Fort Pierce news. (Fort Pierce, Fla.) 190?-1920, 1909-03-12

The Jacks0nVllIe MeGrOpOllS III lIS
efforts to secure good roads in Florida,
wired Governor Gilbhrist few days
ago II 1t were not possible to USE, the
State convlcts for building good roads
throughout the State, instead of leas-
ing them to corporations, and the fol-
lowing is the Governors reply:
Executive Mansion,
Tallahassee, Fla, Mar. 8, 1909.
W. r. Carter, Editor Of the Metropolis,
Jacksonville, Fla:
Dear Sir: am pleased to learn that
you are taking an interest in the con-
vict question and expressing that inter-
est in the columns of your paper.
The prison system is one of the most
important of our institutions, and in Its
proper administration the officers
charged with the duty Of supervising
the prisons are deserving of our best
thought and cooperation to be derived
from intelligent public sentiment on
the subject. The newspapers can rem
der valuable assistance by publishing
accurate information and building up
sound public opinion relative to this
matter.
Under the law, the Board Of Commits
siorers Of State Institutions, composed
of the governor and all of the cabinet
have supervision over the State prison
system.
am herewith enclosing you copy
of the reasons which governed this
board In making lease Of the State
convicts prior to the assembling Of the
legislature. The reasons given seemed
sound to the entire board. Feeling
such to have been the case, decided
that it would have been lack OF good
faith to have referred the matter to the
legislature, as any other action than
that which has been taken by the board
would have undoubtedly resulted in a
veto message.
Owing to financial conditions, it is
quite evident that the State convicts
should be leased, that being the only
practical disposition to make of them
for the present. The question then as
10 whether they should be leased in a
body or in groups or sections. The lat
ter plan was tried in Georgia and re-
suited in much scandal.
invite your careful examination OF
the conditions to be followed by the
contractors who lease The State prison
ers, and would suggest that you COM
pare these with the terms upon which
county convicts are leased by your
Board OF County Commissioners.
According TO the information which
have received, the darkest spot upon
our convict system lies in the improper
care given this matter by County Com
missioners. There is reason to believe
that il these boards would treat county
convicts with the same consideration
that the state board treats state con-
victs there would be no convict scandal
In Florida.
In my inaugural address l pointed out
that the death rate among the convicts
10 the State convict camps was 12.25
per thousand, and that in the registra-
ion area OF New England, New York,
New Jersey, Delaware, the District OF
Columbia, etc., the death rate was 17.S
per thousand. This is convincing ar.
gument that the manner in which Flor
ida's convicts are employed is conducive
of their healthfulness. Another thing;
1t is obvious that it would be impracti-
cable to handle long derm convicts in
the temporary camps which would be
necessary In connection with road
working.
It may be suggested that IT the State
is DESTROYS Of securing good roads
through the agency Of the convict sys-
tenn that law might be passed by
which the proceeds from the leasing of
convicts should be applied to the con-
ssruction OF good roads.
hope that you will bring your can
mons, loaded with the shot and shell of