The Forrest City times., 1912-12-20

Heariy two years of the time, the ne gro convicted for 36 years had died.
 Instance No. ?: During the year 1912 It was reported by the citizens or Malvern that while working near that town for a contractor on the rail- road young white boy convict was compelled to work in the hot sun while he had burning fever on him, that ne was refused the necessary atten- ton, and that the next day he died. Concerning this matter, it was pub llshed i'll the Times-Journal. a paper at Malvern. that information had been obtained from the eonvicts that they were fed mostly on sour pork and beans and were herded in cars at night, A or p men to the car, where they slept amid filth and vermin, and that the slightest complaint upon the part Of any convict brought him flashing on his back with leather strap six feet long and four inches wide, and that men sent out from the walls, unaccustomed to labor, or to
 
 the hardest work in the hot sun from the start; and that, if they Jagged or showed inability to do the work, they were thrown to the ground and lashed with strap to the extent of ten Ticks and sometimes as many as b, accord ing to the humor of the warden.
 Instance No. 2: It was reported from Ward Station that, while working on the railroad for a contractor, a white boy convict, convicted of a minor offense. was shot down and after being delivered to the station to be transported to the hospital. while lying on the platform of the depot in the burning hot sun. his blood trick ling down the blanks of the platform. that many people passed by and offered tc give him relief. the warden refused to permit any one 10 go near him. He was transported 10 the hospital, and next day died
 The present penitentiary system of the state Is attacked and recommenda. ton made for a change in manage. ment In concluding a long statement Mir Donaghey says in part:
 Tn concluding what have to say upon this subject, permit me 10 say. That l favor law enforcement That have been conservative in granting pardons. That have not been undHly exercised from sentimental causes That have not issued pardons for political favors That much of the opposition have had has been from parties disappointed in gaining DAT dons. That believe II is sleh a8d just to legally punish criminals in se verity and terms Of confinement sg- cording 10 their crimes. But enf0rC. ing law by putting criminals ia ths penitentiary. and then selling iheIr flesh and blood to contractors efter they have been bound and manaeied in chains and driven and laccrated with shackles and lashed under such conditions that the contractors are en- abled to make fortunes. while from cruelty the lives of the consicts are snuffed out. is different matter alto. gether.
 Such abuse of power Is a reflection On our intelligence. a repudiation of the principles Of civilization. crime against humanity. and. fl continued. will cause a fcsfeit of that respect which a state should maintain among the sisterhood of states of this nation. in a commitment which accompanies a convict to the peniteatiary that. though he is deprived of his liberty as a citizen. he still IS granted the right to live and 10 be cared for in a man her commensurate with sound reason, good judgment and human mercy.
 "The state does not intend. nor should 1t longer permit, conditions 10 arise by which convicts may be sub jected to such treatment that their imprisonment carries the combined penalties of loss Of liberty. hard labor and severity Of punishment until death itself may end their lives If for the protection of tha state and the preser- vation of society the death penalty must be given. the courts and the juries are the proper forum from which if must be pronounced.
 ,4ftna4.- condition