The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-07-23
TUBERCULOSIS
PRISONERS IN
COUNTY JAIL
MODIFIED SENTENCES BEING I'M
POSED UPON A NUMBER OF
THEM, BUT THERE ARE 9TH
Frs NOW BEING CONFINED IN
JAIL.

The question Of what disposition
will be made of prisoners in the
county Jail who are afflicted with tu-
berculosls is at present receiving at
tention at the hands of the board of
county commissioners, and the matter
of sentencing defendants who are SUI
fering with the dread disease to that
institution is als1 figuring in the
modification and suspension of the
punishment inflicted upon prisoners
who are sentenced to Jail by Judge
Beggs of the criminal court.
During the present session of the
criminal court, which has pot yet
been declared adjourned, young ne
gro man, who pleaded guilty to the
charge Of beating his way on the
Louisville and Nashville railroad,
Judge Beggs suspended sentence on
the defendant because he was de-
clared by the county physician to be
suffering from tuberculosis.
Judge Beggs at present has under ad-
visement the modification of the SEN
tence which he imposed upon a negro
man who was convicted at the present
term of court on the charge of petit
larceny, it being proven that the ne
gro robbed q white sailor several
nights ago while he was acting as
a guide in showing the sailor to a YES
sci moored at Muscogee wharf. He
was sent up for six months.
In this case also the judge has been
advised by the county physician that
the negro is afflicted with tubercu-
losis.
Another case in which a defendant
received a modified sentence because
Of the fact that she was suffering
with tuberculosis was that of Ollie
She was convicted at the present
term of court on the charge of assault
with intent to murder, which was
made upon Bertha Barnes, also col
ored.
The defendant was granted a new
trial, but later pleaded guilty to the
charge Of assault with intent to COM
nit manslaughter, receiving a SEN
tence of 500 and costs or serve six
months in the county Jail.
The change in the charge on which
she was to be sentenced together
with her physical condition were the
grounds on which the modified SEN
tence was imposed.
Another case in which tuberculosis
played a prominent part was in the
temporary release from the county
Jail of Nathaniel Ford, a young negro
man.
Released by Commissioners.
A few days ago County Commits
sioner Joseph Brown visited the jail
and instructed that the negro be re-
leased, instructing him to report daily
at the Jail.
Shortly after the negro's release
Sheriff Van Pelt ordered him rear
rested, stating that the prisoner was
given liberty without his knowledge
MI Ir0d nm
and again placed in Jail. He was
sentenced to six months for stealing
chickens. His science will expire
August Il.
After sentence has been imposed,
said Commissioner Brown yesterday,
a prisoner cannot be liberated unless
ne receives a pardon, he having re-
ceived this information from the
county attorney after he had ordered
the release OF Ford.
Judge Beggs said yesterday that he
approved the idea of the county
establishing an institution in which
prisoners suffering from tuberculosis
may be confined during the term Of
their sentence. He is very much op-
posed to persons thus afflicted being
locked up in the county Jail with
healthy prisoners, and the modified
sentences which he is imposing in
such cases indicates that he will carry
his opposition to such practice to. a
logical conclusion.
At a recent meeting of the county
commissioners Mr.. Brown, one Of the
members, suggested that place be
established at the poor farm in which
prisoners suffering from tuberculosis
should be confined. but no action was
taken by the board.