Mr.. Halls graf
ihcation and surprise the House, in a gem
erous mood, almost unanimously granted
his request
Prison Commissions Work.
The report Of the Prison Commission will
go to the Legislature on Tuesday or We'd
nesday Of next week. The new convict
system has been a success financially, the
expenditures being kept within the bounds
OF the income, and the report says that
with the payment of the next quarters
hire there win be something like $4,000
over and above all expenses in the treas
ury. The report covers periods OF nine
months operations, since the new system
was founded, the large sums expended for
permanent improvements, equipment and
operations coming out of the revenue re-
ceived
The average price paid per month for
able-bodied convicts IS $685. and the re-
port states that sub-contractOrs are paying
S14.50 per month. but the reason for this
IS accounted for in the fact that there mas
been a rapid advance in the market price
OF coal, iron, naval stores and building
material since the convicts were let, In
the production of which all these convicts
are engaged. These prices have caused
all of the convicts TO be removed from
farm labor the last removal being
from the farm of Col J. M. Smith 20
Durham mines. under a sub-contract, ap-
proved since Oct. 1.
The products of the prison farm amount
to S16,4s5
Serious Problem
The report says the disposition of the
misdemeanOr convicts in several counties
is becoming a serious problem. The com
mission believes that II they were all I'M
der one management, except in those
counties which work the men on public
works, their l;Soor could not only be used
probably. but the proceeds from 1t would
in a larger measure pay all the cost OF
their convictions, a result greatly to be de-
sired. Except for their shorter terms and
consequent larger expenditure for trans
portauon, their labor should be the same
as that of felony convicts whose labor is
now in demand at $3.50 per month.
The comm ssion says it is gratifying to
report that the general condition of the
chain-gangs is constantly improving, but
in some Of them there is stlll great room
for improvement.
The rules adopted by the commission in
conjunction with the county authorities
for their government together with the
quarterly inspection provided by the law,
Is gradually bringing them up to a uni
form standard.
In conclusion the commission asks for
an appropriation of $120 900 for the year
1900, to be available when needed, and not
as this year, TO be paid only when re-
ceiVed on contracts for nrisnn lahnr