The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-07-19
nVERN0R's DEMAND REFUSED
DEMAND THAT HOSIERY Mill.
BE ABOLISHED REFUSED BY
DIRECTORS.
No Right to Abate Contract With
j. NJ. Graham n Provisions Have
Been Violated by state.

ehe oemsnds or the governor, the
board of directors OF the state pen
itensiary yesterday morning refused
abolish the hosiery mill. and the
entire controversy will be left with
the general assembly for decision.
The contract Is for Ave years and pro-
vides for the employment Of from 200
70. $50 prisoners. J. NJ. Graham holds
contract with the State. A letter
embracing the position OF the board
was addressed to the governor. The
governor has on several occasions
stated that IL the hosiery mill was not
abolished that he would pardon all
OF the 500 men and women employed
y the mill His attitude toward the
Setion OF the board has not been
learned.
The board finds that j. NJ. Graham
has observed every provision OF the
contract.
That failure on the part OF the
ionfe through it's officers to perform
iSduties toward the convicts, IL such
be the case. should not be allowed TO
work a hardship on J. M. Graham
nor Justify the State in breaking the
agreement with him.
That the hosiery mill Is i'm a thor
Shly sanitary condition and the
cohvicts therein work under more
favorable circumstances than en-
ployes in similar industries conducted
by parties or corporations.
Tat deaths from tuberculosis In
the whole penitentiary. including the
hosiery mill. has decreased from 5S
dYting the years between 1900 and
1905 TO 22 during the years between
1906 and 1910.
That a greater number OF convicts
are brought to the penitentiary al
ready afflicted with tuberculosis than
those contracting the disease within
Ne prison walls.
That as soon as a convict shows any
symptoms OF tuberculosis he or she Is
placed in one of the finest tuberculo-
sis hospitals In this section Of the
country.
xThat the board stands ready to
wake any changes In the buildings
that may be necessary To further
safeguard the health of the convicts.
whfnever they ascertain through the
board OF health and their own inves-
LEGATIONS the same is desirable.
That the board invites inspection by
<kivate citizens OF the State at any
Time. OF all the buildings within the
walls of the state psnitentiary..
The members OF the board OF di-
rectors Of the state penltentiary are
A. X. Sanders. chairman; John @.
sMobley. y. II. Deas. Jasper NJ. Smith
vhd w. II. Glenn.
The action OF the board brings to
an end a controversy OF longstanding.
There Is much speculation as to what
course the governor will take. He
has charged the hosiery mill with be-
Ing n public nuisance. which the
sard denies. He has instructed So
Iicitor Cobb 10 bring action to abate
the contract. The solicitor has made
no statement as TO what course ne will
pursue.
The following communication to
the governor OF the State gives the
&ews OF the board and the decision:
20 His Excellency. Cole L. Blease.
Governor OF the State OF South
Carolina
Sir; Your communication Of some
weeks ago demanding that this board
abolish the hosiery mill contract with
- NJ Graham because Of the alleged
Unsatisfactory. unsanitary and un-
healthy condition In the hosiery mill
was duly received. In compliance
with your request. this board held
meeting on the 21st OF June to fully
consider the matter. but not being
lable TO secure the advice OF the attor-
ney general at that time II was con-
tinued until the meeting Of the board
held on yesterday. July 18th. At
this meeting the attorney general and
the assistant attorney general were
h3oth present. The matter was consid-
Nered In all OF It's phases and the con-
clusion Of the board was finally
reached.
The board would call your attention
that on the 10th day OF August. 1910.
a formal contract was entered into
by the board with J. NJ. Graham TO
1continue for period OF FIVE years
beginning February 1. 1911. Under
this contract tho board let to Mr..