The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-05

defenseless creatures, many of whom
ot1ght never to have been arrested and
tried at all.
The Jails.
l have not changed my opinion in refer
ence to the jails of the state; in fact, If
anything | am more convinced that the
ideas of humanity and civilization would
be better carried out if the torch were
applied to every jail in Alabama. 1t
would be more humane and far better
to stake the prisoners out with a ring
around his neck like wild animal, than
to confine him in places that we call
1ails, that are reeking with filth and dis
case, and alive with yermin of all kinds.
They are not only harbingers of disease,
but they are unquestionably nurseries
of death. To see man strong and
healthy go to Jail in Alabama and In
few months come out a physical and mem
tai wreck, with death staring him in the
face is not overdrawn picture, and
one seen more often than the general
public would believe. The state appro-
PIRATES 80 cents a day for the feeding of
prisoners, and yet we receive prisoners
from these same jails who are on the
verge of collapse for the want Of nour-
ishment. Surely there must be some way
of reaching those in authority. There
should be a jail inspector perhaps TWO,
with the power and authority to see that
these places are kept In proper condition
and that prisoners are properly fed. These
inspectors should be men who know some
thing about sanitation, and above all who
would be fearless in the performance of
their duties.
| tell no secrets when ! say that In
many iails of the state men and women
, remain for months without means of
washing their faces or hands.
Financial.
The receipts of this department from
September l. 1904 to September /, 1905.
were s54OS39. SS and the receipts from Sep
TENDER l. 1905 to September l, 1906, were
s759. ISL. A.
The auditors and treasurer's reports.
however will show a much larger amount
! received than this report. by reason or
the fact that it embraces one month
| more
lndeterminate Sentence.
am still an advocate of the indetermi-
nate sentence, and while | firmly be-
lieve the bulk of our criminals are de-
generates and beyond reformation. at the
same time there are some who might be
reformed under advantageous conditions.
There are many cases in which a man is
deprived of his liberty, where an indeter-
inmate sentence would undoubtedly do
good. We give a convict now so much on
year for good conduct. then why not
give him sentence and let him know
at the time that he could work out his
own salvation?
/ do not wish 1t understood that
would favor an indeterminate sentence in
all cases, for / have very strong convic-
tions on burglary and highway robbery.
In my judgment those convicted OF bur
glary and highway robbery should suffer
death and IL should not be left discre-
| tionary with the Judge or the jury
[ beg leave to add to this report that
of the physician inspector. the associate
| inspector and also the chaplain OF con-
| victs. -
| also desire to acknowledge my oon-
| cations to the various wardens ana 10
| Mr. r. c. Jelks. manager at the mines,
| for their aid and assistance rendered me
| from time to time Respectfully sub
| mitted. SHIRLEY BRAGG,
] President.