The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-03
BIG INCREASE IN EARNINGS Report of State Convict Department. CROPS WILL FALL SHORT Income for the Fiscal Year
 Was $95, ,354.5S. President Carmichael of Board of Inspectors Reports to Governor
 That Mortality of Pri-
 oners is Light.

quarter ending September 90, shows that the Convict Department for the fiscal year turned into the State Treasury in net earnings $95,354.Ss
 The Department, in the year which closed August 31. 1902, exceeded in its earnings the large amount of the previous year which was the banner year in the history of the Department. In that year $92. 723 was paid in the treasury as. earn ings.
 In spite of more or less adverse con- ditions this high mark has been over topped.
 President Carmichaers report states that the outlook for the States crop Is not encouraging. They have suffered as have crops generally in Alabama this year.
 The report is dated septeAnber 30 and is as follows:
 Governor W. D. Jelks, Governor of
 Alabama:
 Dear Sir-I have the honor to submit my report for the quarter ending this day as required by Section 44S9 of the Code of Alabama.
 Tt is gratifying to be able to report that the condition of the convicts at the several places where they are imprisoned is good and has been during the entire quarter. True we have lost some men during the quarter but considering the number at the several places of confine- ment the mortality has been small
 ''The President ol the Board of Inspec- tors has given constant attention to the duties dev6lving upon him under the statute such as experimenting the man. agement of the convicts. all subordinate officers and guards endeavoring to see that the law in relation to convicts and the rules of the Board of Inspectors were enforced and conducting the correspond ence of the Department, examining and allowing accounts, cash bills and the like and placing convicts and discharging the general duties of the office.
 My associates upon the Board of h. spectors have during the quarter been engaged in inspecting .the convicts. class ing the convicts at the mines. as required by law, and discharging such other du- ties as come within the scope of their services and consulting frequently with the President in relation to the interests of the Department and the best manner of promoting them
 The monthly meetings of the inspec- tors have been regularly held on the third Tuesday of each month. Since the last report, June 30 1902, the probabilities in relation to amounts to be realized from crops of the State have been rendered more certain In common with crops generally the States crops have suffered seriously. and the prospects are far from promising.
 "A conservative estimate as made by those immediately in charge is as fol- lows. as to the amounts produced: Three hundred bales of cotton, between 5000 and 5000 bushels of corn, twenty to thirty tons of hay, several thousand bushels of potatoes, 600 gallons of syrup 1000 bush els of ground peas or peanuts. COW peas, vegetables, etc. If this amount shall be realized, it may be stated, that it will fall short of last years crop by 100 bales of cotton, at least 12.000 bushels of corn and perhaps several hundred bushels of COW peas As a whole, the crops are far short of a success.
 Work is still progressing upon the ar tesian wells at Speigner but very slowly or rather with indifferent success and with no brilliant promises of final suc- cess. but there is not as yet. with the Board any decided purpose to abandon the prospect. It may be stated as a fact that there has been scarcely any improve ments placed upon prison stockade. eith- CT at Wetumpka, Speigner or No. with in the last five years and the repairs are needed in all points named.
 "It may be remembered that anticipat- ing this cOndiuon, saw Hllil WdS pur- chased some five months ago to be erect ed at Speigner. This mill has been placed and Is now in successful operation and will in short time. turn out sufficient lumber for all the needs of the different prisons. It will be used for no other purpose.
 "The roofing upon many of the build ings at the different prisons is becoming defective and will need repairing, per hans replacing, at no distant day and to meet the exigency, it may be that a shingIe mill will be purchased and put in operation at Speigner, near where there are cypress trees in great numbers, to supply the shingles needful for repairs and recovering.
 "The fiscal year ending having terml- mated August 31, 1t may not be amiss to state the result of the financial opera tions for the year. which are as follows: Total receipts from all sources
 1902 e. ...............'".''.''' Sloo' aoo'OS Salaries of officers and
 employees .'$z4'o'S94
 Current expenses .. .... SO,ZSin
 Cash in criminal cases.. 3i,34ISO
 Supreme Court cash.... 5S6.3O- 9O,O5l Il
 Net income for the year 1902. s 95,354SS
 "AU of which is respectfully submit ted.
 "J M. Carmichael "President Board Of Convict Inspectors.
 The report of the Convict Department was on the desk of Governor Jelks yes terday and received his careful attention