The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-21


a few examples given by the govern.
ors statement:
Instance No. l.: IN Phillips county,
according 10 the court records, two ne,
groes Jointly forged nine orders fol
one quart of whiskey each. For this
one of them was convicted |
and sent to the penitentiary for sc
years, and the other for IS years |
When the record of the circuit court |
convicting them was obtained by me- |
AT once issued pardcns for both of |
them. They had no one to appear in |
their behalf, and at the time I issued |
the pardons was notified by the pen |
itentiary officials that after serving |
nearly two years of the time, the ne
gro convicted for Sc years had died.
Instance No. 2: During the. year
1912 it was reported by the citizens
of Malvern that while working near
that town for contractor on the rail-
road, a young white boy convict was
compelled to work in the hot,sun while
he had a burning fever on him, that
he was refused the necessary atten-
ton, and that the next day he died.
Concerning this matter, it was pub
lished in the Times-Journal, paper
at Malvern, that information had been
obtained from the convicts that they
were fed mostly on sour pork and
beans and were herded in cars at
night. "a or % men to the car, where
they slept amid filth and vermin, and
that the slightest complaint upon the
part of any convict brought him a
lashing on his back with a leather
strap six feet long and four inches
wide, and that men sent out from the
walls, unaccustomed TO labor, or to
work on railroads were made to do
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 a strap to the extent of ten licks
and sometimes as many as Is, accord
ing TO the humor Of the warden.
Instance No. 3: 1t was reported
from Ward Station that, while working
on the railroad for a contractor.
white boy convict, convicted of
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 planks OF the platform
/ that many people passed by and offered
! to give him relief, the warden refused
to permit any one to go near him. He
was transported to the hospital, and
next day died"
| The present penitentiary system Of
| the state Is attacked and recommends
tion made for change in manage
.ment. In concluding long statement
/ Mr. Donagheg. sayss in spart:,
I'm. concluding what / have to say
upon this subject, permit me to say:
That 7 favor law enforcement. That
have been conservative in granting
pardons. That have not been unduly
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 par
dons. That ! believe it is right and
Just to legally punish criminals in Sc
verify and terms of confinement ac-
cording to their crimes. But enforc
ing law by putting criminals in the
:nenitentiary. and then selling their
flesh and blood to contractors after
thev have been bound and manacled
in chains and driven and lacerated
with shackles and lashed under such
conditions that the contractors are en-
abled to make fortunes, while from
cruelty the lives of the convicts are
snuffed o1t, is different matter alto
gether.
"Such abuse of power is q reflection
on our intelligence, reputation o.
:. the principles of civilization, a crime
) against humanity, and, if continued
Il will cause a forfeit of that respec'
;. which state should maintain among
! the sisterhood of states of this nation
In a commitment which accompanies
convict to the penitentiary that
though he is deprived OF his liberty a.
: a citizen he Still is granted the righ
Z to five and to be cared for in a man
A.. ner commensurate with sound reason
rJ good Judgment and human mercy.
!, '.'The state does not intend, no
should it longer permit, conditions Il
: arise, by which convicts may be sub
jected to such treatment that thei
: Imprisonment carries the combine'
) penalties of loss of liberty, hard labo
! and severity of punishment until dealt
= itself may end their lives. II for tn
l protection of the state and the preseI
vation of society the death pena't
! must be given, the courts and tn
5 juries are the proper forum fror
e which 1t must be pronounced.
stands that President-elect Wilson a