The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-28

reported by newspaper representative.
 In regard to reformatory for colored children, the facts are as follows: Judge Feagin, whose whole heart Is enlisted In the effort to elevate our state in the scale of morality, mentioned to me that some wealthy and worthy colored citi- zens of Birmingham are considering es- tablishing reform school for their race similar to the one at East Lake for white boys. I mentioned the fact that had 100 acres of land which I would be glad to donate to such an institution if the founders could make use of it. I had of fered 1t once for a white reformatory. but 1t was considered to be too far re- mote from the center of population. I do not even know the names of the worthy promoters of this scheme nor whether they can avail themselves of such gift. However, l do know that nothing Is needed more in this state than such an institution. Crimes of violence will never cease so long as the state maintains sev- eral universities for the training of crimi- nals in it's prisons and mining barracks and sixty-six common schools for the same purpose in It's county jails. have seen children years old sent to herd with the vilest beings on earth. These children go to the prisons as bad boys they come away little devils.
 No paper in the state would print or should print what have learned of the wives of our prison missionaries of the horrible abominations of prison life for these children.
 I have seen thirty boys locked in a bare room for the whole of Sunday with out the presence of even an older convict to control them. I do not advocate costly buildings or expensive education for these wards of the state. Their surroundings should be such as they have hitherto known and such as they will have when they are released. only with the addition of cleanliness. A few large double log cabins, erected by the labor of the boys themselves in secluded region, tract of arabic land. woodland enough for fire wood, good running spring of water near at hand-these conditions would be ideal for this purpose. A man and woman of their own race, with head and heart esential to the success of the work, should be found to take charge of these boys. If good results ensued the state would doubtless finally give It's support to the work.
 Another subject discussed by the little circle of friends was the change from the Itt by6ttIl tO tiit bdidh oJ JShrths Wihtii has taken place in some of our states. The guardians of our poorbouses and jails suf- fer manifBt injustice under the pres ent system where great part of their salaries depends on what remains after feeding the inmates of the institutions under their charge. A very simple Illus tration will show this fact: In our county the keeper of the poorhouse receives sS per month for the board and clothing of each inmate Now, if he has twenty in mates he can keep them in comfort and also provide for his own family; but if their number is reduced to five. he Is forced to stint either his family or the unfortunates committed to his care; either alternative Is painful to man Of kind heart. as I think God. are most of the county officials of the south. How much more sensible and satisfactory would be the arrangement if the county paid the expenses of the poorhouse, and gave to it's keeper salary commensurate with the care and responsibility entailed upon him.
 The sheriff of each county is in the