Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-05
GOVERNOR APPROVES
PUNISHMENT PLANS
Of PRISON BOARD

and other sources that Governor
Hardwick would not approve the
convict punishment rule they had
formulated after conferences with
county wardens from all parts of
the state, the prison commission
tuesday morning re-drafted the rule
and submitted it to the governor
and obtained his approval of it.
When the governor some weeks
ago abolished the lash in convict
camps there was a howl of protest
from county convict wardens. The
prison commission called them in
conference March % and a large
element in the conference openly
advocated continuance Of the lash
in disregard of the governors or
der. Judge Patterson. of the pris-
on commission, earnestly counseled
moderation and succeeded in block
ing the adoption of a resolution
declaring for continuance of the
lash.
After the conference the prison
commission drew rae intended as
a substitute for the old whipping
rule. In it they undertook to en-
body, the ideas Of the wardens as
expressed at the conference, with
out, of course, going so far as to
disregard the governors order.
This rule provided for solitary
confinement, restriction of diet, re-
striction of visiting privileges, use
of shackles, strapping the hands of
conYicts above their heads, While
compelled to stand upright, and
for "such other forms of punish
ment as the Wardens saw fit"
Too Much Authority
Governor HardWick announced
Monday his intention to disapprove
very emphatically the strapping of
the hands of convicts above their
heads and the blanket provision
last quoted above, which, as he
said gave wardens more authority
than they had before he abolished
the lash.
These provisions Objectionable to
the governor were eliminated by
the prison commission in their re-
draft of the rule. Judge Patterson
took it to him and he approved it
and wrote the commission a letter.
In this letter he paid his respects
to the attitude of the Wardens VINO
advocated continuance Of the lash
in the Atlanta conference.
whatever may be the opinion of
any man on the question:" he said,
lit cannot be doubted or challenged
that the action of the governor was
taken in obedience 10 law and was
an exercise of his undoubted con-
and legal function. While
any citizen is entirely at liberty to
disagree with my action in the
premises, it i'll becomes those charg-
ed with authority and responsibility
under the law to indulge either in
useless criticism or to exhibit a
spirit of disrespect and rebellion
against the law
Governors Letter
The governors letter to the COM
mission, in which he quotes in full
the re-drafted rule lis as follows
April 3, 1928.
"The Prison Commission of Geor-
gia, State Capitol.
Gentlemen: I beg to acknowledge
the receipt on yesterday of the sub
stitute finally proposed for the third
and fourth paragraphs of rule No.
IL Of the book of rules of the prison
commission of Georgia, prescribing
the duty of Wardens.
LAS finally submitted to me, the
proposed rule reads:
"They shall safely keep all pris-
oners committed to their custody,
rigidly enforce discipline by the use
of such humane modes Of punish
ment us will best enforce submission
to authority and compel and induce
the performance Of good and faith
full labor during work hours, such
as solitary confinement, restriction
of diet, restriction of privilege of re-
ceiving visitors, and other privileges
usually accorded first-class prison.
erS, strictly enforcing grade rules
and good conduct account; the use
of shackIes and striped clothing;
fastening them IN such j way rs
will cause Them 20 be restricted in
their movements, and such other
mode of punishment IS the warden
may be compelled TO use which is
not unusual or cruel in its nature
"In the form finally submitted
unhesitatingly approve the rule, al
though l should have found it inn
possible to do so if the rule orig
inally recommended had stood I'M
changed.
I'm this connection, permit me to
say that [ have observed with deep
concern the reported attitude of the
recent convention of couny officials
and Wardens which was held in At
lanta some days ago, to discuss the
executive order abolishing the use of
the lash in the Georgia penitentiary
system. Whatever may be the Opin-
ion of man on that question, it can
not be doubted or challenged that
the action of the governor in respect
to the same was taken in obedience
to law, and was an exercise of his
constitutional and legal
PERSONALLY, l care nothing for the
criticism of myself or the filings that
were taken at me. I merely eXer
cised an undoubted legal and con-
right in this matter; and
while any citizen of the state is en-
tirely at liberty to disagree with my
action in the premises it i'll becomes
those charged with authority and re-
sponsibility under the law to indulge
either in useless criticism or to eX-
hibit a spirit of disrespect and rebel
lion against the law
Il sincerely trust that upon ma
turo reflection, the men who have
been guilty of such conduct will
readily see the impossible position
in which such conduct places them.
Every respectfully.
THOMAS w. HARDWICk,
Governor"
Mother Cuts Threats