The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-08-01
HOPE AHEAD FOR POORER CLASS OF
PRISONERS.
Gov. Paterson Orders Investigation Into
Such Cases at Penitentiary.

OuNH OnoCo Ot CultOMtl0IJs
Gov. Patterson visited the main
prison Friday and remained until late
in the evening discussing prision affairs
and in going through the different de-
partments and making a thorough and
searching examination of every detail.
There were present q. F. Rodgers,
Prision Commissioner at Brusshy
Mountain, and Il. B. Morrow, Prison
Commissioner here, besides several
other gentlemen, who we're taken
charge of by Warden II. B. Rice and
shown around.
The first matter discussed was the
condition OF the tuberculosis patients,
and the arrangements for taking care
of these unfortunates were shown to be
painfully inadequate, and indeed, non
existent.
According to DR.. Head, there are be-
tween sixty and seventy cases of the
white plague in vsriols stages detin-
itely recognized and many more sus-
poets, the incipiency Of whose disease
renders diagnosis uncertain, So great
have been the rsvages OF this dread de-
stroyer that, according to DR.. Heads
figures, SO 2-5 per cent, of the deaths
in the prision were Occasioned by it.
For the colored tuberculosis patents
there is small room set apart, but it
is unsightly and unfit and wholly mad
equate. The white patients have no
where to go but in the general hospital
where they are closely confined with
other patients to whom they are q
serious menace.
Gov, Patterson asked if temporary
quarters could not be provided for
these people in tents or sheds, but the
suggestion was not practicable, mas
much as the material and labor were
now on hand and the plans ready, al
though not yet adopted, for proposed
new building, the erection of which
the Governor has for sometime been
seriously urging, in which ample &C.
comodations will be provided and
segregation rendered easy. The Gov
ernor examined the proposed site for
this humane and necessary addition
and approved 1t, and in the course of
few months it will be completed and
ready for occupancy.
Gov. Patterson instructed the prison
management to provide an operating
room which will cost only small
amount, to the end that afflicted per-
sons may be treated promptly within
the walls, aud not, as hitherto, delayed
under prolonged suffering until they
could be taken outside in the city for
the purpose. An operating room is a
thing of the near future.
Before starting ont on tour of in
vestigation Gov. Patterson sal d:
Gentlemen, / want you to prepare
me the names, the history Of the cases
and the record of any prisoners incar-
cerated here who are poor. unknown
and frlendless, and who are without
money or influence. In such q large
body Of men and women, more than
1 700 on an average, there are doubtless
several who have been sent here and
detained here under circumstances
which would justify their release.
Those who have money and influential
friends am sure to hear from through
petitions for pardons and personal ap-
peals. The poor aud friendless who
enter here are soon lost to the world
and forgotten by the world, and these
shall be given the same consideration
in the matter of executive clemency as
the more fortunate, and equally if moi
more guilty. My desire and my duty
is to investigate their cases and extend
to them such leniency as the circum
stances in each particular case may, in
my opinion and in yours, justify"
Many of the ignorant and forsaken
the castaways, the mere fotsam and
ietsam of the condemned class, die
they know this would take heart.
The foundry was first visited, ant
3 here was a stirring sight to see thu
, rope-like thews, brawny arms ant
} broad chests of the array of Vulcans a
s work. 1t seldom happens that ont
sees such uniform and splendid physi
, cal development in an army of men
o The foundry is physical cultur
8 school that need fear no rivalry in tn
: development OF lusty specimens o
= manhood. Such motion and sucl
vigorous aud earnest exercise rende
!, puerile aud dilettante all the artincia
Q contrivances of the gymnasium an
s the campus by comparison.
: Life in the foundry is sure cure 70
: disease, especially for scorbutic all
ments. The syetem can be filed wit
!, mercary without danger, as it perform
It its mission and is carried off by con
Q slant and copious perspiration, just a
Q in natural hot springs.
Il From here the other department
Is were visited. the Governor shakiu
3 hands freely with the prisoners, man
l. of whom he had lent helping hand
.s reach the States guest house when b
y was Attorney General in Memphis
II Each prisoner who desired was pei
IT mltted to present his case to the CO.
arnor. and while no promise was mad