The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-26

make a better boy of him, it ought to be
left to the board to say when he is so
improved that he should be released
When sentenced to Imprisonment for a
certain period of time, he knows that at
the expiration of that time he will in
any event be released. 1t is true that
his sentence may be much reduced by
good behavior. and this, of itself, is a
great incentive to good conduct but IL
one shall be sentenced for an indefinite
period then he is made aware at the be-
ginning that his release from imprison-
ment and hard labor will depend upon
his good conduct and it seems to me
that this would be a great incentive to
good behavior
l make no question, but that this sug
gestion is worthy of consideration by
the legislature. As you know, we have
just established a reformatory from which
we are expecting good results, but when
a boy Is sent there for year and a
day, as is done in many cases. the work
cannot be made nearly so effectual as if
he were sent for a longer period.
This suggestion of the indeterminate
sentence is not made for the purpose of
securing the labor of the convict for a
longer time, but in the hope that the
period of his sentence will thereby be
shortened and the convict much improved.
Highwater Mark.
Without undue boasting 1t may be safe
ly said that within the last three years
and half there have been wonderful adj
vances in the convict department. The
improved conditions of the conyicts them
selves have been very great. and the bust
ness methods put forth in the manage
ment of the department have resulted IN
improvements and successes beyond any
reasonable expectation of the friends OF
the department Many persons, not ac-
uuainted with the needs, from health
and life standpoint, of the unfortunate
class under the supervision of the con-
Wet department, consider the Importance
of the department from the standpoint
of finances alone, and when informed
that the gross proceeds of the depart
ment for eleven months and twenty-three
DAYS were $493, 1881 and for the same
length of time the net proceeds were $299
O133S, are ready to say: 1T is enough;
the convict department is of greater Yalue
than | ever supposed it would be. am
satisfied" In reaching such conclusion
they overlook that which is of greater
Importance than money-the lives even
of bad men.
1t is hoped, and fully believed, neverthe-
less, that the high water mark, so to
speak in the department has not yet been
reached. The improvement of the condl-
tions of the convicts will be continuaiiy
and carefully looked after, their health
and lives protected as nearly as may pc
There are a number of contracts which
must be renewed, or made within the
next few months, and in these 1t Is the
| purpose of the inspectors to take them
under their own control and management
This will be done for better pay for the
labor of the convicts than has been here
tofore realized. which will result In IN
creasing the income in the department
no great amount, however, but to some
extent. The convicts themselves Will be
cared for, it is believed, with greater
reference to their individual interest thar
| is ever the case when they are under
| the control of contractors.
The Boys reformatory, now just Until
ated, will be improved and made very
much better. 1t is believed.
| The cotton factory now still for year
will be put into operation, either by lease
| or under the immediate management OF
the department, thus it is expected thai