Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1912-10-03

pliliiS III tiSit, iNVSSh, oit
twenty four months, respectfully
A constitutional amendment is
now before the people, and is to
be voted on at the Novem Der
election, making their terms OF
Office two, four and six years,
and making them either elective
or appointed, as the legislature
may decide. These commission
ers are paid $4,000 each per
month and all reasonable and
necessary travelling expenses
actually incurred when travelling
on business for the prison sys
TEN. They are also furnished
honSes in which to live rent tree
and must reside in Huntsville
Let me say right here that the
salary is a very reasonable one,
considering the necessary quail
tications, the business acumen
needed the responsibilities and
the duties. 1t is necessary in
oio'i w I, Cb dOit IhCit
One member of this commission
is chairman; one has directe
supervision Of the finances of
the system, one supervises the
feeding, clothing and treatment
Of the prisoners, and one super
viSes the work of all the officers
and employees of TIE prison sys-
tenn and has supervision of the
paroles. The individual work of
each is however under the per
sonal supervision and direction
Of the entire board to which he
must make regular reports
Each memoer must devote his
entire time to the discharge Of
the duties of his Office, not en-.
gaging in any other business,
and under penalty not being al
lowed directly or indirectly to
be connected with or interested
in any contract, sale or purchase
Of any property or thing which
may be made during his term OF
Office and in which either the
prison system is interested.
This PriS on Committee under
advice Of the Governor is vested
with the exclusive management
Of the entire system and is held
responsible for the proper care,
treatment feeding clothing and
management of the prisoners,
and Is expected not only to car
ry out the letter but the spirit
intent and purposes of the law
and rules governing the system.
1t also has the authority to dis
charge officers and employees
for reason, or when it may deem
it best for the interests Of the
service
The Commission has the au-
thority to purchase or lease
with the funds at its disposal
lands, buildings, machinery, tool
and supplies for the benefit of
the system, and may establish
factories or do whatever else is
in its judgement best for the
welfare of the state and the pris-
oners, land purchases being
made with the approval of the
Governor of the state.
1t is the policy of the present
law to work all prisoners within
the prison walls and upon farms
owned by the state, and it is
made the duty of the Prison
Commission tn acquire sufficient
land not later than January LIST
1914, or sooner if praCtable, to
enable all prisoners hired out
or employed on share farms. or
contract farms, and who are not
otherwise employed by the state
10 be employed on farms belong
ing to the prison system. The
state has heretofore operated
several share farms with prison
labor and has hired out many of
| its convicts 10 farmers and rail
roads, this leading % abuses
that will be pointed out iu future
articles.
The Prison Commission has
authority % issue such orders
and prescribe such rules aud re-
/ gulations not i'm consistent with
4 the law, as IL may deem proper
with a view 20 carrying out the
general policies of the state fur
'uishiug all officers, employees
and guards with cope, of the
laws. rules and regulations and
requiring examination frOn time
- time as % .heir knowledge OF
. the prison laws aad rules
10 is made tine duty 1f som,
. member, OF members of the
f Commission - spend 80 least
one whole day each month, with
ugt notice. 40 each prison
camp cor farm where prisoner,
are kept or worked and tu care
fuly Inspect the same with re
ference go the food clothing
llI general treatment uf thi
ur -oners. tAe general sanitary
condition. existing 40 each place
reporting upon the conditions
shs. .4farf4 a. wafn~rraf fl.