The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-03-27
SUBSTITUTE "HUMANE
METHODS" FOR STRAP
LETTING WAS ATTENDED BY
SEVERAL HUNDRED FROM
ALL SECTIONS OF STATE.
EXECUTIVES ORDER SCORED
RESOLUTION Adopted Requesting Leg
stature to Legalize Use of the Lash.
A. Laing, of Terrell County, Pre-
sided Over the Meeting.

sided OVGI TIC AvACNIAA6'
Substitute methods of discipline in
.ta convict camps of Georgia 10 take
tbo MACE of the strap, which was abol-
:.bad bv recent order of Governor
uordwick, were contained in resolu-
t6ns adopted by more than $50 coun-
f., commissioners and wardens who
met in the hall of the house of repre-
sentatives at Atlanta Thursday. For
tbr rule heretofore in existence, au-
thorizing corporal punishment in ex-
treue cases, the convention adopted
the following proposal of the Prison
Commission, to be submitted to Gov
ernor Hardwick for his approval:
Humane Punishment.
GAS a substitute for former para
graphs 3 and 4 of rule II:
"They (the county wardens) shall
safely keep all prisoners submitted to
their charge, rigidly enforce discipline
by the use of such humane methods Of
punishment as will best enforce sub
mission to the authorities and compel
and induce the performance of good
and faithful labor during work hours
such as solitary confinement, restric-
ton of diet, restriction of privilege
of receiving visitors and other priv
ieges usually accorded first class pris-
oners. using shackles and chains and
Handwriting their hands and feet in
an elevated position above their heads
while they are compelled to stand in
an upright position, and such other
mode of punishment as will suggest
itself to the warden in charge and is
suitable to the situation"
The adoption OF that as a substitute
rule came only after a special COM
mittee, composed OF one county COM
missioner and one warden from each
congressional district, elected from
the floor of the convention, had met
with the Prison Commission about
an hour. Even then the final adoption
of the proposed rule came only after
repeated outburst on the floor of the
freely criticised.
Would Ignore Hardwick's Action.
When the committee and the COM
mission had reported the proposed
rule. quoted above, Representative
H. H. Elders, of Tattnall county, of
fered as a substitute for the whole the
following resolution, which he propos-
ed for adoption in lieu of the commit
tees report:
Resolved, That it is the sense OF
this meeting that the Prison Commits
sion, the various county commission
ers and the wardens pay no attention
to the order of the governor attempt
ing to abolish corporal punishment
and that we ask the Legislature to en-
act the necessary law to govern this
question.
The resolution was ruled out of or
der by the chair, but was again offer
ed by Mr.. Elders after the adoption
of the Prison COMMISSIONS substi-
tute rule.
In advocating his resolution Mr.
Elders said he was speaking as d
county attorney and as member Of
the next legislature, and in his place
would say there is no word in the
constitution which forbids the use Of
the strap in handling convicts. In
deed, he said, if that is the best lega
Judgment of the attorney general anc
the governor he must express a poor
opinion of them as lawyers. He as
serted that the whole thing was start
ed by the State Welfare Board, who
put the matter upon the governor
who in turn called upon the Prison
Commission for some action, and tina
commission then proposed a modifica
ton which would require the pres
ence of the county physician when
ever a convict was dashed. At tina
stage the matter was before the gov
ernor for action. He thereupon called
for an opinion from the attorney gen
eral, and on that opinion the govern
or based his order.
Not Cut Threats"
Mr.. Elders in strong terms declar
ed the county commissioners anC
wardens of the state were not th'
thugs, cut-throats and inhuman PEG
Z pie the Welfare Board had given thu
state the impression they are" ant
that he had come here for. the. pur
pose of branding that intimation
lic."
He said regardless of what thi!
convention might do he would say az
a lawyer the state Prison COMMISSION
right now has the legal authority tt
repromulgate rule II and carry it in
to effect.
Judge J. K. Davis, of Polk county
offered substitute to Mr. Elders