The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-12

Uponr Inquiry. the Executive Office sestefday made public the report of Hon. N. R. Leigh, Probate Judge of lcscambia County, upon the treatment of county convicts at the camp of Jen- ninSs Bros, Manistee, Monroe County.
 It will be remembered that Benjamin McNeil of Sault St. Marie, Mich.. re- ported to Governor Stamford several weeks ago that convicts sent to this camp were inhumanly treated. He was sent to the Manistee camp from County upon conviction of unlawfully riding on railroad trSins. McNeil did not claim that he wassille- gally or unjustly convicted. but h re- ported startling condition existing at the camp. Among other things, Me- Neil said that convicts were whipped and that at least one of them died from their mistreatment. He stated specifically that he was not whipped. McNeil further said that the sleeping quarters of the men were fly thy: that the food was insufficient and unfit to eat, and that while dangerously ill. he was denied medical attention.
 AS many of the convicts at Manistee were sent there from Escambia Coun- ty, the Governor called the attention of Hon. N. R. Leigh. Probate Judge of that county, to the statement of Me- Neil.
 Judge Leigh at once ordered an inves- tigation of the treatment of convicts from his county. NJ. F. Brooks. hard labor agent of the county, was sent to Manistee. He made a thorough ex- animation of the camp and investigated carefully into the conditions reported by McNeil. His report to Judge Leigh is accompanied by aftidavits of phy- sician, several employees of Jennings Bros. and convicts at the camp.
 The affidivats are contradictory, but they show in substance that convicts have frequently been whipped; that one man died: that the food is Esorly cooked. and that McNeil was given medical attention when he was i'll.
 Dr. s. Bragg, Physician Convict Inspector. has gone to Manistee upon from Governor Sanford to make a further investigation of the conditions existing there.
 The report of the hard labor agent of Escambia County and the accompany ing affidavits sent to Governor Sam ford are as follows:
 Report of M. F. Brooks.
 The State of Alabama.
 Escambia County. To Hon. ". R. Leigh, Judge of Pro-
 bate:
 Dear Sir-As per your instrucsions went in person to the convict camps of Jennings Bros. at Manistee, in Monroe County, on the 30th ult.. and made investigation of the condition and treatment of our convicts.
 Having special reference to the re- ported cruelty and mistreatment as made by one Benjamin McNeil publish ed in The Montgomery Advertiser of April 27th, and a similar statement made to the Governor, I went very into the investigation of the examining the prisoners. guards and other persons on oath so as to fully sustain the facts.
 AS to the sanitary condition of the prison, refer you to the affidavit here to attached of pr. Gilliard. who Is a physician of Perdue Hill. and who has been doing the camp practice for Jennings Bros. Also as to the food furnished the prisoners I refer you to his affidavit.
 examined the prison myself and 1t seems that McNeil had some grounds for complaint in regard to the sleeping apartments The rooms are not prop erly ventilated. The prison consists of four rooms. one for the guards one for a clothing room and room each for white and colored convicts sepa- rated by board partition. There are no windows in the building. the only ventilation being the cracks left in the walls. which are built of upright boards. The rooms had been but re- gently scrubbed. The guards stated that no vermin had ever been seen In the beds except in one or two in stances some were brought there by colored convicts in their clothing.
 examined several of the convicts touching their treatment and the treat ment of the man McNeil. I reduced to writing the statements of two of them, one white and one colored, (the others being substantially the same). and had them sign such statements. I attach copies of these statements to this report, together with copies of signed statements of four of the guards. two at least of whom are not now in the employ of Jennings Bros.
 You will see from these statements that some corporal punishments have been inflicted, but 1t does not appear to have been cruel or excessive, and that McNeils statement with reference to inhuman treatment Is very much exaggerated
 MT. Walter P. Jennings, the mana ger of the camps, could not be seen, the business having just been sold out, he being then at Monroeville, but the convicts as well as the other persons connected with the camps say that he was kindly disposed and lenient to- wards his men.
 The purchaser of the business. MT. w. W. Brown, desires to renew the contract for our convicts in his own name.
 This report has been delayed by req son of having to wait for the statement of pr. GiIliard, which he asked to be allowed to prepare at his office al Perdue Hill. and which did not reach me until today.
 Respectfully submitted,
 M. F Brook