The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-01
CONVICT REPORT
 WAS SUBMITTED President Carmichael Offers Interesting Figures PROFITS ARE S812,15L77 Fourfifths of the convlcts Are Now Under the Direct Care of the De-
 partment-6oys Are
 Separated.
PROFITS ARE SS12,15l77

Montgomery, February 2S.-(speclal)- In his quarterly report, which was sent to the Governor this afternoon Presi- dent J. M. Carmichael of the state board of convict inspectors. shows that during the past four years and six months the department has made net, all except s51.- GOO of which has been paid into the treas ury of the state, the sum of sSl2151 IT. The gross earnings for the time were $1, 46s'2S7O2. the balance being the amount required for expenses.
 The present head of the board went into office in March, 1901. The year before that the net earnings of the department were $6,527.s2 The first year of the present ad- ministration they were $92,71344 and for the second year $1OO,O2446 For the sue ceeding twelve months they were $l5S,- S62.97, and for the year ending Septem- Der 30, 1904, they had reached S292 917 63. For the five months ending today the income has been. net, $116.63327 It will be seen, therefore, thar the earnings for the time and paid into the treasury have been $761151.77, which, with $51,0OO now on hand, gives the total of $S12 151.77. The net sum paid into the treasury next pre- ceding the incoming of this administra- ton was $lO2, ,453.62.
 Condensed Statement.
 For the time between October l. 1904. and February 27, 1905, the following amounts have been turned into the treasury by the convict departments:
 From hire of convicts and sale of sun dries, $200, ,2699O; erroneous payment of salary, $250; cost refunded, S25.53; total, $2OO, ,545. 43.
 Paid out for salaries of officers and em- ployes, $9,O56.6S; salaries in mining de- partment, $l3,0SS.10; current expense, $50,- .13; court costs, $l1, ,031.25; total $l16.- 633. 27.
 It was shown in the report that the health of the convicts has been good with no epidemics save colds and that the mortality of the quarter has been light. Complimentary mention is made of the work of the associates, and the fact is stated that the president has had most of his time taken up with the "mul- hilarious duties of office work"
 It is pointed out that 1t has been the hope of the department to bring the con- victs under the direct care of the de- partment, and that four-ffths of them are now so worked. It is expected that practically all will be so taken in within short time.
 Going back over the term 1t is pointed out that several contracts made at prices too low for convicts were turned down, and that new ones at adequate pay were made. This has saved many thousands of dollars to the state. The success of the new departure of working the con victs in the mines under the charge of the state Is noted and q number of pro- fitable trades made. The contract with Montgomery is crf them, and num- Der of the convi orSed make some- thing for themselves on the side.
 Boys Separated.
 It is also pointed out that the boys have been separated from the older pris- oners which is a good thing for the for mer. and the practice of removing the sick from the mines to the walls has proven beneficial
 After mentioning the work that has been done at the farms, the report re- fers to the cotton mill owned by the state at Speigner's, showing that it had Appreciated while idle and that 1t Lad cost much to put it in operation again. It is expected that pretty soon all this will be overcome and whct 1t has cost
 
 be made up and a good return secured from the output. Seventy persons ere employed there now. The president of the board hopes that there may be some plan adopted for the making of stripes there for the convicts and as it is. great deal of the cotton cloth needed by the state can be furnished. The cost of the renewal of operation at the cotton mill has been taken from the earnings 1f4 q I.1 z t1,a r,1fll hoo 1aAd back what 1t had cost their net earnings would have made that much better showing.
 President Carmichael compliments the other members of the board and looks for a good year. He wishes the acting governor good health and expresses the hope that Governor Jelks will soon be able to get back to work.
 Text of Report.
 The full text of the report follows: Dear Sir: Complying with section 44S9 of the code of Alabama, l beg to submit my quarterly report. and as this is the last day of the term of office for the second term of the present inspectors, l trust l may be pardoned for submit ting in my report resume of the opera tions of the department over which have had the honor to preside for the last four years.
 The conditions of the convicts at this time, l may say, is good. The weather has been unusually vehement, neverthe- less our people have not suffered as severely from sickness In consequence of it as might have been reasonably ex- pected.
 The mortality within the last three months has been light and we have had no epidemic except perhaps in some in- stances severe colds.
 My associates upon the board, Hons. Shirley Bragg and Thomas Bradford, have discharged during the quarter the usual duties of inspecting the several prisons, giving medical attention to and chasing the convicts, attending the meet ings of the board and counciling with the president when necessary. The president has been constantly engaged during the quarter in discharging the multifarious duties of office work, Gaily coming up for consideration.
 Case of the State.