The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-11


 ter was taken from barrels in the bar racks but if they had been taken from closet traps 1t would have been as clean and as good as from the faucets, as the traps are several feet above the seats and are automatically flush ed every few minutes to keep them from becoming stagnant.
 It is also shown that in general way, the sanitary condition is good, though 1t had been raining when pr. Ward was there and he found the grounds very sloppy. It Is also fact that the county men are classed the same as state men and that they can not put to tasks greater than they can accomplish. Each is liable to the same punishment for infractions of the rules.
 Time is Credited.
 The records of the department show Dr. Ward to have been in error when he said men were not credited with short times. Scores of county men are here show. those records being kept at the ofice of the board.
 The complaint that packages sent the convicts are not cared for lies in the fact that there Is no express office near and they are sent to Lit tleton and stay there until some one goes over after them. Often the contents are fruit or food and 1t spells before delivery.
 While the state inspectors have no control over county men save in a general way it Is fact that they get plenty to eat and are rarely sick. two things that the state board looks af- ter. The state prisoners at Flat Top are in fine condition.
 President Bragg requires a report every months from the hospital and ( | l.s .i.,or pn,1u nt, as well as state are included. The record for sickness Is the most remark able in the history of any county. There was one death from consumption. last month, as noted with six others left in the care of the doctor. When it is remembered that county men are taken as they come and all sent to the mines, not being classed and divided to their service like those of the state. it is wonder that they show so small a death rate.
 The punishment record for March at Flat Top shows twenty men out of 200 whipped. Seven short in tasks, five would not work, three hid in the gob 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.
 Against County System.
 President Shirley Bragg has not hes itated to express his entire disapproval of the country convict system wherever he has an opportunity, and his reports for the years have teemed with denun- citation of the plan. "I do not hesitate to say" said Dr. Bragg when discussing g the Ward report and the result of his investigation. that the county system is a blot upon our civilization and a disgrace to the State.
 "Convicts should all be in one class and all sent to the penitentiary and the fees of the officers of the counties paid through this department. Then would be stopped the terrible evil of sending poor fellows for short terms, five days or so and several scores of days for costs. I would not have 1t so the coun- ty authorities 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. I can transfer State men If they are sick, but cannot with county, thought I have at