The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-08-27

to correct it and to do their part for
the benefit of society. The parole sys-
tenn which l inaugurated was entirely
successful. Out Of the hundreds of
paroles granted, very few of those re-
ceiving this clemency failed to lead
good lives. H1ey were given another
chance in life, and they took advan-
tage of their opportunity.
l stated to the general assembly OF
my State, in regard to t1is matter that
considered the parole system the best
system ever devised for the handling
of convicts. In a letter Of transmittal
of the reasons which actuated me in
each case, l said, among other things:
'FNow, for instance, you parole
man during good behavior, VITO pos
sibly has served more than half Of
the sentence imposed upon him-some-
times they have been paroled when
they had only three or four more
months to serve-you do not turn him
loose, but say to him, go forth, make
a man of yourself, for if you do not,
and you are ever convicted again, you
have to go back and serve the re-
minder of the sentence imposed. Now,
if these men had gone a@ead and
served out their sentences, they would
be foot-loose to do as they please, and
no restraint would be upon their ac-
tons. E--en a life prisoner may be
paro1ed; 1t is simply giving him an
other chance in life; and how many
men who profess to be great Girls
tians would be living and enjoying the
blessings Of this life, had not God for
given them and given them another
chance? The parole, during good be-
havior, means what? Good beE- avior
means that ne shall not violate any
of the criminal laws Of the State. f
they do, they are not of good behavior,
and they can be recommitted to TIE
penitentiary, without trial, to serve
the remainder of their sentences. The
system have now established in South
Carolina will be followed by other gov
ernors-possibly not so many will be
paroled but the system itself will be
kept in vogue The same system is
being tried in otter States; some going
even further and allowing a man to
work himself out by mis- good behavior
In the penitentiary. Take one case,
particularly, negro had been in the
penitentiary for eighteen years; he IS
paroled during good behavior; he is
given another opportunity to live. II
he disturbs the peace or violates any
of the criminal statutes Of the State,
he goes back to the penitentiary for
life; that condition hangs over him,
and he knows that if he is not of good
behavior, he goes back to serve the
remainder of mis- sentence. Another
instance, white man sentenced to the
penitentiary for a long term, for a
crime committed while under the in
luence of liquor; parole Iaim on the
condition that he take not another
drop of liquor If he does, and thereby
violates mis- parole, he goes back to
serve the remainder Of his sentence >
After an experience of four years
as governor of South Carolina, during
which time I exercised clemency in
more cases than any other three Or
four governors combined, 1 believe
more firmly today than ever before in
the parole system as the most ad-
vanced step that has ever been taken
in prison reform. AS proof of the cor
rectness of this opinion, l may state
to you tdat since l retired from the
Office Of governor, of all the large num-
Der of those whom 1 paroled not a one
has been returned to Imprisonment.
These one-time convicts have re-
formed and are leading good lives and
making substantial citizens. By the
parole system they have been saved
to their families and to the State.
But t-ere must be places OF contine-
ment for prisoners who, it may be, can
not be paroled, and for those who must
serve sufficient time that the lesson
may be taught. Therefore, every chef
executive ought to familiarize himself
thoroughly with the condition of the
penal institutions of his State, and see
to it that they are comfortable and
healthy, and tnat the inmates are
treated like human beings, and not
like cattle.
I believe in fresh air and wholesome