The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-13
MANAGEMENT OF
CONVICT BUREAU
JUDGE CARMICHAEL SHOWS THAT
UNDER JELKs THE REVENUE
FROM IT HAS BEEN VASTLY IN
CREASED.

The following statement from Judge ].
NJ. Carmichael. president of the board OF
convict inspectors. will be read with in
terest at this time:
During Governor Johnston's adminis-
tration two contracts were approved by
him, one in 1896 and one in 1897, at 50 per
month for each convict These contracts
called for fifty male colored eonvicts
each. The first contract was to expire De
cember 81, 1901, and the second February
l. 1902 Fourteen months before the expi-
ration of these contracts Governor john
ston approved new contracts made with
these same parties for fifty male con-
victs and twenty-five female conYiets at
g per month for each convict. These lat
ter contracts were made respectively on
October "a 1900, and November q. 1900,
and were to continue respectively for
three and five years. These contracts
were to begin January /, 1901, but no fe-
male convict was ever delivered under
these contracts, although there was
large number who might have been so
delivered. Prior to the making OF these
latter contracts in 1900, as shown by other
contracts made and on file, convicts were
In good demand at $40 per month each.
It follows, therefore, that the 100 male
convicts covered by these contracts were
In fact worth $40 per month each.
Fifty male convicts for three years
month each, s1sOOO at 50 per month each
the state would receive $500, making
loss to the state of $4,000.
Fifty male eonvicts for years should
have netted the state, at $40 per month
each, $50, 900; at 50 per month each the
state would have received $1,000. making
loss to the state on five-year contract
s21. 900.
Under the administration of Governor
Go nd TaIl W. contracts
were reformed, after dilgent effort, and
| the contractors required on compromise
to pay SIS per month for these same con-
vics and the state will make on the
first contract for three years So 800 and on
the five-year contract, which was abridg-
ed to a two-year contract, $2400 being
80 per month for each convict in addi-
ton to the amount originally agreed to be
paid under the contract
About March, 1900, a contract was made
and approved by Governor Johnston for
$50 male convicts at 81 per month. These
convicts were worth so per month each.
In June, 1901, this contract was reformed
and the contractor was required on COM
promise to pay Sc per month each.
One hundred and fifty male convicts for
three years and ten months should have
netted the state at $40 per month each,
$4,000; 100 convicts for three years and
ten months would only net the state at "a
per month each. $4,000. making a loss to
the state of S31, 400.
This contract was reformed in june
1901 and the contractors required on
compromise to pay Sc per month and
the state will make 81 per month for the
remaining three years and ten months
of said contract which will amount to
$13, 500.
It is fair to state that frequently con-
tractors do not have their full compile
ment of hands, but the figures above
named are approximately correct
A considerable number of female con-
victs have been subsequently leased to
contractor for cotton mill at "a per
month Except as stated above the pres
ent administration has never leased a
male convict at less than $40 per month.
The following tables snow a compare
tive statement of the condition of the
convict department for the years 1900
and 1901 the last year Of Governor john
ston's administration and the first year
of Governor Jelks' administration:
19OO-Governor Johnstons administra-
ton