The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-03-08


chain shackle, that does not materially
retard the prisoners walking freely,
but would answer as a check on him in
the event he made an attempt to run.
This light chain is used occasionally as
punishment to an unruly, stubborn
prisoner who shows a disposition to
leave the squad, or is a disrupting ele-
ment in a camp. A-.sr 49,.
1.-The 1essees are required to keep a
corps of guards on duty equal to one for
FIVE men in the camp, one mounted
man to each twenty-five prisoners and
two trained bloOdhounds. For holding
the prisoners at night an armed guard
occupies room or cell in full view of
the hall but removed from approach of
prisoners. The hall is lighted to give
him a full view Of the inmates. In
large camps an unarmed tloorwalker is
locked in with the prisoners
SOME DEFECTS TO REMEDY.
When we find diseased limb on a
good tree we do not cut down the tree
but prune out the diseased branches
If the hand is badly diseased and thre at
ems the life of the individual, we do not
kill'the patient, but remove the affected
part and improve the condition of the
patient. So Iregard our present prison
system with the lights thus far thrown
on the subject.
The law directs that all prisoners
must be delivered to the commissioner
of agriculture at point he may direct.
The commissioner is required by law to
take charge Of them and to control, di-
rect and police them while IN the Gus
tody Of the state. Has the fact ever
dawned upon our lawmakers, or the
citizenship of our proud state, that the
state does not own an acre of ground
nor even a shed where the commissioner
could carry out the provisions Of stat
utes placed upon him Not many of
our people are aware that Florida is
the only state in the Union which has
not made adequate provision for carry.
ing out the statutory requirements per
tanning TO their prison system Is il
not wise to take immediate steps on
this subject while our prisoners are
bringing large sums Of money by their
labor, as a result of the unusually pros
porous conditions in the lines of work
that The prison population can be en-.
gagged?
I'm the event of money panic that
would paralyze the turpentine, lumber
and phosphate business. along with
other industries. To the extent that sub.
lessees could not carry out their con
tracts with the original lesSees and
they were TO elect 90 forfeit their
bonds in prefence a. facing absolute
ruin, what provision has the state
made for taking the prisoners and loca-
ting them even temporarily? No les
see has a stockade that could care for
onc-slXlh of them, even If they were
inclined TO oblige the state
Would not the state be absolutely
az the mercy of those who might de-
sire 10 secure the prisoners for "a NOM
inal sum? Should the state be depend
ent upon any person or company to
shelter, maintain OF supervise her pris.
oners. From a business standpoint is
1t not economy 20 purchase while we
have the monies derived directly from
the efforts of prison labor? When you
can purchase TO advantage and not
when forced 20 act, and act immedi-
ately?
"All other states that lease prisoners,
except ours, have been using the pro-
ceeds derived from their cOnvicts, in 80
far as It IL needed 70 meet these con-
ditions. Does our situation speak well
CaNTIEUED OK ssb PaeE.