Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-08-27

In llfe; ana now many men VINO pro-
t fess to be great Christians would be
: living and enjoying the blessings of
: this life, had not God forgiven them
and given another chance? The pa
, role, during good behavior, means
what? Good behavior means that he
shall not violate any of the criminal
laws Of the state. II they do. they are
not Of good behavior, and they can be
recommitted to'the penitentiary, with
out trial, to serve the remainder of
! their sentences. The system I have
now established in South Carolina will
be followed by other governors--possi-
bly, not so many will be paroled, but
, the system itself will be kept in vogue.
The same system is being tried in
other states; some going even further
and allowing a man to work himself
out by his good behavior in the peni-
tentiary. Take one case, particularly,
a negro had been in the penitentiary
for eighteen years; he is paroled dur
ing good behavior; he is given another
opportunity to live. II he disturbs the
peace or violates any Of the criminal
states 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 his
sentence. Another instance, a white
man sentenced to the penitentiary for
L. f1, nvIy cd
while under the influence of liquor;
parole him on the condition that he
take not another drop Of liquor. II he
does, and thereby violates his 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, I believe
more firmly today than ever before in
the parole system as the most advanc-
ed step that has ever been taken in
prison reform. AS proof Of the cor
rectness Of this opinion, may state
to you that since I retired from the
office of governor, Of all the large
number Of those whom paroled not
one has been returned to imprison-
ment. These one-time convicts have
reformed and are leading good lives
and making substantial citizens. By
the parole system they have been saw
ed to their families and to the state.
But there must be places Of confine-
ment for prisoners who, it may be, can
not be paroled, and for those who
must serve sufficient time that the les
son may be taught. Therefore, every
chief executive ought to familiarize
himself thoroughly with the condition
of the penal institutions of his state.
and see to it that they are comforta-
BILE and healthy, and that the inmates
are treated like human beings, and not
like cattle.
| believe in fresh air and wholesome
food Tor prisoners; and in comforta-
BILE, well-ventilated rooms.
I believe they should have good lit
eratIre and good newspapers, espe-
cially their home county papers. en-
abling them to keep posted upon the
acts and doings and to keep up with
the progress of the people Of their re-
spective counties and Of their state, in
order that when they are given back
to society they may not be as strang-
ers in a new and unknown world, but
may have the incentive in familiar
surroundings to build their lives anew
upon the solid foundation Of honesty
and integrity.
| 1 believesthey should have the right
kind of anhusements, that the social
instinct so necessary in the plan Of
their salvation may not be deadened
within them.
1 believe that the whipping Of pris-
oncrs should be forbidden, except In
cases of wilful disobedience Of rules
or acts Of insubordination, and that
then the whipping should be admin
tered only in the presence Of disinter-
ested citizens of good repute who are
/ uOI COIlHcClcu Ill dhJ way uhOStiy Va
Indirectly, with the institution. The
people Of the nation would be Mortified
il they knew Of the fearful brutality
practiced in our prisons-the merciless
whippings, the electric shocks and
other forms Of shocking cruelty. Ev-
cry chief executive should inform
himself Of these things, that he may
remedy the appalling conditions. AS
1 can testify from experience, 1t is no
easy matter to secure the information.
1t cannot be done by personal visits,
because on such visits everything will
be in the best Of shape, and II the
prisoners are asked how they are
treated they will be afraid not to say
they are we'll treated, because Of the
knowledge that If they state the facts
they will be visited with even more
cruel punishment by their keepers.
But the proper kind Of investigation,
in the right kind of way, will bring
forth the facts, and the remedy can
be applied by just and fearless man.
Thousands Of prisoners every day
arc being released after service Of the
full sentences imposed upon them. In
what condition are these men to re-
enter society and to take UP again the
burdens and responsibilities and priv
ileges Of citizenship? What more i'm
portant duty rests upon the chief exc
cutive than that Of seeing to 1t that
confinement has tended to reform the
prisoner rather than to make a more
hardened criminal Of him?
There are some processing Chris
tians-God save the mark!-down in
my state who condemn me for these
ideas, and who sneeringly ask If pris-
ons are to be made so attractive that
they will lure men into them. We can
only pity such beings, and pray God
that his all-encircling charity may in
some manner include them.
I believe that prisoners, in healthy
and wholesome surroundings. ought to
be put to work at useful trades, or