The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-05-16
PRAISE FOR REPORT


Applause of the recent report Of
State Jail Inspector c. r. Bush recon-
mending for Jefferson county the
building Of jail on top Of the new
court house was given In letter,
which reached the. Inspector yesterday
from DR.. J. T, searcy, superintendent
Of the Alabama Insane Hospitals. In
that communication DR.. Searcy tells of
the ideal conditions that may be Sc
Inured. by raising the jail to the loft
lest heights possible.
Thus >would be lessened the danger
from mob violence AMI the objections
Of neighbors. who fancy better COM
pany. than prisoners would be prac-
ticaliy eliminated. There could also
be ample room for roof gardens and
outdoor exercise.
Another suggestion from DR.. searcy
Is that there be an Improvement in the
county pauper houses. He says there
is too much inclination TO unload on
the State In the insane asylum's men.
women and children who do not be-
long there but should be kept In their
home counties.
The letter follows:
Tuscaloosa, Ala, May 10, 1909.
Hon. c. +. Bush. M. D..
Inspector OF Jaiis. Aims Houses SC.
State of Alabama.
Montgomery. Ala.
my Dear SIR
''I notice in your report to Govern
or Conner, you recommend for Jeffer-
son county, In case they build q new
court house. that they place the coun-
ty jail on top Of It.
This Is new ami growing idea in
the construction OF court houses and
jails. It has come into vogue since the
construction Of tall buildings has be-
come so common The easy access by
elevators from the lower. to the top
floors Of the highest buildings, and the
safety and greater economy OF their
style DEMONSTRATION are bringing them
Into more general use for many pur-
poses.
TT is, highly important for many
reasons that the persons confined in
the jail should be of easy and unob-
served access to the court house. This
point need not be argued--it is a me-
cessity as we'll as q convenience. The
objectionablehess in neighborhood of
having that class of persons near resi-
dences and other houses Is more easily
ren1edied by placing them high above
the common level. The construction
can be easily arranged to keep them
out OF sight and hearing. kind of
roof garden for sun light and outdoor
exercise can be made on top.
TT Is growing popular In high build
ings. with easy access by elevators. to
have the kitchens and living rooms on
the upper levels. All the apartments
for the jailer, the cooking and eating,
could be arranged on these floors.
AS you say. too. the prisoners would
be out of reach OF mob violence and
be much less able to escape.
II this mode OF construction would
be begun In Alabama by Jefferson
county, it would readily be adopted
elsewhere.
1T you will have the county houses
Tor paupers improved throughout the
State. brought up to the level of the
Jefferson county house, besides doing
general good you will relieve the State
OF a great expense of supporting many
such persons in the Insane Hospitals
where they do not belong. The OBJ
Jectfonahleness of such houses
throughout the State In many counties
Il might say most counties-gives a
general inclination OF the oficials to
unload them on the State, and a very
positive objection to placing any re-
spectacle person in one of them. In
this field. as well as the jails, from nv
position. know there IL great room
for you not only to interfere but to
give most valuable instruction ana ad-
vice. = =
TN doing this kind Of work honest.
ly and advisedly you hold a place
which will attract upon you, as van
mention. criticism and opposition. You
may expect 1t.
Most sincerely.
y. 7. Searcy, M. n, supt.
alabama insane Hospitals"