The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-24
H|GDON COMMENTS
ON MONTHS WORK
Thinks New Jail is an Impera-
tive Necessity
WOMEN KEPT IN CELLAR
The New Sheriff Is Greatly Pleased
With Work of BIoodhounds and
Expects to Put Them In
All Parts of County.
WOMEN KEPT IN CELLAR

after a months service as sheriff of
Jefferson county," said Colonel HTigdon
yesterday. Il am still hustling and ex-
tending every effort toward the enforce
ment of the law, having carried to COM
pletion many of my plans, although there
are others to follow. The work is strenu-
Gus, but full of interest, the full enforce
ment of the law may offend some of
my friends. but the office will never show
any Partially.
1.-THE prediction of the grumbers at the
beginning of my term to the effect that
the court house officials would conflict
with me has proven entirely false. On the
other hand, the county commissioners, the
judges and clerks have given me all the
assistance possible the greatest harmony
existing between them and the sheriff's
office, and nothing | have asked has been
refused.
Works Twenty-Five Deputies.
"In fact we have received many con-
CALCULATIONS on the promptness with
which the papers of the courts have been
served, some of the clerks claiming that
the service has been better than ever be-
fore. I am working thirty-five deputies
at present, five more than Sheriff Burgin
employed. All of the men are working
faithfully and making fine Individual
showings.
zone of the innovations has been a
daily report which is filed out by each
deputy, giving each man credit for what
he does. 1t also assists in serving papers,
for when party has moved from one
beat the fact is reported that night, and
the summons given to another deputy in
the right beat the next morning. This
assists materially in locating men.
81 pay the deputies according to their
accomplishments, promptness, ability and
alertness. Although they were only prom
ised the same salaries paid by Burgin,
they have in fact been given from Is per
cent to % per cent raise. This has in
creased their value and interest in the
work
Will Insist on Sobrety.
"Sobriety is one thing which my admin
istration will always stand for. Drinking
deputies must be honest gentlemen. If u
ilidH Is ever Caught Ill an COI-
dition he will have to go.
$50 far the office is concerned, 1t
was turned over to me by Sheriff Bureln
and Chief Deputy Albert Stradford. in
first class condition All the papers had
been served for six weeks ahead, post
poning the brunt of the work until after
March 1. This has given us time to get
into the grooves and be ready for stren-
uous work
The jail we have turned from a filthy
hog pen into a fairly respectable building
Everything has been cleaned from top to
bottom, and no refuse Is left around Con
sidering the poor plumbing. the Jail could
not be in better shape. Each man Is re-
quired to keep his cell In perfect order,
and any violation of this rule sends him
to the dark dungeon until he promises to
obey.
Disorder in the Jail is thing of the
past, and I believe the good citizens will
bear me out that the previous yelling and
cursing has been entirely stopped.
Checked Up Every Night.
According to our new system, instead
of being checked up once a month as
before, the prisoners are checked every
night. Each man is assigned to a num-
bered cell. and on roll call at night he
must be there when the warden makes
the round. The inside warden and the
outside warden keep register, which
must check up every day Once a month
when the feed bill is made out, there is
also a general check, when the sheriff
narspnallV Vpritips of
dens.
doors have been built and arranged
so that the outside gate is never open
unless another gate is locked between the
outside and the prisoners. With faithful
wardens there is now no possibility of es-
cape.
There are about 26O average boarders
with the county, as men come in as
fast as they are taken out Their diet is
changed three or -four times every week.
one vegetable is never given more than
twice in a week. We have good cooks.
ana better feed than ever before.
Jail Is Badly Crowded.
The crowded condition of the bastile
is the greatest difficulty with which we
have to contend. We have eight men in
nearly every cage stacked up in tiers.
NHlle the WOlleH nave no cells, Du1 nave
to be turned loose in the cellar, which
is damp and cold
THE time has come when the county
must have "A new jail. The new courts
must be provided for, and the present
building will not suffice.
II am not one of those who believe in
moving the court house to Capitol park
The Pre- sent location Is perfectly adequate
for all the construction that Is needed
The little old part of the Jail, facing
the street and the eyesore of which so
inany complain, should be torn down,
an an eight or nine story structure with
all modern conVeniences and pride to
the town should be erected. There would
be room sufficient for Jail and court
rooms for years to come The present
court house is a handsome building, and
one which should not be abandoned.
I'VE need a suitable hospital for the
injured and diseased as well as sleeping
rooms for the jurymen who are tied up
on a case. An up to date laundry is a
requirement that could be run by the
negro women, and would be u paying
investment.
Work of the BIoodhounds.
Don't forget to mention our blood
hounds. We have the finest pack in the
country. that is proving itself of great
value to the county. AS soon as they