The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-01-08


state supervisor of convict camps,
was started last night by the board
of county commissioners at a special
meeting After a little, the commits.
sioners concluded that the inVestiga,
ton could be conducted more proper
~ at the convict camp. and the board
will meet there next Monday morning
Supervisor Fitzgerald and County Sol
icitor Loftin were requested to accom-
pany the board and assist in the in.
pestigation.
When the board convened, with
Chairman Merritt presiding and all
members present, the letter of Super.
visor Fitzgerald addressed TO Superin.
tendent Baggett was read, as follows:
The Charges.
Pensacola, Fla, Ian ], 1908
Hon. NJ. o. Baggett, Supt County
Convicts. McDavid Fla
Dear Sir: Not seeing you at my
visit to the camp yesterday, and not
knowing exactly where could locate
YOU without delay, / take this means
of acquainting you with the result of
the inspection of the camp and the
changes looking to its better conduct
that | ask be made as speedily as
possible.
In your, behalf, / will state that
there was no complaint OF you among
the prisoners and whatever abuses
occur are the work of others: but this
fact, however, does not lessen your re-
sponsibility, and if it is impossible for
you to spend more time at the camp
ii is your duty that those guards who
are left in charge be not abusive or
inhuman in their treatment of pris.
oners.
Testimony appears convincing that
brutal practices obtain at your camp
particularly by Guards Hammack and
O'Neil, and of such a nature that they
are liable 70 prosecution Neither the
law nor the state regulations pertain
ing to the government of convicts per-
m'ftS a guard to assault or strike a
prisoner, and yet this infraction is
claimed by many prisoners as the per-
Torrance of the men noted.
"A few days ago. O'Neil beat a
prisoner about the head with gun,
while on Dec. 80 Hammock beat Il
prisoner with a pole over the head
and shoulders. This prisoner, too, has
great cracks in his left hand, that ne
cessarily render pain when he uses
a shovel. and doubtless prevents him
from working as effectually as he 9th
erWiSe would. 1t does not appear that
he is receiving efficient medical atten-
ton. that would cure his hand quickly.
Punishment by shackling. while at
work because of failure to turn ont
of quarters promptly, or for like triv-
iaI offenses, or to vent the spite OF
guard. must not be permitted; also
the practice of claiming the men while
sleeping must be discontinued. 1t is
done nowhere else in the state and
IL 1Af 10 oil
THE quarters OF the prisoners are
Inadequate. unsanitary, unhygeinic and
unsafe. The state regulations require
single beds, yet the intent of this rule
is violated in your camp by making a
number Of prisoners sleep two in 4
bed, while the beds are damned so
closely together that there is scarcely
room for the prisoners to- move willis
getting into them. Absolutely without
ventilation during cold weather. 1t is
difficult 10 think of a more unhealthy
condition OF housing convicts, than in
the quarters they now occupy. / was
told that heaters were TO be placed
in the quarters, yet while warmth is
necessity, yet the unhealthfulness
would be increased by reason of the
lack of yentila ton, while in the case
of fire the prisoners would be in dan
ger OF losing life before they could ba
loosened from sleeping chain and lib.
Grated. This is a matter of reform {
that deserves your prompt and earnest
attention
Complaint is made about insuffi.
cient food. This Is another matter
needing prompt correction in whatever
way necessary. The charge is quite
general among the prisoners that they
are given insufficient food at break
fast and supper, and that the meat
ration especially is short. II IS up 10
you TO adjust this matter, and require
that an ample supply OF food be given
at all meals. The women declare that
they are poorly treated in way Of
food. In this connection I call to yOnr
notice an instance of gross brutality
if true, and l am of the opinion thar
il is--of the woman who is prcsnans
begging for piece OF meat, MAS re-
fused IT, and began TO cry. whereilPdl
she was told to hush or she would
the strap. Incidents OF this kind mf..s