The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-09

him. It is a responsibility which every body involved is trying to avoid.
 But that the convict question will be disposed of by the legislature before the final day of the session there seems now no question.
 Then there is the report of the special committee appointed to investigate the states penitentiary system At the rate at which 1t has been going in the examin- ation of witnesses, and the announced purpose to make the inquiry absolutely thorough and complete. everybody thought this investigation would run con- siderably beyond the legal limit of the present session. That this committee will be ready by Monday or Tuesday at latest to submit it's report seems now assured, That will give house and senate two, and possibly three, days in which to consider and act upon it.
 The investigation toward the close, many considered, practically petered out. It revealed many abuses In the penitentiary system. 1t Is true. but IL failed completely to show any guilty knowledge on the part of the member of the prison commission. It was shown that the commission took cognizance of every case of cruelty brought to it's at tention, and also that 1t acted as promptly as was considered advisable in putting an end to such double deal ing as permitting its wardens to re- ceiye pay from the lessees and still remain in the service of the state.
 The committee summoned very few of the 200 or more witnesses which were asked for by the members of the prison commission to testify as to the facts in the numerous cases or cruelty and irregularity which the light has been thrown upon. Had 1t been the committees purpose to recommend any drastic action so far as the members of the commission are concerned. 1t could not, in justice have refused to summon any and all witnesses which the prison commission desired should be heard. Particularly Is this true when it is considered that the witnesses who gave the damaging testimony were chiefly ex-conyicts, former wardens and guards who have been discharged for various causes and lessees who ap- parently had some grievance.
 It is taken for granted, therefore, that the committee will make compar- atively "a mild report so far as the members of the prison commission are concerned, and the censure, if there IS any, VIII HOl pC LII fNiy e1aStAN nature. The commission has not de- nied that 1t has, perhaps, left the management of affairs too much to it's employees, trusting implicitly in them, and the fact of the matter is that is about the only thing that has been proven against them. This can hard ly be construed into ground for inn peachment or anything like it. despite the efforts that have been made in cer- tain quarters to distort and twist the testimony to that end.
 Regarding the other feature of the committees report it is considered not unlikely that wherever violations of rules and regulations laid down by the prison commission have been shown the committee will recommend that the commission be directed to proceed against the bonds of the offending les sees. It is now considered that this '5 about the only positive action of any consequence that will come of the committees investigation.
 The remaining extra session possi-