Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1908-07-19
Convict System Reforms
tWaycross Journal.)

While it is certain that Georgia
lawmakers will be compelled both
by the early expiration of the pres
ent system and the recent agitation
of the question, to take decisive ac-
ton on the disposition of the states
convicts, yet the shape which the
new legislation will take is still
uncertain-many who are DESTROYS OF
doing away with the system hesitat-
ing on account of the states finan-
ciaI condition, to abolish it imme-
diately.
The abolition of the middle man
seems certain, even if modified form
of the present system is retained.
All parties seem to be agreed on
that subject and it is to be hoped that
this evil at least will be abolished.
But the Journal would like to see
two other features added to the pro-
posed legislation.
We would like to see the use of
the whip absolutely forbidden and a
provision made for the severe pun
ishment of the guards who violate
this rule-making it possible for an
ex-convict who has suffered in this
way to bring action against the guard
whether state or county and recover
damages upon proof of the violation
of this rule.
We would also like to have proyis-
ion made that on these inspections"
of which so much has been said, it
shall be a fixed rule of the prison
commission, or legislators to go
through the camps without the at
tendance of the guards, to listen to
the complaints which may be made
by the men and to investigate these
complaints without giving the names
of the convicts making them, to the
local management.
As to the first of these suggestions,
the Journal is perfectly aware that
when men break the laws of the land
they should be punished and punish
ed severely. We have no sentimental
feelings that criminals should be
treated better than the ordinary run
of humanity who have kept the law.
But we do protest against allowing
the class of men who many times
accept the position of convict guard
to use the lash as often as they
please, as much as they please, and
for what offences they please. At
present they are responsible to no.
body and are restrained by nothing
except the printed rule of the prison
commission. The use of the whip
belongs to the middle ages-to the
dark period of the earthTs history
when it was thought that religion
and morality could be beat into a
man. 1t is condemned in every civil
lized country in the world and should
be abolished in Georgia, for the sake
of the good name of our state
AS to the other. What does in
spection of the camps amount to as
at present conducted? Does anyone
suppose that camp is ever visited
when the management is caught UNI
awares? Do the inspectors ever see
the ordinary, every day conditions
Granting that the inspectors try to
keep their visits a secret and to
make it when the management is
not expecting it, would it ever be
possible to keep the movement of a
legislative committee or of a state
commission a secret from those in
terested in keeping up with them
And what sort of complaints will
conyicts make to an inspector in the
presence of guards, armed with pow
er to use the lash when the visitor
is gone. What chance have they to
tell of abuses? We urge therefore,
that it be made part of the new