The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-02-16

following strong presentation of the
good features of FfOrida's convict sys-
tenn:
Best in United States.
This system, we verify believe, is
the best in the United States. The
convicts are given the most healthful
life that it is possible for convicts
TO have anywhere on earth. We think
this will be admitted by the most bit
ter opponents of the system. Every
man in the state knows that camp
hfe IN the pine woods, such as is en-
1oyed by our coHvicts, is conducive
TO health; whereas, were they i'm
muned within stone walls, they would
not have such good health-and it is
very doubtful If they would be treat
ed as well as they are now.
They have comfortable quarters and
are we'll fed. This has been proved
time and time again. Inspectors EN-
ployed by the state are constantly on
the go, visiting the camps and seeing
that the conYicts are properly treated.
The sanitary conditions of the camps
are regularly Inspected by physicians
in the employ of the state. Every pos
sible precaution is taken to secure
proper treatment for the prisoners,
and that, too, by q most VIGOROUSLY
humane administration. Yes, notorious
ly; for the ktnd-hearted officials at
the head of the system lose no excuse
or opportunity of setting a prisoner
free. With such amiable, and at the
same time WgtlanG and capable Off
Gals in charge. 1t is simply absurd to
suppose that any very serious abuses
would occur.
Interest in convicts.
Not only this, the lesSees are men
hor
mary interest in the eonvicts, and
they know that, to secure fair returns
for their investment, the prisoners
must be kept ii good condition and
well able to work. Self-interest, there
fore, Of no higher motive constrains
the fesseeS TO take good care of the
c0nVicts. Thus every agency, instru-
mentality and motive conSpires for
their benefit, which, mind you. they
do not deserve, FOR they are but bar
barians in every characteristic They
are not prisoners of war and are not
entitled to be treated as such
| The economical feature of the sys-
| tenn must not be lost sight of. Instead
of being a burden upon the taxpayers,
the conwicts maintain themselves and
| bring a large revenue into the state
! treasury II confined In a penitenti-
airy, which would have to be done il
| the present system is abolished, 1t is
very unlikely that they would be self
sustaining. but 1t is quite likely that a
[ special tax would have to be levied
| fer their. support Their health would
not be as good; they would not be any
| better fed, nor would their keepers
and guards be any more humane than
those now furnished by the lessees
II we believe the rumors about the
conduct of matters in the state insane
asylum, we must conclude that a state
penitentfary system would be even
more prolific of scandal.
As to Penitentiary.
Finally, if We substitute a peniten
tiary, we must go in debt a half mil
lion to million and half dollars
for suitable buildings and grounds
| which, with the present onerous tax
rates, would prove more disastrous
to the progress and prosperity OF
| Florida than a wholesale destruction
of her orange groves.
We wish to emphatically assert il
1 conclusion that these observations
have not been suggested or inspired
/ by any person or person whomsoever
but originated solely in the mind o.
the editor, and are expressed simply
for what he honestly believes ths
i best interests of the state.