The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1911-07-19

hShiueISl tndI MANY OF the QnfOrtu-
mates contracted this disease before
coming to the Penitentiary, and it is
a common occurrence for the county
chain gang to send in prisoners be-
cause they nave the disease. A greaJ
many also come from the county jails
THE tuberculosis Hospital, which
was highly commended by the board
of health is as perfect as could be
desired, The oonviCts suffering from
or threatened with tuberculosis are
Immediately placed in this hospital
and given the best treatment that mad
ical science can 0evise. In their re
cent inspection of the prisoners. the
board of health. in an examination of
sevent prisoners, found only one
case in which meteorological ex-
animation confirmed tubercle bacilli.
Health Conditions Better.
The great improvement in the
health of the inmates of this institu-
tion has no doubt been largely due
to the new cell building and sleeping
quarters completed in 1902. The old
building was damp and unheated, but
even the board of health makes no
complaint as to the new one, except
to recommend certain changes, espec-
tally in the toilet arrangement which
will be adopted. During the last year
from the prisoners employed in the
hosiery mill, which averaged from 800
to $50, there were three who died of
tuberculosis. OF course, it is impos-
sible to say whether these unfortu-
mates contracted the disease while
working in the mill or elsewhere, and
1t Is equally unfair to charge their
deaths up against the condition exist
ing in the hosiery MILL The only OBJ
jections to the hosiery mill offered by
the board of health in their recent in
spection was that the work of the en-
ployees is confning. outdoor work be-
ing preferable. The board did not find
fault with the sanitary or other ar
concluded that the work required of
the convicts in the mill was too con-
| fining.
Work Hours for COnyicts.
THE convicts employed in the hos
| iery mill work on an average of ten
hours day, and while the work of
some of them requires a close atten-
tion-attention to the knitting machine
1t is no more detrimental to their
health than is similar work done by
thousands of free white people in the
numerous cotton and knitting mills
throughout the State, and in this sec
tion in fact we are confident that the
sanitary condition and the supervi-
sion of the health of the convicts
working in this mill is much better
than that enjoyed by employees in
private industries of similar charac-
| ter, and that the danger to their health
is correspondingly less.
I'VE. therefore, respectfully submit
that in nowise can the hosiery mill be
| nnnSilarnH a n.Nlir nnicanca and m
nowise can it be considered danger
Gus to the health of its employers,
other prisoners confined in the Peni-
tentiary or the public at large"
Contract Binding.
THE contract with MIR. Graham was
entered into by this board under the
express authorization of the General
| Assembly of this State, and in their
last report to the General Assembly
the legislative committee on penal
and charitable institutions expressly
found that the price paid by Mr.. Gra-
ham for the services of the convicts,
was just and reasonable one, and
there is no reason for the State to
make complaint upon this ground.
The Attorney General and Assistant
Attorney General were both with the
board yesterday, and advised us fully
| 40 W lhe law llNOlNtu Ill lnlS Hdl-
ter. The boards conclusion has been
reached by applying the law so given
it to the facts as it knows them to
exist.
After the most careful considera-
tion the board of directors unanimous
ly conclude that the contract is bind
ing upon it. beth III morals and in law,
and that 1t is it's duty to stand by
the contract according to it's terms.
1t WILL however, call the matter to
the attention of he General ASsmebly
when it next convenes and request
that body to instruct the board with
reference thereto. which instructions
Will of course, be followed by the
board.
Looks to Legislature.
I'm conclusion the board calls at
tention to the fact that citizens are
| allowed visit this institution un-
nounced and inspect all departments
including the hosiery mill The board
encourages such inspection and feels
confident that 1t has and will, con
vince all who make it that this in
IStitution is sanitary, clean and health
full i'm all of its departments. that the
prisoners are treated humanely IN ev-
ular the institution is a modem one
for the accomplishment of the purpose
of its creation and existence
I'VE are most respectfully,
A. Is. Sanders,
Chairman;
W. III. Glenn