The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-18

and the same conditions are true as
regards our phosphate industries, 1t
! IS then patent to every one that We
can use our prisoners at present to
better advantage in these fields OF
labor than any other now presented.
| ] think these are some of the rea-
sons why our people approve OF leas-
| ing their state convicts.
The next question is: How are we
applying the sysSem we are using?
What methods are in operation to
bring the best results for the protec.
| ton Of the prisoner. the good name
OF the state and, at the same time
use to advantage present conditions
| for the benefit of the law-abiding
tax payer as a recoupe for the ex-
pense attaching to the administration
of our criminal law on account OF
the law breakers?
Better Than Other States.
! From what I have been able to
gather from reading reports and con-
versing with persons familiar with
the systems in operation in other
| states, do not think there is any
question but what Florida has a de-
cided advantage over other states
who hire or lease or under whatever
name they may designate their meth
Cd Of using their prisoners for pecu
mary benefit. Our state has more
direct connection with and closer sup
eryision over her state prisoners
while their labor is being usel by
others than any state that / have
been able to study the conditions Of.
We have four supervisors and one
physician who travel continuously in
Ispecting the various prison camps or
L
Isors' )Abors pertain more particularly
to Investigating the character and
Quantity of labor required by those
employing the prisoners and to note
the treatment given to the prisoners
by those In immediate charge; the
character, quantity and quality Of
food, clothes, bedding, ETC., furnished
to the prisoners. The physicians
Especial work relates more particular.
ly to the sanitary conditions Of the
various prisons together with the
physical condition of each and every
prisoner. It is his business to know
II the management is furnishing prop.
er medical attention and maintaining
the camp in proper sanitary condition.
The supervisors are appointed by
the executive of the state, the ply.
;sician is selected and employed by
the Board Of Commissioners of State
Institutions. We must assume that
the executive uses due care in max.
ing these appointments and that the
board acts with a view of obtaining
the best results from the one they
employ.
Change In Appointment
In this connection l wish to inject
|parenthetically, that If I were not
occupying the position of Commits.
sioner Of Agriculture and therefore
as above explained, having direct sup
ervision Of state prisons and prison
ers In the state, / would make free
to state that, in my judgment, ouI
law relative to the appointment Of
supervisors of state prisoners is de
fective in that it states, The super
visor or supervisors shall be AP
POINTED by the executive" when Il
should say, EMPLOYED by the Com
missioner of Agriculture with the ap
proval of the Board of Commission
ers of State Institutions, to serve q,
the will of the commissioner. I de-
NOT think it practical or good com
mon sense that an EMPLOYEE o.
APPOINTEE should be under obi
cations to one person for his appoint
ment and responsible to another TO
the performance of his duty Suc]
employees of the state should worl
more under the idea of a civil servic,
lsystem rather than be subject to tn,
changes that naturally attend politl
cal appointments. Those who know
me best and are familiar with N,
natural temperament will not for
moment entertain the idea that TAX
this position from any personal am
oition or desire for individual au
thority, nor that / have or entertai
any special feeling towards any super
visor or supervisors that may hav
been appointed from time to time b
the three executives with whom
] have had the honor of serving.
must be distinctly understood that
am not discussing individuals. but
Y principle or policy in connection wit
our system. care not what ma
be the intellectual or moral standin
e OF the individual appointed to auc
service, it must in the end be a ma
ter of education and training to rel
- der one properly qualified to perforl
emclently this part Of our work I
the appointment Of each new supe
visor or physician there must, fro,
necessity, devolve upon the commi
sioner the labor of education, Jus
as it is the province of the superv
sors by continual effort to educat
train and qualify each new warden {
- manager OF prison camp, as well z
the numerous guards that are, fro
necessity, attached to the work.
lessee's Employees Sworn In.
1t goes without saying that ar
one who Is to instruct and trai
others must first have the qualific
tons that come only from experiap.
= before he is properly equipped to a
complished much in the matter
training and educating suitcase
wardens and guards
1t is perhaps not generally know
that every one having any conuectis
: whatever with a state prison can
- IS sworn in as one OF the state .
lice His application for seryi
must first be endorsed By the ma
agement in charge Of the camp al
then by one of the supervisors des
mated to keep record ii. all tho
connected with the system at "a,
&c TO-