The age-herald., 1902-01-22
SUBMITS REPORT
 ON STATE CONv|CTS
Board Meets in Montgomery
 for Routine Business
PRISONERS IN FINE HEAL I'll
General Condition Is Reasonably Sat isfactory, Says President Car michael In His Report to the
 GoVernon-Pay Expenses.

Montgomery, January H.--(Special)-- The regular monthly meeting of the State Convict Board took place today. Presi- dent J. M. Carmichael and pr. Shirley physician convict inspector. were present, Judge Thomas Bradfrod. the third mem- Der of the board. was detained at his home in Centre on account of illness.
 The usual routine business was trans acted and at the conclusion of the meet ing President Carmichael transmitted to Governor Jelks his semi-annual report of the operation of the Convict Department. The report is exhaustive and sets out much valuable information concerning the working of the department.
 ''I respectfully beg leave to sumbit now at the close of the year, the report con templated by section 4450 of the Code of Alabama
 Reasonably Satisfactory.
 ''In the first place can safely say that the condition of the convicts remains reasonably satisfactory. During the ten months ending with this day there have been confined in the penitentiary, all told, about 2200 persons. Of course 1t is not meant to say that such number has been in the prison at any one time, but in- cluding those now confined and those who have been discharged there has been about the number named. Of the num- Der named in the ten months indicated there have departed this life not quite 3% per cent. Most of those dying were afflicted with tuberculosis some with pneumonia, some with fever and few have been the victims of accidents. There are now In the prison about 1900, all of whom except a small per cent are in fine health and good condition.
 Since the last quarterly report 1t has been ascertained about what has been realized from the farming operations of the state. At Wetumpka there were made about 800 bushels of corn, 102 bales of cotton, several hundred bushels each of ground peas and potatoes and quite quantity of field or COW peas.
 At Speigner there were made about 5000 bushels of corn. 275 bales of cotton, a large quantity of ground peas, field peas, potatoes, and a poor crop of sugar cane, some of which has been made into syrup and 100000 stalks saved for seed. Thirty two bales of cotton at the gin house at Speigner were burned, or so injured by fire as to make the loss fully twenty-five bales. There was no insurance. Since that time, however, the remainder of the cot lOll ndS Oetn lflSuTSO loT CilTcC uioulLS There were made at the farm called No. 4, eight miles out from Montgomery, fully 10000 bushels of corn.
 $50 Bales of Cotton.
 Tt follows, therefore, that with a little cotton from the ByclS place the state has on hand about $50 bales of cotton. Of the corn made at Speigner, 200O bushels may be safely sold, and of that made at No. 5000 bushels may be safely sold.
 The meat crops at the respective farms of the state are fairly good. The stock, embracing mules, cattle, hogs and sheep are in moderate condition and have shown a reasonable increase for the year. There were lost in the freshet at No. about thirty head of hogs-sows and pigs-and not exceeding five yearlings. Sixteen mules, thirteen from No. and three from No. 1, Wetumpka, have been sold at $1O0 each, and the money paid into the treas ury by the purchasers. These mules were not needed. and were expense to the state without any promise of valuable return for the outlay in keeping them.
 The telephone line from this office by the way of No. 4. Wetumpka and to Speigner is now being constructed and will be completed at an early day As your excellency is aware number of valuable contracts for the hire of con- victs have been made during the last few months which will make decided in- crease in the income of the department.
 Does Not Pay Expenses Vet.
 For long years past it has been the de- sire of the good people of Alabama to make the price of convict labor pay the expenses of the administration of the criminal law, but the desired end has not yet been obtained. but will probably be at no distant day By reference to the treasurer's report 1t will be observed that the net income of this department for the year ending September 30, 1901, was $53 074. 62 which, together with solicitors fees earned and paid into the treasury make the sum of SIS 960. 15, which sum, deducted from the amount expended for salaries of solicitors, feeding prisoners, arrests of absconding felons commis- sions paid solicitors and removal of pris- oners-$l $l26, ,S3S. .s5 = leaves deficit of $12,- 973. 70 only.
 All of which is respectfully submitted.
 Very respectfully, your obedient ser want, J. M. CARMICHAEL,
 President Board of Convict Inspectors.