Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-17
Elimination of All Donaldson Influence, Which
Is Blamed for Horrible Conditions Urged as
First Step in Complete Change Of the Penal
System-EXecutive Head for All Camps


nesses, convicts and county en-
ployees, who have been punished
for giving evidence to us. We
know that the interests of socie-
ty must be protected by a firm
and vigilant enforcement of punt
tive regulations. We admit that
the situation is difficult. We an
ticipdte that some disorders may
come in the camps because Of
shake ups, but We insist that open
mutiny could scarcely be more
harmful than the continuation Of
conditions which the county and
the State have allowed to exist
in Fulton.
The Jury's Presentment
Here is the presentment in full:
To the Superior Court OF Fulton
County:
We, the Grand Jury Of the Jan
uary term, 1914, Of your honorable
court, beg leave to submit the fol-
lowing special general present
ments in reference to the care of
convicts in Fulton County. This
county is now operating under a
system that is both Anticipated
and unbusinesslike.
1t may have answered the needs
OF a quarter of century ago,
but II no longer meets the re-
quirements of the present condi-
tons involving county expendl-
lures of over million dollars a
year and the management of a
prison system comprising between
six hundred and seven hundred
prisoners in our chaingangs.
To place the administration of
this vast public trust upon five
elected citizens who, as commits
sioners, receive a salary of $500
per year results in inadequate
supervision.
Should Be Executive Hssd.
The head or chairman of this
board should be elected by the
people as the executive head of
the county's affairs. His entire
time should be employed and he
should receive a salary adequate
to engage the services of a man
of administrative ability, equal to
the management OF the expendi-
lures aggregating between 81 ,200,-
900 and $1,000, 900 a year.
The present system is largely
responsible for the distressing
conditions of the county's convict
system. The Board of County
Commissioners, charged by the
public with authority and control,
are to be censured for the present
situation. Only recently has there
been any effective effort TO i'm
prove these conditions.
For a quarter of a century the
entire management of the prison
ers and the work secured by their
labor has been centered In one
man with almost autocratic pow
er. Changes have taken place in
the members of the board, but for
IS years Mr.. Thomas J. Donald
son, as warden and superintend-
ent of public works, has remained
in practical control of the entire
prison system of the county.
Captain Donaldson Censured.
Associated with him for the
greater part OF this time we're
his brother, Mr.. S. II. Donaldson,
and a force of guards and deputy
wardens under personal obliga-
ton TO them for position and ia
vors. The result has been an
organization largely political and
always compact over which the
commissioners have had little
control. This control by Mr..
Thomas ]. Donaldson is directly
responsible for present conditions.
To institute the reforms In the
county's present prison system
required by the demands of de-
cency and an enlightened public
conscience will require the COM
plete removal of Mr.. Thomas ].
Donaldson and his influence from
present control.
The elimination of the Donald
son influence in the management
of the county's convicts is the