The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-07-20
PENITENTIARY BOARD
WRITES THE GOVERNOR
Says 1t Must Stand By Contract With Graham
Will Abide Will of the Legislature.
Claims Mill is Not Unsanitary.


mously conclude that the (hoslery
mill) contract is binding upon IL,
both in morals and in law, and that
it is it's duty to stand by the contract
according to it's terms. 1t will, how
ever, call the matter to the attention
of the general assembly when it next
convenes and request that body to in
struct the board with reference there
to, which instructions will, of course,
be followed by the board
In this language the directors Of
the penitentiary, in a long letter
transmitted last Thursday night, out
line to Gov. 3lease their conclusion
upon the demand made by him that
the hosiery mill at the State prison
be abolished forthwith. The letter
was drafted Thursday evening, at
the close of a meeting extending over
Wednesday and Thursday. The di-
rectors exonerate Lessee Graham
from all blame, assume for them
selves full responsibility for condi-
tions existing in the hosiery mill,
maintain that these conditions are
cas- sanitary, clean and healthful as
it is possible to make them;" declare
that convicts engaged in the hosiery
mill actually work under better
health conditions than the thousands
of free cotton mill operatives in the
State, assert that the contract was
entered into with the consent of the
legislature, and is in their opinion
binding both in morals and law; and
the directors further say that Lessee
Graham pays fair price for the la
Dor he receives and has lived up to
his contract.
Letter to Governor.
The letter follows:
His Excellency, Cole L. Blease,
Governor-Sir: Your communica-
ton of some weeks ago demanding
that this board abolish the hosiery
mill contract with Mr.. J. NJ. Gra-
ham, because of the alleged un-
satisfactory, unsanitary and un-
healthful condition in the hosiery
mill, was duly received. In compli-
ance with your request, this board
held meeting on the 21st of June to
fully consider the matter, but not
being able to secure the advice of
the attorney general at that time it
was continued until the meeting of
the board held on yesterday, July IL.
At this meeting the attorney general
and the assistant attorney general
were both present, as were all men,
bers of the board. The matter was
considered in all of it's phases and
the conclusion of the board was final
1y reached.
The, board would call it to your at
tention, that on the 10th day of Au-
gust, 1910, formal contract was en-
tered into by the board with Mr.. J.
M. Graham, to continae for period
of five years, beginning February 1,
1911. Under this contract the board
let to Mr.. Graham, the labor and SER
vices of from 200 to $50 convicts to
be used by Mr.. Graham in the manu-
facture Of hosiery and other knitted
goods of cotton and wool and in the
manufacture of the necessary cases
and bales for shipping the same.
Requirement of Contract.
The contract specifies that these
convicts are to be under the guard
and control of the board of directors,
and the building in which they are
employed, which belongs to, and is
within the walls of the penitentiary,
under the same contract is to be kept
in repairs by the board of directors.
In other words the contract is one
whereby the board of directors agrees
to have convicts do certain work,
they being under the exclusive con-
troll and supervision of the board of
directors, and the place in which
they work being likewise under the
exclusive control and supervision of
the board of directors.
It is clear, therefore, that if any
unsanitary conditions exist in the
hosiery mill it is the fault of the
board of directors, and not of Mr..
Graham, as the board of directors
assumes the duty of supervising the
mill and keeping it in repair, as
we'll as controlling the convicts that
work therein.
It has never been claimed that Mr..
Graham has in anywise failed to
strictly comply with his part of the
agreement, and the communication
from your excellency indicates your
opinion that we should rescind the
contract because of the unsatisfactory