The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-11

month from the hospital and the whip
as state, are included. The record for
sickness is the most remarkable in the
history of any country. There was one
death, from consumption, last month, as
noted. with six others left in the care
of the doctor. When 1t is remembered
that county men are taken as they come
and all sent to the mines, not being
classed and divided to other service like
those of the state it is q wonder that
they show so small a death rate
The punishment record for March at
Flat Top shows twenty men out of two
hundred whipped Seven were short in
tasks, five would not work at all. three
hid in the COB and two were fighting.
The average given was twelve lashes. In
the state side the strap was not taken
off the hook for three weeks In March.
An Evil System.
President Shirley Bragg has not hest
tated to express his entire disapproval of
the county convict system wherever he
has an opportunity, and his reports for
years have teemed with pronunciation of
the plan II do not hesitate to say, said
Dr. Bragg when discussing the Ward re-
port and the result of his investigation.
that the county system Is q blot upon
our civilization and a disgrace to the
state. Convicts should all be in one class
and all sent to the pententiary and the
fees of the officers of the counties paid
through this department. Then would be
stoned the terrible evil of sending poor
fellows for short terms, five days or so,
and several scores of days for costs.
would not have it so the county authorl-
ties would lose fees but fix 1t so they
could be gotten via the state department.
and save the convicts from the evils
to which they are subjected by the
workings of the system | can transfer
state men il they are sick but cannot
with county, though | order them out
of the mines sometimes when IN too BAD
condition to work there.
County convicts are taken as they
come, men, women. and children. though
no women, fortunately can be worked
in the mines. If had the power would
break every county convict contract held
I'm the state tomorrow. and rearrange the
prisoners under the care OF the state that
they NAV be protected from all and every
kind of evil 1t looks. too that some
thing IS to he hoped for from the next
legislature | have been hammerng on
# for wears and now there IS an indica-
ton that we will secure. change from
the next assembly that will relieve US
from the blight and disgrace OF we
county convict system. l hope il may be
so. The state has lain long enough under
such a law as puts us I'm the class OF
sacrificing human lives when it is shown
that they can be more humanely WORKED
and at far greater profit to the state ana
the contractors"
Report to Mobile.
After reading all the reports made by
the various men who had looked into the
trouble at Flat Top, President Bragg SUD
mitted a report embodying all the facts
gathered to the Mobile Board OF revenue
at the same time assuring the president
that he stood ready to do every .hins ~
his newer. to make the system all it ought
70 he in the way of care of and humane
treatment to the prisoners. A copy OF the
report made by Mr.. TAFT was sent along.